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6/10/2013 11:20:50 PM EDT
So the first of three paperweights arrived, an American Spirit Arms 95% Lower.



What you see is how it arrived. Not really sure what makes it a 95% lower as opposed to other 80% lowers, but when one of the others arrives I'll compare.

I was planning to do a write up to help others make a decision when purchasing 80% lowers online. Are there critical dimensions I should be measuring? What information would others like to know?

It was $176.33 after shipping and tax. I went with ASA because a friend of a friend highly recommended them (in the interest of full disclosure I'll mention she models for them) and also because their site listed the wait time at only four to six weeks (it ended up taking seven to ship).

Still tracking down a jig to knock this out, but when I do expect a LOT of pictures and video.
6/10/2013 11:57:36 PM EDT
[#1]
Only difference from the 80s I have is the pocket for the takedown pin.
6/11/2013 12:27:44 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Only difference from the 80s I have is the pocket for the takedown pin.




Correct, no other difference.

How long did it take from order to shipment ?

Thanks, and good luck.
6/11/2013 12:34:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Subscribing for progress I guess.  Good luck.
6/11/2013 12:45:45 PM EDT
[#4]
They do look nice, now I cannot wait for mine to come in. I got one from hlf manufacturing which if very nice, waiting for tr enabling to come in as well. Good luck with them. My jig just shipped so I'm curious to see how it will work with all 3 types.
6/11/2013 1:59:56 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Only difference from the 80s I have is the pocket for the takedown pin.




Correct, no other difference.

How long did it take from order to shipment ?

Thanks, and good luck.


Seven weeks I believe. I would have to dig thru my emails to 100% confirm.
6/11/2013 2:03:13 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
They do look nice, now I cannot wait for mine to come in. I got one from hlf manufacturing which if very nice, waiting for tr enabling to come in as well. Good luck with them. My jig just shipped so I'm curious to see how it will work with all 3 types.


Yeah, I bought into two on RocketHub (Fealty & Pebble Peak) and am trying to get my hands on a Quentin Defense lower as well.
6/11/2013 2:07:12 PM EDT
[#7]
I Thought They Had To Be 80% To Avoid The Paperwork And Ffl's?
 
6/11/2013 3:41:19 PM EDT
[#8]
Yeah,I bought into two on RocketHub (Fealty & Pebble Peak)

How did they turn out? Did you get them yet? Not to get off topic to far but if you get a quentin lower let me know how it is.
6/11/2013 4:01:13 PM EDT
[#9]



Quoted:


I Thought They Had To Be 80% To Avoid The Paperwork And Ffl's?  


The whole 0%, 30%, 80%, 95% thing is just marketing.  In the eyes of the ATF, either it's a gun, or it's not.

 
6/11/2013 4:14:04 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Yeah,I bought into two on RocketHub (Fealty & Pebble Peak)

How did they turn out? Did you get them yet? Not to get off topic to far but if you get a quentin lower let me know how it is.


Nope. I believe both said they would ship in July.

When I called QD they were 12 weeks out so I passed. Didn't try Sun Devil yet. Both are local for me, so I'm thinking once I do a writeup on the other three maybe those two will let me pop in and just take pictures of their parts since I'm guessing they will be superior to the RocketHub pieces.
6/11/2013 4:40:49 PM EDT
[#11]
Cool. Looking forward to your write up. Which jig you leaning towards or just going to use what you can get? Sorry to ask so many questions, I find this absolutely a fascinating topic. I went with 80% arms jig for now, but thinking should have went with the one from CNC gunsmithing.
6/11/2013 5:52:42 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:

Quoted:
I Thought They Had To Be 80% To Avoid The Paperwork And Ffl's?  

The whole 0%, 30%, 80%, 95% thing is just marketing.  In the eyes of the ATF, either it's a gun, or it's not.  



As long as the fire control pocket is not milled/finished and the hammer/trigger/safety pin holes are not drilled it is OK as far as the
BATFE is concerned. the ASA version has taken a extra step and milled the rear take-down pocket, just makes it easier to finish.
6/11/2013 7:35:39 PM EDT
[#13]

Got It, I Thought That 80% Was Actually A Strict Rule Of Some Sort.
 







I Learn Something New Every Day On This Site

6/11/2013 10:02:06 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
Cool. Looking forward to your write up. Which jig you leaning towards or just going to use what you can get? Sorry to ask so many questions, I find this absolutely a fascinating topic. I went with 80% arms jig for now, but thinking should have went with the one from CNC gunsmithing.


I'm not sure about the jig. I was hoping I could get away without one, but I had dinner with a friend from high school whose husband is a gunsmith. He does mainly 1911s, but has "plenty of experience" with the AR platform from his time as a Marine. He advised me on a number of things with my two current builds. I was thinking of trying to make my own jig if I absolutely needed one, and couldn't find one to borrow locally, however my hunt is turning up nothing. Recognizing how critical some of the tolerances are I'm just opting to purchase a jig if the price is right. Maybe I can rent it locally to recoup my losses.
6/12/2013 4:54:17 PM EDT
[#15]
As I'm researching jigs I'm putting together a list of vendors, prices, ect. which I'll post in a new thread.
6/13/2013 3:51:25 PM EDT
[#16]
I would say its more 85%. 7 weeks ain't to bad considering the 5 months i waited for ares...
6/13/2013 10:32:51 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
I would say its more 85%. 7 weeks ain't to bad considering the 5 months i waited for ares...


I wasn't complaining... Not about the wait... Paying tax and not having the option to pick it up in the store sucked, but I guess I could have called and asked...

"95%" Is their gimmick name, not mine. When I get too my second lower that's a traditional 80% I'll be able to say if the extra "10%" was worth the price.
6/13/2013 10:38:42 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I would say its more 85%. 7 weeks ain't to bad considering the 5 months i waited for ares...


I wasn't complaining... Not about the wait... Paying tax and not having the option to pick it up in the store sucked, but I guess I could have called and asked...

"95%" Is their gimmick name, not mine. When I get too my second lower that's a traditional 80% I'll be able to say if the extra "10%" was worth the price.


Colfax sells the same lower as ASA, they call theirs 80%.  And they're cheaper.  Anyway, point being, some traditional 80% lowers have just as much already done as ASA's 95%.
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