80% lowers

Stevens

Stevens

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A couple of days ago someone on another forum (on boating) mentioned he had some "80% lowers"
I looked it up on the net and found a couple of sites, it looked like they were selling components for AR-15s or something similar.
Anyone familiar with this, I had never heard of it I couldn't figure it out.
Thanks
Steve W
 
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Google "80 percent lower" and you will find a plethora of information including BATF definition of an 80% lower, manufacturers and suppliers, tools and equipment to complete an 80% lower and lots more info.
 
A frame or lower can be sold 80% complete without a serial number and does not require a FFL transfer. There are 80% lowers available for AR-15s, as well as 80% 1911 frames and, more recently, 80% Glock style polymer frames. The companies that manufacture/sell them also sell jigs and instructions to finish them. Using an AR-15 as an example, you can complete the drilling and cutting on an 80% lower, fit a parts kit that has everything - pins, springs, trigger group, etc - to make it fully functional, add the upper of your choice and you have an untraceable home built rifle that does not require a serial number unless you sell or give it away and it is perfectly legal.
 
That situation may not last long. I think the latest in CA is that they are banning 80% AR lowers and frames and home-made guns. I don't know what is going on in other states. But if you "Finish" an 80% lower or frame, you must keep it for your own use, not for sale. That makes you a "Manufacturer." I think the necessary tooling jigs to finish it can be a little expensive. Have thought about doing it, but never followed through. As stated, there is a ton of information on the topic to be found on the internet.
 
DWalt said:
That situation may not last long. I think the latest in CA is that they are banning 80% AR lowers and frames and home-made guns. I don't know what is going on in other states. But if you "Finish" an 80% lower or frame, you must keep it for your own use, not for sale. That makes you a "Manufacturer." I think the necessary tooling jigs to finish it can be a little expensive. Have thought about doing it, but never followed through. As stated, there is a ton of information on the topic to be found on the internet.
Click to expand...
I'm talking about federal law, not what the nuts in CA are doing. If you build a rifle or pistol off a an 80% lower it can be sold and transferred if serialized. Of course, IMO, that kind of negates the whole point of doing it.
 
Stevens said:
Got it, thanks to all!
Click to expand...

No, you are still missing one more thing...when you complete an AR lower it is still lacking one important component that is mil-spec and necessary to make it last. No one, well, hardly anyone ever does this because of the expense and lack of availability...hard anodizing. This helps to prevent the trigger and hammer and take down pins from wallowing out the soft aluminum receiver. When these pins get loose then the rifle looses accuracy pretty bad. It happens quick.
Unless you are a convicted felon that cannot buy a gun and feel like you really need one you will quickly learn that the novelty of "finishing" an 80% lower is not worth the effort. There are many mil-spec finished lowers available for less than $100.00 given today's machining practices...it is just not worth it to "finish" your own.
 
While Msinc makes a good point. However if you take the time to Ceracoat one of these lowers you can get a decent service life from one of these lowers. Another option that would require a bit more work would be to press fit a bushing into these critical pin holes made from a hardened tool steel such as O-1 or if rust resistance is needed Ampco 18 aluminum bronze.

IMO the appeal of these lowers is that they allow someone to build a complete functional rifle that is "off the books". That way in the event of a total ban they can still have a rifle the Feds can't trace. Personally, my plan in the event of a total ban is to simply say "no". However I have been tempted to pick up one of these lowers but would have to order it on the Net and rather suspect that method of sale is traceable and may be tracked at this moment.
 
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