Bid on Post Sample Machine Gun Auctions
POST SAMPLE MACHINE GUN AUCTIONS - NO LAW LETTER REQUIRED
Bid from 4/26 - 6/21 - New items added weekly!
The Gun Crew is honored to assist our friend and Range Toys owner Mike Dewitt as he transitions into SOT retirement.
Mike is a longtime gunsmith, machinist, and machine gun builder whose technical skill and hands-on approach resulted in one of the most diverse, desirable, and professionally assembled post sample machine gun collections in the country. These are real, proven. examples, many of which have documented live-fire demonstrations as seen on his YouTube Channel, “ChuckBuster” or “RangeToys”.
This collection is being offered as part of Mike’s retirement from SOT activity. None of the post sample machine guns being brokered will require a law letter for transfer to a manufacture or importer with a SOT 02. Learn more
All transfers will move dealer-to-dealer on a standard Form 3, making this a straightforward and efficient process for active SOTs looking to add exceptional and uncommon machine guns to their inventory.
Watch Demo Videos of Auction Items
The “Retiring SOT” Exception (Post-Samples Without a Law Letter)
Under guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a retiring FFL/SOT dealer may transfer post-1986 machine guns (post-samples) to another qualified SOT without requiring a law enforcement demonstration letter, provided certain conditions are met.
What This Means
Under normal circumstances:
- Post-sample machine guns require a law letter to transfer between SOT holders
- The letter must come from a government agency requesting a demonstration
However, when an SOT is going out of business, the ATF allows:
- Transfer of post-sample machine guns to another SOT
- No law letter required during the liquidation period
Why This Exception Exists
The ATF recognizes that post-sample machine guns:
- Cannot be retained by a dealer who gives up their SOT
- Cannot be transferred to civilians
Without this exception, retiring dealers would be forced to:
- Destroy inventory
- Export it
- Or face severely limited transfer options
To address this, the ATF permits a limited liquidation window.
Time Window
This is a critical factor:
- The retiring SOT has a limited time frame (commonly around 90 days)
- During this period, they may:
- Transfer post-samples via Form 3
- To other properly licensed Importer or Manufacturer SOT holders
- Without requiring a law letter
After this period ends:
- Remaining post-samples must be:
- Destroyed
- Exported
- Or otherwise disposed of in accordance with ATF regulations
Who Can Purchase
Eligible buyers must be:
- A valid Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder
- With an active Special Occupational Tax (SOT)
No law letter is required during this liquidation process.
Why This Matters
This exception temporarily changes the dynamics of the post-sample market:
- Transfers become significantly easier
- The buyer pool expands to all qualified SOT holders
- Inventory becomes more liquid during the allowed window
This is why listings often highlight:
- “No law letter required”
- “Retiring SOT inventory”
- “Limited transfer window”
These are not just marketing phrases—they reflect a real, time-sensitive regulatory opportunity.
Important Clarification
Even under this exception:
- These are still post-sample machine guns
- They are not transferable to civilians
- Buyers must maintain active SOT status
- Records and Form 3 Applications must document the fact the transferring FFL is discontinuing business with the submission of the transfer application for the item(s)
Summary
Normal situation:
Post-sample machine guns require a law letter for transfer
Retiring SOT situation:
Post-sample machine guns may be transferred without a law letter, but only during a limited liquidation period