Zib Militaria in Hamburg, Germany – When TFB’s Nicholas C visited them two years ago he came back with a story called A Veritable Machine Gun Cave Of Wonders. Just remember that Zib is not a place that you can visit, walk around and browse like a normal shop. Use their website instead, and only order if you’re allowed to in your country.

Since our visit the EU Firearms Directive (aka EU Gun Ban) has come into place, something we described in detail in our article Essential Parts of the new German Firearms Act – Guidelines. In short, this means that a lot of the so-called “free parts” that Zib Militaria has been able to sell will become forbidden or require firearms permit.

US versus typical European firearms legislation

Remember that in some countries, lower receivers for the AR platform are completely free. For €49,90 you could use one or two of these Colt M16 lowers as paperweights if you wanted. I guess the same part in the USA would be around $15,000?

Instead, a firearms permit is required for the upper receiver, the barrel and the bolt (think pressure-bearing parts). Of course, the difference between US legislation and typical EU legislation (at least up to now) for these kinds of parts is difficult to comprehend for the human brain.

Deadline

As new legislation is taken into place in Germany, Zib Militaria is in a hurry to get some of their stock sold. The deadline is September 1, 2020, and therefore there is a pretty good discount on the M16 Lowers. M16 lower, US Colt made, used Old price 159.00 €  Now: 49.90 €. That translates to around $54,85, including VAT.

The description reads (edited):

US M16 receiver lower, US Colt made. Used condition.

Do not mount this in a civil M16 / AR15 if fullauto is forbidden in your country.

The magazine or weapon part offered here becomes subject to authorization or is prohibited in Germany when the Third Weapons Law Amendment Act (3rd WaffRÄdnG) comes into force on 01.09.2020.

The Weapons Rights Amendment Act was announced on February 20, 2020 and will take effect on September 1, 2020 in relation to magazines and main weapon parts. From 01.09.2020 to 01.09.2021, the change in law provides a transitional arrangement concerning the possession of those articles.

If you have owned affected magazines or weapon parts before February 20, 2020, you can / must apply for a permit / exemption by September 01, 2021. Affected magazines that you purchased before June 13, 2017 only need to be registered with the authority.

For all affected magazines and weapon parts that were / are bought after February 20, 2020 there is no legal regulation. Here you will find yourself in a gray area. You can continue to purchase the affected magazines and weapon parts until September 1, 2020, but knowing that they will be subject to authorization or prohibited in Germany from September 1, 2020.

Until the end of the transition period on September 1st, 2021, you can freely dispose of the affected article, but you must apply for a permit by September 1st, 2021, or hand the articles over to an authorized person or have given it to the responsible authority / police station without compensation.

If you want to add a little luxury to your purchase you can choose the Colt made M16 lower in good condition instead.

Please note that some of the products available at Zib Militari are restricted and will NOT ship to your destination. 

You may be interested in the story about the AR-15 Mod. 613 Pre M16A1 Colt as well.