Does anyone have any experience with this brand? Thinking about trying one out and can't really find any useful reviews on it.

Here's a link to their site - http://store.jamesmadisontactical.com/default.asp

Thanks in advance! 

Ares has them at $55 in many colors.

Ares has them at $55 in many colors.

Ares is the not same as it is EP lowers version. I bought EP lowers and James Madison and they are very different. One is carbon polymer and the other is Kevlar polymer.

I just finished my James Madison one and it wasn't too hard with a drill press. I hope to take it out to the range soon.

On sale at Rainer Arms for $89.95.  $10 off JMT website.  Not sure how long the sale is.  I've been thinking about one or two for something to do when I have time.  Haven't seen much about them yet though.

https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=3971

Ares is the not same as it is EP lowers version. I bought EP lowers and James Madison and they are very different. One is carbon polymer and the other is Kevlar polymer.

I just finished my James Madison one and it wasn't too hard with a drill press. I hope to take it out to the range soon.

How did you go about getting a serial number on it and registering it after you turned it into a 100% stripped lower?

How did you go about getting a serial number on it and registering it after you turned it into a 100% stripped lower?

Well technically it's not 100% done. I tried fitting my upper and it was too tight. I still need to sand it down more. I'm debating on using a file or the dremel. The jig seems to be too small. As it lines up with the jig. but not with the upper. Because it is polymer I'm sure you could use some kind of engraving tool. Crossing my fingers that I don't turn this thing into a paperweight.

How did you go about getting a serial number on it and registering it after you turned it into a 100% stripped lower?

Federal law allows individuals to manufacture their own firearms. Not only is it fun and rewarding, but you don’t need a serial number on the completed gun. No one in government needs know about your firearm
i THOUGHT THE WHOLE POINT OF THE  80% lower was you don't have to register unless you intend to sell it?

Federal law allows individuals to manufacture their own firearms. Not only is it fun and rewarding, but you don’t need a serial number on the completed gun. No one in government needs know about your firearm
i THOUGHT THE WHOLE POINT OF THE  80% lower was you don't have to register unless you intend to sell it?

In Hawaii you need to register it once its completed

In Hawaii you need to register it once its completed

Did not no that.  So state law trumps federal?

Did not no that.  So state law trumps federal?

In Hawaii, once the lower is completed it is a firearm, you need to put a serial number on it and you need to have it registered.  Make sure you have a valid rifle permit at the time of completion.    Some use the rifle permit number as the serial number. 

so what is the benefit of these 80% lowers if you still have to register them? 

You have the satisfaction of completing your very own lower.

You have the satisfaction of completing your very own lower.

i guess if that's your thing its cool. i don't think i could build it as good as a million dollar machine though. i will leave it up to them.

In Hawaii, once the lower is completed it is a firearm, you need to put a serial number on it and you need to have it registered.  Make sure you have a valid rifle permit at the time of completion.    Some use the rifle permit number as the serial number.

You can make up your own numbers or letters.

so what is the benefit of these 80% lowers if you still have to register them? 

The "benefit" is that you sit on the lowers and a jig until the SHTF.

You DON'T have to register them as long as they're not "complete" lowers.

(SHTF= when the liberal lawmakers finally outlaw anything that isn't a 200 year old single action revolver or double barrel shotgun)

(SHTF= when the required registration of firearms is used as a hit list for confiscation)

Then you'll actually have a firearm worth a shit to fight for your life with.

It is my understanding that it is considered a firearm after it exceeds the 80% complete mark. Therefore if you take a dremel to it and start milling out the trigger pocket, drill out the trigger pin whole and the selector hole you have a lower that is more than 80% complete. That is why when you buy an 80% lower those things are not complete, otherwise they would be done for you. For your own safety in the future, I would recommend deleting the posts in which you admit to milling out the lower and beginning the process off completing it.

You can make up your own numbers or letters.

I don't believe this to be true. I have asked the guys at the window how it works. They said you have to request a serial number, they issue you one and then you have to pay someone to have it engraved onto the lower reciever.

I don't believe this to be true. I have asked the guys at the window how it works. They said you have to request a serial number, they issue you one and then you have to pay someone to have it engraved onto the lower reciever.

Negative
You are the manufacturer of the firearm, you name your children's .

Personal experience, I have made several and registered these homemade firearms in the past.

Serial Numbers i have used were birthdays, lucky numbers, names.

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0134/HRS_0134-0003.htm

If the firearm has no serial number, the permit number shall be entered in the space provided for the serial number, and the permit number shall be engraved upon the receiver portion of the firearm prior to registration.  All registration data that would identify the individual registering the firearm by name or address shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed to anyone, except as may be required for processing the registration or as may be required by a law enforcement agency for the lawful performance of its duties or as may be required by order of a court.

I'm not lawyer but just reading through the HRS there's seems to be a distinction for registration of firearms that are acquired, but not to posses. One could argue I guess that once something has been built it has been acquired but in my view that would be a hard sell since acquisition normally refers to things already existing. For example no one says they will acquire a supermarket and then go off and build one from scratch.

Negative
You are the manufacturer of the firearm, you name your children's .

Personal experience, I have made several and registered these homemade firearms in the past.

Serial Numbers i have used were birthdays, lucky numbers, names.

Interesting. I was at the window yesterday, and when I asked about this very subject I was told they assign the number to you.