I got an email from a blog (http://www.thebangswitch.com/) and it sent me to an article ( http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/05/ak-47-semi-automatic-rifle-building-party) about making your own gun. Got me interested and went to the ATF website to see if it was true. Turns out it is, at the federal level, and is pretty popular.

The ATF says: 9. May I lawfully make a firearm for my own personal use, provided it is not being made for resale?   
Firearms may be lawfully made by persons who do not hold a manufacturer’s license under the GCA provided they are not for sale or distribution and the maker is not prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms. However, a person is prohibited from assembling a non-sporting semiautomatic rifle or shotgun from 10 or more imported parts, as set forth in regulations in 27 C.F.R. 478.39. In addition, the making of an NFA firearm requires a tax payment and advance approval by ATF. An application to make a machinegun will not be approved unless documentation is submitted showing that the firearm is being made for the official use of a Federal, State, or local government agency (18 U.S.C. § 922(o),(r); 26 U.S.C. § 5822; 27 C.F.R. §§ 478.39, 479.62, and 479.105

This surprised me, didn't know if it was common knowledge. Now I have to figure out if it is legal here in Hawaii. Thoughts??

You gotta register the receiver and make sure barrel length and USA parts count on foreign types are up to requirements and you should be good


Oh yeah, can't build SBRs or assault pistols here

Man, a rifle-building party! How sweet would that be! Group buy on parts, hosted at someone's house or business that has the tools, a small buy-in cost... I'd sure be interested!

A much better ak build IMO here.

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/build-yourself/179192-diy-shovel-ak-photo-tsunami-warning.html

Man, a rifle-building party! How sweet would that be! Group buy on parts, hosted at someone's house or business that has the tools, a small buy-in cost... I'd sure be interested!

Didn't even think of actually doing a party! Quick search showed a couple sites that sell them but only one with items in stock (that I saw for AR's), http://www.extremeoutfitters.us/80ar-15lowerreceiver.aspx. Gotta pay 80 bucks for the jig, but if multiple people chip in it could get cheap super fast.

A much better ak build IMO here.

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/build-yourself/179192-diy-shovel-ak-photo-tsunami-warning.html

That build is freaking awesome!!!

You gotta register the receiver and make sure barrel length and USA parts count on foreign types are up to requirements and you should be good

Sorry that is just not true.  Can  you provide proof otherwise?

You can build any title 1 firearms legally, that is legal in your state, with no paperwork or "USA parts" count.  If YOU are building the gun then it is a US made gun.......

You can also build any title 2 firearm legally other then machineguns,  but with these you do have to serial number AND you have to have the approved paperwork back first.  Of course they still have to be legal in your state.

Oh yeah, can't build SBRs or assault pistols here

This is true

By Federal law all you have to do to legally build a title 1 firearm is not be a prohibited person.  That simple, no paperwork.  No serial number but the ATF does suggest that you mark it in some way that you can identify it.

I am not well versed in the HI laws yet but I get the impression the way the registration works in HI that even if you built your own you would still be required register it with the state.


Keep in mind that when the word build is used here that dose not mean assemble an AR.  Build means you actually build the receiver.  This most commonly done with AK's since they are a sheet metal receiver.  You buy a "flat" and then have to bend and rivet it for it to become a receiver ie a firearm.

Many people also build their own Short Barrel Rifles and Short Barrel Shotgun by modifying guns they already have.  The process is only different in the fact you have to submit a Form 1 and pay the tax.  Once the Form comes back approved (about 6-8 months right now) you can build it.

Sorry that is just not true.  Can  you provide proof otherwise?

You can build any title 1 firearms legally, that is legal in your state, with no paperwork or "USA parts" count.  If YOU are building the gun then it is a US made gun.......

You can also build any title 2 firearm legally other then machineguns,  but with these you do have to serial number AND you have to have the approved paperwork back first.  Of course they still have to be legal in your state.

I am talking about Hawaii. We are required to register all firearms here.

Parts count comes from 922 R compliance when building something like a AK, HK or FAL from a parts kit.

I pretty much though it had to be registered with HI but the OP was talking Federal and you did not say which you were talking about.  I even included that in my second post on here.

Yes 922r applies to the number of IMPORTED parts used with a gun that is built after 1989. 

Just to clarify.

In hawaii you need to register the completed reciever within 5 days.

Anybody got a drill press?

http://www.hendersondefense.com/store/pc/AK47-80-Blank-Receiver-16p362.htm

If you have access to tools and some skills.

Dremel

Drill press

Welder

MAPP torch

Assorted bits, punches drifts and band aids


A bent Polish AK 47 or 74 blank can be had for $30 or less... The template is all over the Internet for free

Anybody got a drill press?

http://www.hendersondefense.com/store/pc/AK47-80-Blank-Receiver-16p362.htm

The fact that the lower rails are welded in makes this not too bad of a deal

I asked about build parties here months ago and nobody was interested or knew anything about them.  Now that 80% lowers are all sold out and will be for the next few months, people want to get into it?  Good luck getting the 80%'s at anywhere near the prices they were at before the gun ban scare!  Now if someone had a cnc machine, that would be interesting.  I do have G files of ar-15, ak47 and 1911 frames if someone does have one   It only cost about 5k for a table top unit which could cut out all of the receivers mentioned...  basically to be legal for a build party, the guy which wants the gun would have to be the one which clicks print (cut) on the PC running the cnc machine and it will be perfectly legal as the person which owns the machine would lend it or rent it to the guy which wants the part cut out 100%.  If not, the guy with the cnc machine can just do an 80% lower and have the rest cut out by the guy building the gun.  the hardest part would be to cnc cut out a jig to hold the frame/lower after you flip it over when you need to cut the other side out.  It should be pretty easy as its just a negative of what ever your cutting out which is cut in half and then bolted back together after removing just a bit of metal where you cut (which is pretty much already done for you when you cut thru the jig).

I asked about build parties here months ago and nobody was interested or knew anything about them.  Now that 80% lowers are all sold out and will be for the next few months, people want to get into it?

well I would be interested in doing it, have to save up money though. I will now be watching this site to see if they come in and what it will cost. But getting the rest may take awhile for me as a I am saving up for a M&P .40

http://www.hendersondefense.com/store/pc/AK47-80-Blank-Receiver-16p362.htm

In stock now, only 38 left.