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My AR-15 From an 80% Lower

This page is set up as place to collect everything I've written while building my AR-15 from an 80% lower from Colfax tactical.

Part 1. A New Project Underway

Part 2. The New Project Continues

Part 2. Ready for Assembly

Part 3. BATFE is at it again (a minor explanation - not very important)

Part 4. Project Complete

Part 5. Some Final Notes on the Colfax Tactical AR Project

Here's a view of the finished AR - (well, without the new Nikon Monarch)

and a close up of the logo as it came off the engraving step on my mill

(just a note - while I've allowed comments to this post, comments to posts over 2 weeks old require moderation.  I don't see those unless I go looking, so it may be a while before you get an answer.  You can email me at SiGraybeard at gmail dot com for a quicker answer)

13 comments:

  1. ar lower manufacturersFebruary 4, 2012 at 2:30 AM

    I like AR-15 because AR-15 is a semi-automatic weapon that uses gas from a fired round of ammunition to cause the bolt and carrier assembly to extract and eject the casing of the fired round. I was looking for ar lower manufacturers. Please suggest me the best ar lower manufacturers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SiGraybeardFebruary 4, 2012 at 2:34 PM

    I'm afraid I can't do that - I simply don't know. This series of articles was how I built my own lower receiver, and complete AR.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JAQUEBAUERMarch 2, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    After 40+ years of AR-15 (Colt sp-1, Homebuilds) ownership and many homemade expediant fixtures, its time to buy a decent rifle vise/fixture. I see one in your photo......what make is it, and would you buy the same one again?
    I am not sure how I ended up at this blog, maybe from Western Rifle Shooters. As a fellow Floridian, Its nice to see Gun blogs from the homestate.

    Regards from a 3 percent'r

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SiGraybeardMarch 2, 2012 at 5:04 PM

      Jaque - I assume you mean the gray thing visible in the top photo?

      That's the Tipton Gun Vise. Very handy for working on rifles, especially. Also handy with pistols. Shop around - that price (today - 3/2/12) is full list.

      Thanks for stopping by. I have a separate list of Florida Gun Blogs, so if you have one, drop the title.

      Delete
  4. BuckySeptember 16, 2012 at 2:20 PM

    Nice gun. Makes me think about building my own. I wonder if I could if I live in "Ban This Ban That California".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SiGraybeardSeptember 16, 2012 at 5:20 PM

      Hmmm. I know there are California legal AR-15s, so I don't see why not. Colfax Tactical, where I bought my lower, included info on those things, but since I don't need to know it, I didn't read it.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousJuly 29, 2013 at 1:40 AM

    IS THERE A COMPANY THAT CAN COMPLETE MY 80% LOWER FOR ME OR DO I HAVE TO COMPLETE IT MY SELF

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SiGraybeardAugust 1, 2013 at 8:26 PM

      I believe only a licensed firearm manufacturer could do that. You might try asking one of the companies that makes 80% lowers, but since their emphasis is on "do it yourself", I would guess the answer is "no".

      Delete
    2. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2016 at 6:12 PM

      You must do it yourself, as it is unlawful to transfer a complete lower receiver that is not made by a licensed maker. If you ever wish to sell your DIY weapon with an 80% receiver, you should sell it sans receiver as a "part kit" to fully-comply with Federal statutes. Keep or destroy your DIY receiver, but don't ever transfer it.

      Delete
    3. Chuck GburJuly 24, 2017 at 1:38 PM

      If you have a licensed firearms manufacturer (Type 7 FFL), they would be required to add a SN.

      Delete
  6. gpatteSeptember 30, 2013 at 8:58 PM

    Great looking piece of hardware, Bought a couple of 80% lowers and a jig from Gunpartsplus.com and an in the course of finishing them now, great articles, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AR-15 ShooterAugust 14, 2017 at 7:59 AM

    Awesome looking AR-15 project!

    ReplyDelete