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3/26/2014 3:54:30 PM EDT
Wow....no wonder so few posts...meant to ask about lowers.  Sorry people.

I am in CT.  That said am I required to complete the lower myself or can I have a machinist do it?

I had to ask.

Now...is there any costly equipment required to complete it or are a good drill, bits plus the jig kit enough.  I would buy one that is already anodized.
3/26/2014 6:20:52 PM EDT
[#1]
Uppers are not controlled items in the US so anyone can machine it for you. Uppers are more complicated to finish than lowers for the layperson because of the deep boring and required dimensions of the top rail and to keep everything in line with the centerline. You can buy finished/stripped uppers of better quality than the average guy could ever think of doing in his garage for $60 so why would you even consider doing it? Top quality ones for about double that. Now, if you have a mill and lathe and enjoy doing that type of accurate machining go for it.

Advntrjnky

ETA: you never said what operations were needed to finish so it's a little hard to answer your question completely.
3/26/2014 6:43:09 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:
Uppers are not controlled items in the US so anyone can machine it for you. Uppers are more complicated to finish than lowers for the layperson because of the deep boring and required dimensions of the top rail and to keep everything in line with the centerline. You can buy finished/stripped uppers of better quality than the average guy could ever think of doing in his garage for $60 so why would you even consider doing it? Top quality ones for about double that. Now, if you have a mill and lathe and enjoy doing that type of accurate machining go for it.

Advntrjnky

ETA: you never said what operations were needed to finish so it's a little hard to answer your question completely.
View Quote


thanx...meant to ask about lowers but what you describe does sound intimidating for the lower.

My problem is living in CT.  I cant purchase a lower anymore due to the new laws.  No FFL would accept it.
3/26/2014 6:45:28 PM EDT
[#3]
Work carefully and slowly. You can always machine off more metal... putting it back on is not an option!
3/26/2014 7:00:15 PM EDT
[#4]
Lowers are easier because there are some very good jigs and tutorials available. Now that you changed your question to lowers.....you need to finish it yourself and follow your local laws. I would ask the guys in your HTF for their input.
3/26/2014 7:11:03 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
Lowers are easier because there are some very good jigs and tutorials available. Now that you changed your question to lowers.....you need to finish it yourself and follow your local laws. I would ask the guys in your HTF for their input.
View Quote


Yeah...kind of figured that and you are probably correct.

Assuming I must complete it myself...am I out of luck without a decent drill press?
3/26/2014 7:23:42 PM EDT
[#6]
Do some searches for the guys that finished them with hand drills and dremels. Only you can decide if it is out of the question. I think they looked a little rough for my tastes.....but if it works fine who really cares in the end.

Advntrjnky
3/26/2014 7:55:47 PM EDT
[#7]
If you complete the lower now you will be a felon in this shit state. You can't register it anymore. Your only option for a legal lower in CT now is a pre-ban lower.
3/27/2014 6:09:30 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
If you complete the lower now you will be a felon in this shit state. You can't register it anymore. Your only option for a legal lower in CT now is a pre-ban lower.
View Quote


I thought that we could still build our own in CT. because the lower does not require a serial number.
3/28/2014 4:33:46 PM EDT
[#9]
It is only legal to build a firearm if it is legal for you to own that type of firearm in your state.....sounds like it's not legal.  The lower is the serial numbered part if it was manufactured by a company licensed to do so.  Just because the ATF doesn't require a serial number for a personally built lower doesn't mean it's not a serial number part.  Good Luck and I would go to the CT HTF to ask more directed questions from people familiar with your state and its laws.

advntrjnky

Quote History
Quoted:


I thought that we could still build our own in CT. because the lower does not require a serial number.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
If you complete the lower now you will be a felon in this shit state. You can't register it anymore. Your only option for a legal lower in CT now is a pre-ban lower.


I thought that we could still build our own in CT. because the lower does not require a serial number.

3/28/2014 5:00:52 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:


I thought that we could still build our own in CT. because the lower does not require a serial number.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
If you complete the lower now you will be a felon in this shit state. You can't register it anymore. Your only option for a legal lower in CT now is a pre-ban lower.


I thought that we could still build our own in CT. because the lower does not require a serial number.


The only AR15 "type" guns that are currently allowed in CT are pre-bans. The lower is the gun. If you did not complete the lower prior to 4/4/13 you can't complete it legally. I built 8 from 80% receivers and I had to register them with the state because of this new law.
3/29/2014 8:01:08 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:


I thought that we could still build our own in CT. because the lower does not require a serial number.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
If you complete the lower now you will be a felon in this shit state. You can't register it anymore. Your only option for a legal lower in CT now is a pre-ban lower.


I thought that we could still build our own in CT. because the lower does not require a serial number.


CT is well aware of the 80% loophole.
Even it does not have a serial, it still must be registered.
3/29/2014 8:49:52 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Quoted:
If you complete the lower now you will be a felon in this shit state. You can't register it anymore. Your only option for a legal lower in CT now is a pre-ban lower.
View Quote



The cheapest pre-ban lower I have seen was 800.00.  Thinking about it...I think.
3/29/2014 12:34:27 PM EDT
[#13]
In CA u must mill out your own lower.  But, if you happen to have a machinist friend ...

Some local cops are warning metal plating shops not to anodize lowers for guys, even though that law has not yet been invented.  Stand by though.

Is there such a thing as an anodizing kit?
3/29/2014 5:34:41 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Quoted:
In CA u must mill out your own lower.  But, if you happen to have a machinist friend ...

Some local cops are warning metal plating shops not to anodize lowers for guys, even though that law has not yet been invented.  Stand by though.

Is there such a thing as an anodizing kit?
View Quote


I can get an anodized one....just don't have the knowledge or tools to complete.
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