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Posted: 1/12/2014 5:52:46 PM EDT
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I am thinking of "building" an AR. This will be my first real rifle. I wanted to get some advice. I appreciate your help in advance. This is what I was thinking, since I am new to this.
Buy an 80% lower from tactical machine. I have a CNC mill and all the equipment needed. So to machine the lower would only take me 1/2 hour or so. Then I was looking into buying a kit like the ones offered by Del-Ton. And add optics. Right know I am on a budget, but I want to be able to upgrade down the road. I would like to add a bipod, light or whatever. I don't want to be handcuffed on what I can upgrade. One more thing, I live in NJ. Enough said about that Are my plans screwed up???? Can anyone advise me on what I am missing or what I am missing. I am a pistol guy so all this in new to me. I appreciate all your help. |
| Yea if you own a CNC mill (lucky), and know how to use it, it is going to be way better to just get an 80. no dealing with FFLs, transfer fees, serial numbers, etc. Plus the cuts that you need to make to finish an 80 are super easy. I wouldn't be surprised if someone already had a CAD file and programed cuts for your specific mill. |
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Thanks for the confirm for the 80%. I seen them jigs and people doing machining them in drill presses. With the accuracy I can hold, I am not worried about machining the lower. It seems pretty straight forwaorward compared to what I do now. What do you think about the rest of my build? Would this be a good way to get into it? I want to make sure I can upgrade down the road. What do you think of the Del-Ton kits? I know I just registered but without browsing through this forum, I may have decided to take another route or not get into it altogether. I rather build it so I know the technical part of the firearm. I know it's not the same, but I stripped my Glock completely and reassembled it just so I knew how it worked and the function of every piece. That is just the way I am. I want to know how everything works.
I reallly appreciate all the feedback. |
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Thanks, but I rather generate my own program. I have been doing this for about 15 years. Not to say that that code would be wrong, but one thing I learned from past experience, is do not trust anyone elses program. I have been burnt so many times. What I do need is a print showing the mil-spec dimensions of the lower. Do you recommend a specific manufacturer for the 80% lower, or are they all pretty much the same. I want to get a black anodized one, to save an extra step after machining.
Thanks Again |
| Although a previous poster had issue with HLF, I am hoping his situation was a freak occurrence. I have bought 3 from them and they are all to spec plus they use the best forging out there IMO, Cero Forge, (at least when I bought from them). That forging is used by a lot of the big boys, (it has the keyhole forge mark.) I will buy again. |
| It is illegal to complete an 80% lower in NJ without a firearms manufacturing liscense, even if it is for personal use. You can look in the NJ home town forum for more info if you don't believe me, but it is illegal. I did a lot of research on this a while back, and its just not worth the potential hassel in NJ. |
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Quoted:
It is illegal to complete an 80% lower in NJ without a firearms manufacturing liscense, even if it is for personal use. You can look in the NJ home town forum for more info if you don't believe me, but it is illegal. I did a lot of research on this a while back, and its just not worth the potential hassel in NJ. Wow, are you serious? That really sucks, glad I live in AZ 
OP, your plan to add a Del Ton upper is solid, that's what I did for my first build, works fine. |
Damn, thats a bummer... I was excited to see your CNC approach...
I guess at this point you'll have to get just a stripped lower... As far as I know, just about any stripped lower should do the trick, and most of what you are paying for is looks. Just make sure its to spec so that you don't have to worry about parts compatibility. Some companies do have lowers with ambi-controls, different looking mag wells, etc, but from the lower- mid end side of the spectrum the biggest differences will mainly be roll marks and maybe the quality of the anodizing and such. |
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