Anyone build a P80 pistol?

These are basically lower receivers that need work done in order to turn them into functional receivers. They sell for about $100. They come with a jig, necessary drill bits, and the rails.

You have to drill out the holes, cut off some tabs, and cut out a barrel channel. About 30 minutes worth of work.

Then you install a lower parts kit, install your complete slide assembly, and you have a fully functioning firearm. You can use all OEM Glock parts, or custom parts, or a combination.

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Apparently, since they aren't considered firearms, you don't have to go through an FFL. The media calls them Ghost Guns.

Most people build them because they hate the stock Glock grip angle and shape, but love the reliability and simplicity, so they get a "Glock" with a "better" grip.

I had never had an issue with the stock Glock frame, so was never really attracted to them.

Then, I saw the Sig P320 FCU that lets you do the same thing as far as picking the caliber, grip shape, size, and configuration. I was going to build a P320, but decided to go with the Glock-based P80 build because of all of the extra Glock parts and magazines I had laying around. Plus, the P320 build was going to be around $900 when done. The Glock build will be around $600. Going for a G23 with custom slide and RMR capability with an OD frame.

Watched some videos on how to build the lower and it seemed very easy.

Anyone else build one of these?

Not the Pistol, but I have built a AR lower, and my buddy has built several. They seem to be pretty straight forward,

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Originally Posted by Remiel

Not the Pistol, but I have built a AR lower, and my buddy has built several. They seem to be pretty straight forward,

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What's the attraction of the 80% AR lowers? With the P80 builds, it's the improved grip design and different colors. Is it just because they are non-serialized and cheaper?

Mine was a gift, but I'd say a combination of making it myself and cost, color didn't matter, mine is black, and serialization wasn't a big deal at the time.

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Bought a g17 P80 kit about a year ago, still waiting for the right rainy day. Also had a sig p250 grip and complete slide, So I bought an jsd fcu and now saving for the jig and lower parts kit.

IMHO this is all about sales. Just about anyone with a CNC mill can make receivers. But, there are pretty stiff regs on mfg of firearms. Result? Make 80% receivers. No regs to worry about. Just crank them out and make money.

The side benefit for many customers is the cost savings. For others it is one way to show a middle finger to the BATF. The criminals don't seem to mind the lack of serial numbers either as more of these 'ghost' guns are showing up on the street.

Then there are companies like SIG who have used the serial number reg and developed 'component' guns. I love their 'solution' to the problem. The bonus to me is they have the govt contract for service pistols. The ultimate joke on the US government, buying pistols that subvert the serial number laws.

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Originally Posted by charlie b

IMHO this is all about sales. Just about anyone with a CNC mill can make receivers. But, there are pretty stiff regs on mfg of firearms. Result? Make 80% receivers. No regs to worry about. Just crank them out and make money.

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That's not the Real Money though. They could give give the frames away and still make money. It's the barrels, slides and parts to finish that make the money. It looks like it's cheaper to buy a Glock than build one although sights and barrels might be better than stock. I'm not a glock guy and don't know the trim levels.

With all the shortages the only place that has all the parts at one time is the bay. Don't think you will save money though and legit resale will be zip.

Nice wrench, oops.

Where can you go to get the slides and internals to finish pistols? It is easy enough to find AR uppers (i haven"t looked hard) but i have not found any parts available for pistols.

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Originally Posted by kbstenberg

Where can you go to get the slides and internals to finish pistols? It is easy enough to find AR uppers (i haven"t looked hard) but i have not found any parts available for pistols.

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Just one of many places would be the Glock Store. Just search for "Glock Upper" or "Glock Slide" and you'll be swamped with places to buy parts. Also look up Marine Gun Builder if you get serious and want to do one of these.

You will not save any money and probably will spend more than buying a comparable handgun. But there's a certain satisfaction to doing it yourself.

You can never transfer your finished receiver to another person. In fact, once you start working it, it's not salable, legally. But who sells guns anyway?

I put together a full sized P80 “G17”. It’s a fun afternoon project and neat to say you made it yourself. I will say that the one I did is gen 3 style and is a bit snappier than my actual gen 4 G17. Not sure if they are still only gen 3 compatible or if they’ve updated them. I like the grip but prefer the shooting real Glock. It also tends to throw the empties at my forehead but I imagine that has more to do with the aftermarket slide and extractor than the P80 frame.

