What Is The Lightening Link?

    If you consume enough gun related media, you probably will at some point come across a reference to something called a "lightening link". For those of you that do not know, the lightening link is a simple device--basically two flat pieces of metal with a couple cut-outs that fit together in an L shape--that supposedly can easily and quickly render a weapon full auto that uses a standard semi-auto AR trigger group. As one of the articles below describes in more detail, "[t]he lightning link accomplishes full-auto fire by pulling the disconnector to the rear forcing it to release the hammer" while the trigger is depressed. Even if you aren't interested in knowing how the device works, the first of the articles is useful if for no other reason than it goes into detail on how a semi-auto AR trigger group works.

    Unlike other devices (e.g., such as the bump stock or certain hand cranked devices) intended to speed the rate of fire by quickly pulling the trigger and for which I believe you can honestly debate whether it converts a weapon to full auto, the lightening link clearly does convert a weapon to full auto because of the way it operates allowing more than one shot to be fired with a single pull of the trigger. 

    I've never used one nor have I ever owned one, so I can't speak to how well they work. I don't even really have much interest in such devices as I've always taken the position that, for a prepper or survivalist in a post-SHTF event, a full auto weapon would be more of a detriment than an advantage because of the likelihood of squandering a scarce and limited resource: your ammunition stores.

    Nevertheless, some of you may find the articles below to be interesting, and it is probably worthwhile to at least know what the device looks like so you do not inadvertently buy one from an undercover FBI or ATF agent or informant or some other unscrupulous seller. That said, I do not recommend or condone violating federal or state gun laws. Don't make one. Don't even etch or draw the design on a piece of metal as did a Florida man who was arrested, tried and convicted for doing the same. 

• "The AR-15 Lightning Link"--Bev Fitchett's Guns.
• "Building the Lightning Link"--Bev Fitchett's Guns.