80% AR-10/15 Lowers

[DanTana]

Here is an interesting concept, an unfinished blank of an AR-10/15 ready to be finished with just a router and jig. Since your purchasing a raw blank of metal, and finishing it yourself, your the manufacturer, no serial number needed. You can legally make your own AR-10/15, unserialized, no registration and 100% legal to own. Think I might give this a go myself. If Hitlery gets elected, we may all have to go this route. The right to make and keep your own arms, unregistered, legally.

http://www.ammoland.com/2014/11/atf-answers-questions-on-80-receiver-blanks/#axzz437TSKD32

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/02/robert-farago/gun-registration-the-80-solution/

https://www.80-lower.com/how-to-legally-build-unregistered-ar-15/

https://www.80-lower.com/

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/polymer-80/

http://www.80percentarms.com/

http://aresarmor.com/store/Category/hmgar15

http://www.tacticalmachining.com/80-products/80-ar15-lower-receivers.html

http://www.andersonrifles.com/product/80-machined-lower/

There are even polymer 80% lowers:

http://www.polymer80.com/Polymer80-Lowers_c_23.html

[muggsy]

I think that I would go with the polymer lower for my first attempt. It's the least expensive way to go and you wouldn't be out as much if you screw it up. Sounds like a fun project. I've seen the same type of kits offered for the 1911 A-1.

[DanTana]

I would be worried how the polymer will hold up. It would be easier to work with.

[muggsy]

The first time I tried to make a gun stock was a real learning experience. My dad made it look easy. All that you had to do was take away all of the wood that didn't look like a gun. Well, I found out that it was a lot easier in the saying than in the doing. That first project took me almost three months to complete and I thought that I had ruined it every day. My dad would come down the basement, wave his magic wand and make everything right again. If you do this project go slow and make sure that you fully understand the directions. Measure twice and cut once. It's far easier to take metal off than it is to put it back on. Good luck and good shooting.

[OldFatGuy]

I've got an 80% lower I started on. Bought a drill press, milling vise, end mils, got everything I need. What I really need is a milling machine. I'm in a park so it just got too noisy, so I stopped, for now. Come summer when half the population goes back north, I'll go at it again. The aluminum is tough stuff. I'm going to get a polymer and do that just to have it, not likely to use it, just to have it in case of emergency.

[yqtszhj]

Didn't the ATF or DOJ try to go after the original company that started this with the AR-15 lowers? They were in CA I think. I don't believe it came to anything but I think they got a customer list.

[deadeye]

They were selling them. That's a no-no. You can build one for your use only.

[DavidWJ]

CA is trying to get 80% lowers classified as firearms...

[b4uqzme]

IIRC the company is named Ares. The Feds demanded a customer list and Ares refused...and got raided. Pretty sure they are back in business. Not sure if the Feds ever got the list.

[CJB]

Just a few words.

Have done the 80% thing.

Polymer is _not_ easier to work with. First of all, it bends easily. Yes it easier to cut, but... its bending, so you're in trouble already. Second is, you really need to watch your spindle speeds and how you cut things. You can _melt_ the poly before you actually _cut_ the poly.

I'm sure Muggsy would agree (I hope he chimes in) that cutting plastic is not quite as forgiving as cutting aluminum.

Some say 6xxx series is easier to cut, some say 7xxx is easier. I'd take the 7xxx stuff, as all else being equal its a stronger metal.

The only way to get a creditable job is to beg/borrow/steal a milling machine if you don't have one, or use of one.

The AR cuts are fairly easy to do, and not too sensitive on the the width of the cut. A few .001's, like being even .010 off total (both sides) isn't gonna kill things. The 10/22 s easy to cut. The 1911 80% is a bit more intricate.

In all cases, getting the "jig" is worth it.

And... in the end.... with AR receivers, it may not be worth it, as lowers are inexpensive, well finished too.

[OldFatGuy]

Good to know. Anyone want to buy a drill press?

[b4uqzme]

^^^ The benefit is being off the radar...not that the Feds don't notice all those other parts you ordered online. :rolleyes:

[muggsy]

Just a few words.

Have done the 80% thing.

Polymer is _not_ easier to work with. First of all, it bends easily. Yes it easier to cut, but... its bending, so you're in trouble already. Second is, you really need to watch your spindle speeds and how you cut things. You can _melt_ the poly before you actually _cut_ the poly.

I'm sure Muggsy would agree (I hope he chimes in) that cutting plastic is not quite as forgiving as cutting aluminum.

Some say 6xxx series is easier to cut, some say 7xxx is easier. I'd take the 7xxx stuff, as all else being equal its a stronger metal.

The only way to get a creditable job is to beg/borrow/steal a milling machine if you don't have one, or use of one.

The AR cuts are fairly easy to do, and not too sensitive on the the width of the cut. A few .001's, like being even .010 off total (both sides) isn't gonna kill things. The 10/22 s easy to cut. The 1911 80% is a bit more intricate.

In all cases, getting the "jig" is worth it.

And... in the end.... with AR receivers, it may not be worth it, as lowers are inexpensive, well finished too.

Good points CJB and I agree whole-heartedly.