The Gun Counter

toad wrote:Pity Mil-Spec barrels cost so darn much.

Ass opposed to what? The 4140 barrels? I know that upper wise you can get good deals on Mil-Spec uppers from a variety of places.

A good deal depends on how much money you have and how much you want to risk on the quality of certain "mil-spec" barrels and uppers. I admit that I don't research that stuff anymore, but I seem to remember from the past that their were only about three companies you could get actual, real, mil-spec.
I'd take Chris's word on what's what since he actually builds the dang things.
When I looked into building my own I found I saved no money because not just parts but also when I make holes in things and I want them precise I use reamers.in other words the tooling cost started eating into the budget real quick. I started adding up the price of the tools and parts that would satisfy me as to quality and it just wasn't feasible, at least for me.

Or if you move just don't tell anyone.

A tech question--the receiver appears to be anodized, and the milling operations have exposed bare aluminum. Is that a concern?

Darrell wrote:A tech question--the receiver appears to be anodized, and the milling operations have exposed bare aluminum. Is that a concern?

I was wondering the same thing. Are you going to have to re-anodize the receiver after the milling, or is it not a concern?

CByrneIV wrote:The question wasn't whether it was legal to sell a home made receiver. It is, so long as you didn't manufacture specifically to sell it; at least federally. That wasn't in dispute.
The question was the legal status of a home made receiver that was not marked "properly" (which according to the ATF and GCA '68 means a unique serial number, manufacturers name, and place of manufacture).
According to the ATF you can sell a home made gun, and also you do not have to mark a home made receiver; HOWEVER you may not transfer a firearm made after 1968 unless it is "properly marked".

We're actually in agreement, you just went a little more in-depth of it. Some however, believe a "self built" firearm may never be sold. Properly marking it as even ATF recommends still keeps it off of the radar but provides you with a margin of safety and does allow for later sale.

Found a local Trophy Shop that will laser engrave markings for me. The counter guy is a retired Gunnery Sergeant. He wrote "left side of the mag well on an M16 receiver" on the invoice with me just pointing.
He was curious about the work I had done and if I was going to do any more.

i am thinking about doing this,but there is no machine shop that i know of in vegas that offer this, what should i do?

bunkerguy wrote:i am thinking about doing this,but there is no machine shop that i know of in vegas that offer this, what should i do?

Tactical Machining sells "jigs" for positioning the holes and cuts. They also sell the "non-firearm, lower, almost-receivers."
http://www.tacticalmachining.com/80-products.html
Presumably you can finish your receiver with just a drill press, if you're patient and careful.

Or, my suggestion would be to get involved with the local gun community and ask around if anyone has done this or knows of a machine shop with CNC milling equipment that would take on the project.
Here in San Diego we have a, sort of "hobby shop" where they provide equipment and training and turn you loose.
http://www.makerplace.com/
You might see if there's something like that in Nevada.

Also, I went ahead and had some engraving done: made-up manufacturer, made-up model, made-up serial number.
I think I picked a font too large and the laser engraving isn't very deep, but it gives me some peace-of-mind.

Also, to answer Mike's question, I don't believe the bare aluminum will be an issue, but I'll keep an eye on it for signs of oxidation.
I still haven't decided what it's going to be yet, but, when I look at the .50 Beowulf barrel I get chills...

Or print one with a 3D printer!

Not that the info about owning it by boing boing is actually that accurate....