I AM NOT A LAWYER! This document is not legal advice, should not be considered as legal advice, and in fact, could be wholly wrong! Heck, it's not even ATF(not that I like them) approved! If you have any updates, suggestions, additions, or changes, please let me know and I'll try and incorporate them. In the mean time, though, don't even think that I know a darn thing about any of this. This document is for educational purposes only, and should not be considered definitive.
About 80% Products
An 80% frame is actually a "special case" with the BATF and comes under restrictions that apply to any metal castings that are used to form the basis for gun parts. In this case, what we are talking about is a metal casting that has been "almost" completed. It was cast, and then some of the milling work was done to it... but they stopped before they cut the slide rails (or any other combo of cuts that add up to the remaining 20% of the milling steps). Because the manufacturer stopped working on the piece BEFORE it was finished.... the piece is still in a state of limbo, so to speak.... it isn't really a "Gun" but it isn't really a raw hunk of metal either. The castings do NOT have any serial numbers or roll marks on them (normally the last step in the manufacturing process). In this form they are still considered to be just pieces of metal as far as the BATF and the Brady Bill are concerned. If the manufacturer takes them one step further... then they are subject to all the laws of the land that apply to firearms. Remember that as far as the ATF is concerned... the frame/receiver IS the firearm.... and everything else is just parts. So it is perfectly legal to order an 80% frame/receiver from the distributor and there is no paperwork at all involved. You do not need to be an FFL dealer, anyone that wants one can just call and give their credit card number and *poof* out it goes in the mail. Ok..... sounds really cool huh? So what's the catch? Well the bottom line is... YOU (and only you) have to finish the final machining process on it yourself. There are no serial numbers and the firearm (once it is complete) can NEVER.... let me say that again to be sure you understand it... NEVER, EVER be sold to anyone else.... period! It would be a firearm for "personal use only" and the only other living soul that you may legally give it to would be an heir (to your son in your will for instance). If you build your own firearm in this way, then you are acting as a firearms manufacturer which is perfectly legal as long as it is for personal use only.
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Now that I got that out of the way, you're probably wondering what's the deal with the "80% complete" market? In short, an 80% receiver (part of the gun that usually houses the trigger depending on the make & model) is an uncompleted receiver of a firearm. A 100% receiver would be a transferrable firearm that you'd get from an FFL. Basically, it's a hunk of metal that looks alot like a receiver for a firearm, but not quite. They make nice paper weights, or fun projects for someone who wants to build there own gun from (nearly) scratch. No FFL is necessary to purchase or receive an 80% frame. Since an 80% receiver is not considered a gun by law, there is no requirement that you get it from anyone in particular. Until the receiver is completed, it doesn't fall under firearms law. The big sticking point about an 80% receiver is that you, the eventual owner/builder of the firearm, has to complete all of the remaining 20% of the work by yourself. This means you, yourself, need to finish it and make sure that you run the equipment, you use the tips, and you finish it all by yourself. After completing it, you should put a serial number and your name, or some name on it so as to make it identifiable should the need ever arise.
How difficult is it depends on a couple of things. First, your experience with tools and working with metal. Second, the model that you are trying to complete. Third, if you are a creative bastard, then it could be really easy. Some examples are in the AR15.com forums under "build it yourself". The ar-15 lower receivers need to have some holes drilled, and the buffer tube hole also has to be tapped straight inline with the bolt carrier's path of travel. This can be difficult to do easily for inexperienced folks like me. A 1911 80% frame just needs to have the slide rails cut. That sounds easy, and it can be, but cutting them parallel, and to the right depth, width, etc., can be a little tricky. Even after completing the receiver, you still have to build a gun around it. This can range from fairly easy (ar15) to somewhat more interesting and time consuming (match grade custom 1911, SIG 226).
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Now the big question?????
What receivers are available? (I DO NOT ENDORSE ANY OF THESE COMPANIES, LISTING JUST EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES)
Here we go:
https://www.vbd.com/noc/shop/products_detail.asp?CategoryID=49&ProductID=263
http://www.prexis.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=STSL
http://www.akparts.com/index.htm?c68.htm&1
http://www.tanneryshop.com/80-1911.htm
http://www.savvysurvivor.com/osi_gunsmithing_tools.htm
http://www.bent-metal.com/
http://www.cncguns.com//tooling.html
http://www.coldsteelsolutionsincorporated.com/csi,_inc_003.htm
http://www.philaord.com/products/mg42.html
http://www.philaord.com/products/mg34.html
http://www.philaord.com/products/bar.html
http://www.philaord.com/products/mp40.html
http://www.tanneryshop.com/blue-prints.htm
http://www.tanneryshop.com/80-1022.htm
http://www.tanneryshop.com/dvd-books.htm
http://footpounds.com/2004/08/ak-80-receivers.html
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THERE ARE MANY PLACES ONLINE TO GET WHAT YOU NEED!
I will NEVER tell you what exactly to get but I will say this DIVERSIFY YOUR WEAPONS & AMMO. 1500 ROUNDS PER WEAPON MINIMUM. DO NOT CONVERT THEM TO FULL AUTO(don't give them any excuse to do a "safety inspection") BUY SPARE PARTS FOR ALL YOUR WEAPONS!
Next time around, I will point you in the right direction to get ammo, and how to reload.
Remember....
GOD BLESS THE REPUBLIC!
DEATH TO THE NEW WORLD ORDER!!
WE MUST & SHALL PREVAIL!!!
