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Preban magazines

jax18421jax18421 Member Posts: 138 ✭✭✭
edited June 2002 in Ask the Experts
Hi all, I have a 25 round Butler Creek magazine for my Ruger 1022. On the heel of it is 09/94 which to me designates manufacture date. Question is, the Brady law states any large cap. mag. made after 09/13/94 is unlawful so is my mag. pre-ban or not?? Thanks for any opinions. Jax
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Comments

  • rmeyerrmeyer Member Posts: 566 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It is not pre ban. That magazine is illegal to own. That mag should also say on the reverse side and up near the top " for export". If it doesn't someone removed it.
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  • boeboeboeboe Member Posts: 3,331
    edited November -1
    In short, rmyers is corret. If you want to know why it's happening I'll explain. In Canada they never restricted the manufacture of hi-cap mags. Butler Creek, and other manufacturers (particularly the tear drop drum) are still sending magazines to Canada for sales there. These mags are marked "Export Only" and have the date you describe when they are manufatured here. There are a few people in Canada who are grinding/polishing off the "Export Only" (and usually the date?) designation and sending them back into the USA. There are people who are re-selling the magazines on auction and gun shows. These magazines/drums can be identified by looking for the grinding/polishing marks where the "Export Only" and date identification use to be. These mags are lower in price and illegal as well. Some people don't care so much because the price is low. But considerig the guys in Canada are buying them for around $10.00 to $20.00 each and selling them for $40.00 to $80.00, they are making a nice profit. Many people would argue that the ATF isn't concerned about these mags, and as often as I see them for sale I would say that seems to be the case. However, the day may come when the ATF gets serious about these, and regardless of the fact that the owner doesn't know it's a counterfeit, possession is still against the law. At the very least these mags will always be subject to confiscation, or worse. And they will not appreciate in value as will genuine pre-ban magazines. I think the reason for this is obvious. Regardless of whether or not the ATF cares to pursue enforcement of .22 rifle hi-cap magazines at this time, knowledgeable dealers, shooters, and collectors will always check to see if they can determine if a magazine has been altered. For that reason, I'd recommend you buy from a reputable dealer or ask plenty of questions, particularly whether or not the mags were ever in Canada. Also, these magazines have to be pulled out of their factory package to be altered. So making sure the magazine you buy is in it's original factory package would help. Then again, the original mags are expensive enough that I'd hate to break a new one out of it's facoty holder. It would be like driving a new car off the dealer's lot. Instant depreciation.




    To err is human, to moo is bovine.
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  • jax18421jax18421 Member Posts: 138 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you for the replies. The mag. I have is in its original blister pack and has not been tampered with. It does not say "export only" anywhere unless on the side I can't see. If my mag. has 09/94 manufacture date why couldn't it have been made prior to the 09/13/94 date the law went into effect. In other words on 09/12/94 which would make it pre-ban. Isn't there room for argument here??
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  • gunner@nwinet.comgunner@nwinet.com Member Posts: 23 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you just want to argue about it why did you post the question on this forum.
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  • jax18421jax18421 Member Posts: 138 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sir, I am not looking to argue. What I meant was, would I have grounds for questioning the legality of my mag. with law enforcement because of the time frame. Sorry if I appeared to be arguing with the members. Not my intentions at all. JAX
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  • kimberkidkimberkid Member Posts: 8,858 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    jax18421'
    I dont think Butler Creek or any other manufacturer put dates their mags prior to the ban ... I could be wrong, but none of my B.C. mags have dates and I bought them prior to the ban ...

    =================================
    The only bad thing about choosing a Kimber ...
    ... there are so darn many models to choose from!
    kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com
    If you really desire something, you'll find a way ?
    ? otherwise, you'll find an excuse.
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  • rmeyerrmeyer Member Posts: 566 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BC started putting dates on them to signify that they are post ban mags. The export only marking is on the opposite side of the date that was put on it so if it is in the package you cant see it. Kinda surprised the packaging doesn't state for export only but i've never seen 1 in the package. Nobody knows if the ATF is going after them or not but I sure wouldn't want to be the guy they make an example of. If you get pulled over with firearms in your car a police officer will look at your stuff whether you give him permission or not if he can see them. If he finds that mag he will confiscate it and you will be charged with possesion of an illegal mag. Not sure if those would go down as a felony or misdemeaner but again i'd hate to find out. To save about 15.00 bucks on a true pre ban mag it just isnt worth the hassle.
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  • jax18421jax18421 Member Posts: 138 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you all for responding to my question. I will put the mag. in the cicular file. Makes me mad though cause I bought it on a Gun Broker auction just a few months ago. Oh well, "caveat emptor"
    Jax
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  • kimberkidkimberkid Member Posts: 8,858 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jax - If you bought it on GB, you should go post feedback on the seller to warn other buyers ... if for no other reason, its the right thing to do, thats what the feedback fourms are for. If you have already left feed back you can change/edit it or add to it with follow up ... you might try getting your money back first though ... just a thought ...

    =================================
    The only bad thing about choosing a Kimber ...
    ... there are so darn many models to choose from!
    kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com
    If you really desire something, you'll find a way ?
    ? otherwise, you'll find an excuse.
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  • azgunnut2@yahoo.comazgunnut2@yahoo.com Member Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jax ,
    I have a fellow L.E.O. that will buy it , instead of trashing it you can reciver some of your $$$...just a thought ...
    Thanks & Good Luck !!!!!!
    azgunnut2@yahoo.com

    Join / Support the NRA
    Guns are my friends !!!
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  • LIKTOSHOOTLIKTOSHOOT Member Posts: 523 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    LEO`s cannot legally receive it unless stated on Dept. Letterhead. Doubt he has a tactical 10/22. LTS
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