Heckler & Koch HK43 - Select Fire HK93 Conversions

Select Fire HK93 Conversions

The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibited the import of HK33 (as well as HK53) rifles for civilian ownership in the U.S. because of their status as machine guns. As a result, a number of HK93s (and possibly a small number of HK43s) were used as hosts for full-auto conversions for civilians who wished to own an HK33/53 select fire rifle. Up until the passage of the McClure-Volkmer Act, a Class II manufacturer could convert an HK93 in one of two ways. He could either drill a hole in the receiver to accommodate the attachment of a push-pin style "S-E-F" grip frame housing, or he could modify a semi-auto trigger pack and use a clipped and pinned "S-E-F" grip frame housing. The flapper/paddle magazine release was usually installed on these rifles at the time of their conversion for added authenticity. Sometimes, the receivers were even remarked or restamped to say "HK33" or "HK53". For an HK53 conversion, a gunsmith had to cut the barrel of an HK93 down to 8.3 inches and re-thread the muzzle.

The Hughes Amendment in the Firearm Owners Protection Act prohibited the ATF from accepting any new registrations of machine guns for civilian ownership after May 19, 1986. Due to their scarcity and the fact that no new HK33/53 rifles can be produced for the civilian market, the value of these Title II firearms keeps going up year after year. The average price for one of these HK33/53 conversions is about $15,000. Those that have the push-pin style grip attachment are considered to be the most authentic reproductions of factory HK33/53 rifles and thus command a premium.