What is Illegal, What Can't be Imported, What is just unavailable?

I've been working with Thompson model guns for less than a year. You can get the cartridges and caps on gunbroker, maybe ebay.

Reading the posts here, threads erupt about what might be illegal. Not being a madman, I don't want to buy something just because I found a source, that is illegal.

This question applies to all model guns, I've ordered other model guns that interest me.

Could you give me examples of what we can't have because because it's
A) Illegal
B) Won't Pass Customs
C) It's just scarce

Because won't I feel dumb if I find something and share it with ya'll, and it's illegal. That would really take the fun out of my new model gun hobby.

Sadly I am not an expert about US laws and regulations. But I read over the past years that modelguns are legal in the US. I know from a few collectors who have built their collections in the USA. Blank guns can be a problem, and of course there is always the risk that police officers and custom authorities do not realize a modelgun as a replica toy gun, so they seize first, then ask questions later.

Trade marks can be an issue, so MGC often sold their M16 ABS models in the early 1990s with Colt trademarks removed. And often that orange muzzle tip seems to be required.

Our US based members should be able to help here.

Steelflood wrote:

I've been working with Thompson model guns for less than a year.  You can get the cartridges and caps on gunbroker, maybe ebay.

Reading the posts here, threads erupt about what might be illegal.  Not being a madman, I don't want to buy something just because I found a source, that is illegal.

This question applies to all model guns, I've ordered other model guns that interest me.

Could you give me examples of what we can't have because because it's
A) Illegal
B) Won't Pass Customs
C) It's just scarce

Because won't I feel dumb if I find something and share it with ya'll, and it's illegal.  That would really take the fun out of my new model gun hobby.

The only thing I have had confiscated by customs was a blank firing Luger (I bought it on this forum, actually) - I had a limited amount of time to contest it, and did get it back.
They need to have an orange plugged barrel or something.

I would avoid high capacity magazines, even fake ones like those for the Thompson Model Guns, it will be an issue with a hard nosed customs officer, a firearm magazine over a certain round count requires a form 6 import permit - trying to explain that your MGC magazine is not for a real firearm may be a headache.

Mostly these replicas when boxed and orange plugged will get through just fine though.

The above glitches are the sum of my glitch experience bringing in a fair number of (over 20) replica guns over the years for film work.

I had mostly good luck over the years, but seemed like they got picky about more modern weapons. I lost a number of complete guns and separately packed parts to confiscation over the years. At times they took stuff that was 100% legal to own and import - no trades, orange painted tip, the whole nine yards. 99% of the time the package just stops tracking at customs. They don't even bother to send you anything that says they confiscated your items. That is frustrating.

Thank you for sharing your valued experience. Have you been able to get your seized models released in the end, or were they lost for you.

pitfighter wrote:

Steelflood wrote:

I've been working with Thompson model guns for less than a year.  You can get the cartridges and caps on gunbroker, maybe ebay.

Reading the posts here, threads erupt about what might be illegal.  Not being a madman, I don't want to buy something just because I found a source, that is illegal.

This question applies to all model guns, I've ordered other model guns that interest me.

Could you give me examples of what we can't have because because it's
A) Illegal
B) Won't Pass Customs
C) It's just scarce

Because won't I feel dumb if I find something and share it with ya'll, and it's illegal.  That would really take the fun out of my new model gun hobby.

The only thing I have had confiscated by customs was a blank firing Luger (I bought it on this forum, actually) - I had a limited amount of time to contest it, and did get it back.
They need to have an orange plugged barrel or something.

I would avoid high capacity magazines, even fake ones like those for the Thompson Model Guns, it will be an issue with a hard nosed customs officer, a firearm magazine over a certain round count requires a form 6 import permit - trying to explain that your MGC magazine is not for a real firearm may be a headache.

Mostly these replicas when boxed and orange plugged will get through just fine though.

The above glitches are the sum of my glitch experience bringing in a fair number of (over 20) replica guns over the years for film work.

Mate, I remember the sleepless nights back then. You first received the parcel, but the Luger's original box was empty. It feels like yesterday, but was more likely 15 years ago or so. Greetings from Germany!

MadMike wrote:

Thank you for sharing your valued experience. Have you been able to get your seized models released in the end, or were they lost for you.

Sometimes things would mysteriously show up about a year later. Just show up! Other times I never saw anything. Just vanished!

Thank you very much.

I would have expected that in a country like the USA you would get a formal notice from authorities about the seizure so that you can try to take (legal) actions.

But I had heard stories from different countries including Germany that sometimes tracking just stopped at customs and items showed up many months later without any notice, as you said just showed up ...

Magazines, I'm glad you brought it up....a magazine does not have to to have orange tape around it, but I've seen it done. IF you don't label an MGC mag and CUSTOMS gets to fill in the blank and says "gun part", the're not wrong.