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Originally Posted by AlHunt

Just one of many places would be the Glock Store. Just search for "Glock Upper" or "Glock Slide" and you'll be swamped with places to buy parts. Also look up Marine Gun Builder if you get serious and want to do one of these.

You will not save any money and probably will spend more than buying a comparable handgun. But there's a certain satisfaction to doing it yourself.

You can never transfer your finished receiver to another person. In fact, once you start working it, it's not salable, legally. But who sells guns anyway?

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I agree that you’ll likely spend more than buying an off the shelf Glock but if you already have spare parts sitting around it can be a good way to use them.

Saying that it can’t be sold is not entirely true. It isn’t legal to build guns to sell without a manufacturer’s license but a home built firearm may be sold. The federal requirement is that they are engraved with identifying information prior to sale. Most guys will do essentially NFA style markings (first and last name, city and state, model, caliber, and serial etc). The P80 actually comes with a metal plate embedded in the lower rail, just like a real Glock, for serial engraving.

That said, some states have other requirements. Do your own homework prior to any build and especially any sale. Personally, mine are lifers. Not for sale

I saw one that guy finished with a dremel and it came out pretty good. But the guy just left the aluminum bare - no coating.

Several. Last was a Glock 10mm clone because i wanted a 10mm. Not too difficult but attention to detail is needed. Several good youtubes on how to do it. Most important is drilling the holes straight. Clamp both sides of the case or tape them to prevent movement and drill one side at a time. Mark where you want to remove plastic with a sharpie, start with a dremel easily and finish the fitting with a file.

I have done two, a 19 and a Frankenstein 17 slide/19 lower. The first went together with ease and runs like a top. The second I used an aftermarket slide and have not had such an easy path. Jonp has it right on the need to drill the holes straight. Beg, borrow or buy a drill press if you can. Don't get wild with the Dremel either. Finish the removal of the excess material by hand using sand paper and a round or half round file. An extra hour or two spent doing it right beats ruining the frame by excessive grinding. There are several DYI videos on the internet.

I signed onto the Marine Gun Builder site. Incredible wealth of information on how to do a build right.

The attraction of this for me is that I can build a mid-sized .40 S&W pistol with all the features I want, as time and money allow.

It's ironic that Washington state came out with a "ban" on "ghost guns" so retailers stopped selling them to WA residents. But, the WA law actually does not apply to the 80% lowers because they are not firearms as defined by the ATF. And, once they are completed with a slide and barrel, they meet all the requirements to be legal in WA.

But, retailers got scared and won't sell them. I have them shipped to my folk's place in Idaho.

An aluminum 80% 1911 frame would get my attention. I'm very fond of my 80% AR15s; that I BUILT to keep and bear but mostly because it's fun. As far as Glocks go(for me); a police trade in model 21 or 22 would be my pick.

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This is hopefully what my build will look like when I'm done...

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Originally Posted by Texas by God

An aluminum 80% 1911 frame would get my attention. I'm very fond of my 80% AR15s; that I BUILT to keep and bear but mostly because it's fun. As far as Glocks go(for me); a police trade in model 21 or 22 would be my pick.

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Here you go...

https://uspatriotarmory.com/store/80-1911-c32393369

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Thanks for the link, ENABLER[emoji16]!

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Originally Posted by Idaho45guy

I signed onto the Marine Gun Builder site. Incredible wealth of information on how to do a build right.

The attraction of this for me is that I can build a mid-sized .40 S&W pistol with all the features I want, as time and money allow.

It's ironic that Washington state came out with a "ban" on "ghost guns" so retailers stopped selling them to WA residents. But, the WA law actually does not apply to the 80% lowers because they are not firearms as defined by the ATF. And, once they are completed with a slide and barrel, they meet all the requirements to be legal in WA.

But, retailers got scared and won't sell them. I have them shipped to my folk's place in Idaho.

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2cd on Marine's channel.

I bought one from Brownells a few years ago with a lower parts kit and magazine. Did the drilling and material removal on a mill and had it together in maybe two hours. It took almost another year to get an affordable slide, ($250.00 new and complete from RIA). It shoots great, more accurate than expected and so far totally reliable. Easiest roll your own gun there is.

