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Posted: 3/13/2007 1:15:22 PM EDT
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Does anyone have any info on these kits? I've found lots of info on them but their legality seems to be in question. If anyone has info, that would be great. Thanks in advance |
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Laws are written on what you can't do. Not on what you can do. I've never seen a law that said directly that 80% builds are illeagal and if they were, you wouldn't be able to find lowers with such ease. In fact there are a few ATF letters posted somewhere on the vast interweb that says the .gov isn't worried about them and find them perfectly legal unless your state gov finds them hurtful to underprivledged children. |
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I'm neither a lawyer nor did I sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night so take this with a grain of salt I've built a few things from 80%. From the ATF's standpoint an 80% receiver is a hunk of metal with nothing special about it. It just so happens to correspond to the nebulous definition of an 80% receiver. If you happen to take that and make a 100% receiver you're perfectly within your rights (not withstanding any state regulations you may have) as long as you're building it for your use. The ATF recommends you put a serial number, your name and address, a model designation, and caliber on it but it's just a recommendation. I believe they are required should you want to sell it. But if you start making 100% receivers with the intention of selling them outright without an 07 FFL then they're going to show up at your door. |
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here is an interesting, inconclusive discussion on the topic of partially completed receivers. Basically, you can build them with no problem. Getting rid of them is where I'm confused. ak47.net/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=317918 |
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Think of it like brewing beer at home: they are not worried if you make one or two small batches and drink them yourself. I even saw a small beer kit for sale at Target. HOWEVER, if you try putting a lable on it and selling that same beer w/o jumping through the ATF & state hoops, you are asking for trouble. Don't make a firearm with the intent to ever sell it or transfer it, and you will be OK - so long as its a lawful configuration under federal law (i.e. barrel length, caliber, etc) and its allowed in your state. Yes- there are cirumstances (like your death, for one) where it can be legally transferred - but that must not be the intent when you make it. Consider joining: www.roderuscustom.tzo.com There is a TON of info on that site. |
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The 80% lowers are a good project for a hobby machinist. But the operative term is MACHINIST. You can buy/rent drilling jigs that properly locate the various holes and all you need is a drill press. Some people have used hand drills with success, some of these have needed to repair mistakes with something like JB-Weld. I've built one 80% AR15, but I've got a mill/drill and a lathe to help do the finicky stuff. Here is a link to a webpage about a group who built several ARs as a team project, quartz2.cyberstation.net/~dwpaul/bs-home.htm Maybe it will help you with your questions. Don in Ohio |
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hinist Yeah you can get a usable lower, but by the time you are done you have spent over half the price or a fully finished, fully legal, anodised receiver. What makes more sense? A side note, I never finished my 80. Still in my part drawer.hinking.gif Another note, If you junk it you own it and it does nothing for you, if (pick a name) makes a bad lower, back to the foundry it goes for a remelt and recast or forge then back to the machine shop with the next batch of 1000 or so. Just buy one. |
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And as one more viewpoint I just finished my 80% build using only a bunch of hand tools and a drill press. Yes it was a lot of work - especially since so many of the little holes on an AR need a decent amount of precision. Is it cost effective for an AR - no, I would say not. I know mine cost me more than it would have to buy it outright. But I prefer projects like this and enjoy and understand the final result a lot more since I built it myself. On the other hand, 1919's and AK-47's cost less to build than to buy. In my opinion I would say that both of them are simpler to build from an 80%. |
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Well, I'm not a machinist, don't have any jigs, and have no special training or abilities other than being fairly good with tools. I did have a friend that let me use his mini-mill while he was at work but it was far from a complete machine shop. Other than careful measurements and a good set of bits, it took me about 8 hrs to complete the milling and another 5hrs for the anodizing. Now I have a fully usable, legal and anodized lower. If you're concerned about price, then the 80% route is not for you. |
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