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AR15.COM
3/20/2014 3:28:04 PM EDT
So end up picking up a 80% AR lower off a buddy of mine. I'm fairly good with the technical things..cars, firearms. Machining is a first for me. I'm sure I could figure it out. But before I go dump the money on a drill press and what ever else I need. Any one in the Northeast (Chicagoland) part of the state willing to help me finishing this lower? Don't have a problem driving if its not crazy far. Have no problem agreeing to some $$ and compensating you for your time. Let me know
3/20/2014 4:31:28 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
So end up picking up a 80% AR lower off a buddy of mine. I'm fairly good with the technical things..cars, firearms. Machining is a first for me. I'm sure I could figure it out. But before I go dump the money on a drill press and what ever else I need. Any one in the Northeast (Chicagoland) part of the state willing to help me finishing this lower? Don't have a problem driving if its not crazy far. Have no problem agreeing to some $$ and compensating you for your time. Let me know
View Quote



Probably don't want to do that; from my understanding, I'm pretty sure 'helping' you with an 80% is illegal, maybe even moreso when money changes hands.


Larry
3/20/2014 4:38:24 PM EDT
[#2]
An 80% lower is not your best beginner project.  If you are of limited machining skills and/or have few machine tools, I would advise against it.  

You can pick up a stripped lower from PSA on sale for $50.  That would save you a lot of headaches.

Bob
3/20/2014 6:56:31 PM EDT
[#3]
An 80% is not much of a challenge at all for a machinist. But paying or having someone do it for you is well outside of the law.
4/6/2014 11:59:07 AM EDT
[#4]
Ares Armor in California is in trouble for selling 80% lowers. 80% lowers sound like a lot of hassle.
4/6/2014 4:11:37 PM EDT
[#5]
Jigs are available to drill holes and mill fire control area. (trigger, sear, disconnector).  80% lowers are available with magwell complete.

BATF opinion some time ago, had issue with fire control area milled.
4/6/2014 4:37:24 PM EDT
[#6]
Generally, 80% lowers have the magwell broached and the buffer tube drilled and tapped and the top deck milled with the detent pins drilled. A bunch of other machining is done as well, but the fire control pocket is solid and there are no pin holes drilled or marked. Some time ago there were sellers that had a different combination of finishing, but  this has become the standard.

So finishing entails machining the fire control pocket and drilling the pin holes and cutting the trigger slot.

IMHO, the minimum you should buy is a forging with the magwell broached. That is something like a 50% but the BATF doesn't recognize lesser blanks as far as I know with 80% being the non-gun threshold.  As long  as the seller has a letter stating its not a firearm they can sell it freely. The rest of the finishing can be done by someone with machining experience.

For those that are more adventurous, you can get a 0% raw forging, but be ready for at least a dozen machine set ups!
4/7/2014 9:31:48 AM EDT
[#7]
I don't understand the fascination with these things. They aren't all that cheap and finishing one is a pita. Right, I know it doesn't have a s/n. But what exactly is that worth to me?  In my case, not a hell of a lot.
4/7/2014 4:33:56 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
I don't understand the fascination with these things. They aren't all that cheap and finishing one is a pita. Right, I know it doesn't have a s/n. But what exactly is that worth to me?  In my case, not a hell of a lot.
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What is it worth?  Only the pride of doing it yourself.  What more should you need?
4/7/2014 6:42:53 PM EDT
[#9]
Its a great feeling!


Quote History
Quoted:



What is it worth?  Only the pride of doing it yourself.  What more should you need?
View Quote View All Quotes
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't understand the fascination with these things. They aren't all that cheap and finishing one is a pita. Right, I know it doesn't have a s/n. But what exactly is that worth to me?  In my case, not a hell of a lot.



What is it worth?  Only the pride of doing it yourself.  What more should you need?

4/7/2014 6:57:00 PM EDT
[#10]
You want pride in making one, do it from a piece of billet without a jig or anything else.  Until then, it's just drilling holes in something to finish it.
4/8/2014 5:08:29 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:



What is it worth?  Only the pride of doing it yourself.  What more should you need?
View Quote View All Quotes
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't understand the fascination with these things. They aren't all that cheap and finishing one is a pita. Right, I know it doesn't have a s/n. But what exactly is that worth to me?  In my case, not a hell of a lot.



What is it worth?  Only the pride of doing it yourself.  What more should you need?


Ok, I can see that I guess. For me it doesn't really do it though. Worked in a machine shop when I was younger and spent too many hours in front of a Bridgeport.