JCinPA
The Lather Maestro
I've been wanting to do this for a long time, but some rumored changes in ATF rules regarding these prompted me to take action. Got a couple kits at a local gun show last weekend and spent this weekend putting it together. PDF directions are pretty good, although they left out a couple important steps, like how to assemble the trigger group. The Youtube videos on assembly by Pew-Tang Clan are outstanding, though. Very helpful.
So, what is it? It's an 80% lower receiver kit (I got the parts and slides for mine, as well) that you can finish yourself, and as long as you keep it in your possession, it can remain unserialized. I bought mine with cash, so no record of my purchasing them at all. [disclaimer] If you do transfer it to someone else, to remain legal, you must serialize it and transfer it through an FFL-1. [/disclaimer]. The lower kit comes with an unfinished polymer frame, slide rails, and other lower parts to make a complete lower receiver. You can buy a Glock complete upper receiver unit to put on it, or you can use various aftermarket slides/barrels/parts kits to finish your gun. The Glock complete upper units are unobtanium at present, as are many shooting items, but several manufacturers have good reputations for uppers, slided, barrels, and small parts.
The polymer frame comes in a plastic clamshell jig for drilling the required pinholes. The two required drillbits are also included, very convenient. You should NOT use a drill press, according to the instructions. They suggest a hand drill because it will align better with the jig. I don't have a drill press, so I was glad to hear that. Here are some shots of the work.
That last pic is one of my tips for anyone wanting to try this. It's super easy to remove some plastic strips with a whatever that is called. Flush cut nipper? Cutting pliers? I've heard it called a bull nose pliers. But it snips the plastic right off, that's one sitting on top of it.
Then you use files to smooth those down to the jig, and finally sandpaper them smooth.
More tips follow.
So, what is it? It's an 80% lower receiver kit (I got the parts and slides for mine, as well) that you can finish yourself, and as long as you keep it in your possession, it can remain unserialized. I bought mine with cash, so no record of my purchasing them at all. [disclaimer] If you do transfer it to someone else, to remain legal, you must serialize it and transfer it through an FFL-1. [/disclaimer]. The lower kit comes with an unfinished polymer frame, slide rails, and other lower parts to make a complete lower receiver. You can buy a Glock complete upper receiver unit to put on it, or you can use various aftermarket slides/barrels/parts kits to finish your gun. The Glock complete upper units are unobtanium at present, as are many shooting items, but several manufacturers have good reputations for uppers, slided, barrels, and small parts.
The polymer frame comes in a plastic clamshell jig for drilling the required pinholes. The two required drillbits are also included, very convenient. You should NOT use a drill press, according to the instructions. They suggest a hand drill because it will align better with the jig. I don't have a drill press, so I was glad to hear that. Here are some shots of the work.
That last pic is one of my tips for anyone wanting to try this. It's super easy to remove some plastic strips with a whatever that is called. Flush cut nipper? Cutting pliers? I've heard it called a bull nose pliers. But it snips the plastic right off, that's one sitting on top of it.
Then you use files to smooth those down to the jig, and finally sandpaper them smooth.
More tips follow.
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