Is the ASP a real gun?
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My local gun shop has one NIB, never fired, never sold to an individual. They want $1900 for it. Its got to be the ugliest gun I have seen in a long time...with a price over $100 that is. Anyone know how much they cost when they came out? If I could get them down to about $1500, I might just buy it as an oddity. Then again, everytime I think about getting it, I see the NIB open bolt MAC-11 9mm next to it for $400 with pre-bans and a threaded barrel. I could buy it, have it legaly converted to full-auto, get a legal suppresor, and pay all the tax stamps for the price of 1 ugly semi auto handgun I would never shoot. Why does this hobby have to be so expensive?
Carbon_15, you cannnot legally convert that MAC to full auto. If you wanted to do that you would have needed to do it before 5/19/86. The suppressor build up is still legal, but new technology has pretty much made the old Sionics design obsolete.
Jason, recreating the ASP can best be done with a gunsmith on a S&W 39-2. The new 3rd gen are better guns, but the grip design will not permit the use of the clear panels as the grip is molded to house the mainspring as well, as is found on a Walter P38 and Walther PPK. If the 2nd gen S&W uses panels and it was available in a chopped and bobbed gun, you would be almost there starting with it.
PigPen, I am not aware of the ASP ever being issued to any govt agency. The Secret Service is a division of the Treasury Dept and protection of the President is one of their duties, others being related primarily to counterfiting operations. You reference 'embassy Secret Service', any protection duties at embassies are handled by State Dept personel, with the exception of Pres and VP visits.
Jason, recreating the ASP can best be done with a gunsmith on a S&W 39-2. The new 3rd gen are better guns, but the grip design will not permit the use of the clear panels as the grip is molded to house the mainspring as well, as is found on a Walter P38 and Walther PPK. If the 2nd gen S&W uses panels and it was available in a chopped and bobbed gun, you would be almost there starting with it.
PigPen, I am not aware of the ASP ever being issued to any govt agency. The Secret Service is a division of the Treasury Dept and protection of the President is one of their duties, others being related primarily to counterfiting operations. You reference 'embassy Secret Service', any protection duties at embassies are handled by State Dept personel, with the exception of Pres and VP visits.
I'm sorry for my ignorance of the law, South Carolina has only resently began alowing Full-auto for civilians. I was told that the parts that make the gun full auto (ie: bolt, sera etc) and not the gun itself need to have been registered before '86. Is this not correct. Could someone not buy a NIB Colt Ar-15 and an auto sear manufactured and registered before the ban in '86 and legaly put the 2 together?
Sorry to stray off topic somewhat.
Sorry to stray off topic somewhat.
I have an ASP. In fact I shot it at the range yesterday as I am considering using it as subject for a magazine article. Your above descriptions are mostly accurate. The closest gun to compare to is the S&W 3913. Almost identical in size - 3913 is a little heavier. The Guttersnipe sight S**ks if you've used conventional sights for even a short period of time. Definately a 4-5 inch grouper at 7-10 yards and not all that fast for me. On the plus side, its a true custom gun with a fantastic smooth trigger and good handling qualities. Definitely a gun to keep and enjoy rather than use for everyday shooting.
Raider
Raider
9mmepiphany
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if you are used to looking for a conventional sight alignment, you will be "over thinking" the guttersnipe. it depends more on the user allowing the unconcious mind take over. i had an opputunity to try one once and found myself trying to "balance" the yellow panels by shifting my eyes back and forth...not good.
efficient use (don't laugh) requires "soft eyes" or lack of focus on a point...sort of like great quarterbacks being able to "see the whole field" by not focusing on any one area.
the three panels will be balanced much as the eye centers the front post in a ghost ring rear.
as an alternative, you could use your "right brain" by aiming with your left eye (assuming you are right handed). i've had some sucess using the QUELL system...braced chapman, drop head onto right shoulder, align left eye with sighting plane
efficient use (don't laugh) requires "soft eyes" or lack of focus on a point...sort of like great quarterbacks being able to "see the whole field" by not focusing on any one area.
the three panels will be balanced much as the eye centers the front post in a ghost ring rear.as an alternative, you could use your "right brain" by aiming with your left eye (assuming you are right handed). i've had some sucess using the QUELL system...braced chapman, drop head onto right shoulder, align left eye with sighting plane
Carbon_15, you are correct on some guns. An AR can have a registered DIAS (drop in auto sear) (pre Nov '81 does not require registration, but can only legally be used in a registered receiver gun), a registered UZI bolt, or an H&K trigger assembly, but there is no such thing for a MAC. Those would have to be converted and registered prior to 5/86.
Carbon_15,
To my knowledge, there was no such thing as N.I.B., unfired ASP. If memory serves, all units were cycled with at least 50 rounds by the gunsmiths at Seventrees or Armament Systems and procedures. Reliability being the driving force behind this. I seem to remember reading an article by Chris MCloughlin(?) in COMBAT HANDGUNS many, many years ago. There was a similar article in AMERICN HANDGUNNER around that time, mid 1980's.
Jim
To my knowledge, there was no such thing as N.I.B., unfired ASP. If memory serves, all units were cycled with at least 50 rounds by the gunsmiths at Seventrees or Armament Systems and procedures. Reliability being the driving force behind this. I seem to remember reading an article by Chris MCloughlin(?) in COMBAT HANDGUNS many, many years ago. There was a similar article in AMERICN HANDGUNNER around that time, mid 1980's.
Jim