Hello I am new here but I will be 18 in January and am saving up money to build an AR-15. I am wondering two things. One is can I legally at 18 build an AR pistol with an 80 percent lower? And two is can I purchase an 80 percent lower at 18? I have more questions but I figure this is a good starting point.
AR pistol rules
- Thread starter CuatroAZ2a
- Start date
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Anybody can purchase an 80% lower. Its not a firearm nor is it a part. Do you have the ability to machine the lower into a firearm receiver? Do you know the rules about owning a firearm you serialized yourself? Do you know the rules on selling it?
I would scrap the idea of an 80% part period. Not sure where you live but at 18 you can buy a fully assembled rifle and these days they are cheap. Whatever you do- do it legally. You will have more in tooling etc to build a future problem than to just buy one.
I would scrap the idea of an 80% part period. Not sure where you live but at 18 you can buy a fully assembled rifle and these days they are cheap. Whatever you do- do it legally. You will have more in tooling etc to build a future problem than to just buy one.
As stated you can buy a complete rifle. Do yourself a favor and save up for a good unit versus el-cheapo deluxe. El-cheapo's usually are good for door stops.
This forum is great , but it's not a replacement for an attorney. Each state ,maybe even county , has its own laws regarding pistols , magazine capacity and more . Not saying you need an attorney but legal advice is best done asking your chief law enforcement agency for a copy of the law
What state are you in? What caliber are you going to use?
I am from AZ that's where I'll do it and 5.56. how old do I have to be to buy the barrel?
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
You should probably swing by a local gun shop and hang around. There you can learn all of your local laws. You could also try the ar15 forum as they will be able to help you more than we can here. Once you get it built and get ready to load for accuracy then come on back.
AZ Native here. You can buy a complete rifle for a steal of a bargain. Unless you actually know what you're doing, I wouldn't recommend an 80% build. Contrary to popular belief, AR's aren't as easy to build PROPERLY. I would recommend checking out C2 Tactical or Tombstone Tactical in PHX.
Why are you wanting to do an AR Pistol? Why an 80%?
Here are all the relevant laws in AZ. http://blackwolf-tactical.com/firearms-law/
I would go to a gun shop or local range and find a mentor. I am sure guys would be happy to help out. No offense when I say this, but it sounds like you are asking a very inexperienced question (which is totally ok, we all have to start somewhere). With such inexperience I would be wary in purchasing an AR15 as your first rifle (I am assuming first).
Me personally, I would find a mentor or friend who is experienced in firearms, read and understand your local laws, and then make a decision on what maybe the best route for you in acquiring a new rifle.
Me personally, I would find a mentor or friend who is experienced in firearms, read and understand your local laws, and then make a decision on what maybe the best route for you in acquiring a new rifle.
Where do you have to be 21 to buy a finished lower? Well, I could probably guess a few states. Here in AL 18 is legal.
For AZ, go you your state website and read all the pertinent laws for firearms. If after reading the laws you are still unsure, then find competent help. What you don't want to do is wind up in trouble with BATFE. You could wind up in real trouble then. Several years ago, a young man who worked at a hunting store in Pensacola FL responded to an ad selling an AR rifle. When he got to the house, a lady was selling her husbands gun as he had died. He was former military. The rifle was actually an M16. He recognized this but bought the rifle for what he thought was a steal, figuring he could make good money by re-selling it. He took it to a public range and was firing full auto. Someone called BATFE, he paid a large fine and can longer own any modern firearms. He can own a muzzle loader. Too much at stake to guess at what you are doing. Education and knowledge is the key. Do your research, make certain you are legal. Do you KNOW the difference between an AR pistol and a short barreled rifle? One requires a tax stamp and if your build accidentally requires the stamp, without it you are just as much in violation as the guy with the M16.
For AZ, go you your state website and read all the pertinent laws for firearms. If after reading the laws you are still unsure, then find competent help. What you don't want to do is wind up in trouble with BATFE. You could wind up in real trouble then. Several years ago, a young man who worked at a hunting store in Pensacola FL responded to an ad selling an AR rifle. When he got to the house, a lady was selling her husbands gun as he had died. He was former military. The rifle was actually an M16. He recognized this but bought the rifle for what he thought was a steal, figuring he could make good money by re-selling it. He took it to a public range and was firing full auto. Someone called BATFE, he paid a large fine and can longer own any modern firearms. He can own a muzzle loader. Too much at stake to guess at what you are doing. Education and knowledge is the key. Do your research, make certain you are legal. Do you KNOW the difference between an AR pistol and a short barreled rifle? One requires a tax stamp and if your build accidentally requires the stamp, without it you are just as much in violation as the guy with the M16.
What bullsh*t laws...bros who have no business being felons are felons, meanwhile murderers, rapists, drug dealers, gang members are never caught due to "an overworked police force / judicial system. Then you have the low lifes who get away in court due to some stupid technicality. We have so many laws now a days that I would not be surprised if every single american isnt some kind of felon.
Anyway to the OP, yes it can be very serious if you own something that you shouldnt. Ignorance of the law is not a valid defense.
A lower which is not built into a rifle with a barrel and stock, is considered a receiver, and as a receiver it is not transferred as a rifle but as a Receiver. Since it is a receiver that can be made into a pistol or a rifle or an SBR, it can only be transferred to a person who is 21 years or older. per federal law.
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may...eiver-unlicensed-individual-who-less-21-years
At best.
So I have my coaches helping me out with it. Part of why I want to do a 80% is so I can see how all the parts work. I want to build it from the ground up to know everything that I put in it so if something isn't right I know what it is and how to make it work properly. I want to know what I can and cannot do at the age of 17. So from what I understand I can't assemble an AR pistol at home. Also would milling it be better. From what I understand if you mill the lower it doesn't have to be registered.
So what if I build it?
I want to put it all together but I might do a milled out lower with a coach i have been talking to him about it and he is willing to help. I plan on using a 14.5 or 12 inch with 3 inch compensater it's for hog hunting I want something smaller. Cause I rarely shoot past 200 yards on my property in Texas but I am an Arizona resident. Also I think it looks cool and I wanna do it.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.