Pros and Cons of going the SBR Route

[Aragorn243]

Certain things bug me and having to alter things substantially from the original is one of them. Looking at the PPS-43C for example. Legally, can't own one that is full auto and couldn't afford it if I could. So I have to accept the semi-auto conversion aspect of it. But the folding stock being fixed in place because this 24 inch long beast is legally a "pistol" seems ridiculous. So what happens when you go through the SBR process? Does the value of the firearm increase, decrease, stay the same only with more difficulty in selling it? The $200 tax stamp might be worth it to me just to have it "correct" but then it becomes problematic with transferring it. I've heard about putting the stamp in a "trust" of some sort but thought they were working on eliminating that possibility. I currently have a Soumi build that I have the same issues with. Can't really go any further with it until I can decide the SBR issue.

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[Vincent]

In my opinion the PPS-43C is worth the stamp and the conversion parts.

Some people have used a 16” barrel to allow the use of the folding stock. I am not a fan of that option because the bolt is very light. It is the light bolt that gives the full-auto PPS43 its high rate of fire. When the bolt is converted, it is even lighter, making the long barrel unsuitable. By the time the bullet clears the long 16” barrel the bolt has traveled back almost to the point where the case is out of the barrel chamber. There’s no room to add more weight to the bolt or a significantly stronger recoil spring. So, keeping the short barrel is the best option in my opinion.

The Suomi is the opposite. It has a big heavy bolt and the 16” barrel is not that much longer. It’s a VERY HEAVY gun. Shortening the barrel doesn’t make much difference. It’s a fun rifle to shoot, but you’re not going to carry it much. It’s too heavy.

If you decide to SBR the PPS-43C, you can do it with very little trouble. I have a NFA trust. It’s easy to do and have notarized. Then register on BATFE E-Forms. Fill out the Form 1, upload your trust, pay the $200 with your credit card. The BATFE emails you a PDF with the stamp on your approved Form. I have had them back in 30 to 60 days. That’s a lot faster than a transfer (eight months now in Texas).

I don’t believe NFA trusts are going away. They offer a lot more than most people know.

Some CLEOs will not sign. If you have a trust the CLEO signature is not required. That’s mainly why trusts have been very popular.

The CLEO signature is going away. The new requirement is to notify the CLEO.

The PPS-43C stock looks like you can grind the welds of and unfold it. In reality it’s not that easy. Some of the parts are welded so solidly that they can’t be reused. You can buy the folding mechanism for very little or get a parts kit.

The PPS-43C is well made and has a beautiful blued finish. There are 9x19mm barrels available and you use the same mags. It’s fairly light and easy to carry.

In my opinion the value increases. But it might not be enough to cover the $200.

Transferring class three items is not difficult. Here in Texas you don’t have to go through an FFL if you are both residents. The seller collects the payment. Both the seller and the buyer fill out the transfer form in duplicate and send it in to the BATFE along with the buyer’s $200 for the Tax Stamp. The seller keeps the gun (or other class three item) until he/she receives the approved Form from the BATFE. Then the new owner picks up the gun and the approved Form with the Stamp on it.

The drawbacks are the $200 Tax. The reason it is there is to dissuade people from owning class three items. The long transfer time also dissuades people.

My advice would be to SBR the PPS-43C and build the Suomi with a 16” barrel.

[Aragorn243]

My PPS-43 is one of the later imports that is not welded but pinned with an oversized button or undersized hole. The pin is then peened on the underside. Not exactly sure how this all works as I have not been able to locate a decent photo that shows an operable folding stock. I know a spring is supposed to go in there somewhere but not sure where. IF it is how I think it is, I would need to get the peened pin out and either resize it or the hole and re-install it or a new one and add a spring. I do somewhat agree with you on the Soumi. It seems less expensive to purchase the 16" barrel than the tax stamp. I can also drop the barrel out for presentations easily enough if I wanted to show what they looked like originally. Hard to notice there is no barrel in it due to the shroud.

I'm really leaning toward the tax stamp for the PPS-43 because not having an operable stock really bothers me.

[Vincent]

It sounds like yours is like the one on the right. It has an undersized button hole.



The button is shorter than the original. The axle is a repro and the retaining pin is welded in.

I don’t know if the repro button is long enough to unlock the stock without a lot of difficulty.

[Aragorn243]

That is very helpful. I figured that is where the spring should go. I would say mine is pretty similar to the one on the right. So what would I need to repair it? New pin and spring along with some drill work? Does the welded in retaining pin need to come out?

[Vincent]

Yep, a pin, a spring and drilling out he hole should do it. I think you can get by leaving the welded retaining pin alone. You need to have the approved Form 1 with the Tax stamp first.

Remember drill bits wobble and make a hole that is bigger than the bit. So, you use the bit one size smaller than the button. If the hole comes out too small you can open it up with a round file.

[Aragorn243]

Do you have to carry a copy of the tax form with you at all times when you have the SBR? And I read something somewhere about not crossing state lines.

[Vincent]

You do not have to carry the Form/Tax Stamp, but I always keep a copy with the item.

Traveling outside of your home state requires sending in a Form 20 in duplicate. When you get it back approved you can take it on your trip. The approval is only good for the listed dates on the Form 20.

You file the same Form if you move your primary residence.