Is it illegal? > Legal Section

Posted: 6/21/2008 7:38:34 AM EDT

Is it illegal to make your own lower receiver?

Posted: 6/20/2008 2:28:13 PM EDT

[#1]

I believe its illegal to make one with the intent to sell, with out the proper forms approved. Other than that, you can buy receivers up to 80% complete and finish them yourself with out having to go through an FFL. Is it worth the trouble to do that though? Maybe if I already had all the equipment, it might make a fun project; otherwise, I dont think so.

If you're really serious, Here is a faq page covering most of it.

Posted: 6/20/2008 2:36:43 PM EDT

[#2]

I have a friend who's a genius in the machine shop. He already has all of the equipment.

Posted: 6/20/2008 2:50:24 PM EDT

[#3]

Cant do that... You have to do it yourself if I remember correctly. Him doing it for you would make him a manufacturer in the eyes of the ATF, or something silly like that.

Posted: 6/20/2008 2:58:32 PM EDT

[#4]

No, it's not illegal. As long as you can own an AR-15 legally, you can make your own lower. It's a nice way to make an off-the-books rifle but you need some machinery to do it.

If you have a friend, I think you can technically make it yourself at his place, having him help you make it. I don't know how the ATF would prove who made it. You really would have to be in trouble if the ATF is looking into your life that much. Chances are, the AR-15 would be the least of your worries.

Posted: 6/20/2008 2:17:43 PM EDT

[#5]

General answer = No

Posted: 6/20/2008 3:47:03 PM EDT

[#6]

What you describe is what one of the biggest 80% lower guys got in trouble for IRRC.

He was organizing 'lower parties' where builders 'helped' each other complete the lowers provided by him with his machine shop tools.

Posted: 6/20/2008 3:47:07 PM EDT

[#7]

Manual machining isn't rocket science. If you're buddy is good he will be able to stand near you and tell you what to do, then YOU will have done the work.

And toss him a case of cold-beer for his efforts.

Posted: 6/20/2008 5:33:31 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
I have a friend who's a genius in the machine shop. He already has all of the equipment.

Quoted:
Cant do that... You have to do it yourself if I remember correctly. Him doing it for you would make him a manufacturer in the eyes of the ATF, or something silly like that.

If I read the FAQ correctly, if your friend loans you his machine shop, you are GTG. If he's over your shoulder 'telling' you what you should do, you are GTG. But BATFE is likely to get its panties in a wad if he so much as tightens a chuck key for you.

ETA HERE is a link to a company that sells 80% 1911 and AR frames. I'm tempted to start my .45 AR...

Posted: 6/20/2008 7:18:20 PM EDT

[#9]

Admirable as it may be to have an 'off the books' lower, if they know you have any guns, they'll get 'em all. Hate to tell ya', but they already have a good idea who has 'em; that's the kind of crap computers do best.
We can make bold noises about shooting it out with the JBTs, or stashing guns in the woods, but if it comes to that, we're looking at the end of life as we know it anyway.
Now if you want to build a lower for shits and grins, that is another matter.
My $0.02.
Moon

Posted: 6/20/2008 8:00:30 PM EDT

[#10]

shit if my friend had a machine shop i would - how cool is it to say "see my ar... I built it."
you: "You mean you assembled it?"
me: "no i bought a chunk of aluminum and BUILT it!"

... badass.

Do it man.

Posted: 6/20/2008 8:52:32 PM EDT

[#11]

No, it is legal.

If not then I would be in FPYITA prison for the AK receivers as well as the AR ones I have made.

You can either start from billet or oder forgings. I have done both (scrapped the billet as I fucked it up) and got my forgings from www.dsarms.com

Posted: 6/20/2008 10:28:22 PM EDT

[#12]

i apologize if someone beat me to it, but its important enough that it may bear repeating. this isnt my opinion so much as relayed info. the calguns folks are wel read with a good site.

according to calguns.net oll faq, this is what i found. i suggest you research this very carefully before attempting to build an unregisterable lower. the following citation refernces previous landmarks in AR related court cases. i suggest you become familiar with the outcomes and stipulations of these cases so you can remain safe and protected within your 2nd amendment rights, without a breech in the law. who wants a felony weapons charge when a legal build is so easy? ive included the link for you in case your interested.

http://www.calguns.net/

10. I want to build an operational AR-class lower from an 80% blank. This wouldn’t be on the list, so that’s legal, isn’t it?

No, no, no! Walk away from this - there’s too much chance this may not be legal. At best, it’s a murky situation.

The Harrott decision indeed protects off-list AR and AK series receivers. The problem is that there’s really no practicable way that homebuilt AR and AK receivers could ever be listed individually by “make and model”, and thus these may fall out from the scope of Harrott: the Harrott decision, after all, was all about practicality and uniformity.

If these receivers are not Harrott-protected, there’s a chance they could fall back under Kasler, making possession of such receivers a felony. For now, you should only acquire off-list AR and/or AK series receivers from normal commercial production

-Grrr

Posted: 6/20/2008 10:43:21 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
i apologize if someone beat me to it, but its important enough that it may bear repeating. this isnt my opinion so much as relayed info. the calguns folks are wel read with a good site.

according to calguns.net oll faq, this is what i found. i suggest you research this very carefully before attempting to build an unregisterable lower. the following citation refernces previous landmarks in AR related court cases. i suggest you become familiar with the outcomes and stipulations of these cases so you can remain safe and protected within your 2nd amendment rights, without a breech in the law. who wants a felony weapons charge when a legal build is so easy? ive included the link for you in case your interested.

http://www.calguns.net/

10. I want to build an operational AR-class lower from an 80% blank. This wouldn’t be on the list, so that’s legal, isn’t it?

No, no, no! Walk away from this - there’s too much chance this may not be legal. At best, it’s a murky situation.

The Harrott decision indeed protects off-list AR and AK series receivers. The problem is that there’s really no practicable way that homebuilt AR and AK receivers could ever be listed individually by “make and model”, and thus these may fall out from the scope of Harrott: the Harrott decision, after all, was all about practicality and uniformity.

If these receivers are not Harrott-protected, there’s a chance they could fall back under Kasler, making possession of such receivers a felony. For now, you should only acquire off-list AR and/or AK series receivers from normal commercial production

-Grrr

Um, I don't think the OP lives in Commifornia so I don't think this really applies to his question.

Posted: 6/20/2008 10:48:14 PM EDT

[#14]

you maybe right,
its the rational regarding the ability to prudently
ban/register/own a reciever
of course play by your states rules.

just something to consider

-Grrr

Posted: 6/20/2008 10:51:43 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
you maybe right,
its good rational regarding the ability to prudently ban/register/own
a reciever

just something to consider

-Grrr

I wanted to build one of the 80% receivers myself but I stumbled onto the info you posted and decided not to take the chance. Damn Commifornia

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