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Post by DavidW on Dec 9, 2012 11:22:11 GMT
Thanks for the info. I'll stick with 5.56. I plan to check out a local gun shop tomorrow (most shops don't open on Sundays in Switzerland) and see how much an SG551/553 will cost. Going to see just how much trouble it'd be to get a rifle from here to the states. --David
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Sam H
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Post by Sam H on Dec 9, 2012 16:02:04 GMT
You might have trouble bringing firearms into the country. If your father is overseas on diplomatic or military orders then you'll be able to get a break - you can bring the firearms you purchase in Switzerland into the US with your personal belongings after you (or your father if you're under 18) have filed the proper BATF import permit applications and have been approved by the BATF. Of course if you're over 18 and YOU were not overseas on orders from the government you might have to go through a few more hoops.
Non-military and non-government people will have a little more difficulty and expense in getting firearms into the country. You will have to file the proper import permit applications, get in touch with an FFL stateside and arrange for your firearms to be shipped to that FFL once your permits have been approved for those firearms. After you land stateside you can then go to the FFL and have your firearms transfered to you - after a background check, FFL fees and maybe taxes.
Really though, unless you're military, you're probably going to be better off waiting to purchase the firearm till you get back stateside. Otherwise importation fees, cost of shipping (and maybe FFL fees) along with the hassle of the permits and waiting to get them makes it less expensive and less troublesome to buy the guns here in the states. The only reason really that I'd purchase a firearm in another country and bring it back to the states is if the gun were some incredibly rare collectible or if the firearm had some particular important sentimental value (like say you found the 1911 that your grandfather carried in WWII but lost when he was captured by the Nazis and now you've just found it again).
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Post by DavidW on Dec 9, 2012 16:20:05 GMT
Well I want to get a Swiss Arms SG550 to remind me of the two years I spent here in Switzerland, because Swiss rifles are very high quality from what I've heard, and because an actual Swiss SG550 series rifle is really rare in the US. A pre-ban sg550 series rifle goes for over $8500 in the states. So overall, the fees and permits would be cheaper. An Sg550 costs around 3000chf ($3200)in Switzerland, so even with fees and stuff, I doubt it'd go over $4000.
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Sam H
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Post by Sam H on Dec 9, 2012 16:28:26 GMT
Just make sure that whatever firearm you get is legal in the USA. An SG550 is normally a select fire weapon which in its original configuration would make it VERY illegal stateside - for just about anyone to own unless you've got some special exceptions.
Aside from that if you've got the wherewhithal to get it and bring it into the country go ahead and do so.
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Post by DavidW on Dec 9, 2012 17:26:13 GMT
Oh, definitely won't be getting a mil-spec SG550, as it's a military only rifle, after all. Swiss Arms makes semiautomatic versions of the SG550/551/552/553 for civilian shooters.
The only thing illegal about the SG550 would be that it's a foreign made firearm, so it's not 922r compliant, from my understanding. Hoping a tax stamp and some forms/extra registration will let me import it.
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Sam H
Member
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Post by Sam H on Dec 9, 2012 18:17:03 GMT
That's just it - there ARE regulations that need to be followed or else you will be trying to import an illegal weapon.
Being that the civilian model of the SG550 is foreign made AND falls under what would be considered an "assault weapon" you may not be able to import the rifle intact. That means that you'd have to bring it over in pieces and re-assemble it with the proper US made parts to make it 922r compliant. Basically just another hoop to jump through but its still a pain in the ass.
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slav
Senior Forumite
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Post by slav on Dec 9, 2012 19:13:20 GMT
It may be illegal to import the action, period. This is still true of some firearms that are perfectly legal to own and have here in the US....just not to import.
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Sam H
Member
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Post by Sam H on Dec 10, 2012 0:40:19 GMT
This is very true. Honestly maybe it'll be easier for you to just come back stateside then order yourself a Sig 556 or 551. Sig after all is the sister company to Swiss Arms. Not only that but Sig Sauer is very well known for making extremely high quality firearms and some of their handguns hold almost cult level loyalty from within the firearms community.
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slav
Senior Forumite
Posts: 818
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Post by slav on Dec 10, 2012 3:27:03 GMT
Yeah, that's a pretty expensive souvenir. Maybe you should just buy a Swiss Army Knife, use it to cut yourself a slice of Swiss cheese, get a 516 or 556, and call it a day.
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Post by DavidW on Dec 10, 2012 11:12:20 GMT
Yeah, I give up! :lol:
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slav
Senior Forumite
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Post by slav on Dec 11, 2012 4:13:10 GMT
BTW, I hear Basel is nice. I worked in the international jewelry & watch trade for a while but never got a chance to go to Baselworld.
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Post by DavidW on Dec 11, 2012 16:15:33 GMT
Yeah, it's really nice. Some people say it's boring...well in the daytime yes, but once you hit Friday night, we're clubbing like no tomorrow!
Beautiful scenery and nice people too. Most everyone speaks some English, so you're never completely lost or helpless. It's pretty crazy with the weather though; snowing kinda hard here right now. We didn't have any snow until February last year. Also a lot different from when I used to live in SC, where we were lucky to get snow at all.
Jewelry and Watch? Did you work with Rolex or Swatch?
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slav
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Posts: 818
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Post by slav on Dec 12, 2012 19:25:56 GMT
No, I worked in fine antiques and estate jewelry. My company used to set up at Baselworld but did not go the last couple years while I was there.
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