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U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information
Criminal Intelligence Division

(U) Invisi-Switch Machinegun Conversion

Device (MCD)
ATF Intelligence Advisory OSIICID-23-059

Scope

(CUI) The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Office of Strategic
Intelligence and Information (OSII), Criminal Intelligence Division (CID), Analysis Production
Branch (APB), has prepared the following intelligence advisory in partnership with the Fort Pierce
ATF Field Office (Miami Field Division) to provide information about the "invisi-switch"
machinegun conversion device (MCD) and assist law enforcement (LE) with identifying, tracing, and
analyzing the invisi-switch MCDs.

(CUI) Figure 1: Invisi-Switch (CUI) Figure 2: 3D Printed Invisi-Switch

Source: ATF – Charlotte Field Division Source: ATF – Special Operations Division

Key Findings

• (CUI) Invisi-switch MCDs resemble original equipment slide cover plates, making it difficult
for LE to identify.

• (CUI) Invisi-switches are marketed and sold using various social media websites.

• (CUI) Invisi-switches can be made with a three-dimensional (3D) printer (additive

manufacturing) or by affixing a "leg" to an existing slide cover plate.

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(U) Invisi-Switch Machinegun Conversion Device (MCD)

ATF Intelligence Advisory
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Methodology

(U) Intelligence and information for this report were derived from ongoing and adjudicated Federal,
State, and local LE investigations, open-source outlets, and the Special Operations Division's (SOD)
Emerging Threat Unit (ETU).

Definitions

(U) MCDs are defined as machineguns under the National Firearms Act, even when not installed.
Recently developed "switches" are designed and integrated into certain semiautomatic pistols to
illegally convert them into machineguns.

(U) "Machinegun" is defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(24) as "any weapon
which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot automatically, more than one
shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the
frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or
combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and
any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the
possession or under the control of a person."

(U) Machineguns, including MCDs, may not be possessed or transferred under Federal law, although
limited exceptions exist (18 U.S.C. § 922(o), 27 C.F.R. 479.105).

Analysis

(CUI) "Invisi-switch", "Incognito", "Cognito", "Flat Back", "True-Cognito", and the "Additive
Manufactured Invisi-Switch", are emerging MCDs and are growing in popularity with criminals and
illegal manufacturers. The MCDs resemble the manufacturer’s slide cover plate, making it difficult
for LE to identify. i MCDs can be made using a 3D printer or by attaching a "leg" to the original slide
cover plate.

(CUI) Figure 3: Original Back Plate (left). Invisi-Switch (U) Figure 4: “Traditional” Switch
(right) Source: ATF – Special Operations Division Source: www.abc.com

i
(CUI) Invisi-switch MCDs can be identified by examining the underside of the slide. A leg will extend forward
from the cover plate under the slide. A standard slide cover plate will not have an extruded leg present.

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(U) Invisi-Switch Machinegun Conversion Device (MCD)

ATF Intelligence Advisory
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3D Printed Invisi-Switch

(CUI) Three-dimensional printing is the most common manufacturing method among criminals.
Depending on the expertise level of the manufacturer, an invisi-switch can be 3D printed in fewer
than 30 minutes for less than $1. As additive manufacturing technology advances, the print time of
MCDs will likely decrease. The computer-aided design (CAD) and standard triangle language
(.STL) ii files are publicly available on the internet using paid and nonpaid resources (public websites,
private companies, and dark web marketplaces). Knowledge of the software and 3D printer
functionality is needed to print functional firearms parts successfully. Once the devices are 3D
printed, individuals will sell them on online platforms (YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, etc.). For
example, individuals leverage their YouTube channels to create videos and tutorials of their products.
The illegal manufacturers attach their contact information to conduct a sale.

(CUI) Invisi-switches and other MCDs are often not traced or are traced incorrectly by LE, hindering
LE's ability to gauge the prevalence of MCDs. LE agencies should submit all recovered MCDs for
tracing using ATF's eTrace platform. Submitting MCDs into eTrace allows trend and pattern
analyses to be conducted, increasing LE's understanding of MCD issues in their areas of
responsibility.

(U) Figure 5: 3D Printed Invisi-Switch (CUI) Figure 6: Invisi-Switch Installed.

Source: Twitter.com Source: ATF Charlotte FD, Wilmington Field
Office

Law Enforcement Investigative Example

(CUI) In 2022, the ATF Fort Pierce Field Office (Miami Field Division) assisted a local agency with
a homicide investigation in which a bystander was shot and killed. While executing a residential
State search warrant, LE recovered a Glock Model 45 9 mm with an invisi-switch MCD installed at
the rear of the slide. The MCD was undetectable without additional inspection of the firearm, but it
was determined that the original manufacturer's slide cover plate was used to fashion the device. For
situational awareness and officer safety, an ATF Task Force Officer provided their agency with
photographs of the MCD. The subsequent inspection of the agency's backlog of found firearms
revealed the existence of another Glock with a similar MCD. Reports of automatic gunfire have

ii
(U) .STL may also be defined as stereolithography or Standard Tessellation Language.

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(U) Invisi-Switch Machinegun Conversion Device (MCD)

ATF Intelligence Advisory
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increased, and LE is recovering large quantities of shell casings at shooting crime scenes. ATF agents
and their local LE partners expect to encounter more MCDs in the course of their duties. A proactive
investigation also continues into the local manufacturer(s) of these specific MCDs.

(CUI) Figure 7: Recovered Invisi-Switch (CUI) Figure 8: Recovered Invisi-Switch

Source: ATF Fort Piece Field Office Source: ATF Fort Pierce Field Office

Intelligence Gaps

• (CUI) What is the preferred method of manufacturing for the "invisi-switch" MCD?

• (CUI) Are criminals manufacturing the invisi-switch themselves, or are they illegally
purchasing them from non-licensed individuals?

• (CUI) How many unidentified MCDs have been recovered?

Conclusion

(CUI) The inability to readily identify invisi-switch MCDs may impact officer safety. LE may
increasingly encounter subjects with unidentified machineguns, as invisi-switch MCDs require
inspection of the firearm to be identified.

(CUI) OSII-CID assesses that the manufacture and use of invisi-switch MCDs by criminal elements
will continue to increase. Three-dimensional printers are readily available, reducing in price, and are
likely the preferred invisi-switch construction method.

(CUI) Establishing trends and patterns associated with invisi-switch MCDs will be limited, as
unidentified MCDs affixed to recovered firearms will remain untraced. MCD training and awareness
campaigns would contribute to increased identification and tracing.

Reference

(U) For any information about the topic or questions concerning this ongoing matter, contact the CID
Analysis Production Branch at analysisprodbranch@atf.gov.

Distribution List: Law Enforcement Only

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