Lt Dan,
This might be slightly off topic, but my question is did you notice any significant weight change and or distribution of weight after you cut off the fake can? I ask because I too have a ca94fs (shout out to DJF, great guy to work with) and have seriously considered going the sbr route. I'm still debating bout ATF knowledge of my household but I digress; besides the obvious ascetic appeal, does it actually change the performance of the weapon?
Thank,
Vex
As stated above, the solid aluminum fake can barrel extension not only adds weight, but almost doubles length of the barrel. If you increase the moment arm (length of a lever to pry with) by two, you increase the force required by four. So removing the fake suppressor would give your carbine a much more balanced feel. There is also the possible accuracy increase to consider. Not only would the gun be easier to keep on target off hand, there is also the turbulence of the propellant gas passing the bullet. Once the bullet leaves the barrel, it is still inside the fake can. When a bullet leaves the barrel, the propellant gas goes around it. If the crown of the barrel has damage isn't exactly even, gas escaping unevenly can push the bullet slightly and give it a wobble. This can happen to any barrel. With a barrel extension, this effect can be magnified. So removing the fake can barrel extension could greatly improve accuracy. How is the accuracy of your CA94?
As far as any "Imperial entanglements" this is a subject that is a little sore for me, because my opinion at of the loss of some national heritage. Getting an NFA item is very much a personal decision. I mean no offense. You certainly need to comfortable with whatever decision you make whether to have or not to have a NFA item. I've been competing in subgun matches nationally for six years. I've gotten to meet quite a few "Stamp Collectors" like myself. I have yet to actually meet anyone that had BATF&E agents come to their home for a "compliance check" for their NFA item. The BATF&E doesn't have the time or budget for that. Hell, there needs to be a serious felony for them to even be bothered. I have a story about receiving post ban high cap mags during the National AWB. If someone has an out of the blue compliance check story please post it.
What I meant by loss of some national heritage is I know of several instances where Grampa was a WW II veteran and has died. His family discovers, or knew about his war trophy (fill in the blank, MP40, MP-44, etc.) or duty weapon (Thompson, Grease Gun, etc.) and want to know what needs to be done so they can shoot it, sell it, or pass it on, but it was never registered. Since it wasn't registered during the '68 amnesty, it must be destroyed because it is an unregistered machinegun. Either that or they continue to hide and unregistered machinegun. It would be great to have something like the Firearm Heritage Act pass, but who knows if or when it ever would. For the vast majority of these veterans, they didn't register their guns because they didn't want the Government to know what they had or be "in their business". My understanding is that from 1945 to 1952, a veteran could register his war trophy for free. They didn't need to pay the $200 because of their service to our country. I think the old original guns are very cool. I'm lucky enough to own a REWATTed Savage built Thompson M1A1. I'm sorry for the rant, but if a SBR is something you want, my opinion is to get it and enjoy it. How many of these veterans held onto their war trophy but never shot it because they knew there would be trouble if it was found out that they had it. Good luck with whatever you plan to do with your CA94.
Scott
