UZI Build Project Part 1: The Receiver
In the search for a new and “different” firearm build project (e.g. “not an AR-type rifle”) I stumbled upon the ample number of imported, demilitarized UZI parts kits that are available for purchase at very reasonable prices.
Additionally, there are many related articles around the web and quite a few videos posted to YouTube, many of which explain/show the entire build process from beginning to end. This convinced me that this was indeed an interesting and worth-while project. The one article that I did not find was one which fully compared the different receiver options that one might use to accomplish this build. In this article, I am setting out to do that.
Project Overview
Before we get into the receiver details, I want to provide a brief overview of the project. The UZI that I am referencing is a short-barreled machine gun chambered in 9×19 mm that was designed by Israeli Defense Forces Major Uziel Gal in the late 1940s and was originally manufactured by Israel Military Industries. It is an open-bolt, fixed firing pin blowback- action firearm. In addition to the 9mm model, there are .45 caliber conversions available as well. There are many surplus and newly-manufactured parts for sale, and its status as one of the most iconic firearms ever made make it an interesting project. The remanufactured semi-automatic model is still blowback action, but uses a closed bolt, separate firing pin, and includes a number of ATF-required modifications necessary to prevent the easy conversion back to a select-fire firearm.
In the interest of fully-disclosing all of the necessary legalities, it is important at this point to understand the following:
| If the parts are assembled exactly as the originally were prior to being demilled, you will have a machine gun which is illegal under the National Firearms Act, unless you happen to possess a license to manufacturer such weapon.
The manufacturer (you) is responsible for ensuring that the firearm is fully modified to meet the ATF’s requirements of manufacturing a semi-automatic UZI. If the parts kit is manufactured with a “short barrel” (less than 16” in total length) and with a stock, it will require an NFA “Tax Stamp” as under current regulations (as of October 2016) it is considered a “short-barreled rifle.” If no stock is added, it can be considered a “pistol” and is therefore not subject to the barrel-length requirements. As a firearm constructed from imported parts, it is subject to US Code Title 18 Chapter 44 Section 922(r), which is usually just referred to as “922r”requirements. These require the use of a certain number of USA-made parts (this will probably not be a big challenge for you, as many of the parts that you will likely want to replace will assist you in meeting this requirement). There have been multiple cases of firearm owners being convicted of illegally manufacturing and/or selling an NFA firearm (machine gun) for selling UZI parts which failed to meet the ATF’s regulations regarding the conversion from full-auto to semi-auto. Please do your due diligence and if you have unanswered questions contact the ATF directly. They are very accustomed to being asked for further clarification and/or specific details of their requirements. |
The Receiver
The typical parts kit ships with a number of parts, including a demilitarized receiver. The receiver is typically cut into three to four pieces by either a saw or a cutting torch. It is very unlikely that it can be reconstructed due to the state that it is in, which is the intent of the demilling process. There are usually a number of parts attached to the receiver which can be reused, if desired.
I’ll list the possible receiver construction methods below in order from most-simple to most-complex. The links to the manufacturers are located at the end of the article.
1. Purchase a complete, semiauto receiver.
Cost: $239.00 + FFL Transfer Fee (McKay Enterprises)
$699.00 + FFL Transfer Fee (UZI HQ, Constructed by BWE Firearms)
This is the simplest, albeit most expensive, manner to construct an UZI. Fully-welded receivers are available from a few different manufacturers. Being a fully-constructed receiver, it must be transferred to you through a dealer (FFL License).
This is certainly an effective way to complete the firearm, although the expense of this likely puts you closer to the cost of a newly-manufactured 9mm UZI than you would want to be on a firearm that you are manufacturing yourself from parts. They are, however, complete UZI semi-auto uppers, which only need the bolt assembly, the barrel, and the grip stick with trigger and sear assemblies to fully complete.