MGB is your friend when building P80! Lots of info and expertise with him.

I build a PF45 in 10mm. Functions with my existing G20 slide. Made it to mate up to a MechTech 10mm carbine upper and get my pistol back! LOL. Some unexpected things along the way, but work the problems. If problems; Correct the parts, not the frame!

You'd think that a P80 clone of a Glock would have a rail/slots the same as a Glock. And thinking that, you might go ahead and pick some of those great Olight lights that fit Glocks for when you build your P80s.

But if you thought that, and did it, you'd be wrong because they don't and you just wasted a bunch of money, you foolish boy!


Cat

I've got all the parts now except the slide, slide parts kit, and trigger group. Oh, and an optic, which will be a Holosun 407C.

I lucked out and found an OEM Glock threaded barrel for $155 directly from Glock.

Slide will be a Norrso custom built slide with RMR cut and rear and forward serrations. No fancy cutouts or crazy designs. $300.

Also have all the tools I needed ordered and most are here.

The hardest part of the build is that Glock is putting all of it's parts into complete pistols so the supply of OEM parts has dried up. I wanted to use all OEM parts and it just isn't possible these days, unless you buy a complete Glock and strip it, which would be idiotic.

Got the Olive Drab frame in and really like the looks and feel of it. Will be using just a black slide with minimal machining. Don't really care for the skeletonized, race gun look.

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Got the holes drilled and the barrel channel cut out. Everything turned out perfect. Installed the slide lock and magazine release, and am just waiting on the trigger shoe to arrive in the mail and the lower will be complete. Very happy with it so far.

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When you get it done, spend some time working the slide to slick things up a little. I watched a video of a factory guy making one and test firing it, he had two jams on the first magazine full, said this was normal until the gun slicked itself out, (no jams after). Mine ran smooth from it's first shot, and accuracy is actually better than I expected, even if it were a factory gun. It shoots better than my brother's S&W Shield.

Got an unexpected bonus in my paycheck, so put $300 on my Amazon Chase card, then ordered the slide. Got about $20 in rewards points for that. Now down to just the slide parts and the optic.

If contemplating building a polymer 80 as others have mentioned, marinegunbuilder.com is a great resource to help. Depending on what you source out from slides, parts and how you customize your polymer 80 chances are, there will be absolutely no cost savings!

For me it is simply a hobby and I enjoy the process! I'm certainly not able to finish one in 30 minutes to attain the first time quality that marine gun builder talks about.

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Originally Posted by hunter49

If contemplating building a polymer 80 as others have mentioned, marinegunbuilder.com is a great resource to help. Depending on what you source out from slides, parts and how you customize your polymer 80 chances are, there will be absolutely no cost savings!

For me it is simply a hobby and I enjoy the process! I'm certainly not able to finish one in 30 minutes to attain the first time quality that marine gun builder talks about.

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Truth! I'll have almost $800 into mine, without the optic.

I bought the P80 kits because the government told me I shouldn't be allowed to have them. If I was to try and achieve the same goals in a firearm starting over, I would have just had my stock G23 slide milled and saved $600.

Yes, mine took about 150 rounds to smooth out and be happy. Feeds & fires very nicely now.


Cat

I picked up one for a someday project. I happen to like 357 sig and decided I might just have to make one if I can't find a nice compact. It is cheaper to buy a finished gun but like others said, it might be fun and learn some things.

I learned how simple the Glock basic gun is, amazing.

I know this is a bit off-topic for this thread, but I saw that a local shop has P80 pistols, factory complete and serial numbered (BGC transfer required) for $349. Are they a worthwhile gun at that price?

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Originally Posted by fatelk

I know this is a bit off-topic for this thread, but I saw that a local shop has P80 pistols, factory complete and serial numbered (BGC transfer required) for $349. Are they a worthwhile gun at that price?

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I guess it depends on the quality of the parts. I went to the website and they have an MSRP of $550, but don't list what kind of components they use. If they use Glock components, then the $350 price tag is a steal and the pistol should be as good as a Glock. But, I have not heard anything about them.

Since Glock is not selling their parts due to trying to catch up to demand, I've had to pay more for aftermarket parts that I don't trust as much as OEM Glock parts.