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
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A lot of questions have been raised about how 80% AR-15 Lower Receivers can be considered non-firearms. ATF does not view an 80% lower as a firearm because to complete the receiver it requires specialized skills and tooling.
Do I need an FFL to make a firearm?
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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.
How the hell is this Legal?
Well its simple really. You are building the weapon yourself for your own personal use. This is legal under the Gun Control Act of 1968. This is on the ATF’s website under their FAQ page. You can see it here:http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/firearms-technology.html
We are not lawyers always do your own research!
Can I Build one as a gift to my wife or other family member?
No, If you build one and then give it to another person you are distributing it… This would be illegal.
Do I need to put serial numbers on the firearm that I make?
A licensed Manufacturer has an agreement with the government to put serial numbers on the weapons they make. You as a private individual who is making a firearm for personal use and not for sale of distribution have no agreement with the government to serialize your firearm.
It is a good idea to mark your weapon somehow so that should it ever be stolen you have a way to identify it and report its loss to your local law enforcement.
Please check your local and state law.
What if a Cop sees me with my unserialized gun?
What if a cop sees you eating a greasy burger. At the time this FAQ was written There is no law against eating greasy food (The greasy food analogy may change if good ol’ Michelle has her way) .The gun control act of 1968 does not require a private individual who is making a weapon for personal use and not for sale or distribution to serialize it. lookup your local and state laws.
Can I make an SBR / Full Auto / other…?
For the sake of simplicity we are going to answer this one with a simple NO.
You must follow all Federal, State and Local Law There is a process for you to own those sorts of weapons. We will not provide any instruction on this.
I am a felon and am restricted from owning a firearm, may I come to build one using this process?
Sorry but no, you are restricted from owning a firearm… this would instantly stop you from being able to legally build one as well.
What is the difference between Anodized and Raw receivers?
Anodizing is a finish. If you want your lower to be black then go with the anodized if you want to do your own finish, go with raw.
How do I get an Unserialzed Barrel/upper/ other part to go with my receiver?
You buy one! The only part of most weapons that are normally serialized is the lower receiver / frame. You are making this from an 80% lower. You can openly buy all the other parts and have them shipped to your door.
If I get an anodized receiver what happens after I cut it?
After you cut it the inside portion that you cut will be raw. Many people will just leave it this way and put it together. This is up to you.
If I leave it raw will it rust?
The AR-15/AR-10 Lowers are aluminum and they will not rust.
The best places to buy an 80% lower are:
It is critical that anyone contemplating a self build read all of the applicable rules carefully and follow them.
