15-22 Aluminum 80% lower

Would anybody be interested in an Aluminum 80% lower for the 15-22?
Standard AR width or 15-22 width?
What would you like on it?
Push button sling swivels?
Standard buffer tube threads?
Folding stock option?
Standard or oversize trigger guard?
They would be as machined and not anodized so the finishing options are limitless.
Your input will be used for the final decision.

tacticool22 said:

Would anybody be interested in an Aluminum 80% lower for the 15-22?
Standard AR width or 15-22 width?
What would you like on it?
Push button sling swivels?
Standard buffer tube threads?
Folding stock option?
Standard or oversize trigger guard?
They would be as machined and not anodized so the finishing options are limitless.
Your input will be used for the final decision.

Click to expand...

I would... Make it as standard as an AR as you can. Trigger guard should be removable. Everything else sounds great! Why not create a replacement upper as well?

I would. And I agree w/ @kingfhb...standard AR. Sling swivels would be cool. Threaded buffer tube, too.

YES PLEASE TO EVERYTHING YOU SAID....

As close to a standard AR lower as you can get and still mount the 15-22 upper.

Removable trigger guard.

Standard buffer tube threads.

Jig to finish lower.

Jody,

This is quite an interesting question you pose. I would say it has to be as close to the
actual AR lower as possible, while maintaining all the functionality fit and finish of the
15-22. I would say that threaded for a receiver extension tube is a must, as is the
ability to use any standard AR trigger guard.

Price is going to be the sore point. You will be machining this in the U.S.A. out of
Billet T6065, I'm thinking it's going to be hard to match the price point of a standard
AR Forged Lower and I'm not sure if anyone is going to spend "billet money" for a
15-22 lower (which also has to go through an FFL).

I would think we would be better off if you could machine a T6065 Billet Upper rather
than a lower? I dunno! Either way I want to see it happen!

IN !! where do I send my money?

Interesting idea!


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tacticool22 said:

Would anybody be interested in an Aluminum 80% lower for the 15-22?
Standard AR width or 15-22 width?
What would you like on it?
Push button sling swivels?
Standard buffer tube threads?
Folding stock option?
Standard or oversize trigger guard?
They would be as machined and not anodized so the finishing options are limitless.
Your input will be used for the final decision.

Click to expand...

I'm betting you will likely get a cease and desist order from S&W over this because I don't think the patents have run out. Anything that uses something that is dimensionally unique to the 15-22 is probably covered. One reason why Plinker and Promag got those requests from S&W to stop making their magazines.

Price is going to be the sore point. You will be machining this in the U.S.A. out of
Billet T6065, I'm thinking it's going to be hard to match the price point of a standard
AR Forged Lower and I'm not sure if anyone is going to spend "billet money" for a
15-22 lower (which also has to go through an FFL).

Click to expand...

If the lower is 80% machined, you no longer are required to go through an FFL, after all it isn't serialized. Just purchase it as any other gun part.

Take. My. Money!

All of it!

An aluminum lower doesn't do it for me. Why not just buy a dedicated AR-22 at that point? I like the MP because it is so light weight.

photoracer said:

I'm betting you will likely get a cease and desist order from S&W over this because I don't think the patents have run out. Anything that uses something that is dimensionally unique to the 15-22 is probably covered. One reason why Plinker and Promag got those requests from S&W to stop making their magazines.

Click to expand...

There is really nothing unique about the 15-22 lower other than material. The mag companies got into trouble about the patent on the bolt stop feature. That little plastic piece that sticks out of the magazine to push up on the bolt catch.
It looks like some kind of deal has been worked out.

Beuford T. Rimfire said:

If the lower is 80% machined, you no longer are required to go through an FFL, after all it isn't serialized. Just purchase it as any other gun part.

Click to expand...

So a "regular" lower for an AR15 doesn't require the FFL and a serial number if it is 80% machined?

Nevermind....I understand....

Another alternative would be to bypass the Federal Firearms License/background check process, purchase an upper receiver assembly, lower parts kit, stock and buy an 80% lower receiver. An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished AR-15 lower receiver that requires the end user to mill out and drill the last 20% percent to make a functioning receiver that can accept a lower parts kit.

A lower receiver completed beyond 80% is considered a firearm by the BATFE, hence the name 80% lower.

Per:
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/05/02/billet-rifle-systems-80-receiver-part/

This is not legal advice, it's not even my wording.
I copied it from; 80% Lower Receiver Information | Tactical Machining

What is an 80% receiver?

An 80% Receiver is a partially completed piece of material that requires special tooling and skills to be completed and considered a firearm. Unlike a firearm receiver it is not required to be transferred through a Federal Firearms Licensed holder (FFL).

Legalities

A lot of questions have been raised about how our 80% AR-15 Lower Receivers can be considered non-firearms. We've received a determination letter from the ATF stating that the ATF does not view this as a firearm because to complete the receiver it requires specialized skills and tooling.

Do I need an FFL to make a firearm?

In a short answer, no. As long as you can legally own the firearm in the state, county and city you reside in you are allowed to manufacture a firearm for your own personal use. No serial number is required however it is suggested to engrave a serial number, model and manufacturer on your receiver in case it is lost or stolen.

All National Firearms Act (NFA) regulations apply to your firearm. You may create a short-barreled rifle out of your firearm via a BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosive) Form 1 after BATFE approval.

Recommended Tools

Completing an 80% Lower Receiver can be accomplished using a variety of tooling and methods, the most common methods require using a manual mill or a drill press. Both manual mills and drill presses can be purchased off web sites like craigslist or ebay as well as from local tooling suppliers. Once you have the machine of your choice, end mills and drills will be required to complete the remaining operations.

Resources

There are many resources on the internet you can use to acquire help and information from the home build gunsmith community. Some of our recommended forums are the following: Tactical Machining Build it yourself forums. Our resource center includes information and advice to commonly asked questions as well as direct answers from us on any question you may have. Weapons Guild & Home Gunsmith - Weapons guild and home gun smith are two great communities of home builders who would be more than happy to help you in your 80% completion project.

No interest from me, but if you proceed, I wish you all the best.

I'm from the school of thought that the designers of the 15-22 knew exactly what they were doing and there is no need to "fix" their design. I can't imagine needing an all metal 15-22, but if I did I would rather buy a 22 AR, or 22 upper to go on my AR, than re-engineer an existing gun.

RedNeck Jim said:

No interest from me, but if you proceed, I wish you all the best.

I'm from the school of thought that the designers of the 15-22 knew exactly what they were doing and there is no need to "fix" their design. I can't imagine needing an all metal gun but if I did, I would rather buy a 22 AR, or 22 upper to go on my AR, than re-engineer an existing gun.

Click to expand...

With that mentality we would still be using swords and shields... or clubs and rocks. Innovative designs drive the world my friend. "What I got is good enuf" is how we never progress.

Just saying.

kingfhb said:

With that mentality we would still be using swords and shields... or clubs and rocks. Innovative designs drive the world my friend. "What I got is good enuf" is how we never progress.

Just saying.

Click to expand...

Turning a plastic plinker into something that already exists is not innovative. What new is being talked about here? Has your polymer 15-22 failed you? What will this product offer that is innovative or better than buying a 22 AR or putting a 22 upper on your AR?

You're right. You keep rubbing sticks together. I'll use my zippo.


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If Smith offered an aluminum 15-22 for an extra $100, I probably would have been all over it. But I wouldn't buy an 80% lower, or even a 100% lower for it today.

And out of curiosity, why buffer tube threads? No buffer or spring needed, so why go through the extra machining?