AR lower question

I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this but I'll try here and hope for the best.

I was talking with a fellow today and he told me about a source that makes lowers in halves that can then be screwed together to make a complete, functional lower. He told me that because it is not a complete receiver until the halves are screwed together it is not considered a firearm (in the normal context of the term, not the NFA firearm definition) so the halves can be individually shipped between individuals without an FFL transfer. Does anyone here know how valid his statements are in regard to the "non-firearm until assembled"? I was under the impression that the serial numbered part had to be FFL transferred but since a 50% receiver is not technically a receiver, I'm at a loss to understand how they are getting by with this, if indeed it is true. I have not verified any of this because I'm not going to waste a bunch of time researching this if it is just another urban legend.

I'm not interested in a discussion about the longevity or any other functional aspect of a screw build just the aspect of having a way to beat the system, so to speak.

I'm pretty sure they are considered 80% lowers. They don't require an FFL because there is some extra machining needed to make them functional. I don't believe that come in two halves though.

KT Ordnance has a bolt together lower.

http://www.ktordnance.com/detail/kt15bx.html

How about a welded steel lower kit?

http://www.theflatspot.net/ar-15-receiver-flat.html


I'll stick with carving-out 80% lowers myself, though I used to TIG weld OK.


http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...pslsynnd6h.jpg

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Originally Posted by montana_charlie

KT Ordnance has a bolt together lower.

http://www.ktordnance.com/detail/kt15bx.html

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Minimum order of 12 at $225 each, I think not.

Not sure how any of the responses so far, address the question of whether or not an FFL is needed for the posted situation. I guess I'll just have to contact the company, if it indeed exists, and see what is going on.

if the one company is selling the bolt together kits with no ffl that should have answered your question.

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Originally Posted by rancher1913

if the one company is selling the bolt together kits with no ffl that should have answered your question.

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Yup! You're right. How could I be so stupid?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rancher1913

if the one company is selling the bolt together kits with no ffl that should have answered your question.

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Actually those need more than bolting together for completion. If they were completed I am not sure how the ATF would handle those as halves?

Ask them for a copy of the letter from the BATF granting them permission to sell the receivers without an SN.

Jerry

You guys are seeing something that I'm not on KT Ordnance's website. The screw-together lower was killed several years ago by BATF, IIRC. Seems like they said that it was more than 80% complete, and made KT stop selling them. All they advertise now in the way of AR lowers are pretty standard looking 80% you-mill-them types.

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Originally Posted by roysha

Minimum order of 12 at $225 each, I think not.

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Yikes!!

Palmetto had lower blems for about $55 a while back. The two I saw in the shop were marginally blemished only.

Shiloh

it clearly states it is an 80% and the list was updated in january of this year. maybe something changed between then and now but I don't recall anything. it does say some milling is needed other than just bolting together.

PSA routinely sells "blemished" lowers. I have purchased several. I asked one day what the blemish was when I was in the home office in Columbia. They told me to look at the PSA emblem that is engraved in the side. It is very shallow. Much shallower than the other engraving. They said that was the blemish.

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Originally Posted by rancher1913

it clearly states it is an 80% and the list was updated in january of this year. maybe something changed between then and now but I don't recall anything. it does say some milling is needed other than just bolting together.

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The original KT-15 lower, IIRC, was completely machined with the exception of drilling (?) and tapping the screw holes. That was the one that the BATF made them stop selling. So now you have to mill things out, drill the pin holes and safety/selector hole, and then screw it together. I regret not having bought at least one of the originals.

Seems to be pricey . . .

AND

Unless 12 people get together and each take one someone is likely to be tagged as "Manufacturing" something.

Just a SWAG on my part of course

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Originally Posted by Hawk4570

How about a welded steel lower kit?

http://www.theflatspot.net/ar-15-receiver-flat.html


I'll stick with carving-out 80% lowers myself, though I used to TIG weld OK.


http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...pslsynnd6h.jpg

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They have AR-10 (DPMS LR-308 pattern) weld together lowers for $35 as well... I've got a buddy that is a welder.

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Originally Posted by Moonie

They have AR-10 (DPMS LR-308 pattern) weld together lowers for $35 as well... I've got a buddy that is a welder.

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I have one of those here. Just waiting on time to tig it together. He did not show that they had any in stock, but a quick email got one shipped out right away. I had grand dreams of stretching it out to 30-06, but I may never get to it. I am watching a 30-06 build on one of these through weapons guild.

why worry about a 'registered" receiver just put in local newspaper and it history . same with guns

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Originally Posted by xacex

I have one of those here. Just waiting on time to tig it together. He did not show that they had any in stock, but a quick email got one shipped out right away. I had grand dreams of stretching it out to 30-06, but I may never get to it. I am watching a 30-06 build on one of these through weapons guild.

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I ordered both the AR10 and AR15. I believe I'll do the AR10 into a 45 Raptor. Will probably use the AR15 to complete one of my uppers into a full rifle. I currently have 1 polymer lower for 2 uppers, a 300 and a 6.8.

I am happy enough with regular 80%-ers from Lone Wolf. An hour or so, and my wife loves the purple ones he had for sale earlier this year.

Too Many Things,

they never take your name and information off their list...