Photo of McKay Enterprises UZI Receiver Photo of UZI HQ Receiver
2. Purchase an “80%” (80-percent complete) receiver.
Cost: $76.95 (RTG Parts)
$94.99 + FFL Transfer Fee (D And D Sales)
$109.00 (UZI HQ)
These are available from RTG Parts and D And D Sales. They are essentially a formed receiver minus the front trunnion (which retains the barrel and stops the forward motion of the bolt), the rear plate, the feed ramp, and the blocking bar (which must be welded in to prevent a select-fire bolt from being installed).
The welding involved is fairly minimal, and this method should allow you to complete a solid and attractive rifle. I have not had the opportunity to look at these pieces, so I cannot verify how close they actually are to the original design, however the manufacturer says that they are made to exact specifications. In addition to the 80% receiver, you will need to purchase a front trunnion, rear plate, and blocking bar.
Please note: D And D Sales requires their receiver to be transferred through an FFL, which is likely simply an abundance of caution.
Additionally, those familiar with “80%” AR15 lower receivers will find this to be quite a bit different, as you are not milling/drilling out metal, but are rather welding additional parts in.
Photo of RTG Parts 80% Receiver
Photo of UZI HQ Receiver Channel
Photo of D And D Sales 80% Receivers
(Closer to the 80% receivers than the repair channels below)
3. Purchase a constructed UZI receiver repair-channel
Cost: $89.95 (US Barrel Shrouds)
$112.00 (UZI HQ)
US Barrel Shrouds and UZI HQ both sell a full constructed repair channel with is a “U”-shaped metal piece designed to be welded between the original front and rear sections included with your parts kit. I liked this method as it reused original parts (and if you are better at welding than I am, may mean that you can keep the original markings of “UZI SMG” (small machine gun) which may be desirable to you from an authenticity standpoint. You will need to purchase a feed ramp.
I tried this method, and found that welding the front piece was quite easy, but welding the rear piece in proper alignment proved challenging.
Photo of US Barrel Shrouds Receiver Channel
Photo of UZI HQ Repair Channel
4. Purchase a “Repair Flat”
Cost: $18.00 (The Flat Spot)
$69.00 (RTG Parts)
This is essentially the same method as #3, except that you assemble and weld the receiver repair section. These “flats” come in two forms: a flat piece of steel with laser perforations that allow the parts to be separated easily and rewelded, and a flat piece of steel designed to be bent into the proper shape.
I initially tried the first variation, from The Flat Spot. It was not overwhelmingly difficult, but as I was an inexperienced welder, I became concerned that the final product, while functional, would not be up to my expectations in terms of appearance. If you have some welding experience and perhaps some more-professional welding equipment, this may be an option for you.
I avoided the second type of receiver flat (the one that you bend into shape) which is available from RTG Parts. There is an outstanding YouTube video where a builder constructs a jig to properly bend the channel with a hydraulic shop press. He appears to get good results, although it is very clear that he is in the metal working/fabrication profession, and I am not sure that I could get the same results, especially when I could purchase a properly bent channel for $25.00 more. This may be a nice challenge (or an easy build) for you if you have the experience, tools, and materials to do this correctly.
Photo of The Flat Spot receiver flat
Photo of RTG Parts receiver flat
Parts Availability/ Distribution
I feel that it is worth mentioning that there is a limited market for these parts, and pretty much all of these businesses (especially the ones exclusively specializing in UZI parts) are small businesses. Obviously, these parts are usually produced in smaller production runs than, for example, AR-15 parts and availability will vary. The good side of this is that you are dealing with businesses that will answer their phone without you having to work through a lengthy customer service menu, and thus you will very likely get a “real person” who is happy to assist you.
Referenced Suppliers:
McKay Enterprises
RTG Parts- Gun Parts and Militaria
D&D Sales
US Barrel Shrouds- Gun Parts and Militaria
UZI HQ
The Flat Spot
Additional UZI Parts Resources:
Apex Gun Parts
FTF Industries
Northridge Inc.
Numrich Gun Parts
Sarco, Inc.