80% receiver for AR

mlincoln

I've been reading up on them and the jigs to help with the drilling and machining. Impressive. First thought it now way could I make something in my garage that would rival what Colt and Armalite crank out with all their sophisticated machinery and experience. But then I've heard of some success stories.

Has anybody machined one and used it? Is there a brand you would please recommend? How were the fit and finish issues?

catgunguy

I am questioning why you would want to, with the cost of receivers as low and plentiful as they are. Plus you can't sell or give it away when you are done with it.

m88.358win

Prolly because when obobo comes for his guns, they wont know about his unregistered tactical black assault rifle.

nononsense

mlincoln,

Most folks don't have the equipment or tooling to accomplish anything even close to a passable job on these receivers. It's a come-on for all the rabid DIY'ers who think they have the skill set to get the job done accurately.

Buy a lower or lowers on sale then save up for the parts kits and barrel. Most of this AR stuff is on sale right now at better than ever prices. Take your time and money putting together a useful firearm. Better yet, buy one already built and spend your money on ammunition for practice.

If you need to have it off the books just do a Face-to-Face in your own State for a completed rifle.

Best.

mlincoln

Sage words all. I have a nice drill press, but I'm sure my first effort would be an obvious first effort, and I would end up with an out of spec $140 small hunk of metal. The DIY part does appeal to me, though.

Horse Plains Drifter

I have no experience with unfinished receivers, so can't help you there. I do however completely agree with NN. My opinion is those selling 80% lowers lead people to believe they can complete them in their sheetrock walled suburban garage with a Harbor Freight bench top drill press. There is nothing good a HF drill press can do for a firearm receiver.

If I wanted an "unpapered" one, I would buy one in the parking lot at a gunshow, or some such.

nmyers

For a while, there was a machine shop where, for a price, you could bring in your 80% lower & a machinist would "help" you complete it using CNC equipment. A great idea except

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the fellas with the bulges in the cheap suits thought it looked too much like "manufacturing a firearm without a license". So, they shut it down.

I wouldn't worry about staying "under the radar"; the feds can't keep track of the things that they are supposed to.

Neal

bigborefan

I did one with a table top mill that I own and it came out to spec and looks factory made. It was tedious work but you need to take your time and double check before making your cuts. I ruined a couple in the process for minor mistakes. I've seen a few on you tube using just a drill press and when they were through, they looked like they were made by hand with a Dremal tool. Very, very rough finish.

Dads3040

I have one, as does a neighbor. Contrary to what the prevailing opinion seems to be, a credible job can be done fairly easily.

The 80% LR's I have seen are all missing two things: The two holes to locate the trigger group, and the machining of the space for the TG to occupy. Drilling two holes using a locating jig is hardly a complicated machining process, nor is removing material so that the trigger group has a place to play in.

While I wouldn't suggest using a Harbor Freight drill press, the job doesn't require anything that says 'Bridgeport' or 'Giddings & Lewis' either.

I had fun, and in the process actually gained some actual knowledge about the current subject matter.

booter_one

You can buy a lower cheaper than you can an 80% lower. If you don't have mill, then you can do it with a drill press. But why would you. It is always neat doing something yourself, but are you an expert? If you do pursue the build, at least buy a good jig with steel sleeves on both side of the jig. The early ones have no sleeves or on only one side. Without the sleeves, you will have too much deflection. Prices are way down for lowers and if you are doing it just to do it, go for it. The good jigs are around $130 and up, plus the bits. Even is WA state, you can get a lower for $65 at the local show, but yes it does leave a paper trail. Lots of choices, have fun on either direction you go.[:)]

cbxjeff

If your are fortunate enough to live in a state that allows (like mine)NN has the best solution. If not, as someone said, a tabletop mill will give you good results if you are careful. You must secure the receiver in your machine, index your 3 axis, and go from there. You don't want to do this with a center punch mark from a caliper measurement and then use a drill press.

gesshots

[;)][:D]