AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/3/2004 5:36:55 PM EDT
| I have an aquaintance who would like me to build him an AR. I was wondering if any of you guys charge a labor fee and if so what seems to be fair? He's a good guy but not someone I owe anything to. Thanx, Craig |
| I've built lowers for a favor to be named later. I've done barrel repairs for a NIW mag. For a true friend, I'd likely do it for free. For a casual acquaintance, maybe $20 or so. For a stranger, maybe $50 or so. The build should take about two hours max - $25 per hour isn't bad money on both sides of that transaction. |
Sounds reasonable. Charging cash potentially opens a whole can of ATF flavored worms... |
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In my circle, getting something done at your house that requires more than two hands is a "pizza and beer" expense-more guys means more pizza and beer. Big jobs come out to cost (concrete, lumber, equipment rental) plus pizza and beer. Of course, this is "coarse" labor, like pouring a bigger patio, etc. When I set up a new computer for an acquaintance, there is usually a quid pro quo, such as blank CDs, new cables, sometimes even a new drive for me! A particularly challenging setup (multiple computers, brand new home network, etc.) is at the higher end, where a drive is in order. The next person who asks for help with his HP desktop, I'm asking for a new DVD writer! This is "fine" labor, but at a much lower level of effort (to me) than building a rifle. (If you feel the opposite, maybe we can come to some accord...  Putting together an AR is not like throwing discs in a drive and giving the machine the proper responses; it takes not only the correct tools, but the skills to use them properly. Still "fine" labor, but more of it, and at what I consider a higher level or espertise. A NICE dinner for two sounds about right. And if it takes a new tube of lithium grease, or new bottle of LockTite, then the remainder should be thrown in, too. (For my first build, a friend I asked about where to find lithium grease gave me three metal tubes of it! What a guy!) |
Along with Liability, I did not want to go there. GHPorter, with building AR's, I'm seasoned. Computers, well....  Danny
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I've done some work on friends' guns of various kinds but I NEVER charge more than parts and shipping. Taking money for gun labor without an FFL can be construed as "engaging in the business without a license," a BIGTIME no-no. Do it for the Karma. Good things will come back to you sooner or later. 
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Unless I'm mistaken, this license allows you to transfer firearms from one owner to another. I don't believe it has anything to do with gunsmithing. Most gunsmiths will have an FFL, but if all you did was work on firearms and never took posession or transferred the firearms, the FFL would not be needed, even if you were a gunsmith. Clarification would be most welcome. |
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Mongo, back when I had ffl and did some smithing, way back. I recall that if a weapon came in and could be repaired and delivered to the same person same day it did not have to be recorded into the bound book. If that weapon required an extended care visit it did need to be recorded. And if someone other than the person who left said weapon for repair came to retreive it after repairs were made, had to fill out form 4473 and go through background check...whole 9 yards. I could be wrong, have been before...will be again. Engaging in the business back then IIRC, meant selling firearms +4 times a year? Danny P.S. ??? |
That's what I figured, but you could still 'smith without having an FFL and get paid for it, as long as you weren't taking posession of the firearms. |
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I think you help him /her out now and maybe one day when you need help on something they will be there for you. Lots of shooters helped me out in the beginning when I was just starting to shoot (handguns at the time) and just barley knew which end to point down range. Matt |
If he pays you, you are a manufacturer, which means you need the appropriate license..... Of course him taking you out to dinner is more of a thankyou, I don't ever take money from people I've helped. Most of the people I build with are cops and military, and we just try to look out for each other. |
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I agree with Shuter13. With me it like the 'Pay it Forward' principle. People have helped me, and I help other people when ever possible. Once in a while I have someone that seems like they are just trying to be cheap and to take advantage of me. When I encounter these type, "I'm busy" I never ask for any compensation, but everytime I have helped someone, they always 'repay' me in some way - one guy gave me about 2K once fired rounds fo 45 brass for swaping two barrels, another has never let me pick up a check for breakfast before matches, and another has given me several hundreds of rounds of 5.56 ammo. I think I enjoy the shooters I meet almost as much as I enjoy shooting. |
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