Posted on 11/05/2019 5:15:33 AM PST by w1n1
For anyone who comes across DIY guns, their reliability is a loaded topic. While some people may still doubt the reliability of an 80% lower receiver, the millions of deeply satisfied owners of finished frames know the real answer to that question. Although it is legal to purchase and own a stock model gun from a manufacturer, the process entails a paper trail, serial tracking and a background check.
The draw of purchasing legal 80% lowers lies in privacy. Despite lawmakers continually trying to infringe upon gun owners’ rights to keep and bear firearms, Americans have been able to purchase 80% lower receivers to remain off the books and stay legal. However, a topic of debate has always been about the effectiveness and reliability of these homemade firearms in comparison to stock models.
User Error
Since 20% unfinished frames are delivered to the doorsteps of many individuals around the country, it is the individual’s responsibility to finish the receiver into a working firearm. It should go without saying that building your own gun comes with some perils. People come with varying degrees of knowledge and some have less experience working with tools or machinery. These people may be the ones who gave the reliability of homemade firearms a bad reputation in the past. Read the rest of 80% lower receivers.
This guy I kind of know (really well) has built a couple. One was subject to very frequent stovepiping, but with time and a few hundred rounds of break in is very reliable.
Depends on who does the 20%
Right. A Dremel or hand drill is not the most accurate way to go.
Exactly. I build mine 100% from both billet and forging, but I own a tool and die shop so I kind of cheat. Some of the kits that come with the jigs can make an acceptable one, to be honest you’re not really going to see any difference at all imho. All depends on the upper and the components you choose to finish it off. As long as the trigger holes and pocket are close enough the trigger sits correctly, and the mag catch is at the proper location with high quality magazines the rest of it is meaningless.
I always wondered why the ATF chose the lower to make 80% and not the upper. the upper is where the skill comes in to finish.
I am picking up my first metal mill this week. I probably should’ve taken shop class in high school.
“...Right. A Dremel or hand drill is not the most accurate way to go....”
True...it comes out pretty ugly depending on the skills of the person doing the work. A small milling machine would do better...again depending on the operator. With that said, I’ve seen some pretty darn “ugly” ones that operated just fine and fired just as good as some high-end 100% ones. Boils down to skill level IF you’re after “good looks”. As long as it’s hogged out within tolerances, it will likely work.
My perception is that those with metal working experience / training are making great lowers. Those that do not have that experience can also turn out great lower -IF- they use a jig and drill press and some self training.
Where I see the poorest quality is those with little experience and little in the way of tools.
Are stripped lowers generally available at gun shows? If an individual buys 50 $50 PSA lowers and sells them at gun shows is he putting himself in jeopardy of ATF trouble?
My perception is that those with metal working experience / training are making great lowers. Those that do not have that experience can also turn out great lower -IF- they use a jig and drill press and some self training.
Where I see the poorest quality is those with little experience and little in the way of available tools.
Yeah, it’s not something I’d really attempt unless I had the proper shop equipment and confidence to try myself, unless it were unique circumstances. It’s a good way to go if you want to avoid any FFL licensing issues, and you can realistically build a sub-$400 AR for yourself if you beat the bushes for generic-level parts. But for the average Joe on a budget and just looking for an out-of-box rifle, you can always find an online retailer who has AR’s with polymer receivers on sale for the same price. I got mine (sans all the scary aftermarket bolt-on hardware I added) with a 30 round mag for about $430, all fees included. I still remember enough of my army training to clean and field strip it, but my milling skills stopped and were left behind in 8th grade metal shop. LOL
The barrel, bolt, and chamber are all in the upper, so as long as a hammer can smack the firing pin, the resulting gun should be reliable.
It doesn't matter how hogged out the trigger area looks, as long as the hammer pivot pin hole and trigger pivot pin hole are drilled correctly, the gun will fire, and fire safely.
Why bother with 80% lowers if you’re going to give your identity to buy it and have it delivered?
Yes they are and yes he is.
Because few items have both uppers and lowers.
“I always wondered why the ATF chose the lower to make 80% and not the upper.”
Because the law was written without consideration of how an AR-style weapon works.
In fact, there is an irreconcilable defect in the law/regulation that makes the lowers of an AR not a “firearm” if challenged in a district court (not the kangaroo regulatory courts).
As a result, the ATF drops criminal cases that challenge the regulation because they don’t want their regulatory authority to completely fall apart.
Exactly, you would think they would have chose the harder of the two if they wanted to keep people from circumventing the law. Since the upper is closer to the chamber, that would be the more likely part to me at least. Not that I’m complaining mind you, just curious how it came to be is all.
But I hear you regarding the more difficult parts.
Exactly right - a functional firearm is a "system" that includes ALL of the components, plus the ammunition & ammo feeding device. Some folks consider the human operator (and even time, and the environment) to be parts of the "system."
With that in mind, it's relatively easy to build a reasonably reliable firearm - just throw money at the project. Buy top-quality, compatible components, ammunition, and magazines, plus skilled labor (which at times is the government approach). The flip side of that coin is pretty obvious - go too 'cheap' on the entire system (or even just a few critical components), and it may not function well.
I decided years ago that I would NEVER buy a 'home-built' AK; ditto for 'home-built' ARs. Unless you know the builder personally, and know something about their qualifications, there are way too many variables in a 'home-built' system...
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