M53 display build

[Herminator]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and have a few questions. I recently got a M53 parts kit that I would like to build into a display/dummy gun. I am having trouble finding information on what rules I need to follow to keep it legal. I will have to build my own rear receiver section and refit the booster onto the barrel shroud. I know already that I need to leave the bolt out and make my reciever so it cannot fit a bolt. I plan on welding the breech of the barrel shut and it already has three holes drillied in it per ATF spec. My main concern is can I mount a full auto gripstick to my dummy reciever or is that a no no? Also if anyone has some pictures of recievers I can use as templates I would greatly appreciate some. I'm really excited to start this project and hope someone can help me out.

[Dan@AngolaArmory]

I'm not aware of any rules (or BATFE rulings) pertaining to the building of display or "dummy" guns.Denial of any FA internals being installed or "readily restorable" is your objective. I've built a few. I shorten the receiver an inch (in the bbl shroud area, bbl too), weld a bolt head to the bbl extension, weld a 1/4" steel plate the length of the rear receiver interior and weld a stripped buffer to the receiver. You cannot "re-activate" one of my display guns, the receiver is rendered inoperable.
The FA grip stick is OK, I remove the sear and spring though.

[Herminator]

So basically as long as i build a reciever that will not house a FA bolt or chamber any sort of ammunition I can pretty much do what I want. I was planning on trying to make a dummy track for the charging handle to slide in so you can cycle the charging handle and leave the barrel so you can demonstrate the barrel change. I need to make/find a new wooden stock since mine is pretty much junk. So if anyone has one laying around or plans on how to make a new one let me know. This forum is full of so much useful info, I'm very glad I found it.

[42rocker]

Welcome to the site. Good Luck with your plans. One company use a wood stick for the barrel, and another uses pvc pipe, or so I have been told. That sure makes firing a round or two hard. Main thing is finding something to use as a rear receiver.

Later 42rocker

[Herminator]

Well me and my best buddy both work in machining and fabricating lines of work so there isn"t a whole lot we cant accomplish. Bending up some plate for a dummy reciever should be no problem. The hardest part will be the buffer camming area, but I'll get it figured out. I plan to weld the breech of the barrel shut, that should cover no chambering of ammo.

[jcmg42]

IW'S $7.00 HOME BREW SEMI-AUTO MG-53 RECEIVER/BUILD *COMPLETE AND TESTED *

You will need to register & login for the link to work. He built a working m53 rear from steel
channel, kick butt option for dummy's.

[42rocker]

It's an interesting build. Lots of time and talent and some good tooling needed. I also think that it would make a great dummy setup.

Later 42rocker

[shred]

If you go with replaceable barrels, make sure a real one can't be swapped in. Welding the breech shut won't help if somebody can just drop a live one in.

[42rocker]

On the barrel change out you can weld in a post and cut a deep slot into an barrel extension that you attach a dummy barrel on. This way you can have a barrel change out and have it look right without the worry of a change out into a live barrel.

Later 42rocker

[Herminator]

You think it would be ok if I shorten the front of the barrel shroud an inch and make a solid bushing for the booster to hook to, then tig weld the whole thing together? Then I can just shorten my junk barrel an inch and still have the barrel change work but a live barrel wont fit, nor would it be able to fire through the solid front bushing.

[42rocker]

Thinking about it that way. I would not shorten the barrel shroud. Using a "solid" plug insert where the dewat torch cut is a good idea. That way you would skip a lot of problems and have a solid area also. You would skip about three parts one of which costs about $100.. Good Thinking on that one.

Later 42rocker

[Herminator]

Awesome, I will take some pics when I get the front bushing finished. Hopefully I can get started on my reciever in the next week or so.