thinking of a new ar15 build...

[rayrayz]

Ok so I have looked at the flow chart and some other sites for this information...it looks like this delton upper (http://www.del-ton.com/ProductDetail...uctCode=RKT100) is legal for Cali. but I am not 100% sure (please correct me if I am wrong). The lower will be surplus ammo piece (Made by Aero Precision) it is marked "cal. multi.". On the web site it says that the lower is "Ca. OK".
Darn Cali. laws make me apprehensive for my first build. sigh... so will this be cali legal after it is put together (BB included of course).
TIA

[darthnugget]

You have me curious now. If the rifle is built/assembled by you is it the lower only that determines who the manufacturer is for the flow chart? What about the upper?

[rayrayz]

from what i have been reading, the lower receiver is what has to go through a FFL. The upper can be sent to the house.....I believe that is the way it works. I am currently still looking for a FFL that does not charge an arm and a leg to do the transfer. I did find a guy that does it his charge is $40 and $20 for his partner that has the POBox that the lower would be sent to. BUt I am still looking as I am in no hurry for this build. Plus since we are so close to black friday I may as well hold off until then to see if I can get a better deal/ components.

[darthnugget]

Correct the lower does need to go through the FFL, and unless featureless will need a magazine lock, but what I was asking was the upper, even though it is sent directly to you, is it allowed to have markings that are on any of the list(s)? So do the upper parts have to NOT be on the lists inorder to comply with California laws?

Where are you located?

[Shellshocker66]

So to the OP, your upper is fine for California laws. It's 16" so your covered with the laws requiring it to be 16" or have a muzzle device making it a minimum of 16"

Now as for your lower I don't understand if your ordering the lower from a vendor or if your purchasing it locally? But to answer your question yes Aero Precision is CA legal, in fact it is the lower I have on my build that I purchased locally. It is a off list lower, and that is where looking at the top of the page is where you can find that information.

Now if your ordering it online, I highly suggest you look locally first. Unless you can find some really great deal or have a FFL that charges a really tiny fee your going to be paying more. Because to order it online you have to 1. buy it, 2. possibly pay shipping fee, 3. Pay FFL transfer fee, 4. Pay for a DROS and taxes.

Purchase locally you only have to pay for the lower, DROS and taxes. Some FFL's charge up to $100 for transfer fees and usually the lower end is still around $40-$50. So see how that can really add up?

Edit: List your location and someone can help point you in the direction to a place to purchase a lower.

[rayrayz]

I am located in Sacramento. I can see how it can add up but locally the cheapest I can find is ~$90 (DTI)...this one can be had for ~$56 + $10 for ship....so extra would be charged from the FFL mark up/tax. (but a buddy has a guy that can do it for $60 so ~$126 for the AP who I guess makes spike tac. lowers). So I kindda lean towards the AP lower because they end up being real close in price. I am still open for ideas on the lower as I am in no hurry to buy. Hopefully there is a good deal locally. Yeah at this point I am just concerned that with my first build I may accidentally commit a felony. Thanks for the replys.

[darthnugget]

I am located in Sacramento. I can see how it can add up but locally the cheapest I can find is ~$90 (DTI)...this one can be had for ~$56 + $10 for ship....so extra would be charged from the FFL mark up/tax. (but a buddy has a guy that can do it for $60 so ~$126 for the AP who I guess makes spike tac. lowers). So I kindda lean towards the AP lower because they end up being real close in price. I am still open for ideas on the lower as I am in no hurry to buy. Hopefully there is a good deal locally. Yeah at this point I am just concerned that with my first build I may accidentally commit a felony. Thanks for the replys.

Sacramento has two good places for lowers. Either

http://www.goldenstatetactical.com/sptasllorefc.html

and local pickup for a ~$95 Spikes tactical lower or Justguns off of Watt and 80. They have a few of them, one I saw was ~$95 there the other day.

[Shellshocker66]

Also if your stuck on an Aero, TDS guns in Rocklin sells them for $79.00. I think my purchase with DROS and Tax came to $110ish ( I decided to add a rifle in as well for a 2 for one DROS).

If you don't want to drive to Rocklin, River City had something in the case for $89 the last time I was in there (which was a little over a week ago).

And then Golden State Tactical is always great to deal with if you want a Spikes with a nice logo on it.

So you can see even if you purchase out of state your going to pay $56+$10 (shipping)+$60 (FFL fee)+tax (figure that one out yourself)+$25.00 (DROS) which is going to come out to more then $150.

That extra money could buy you a couple of magazines, or ammo.

And the thing with lowers is that there are only a few companies that make them. So really there is no difference other then the roll mark on them.

[shafferds]

A lower is a lower is a lower. 95% are the same except for the markings. Get what you like . . Add lower parts kits + stock + legal upper + sights or optics + mags and bullet button. Enjoy shooting and buy lots of ammo.

[cabinetguy]

its all up to you, but the price you will pay for a transfer nullifies the savings of ordering the lower online. most of the lowers out there are of similar quality, spiked, aero, etc. another positive for buying local is supporting a local gun store, there are a few in the sac area that are good shops. also, if there is a issue with the lower, you have someone local to deal with. you can still get the upper you want online shipped to your door.

[FastFinger]

I recently bought this upper and lpk from Palmetto State Armory for $539. The DelTon upper configured with the same upgrades would be $626. Not to bang on DTI, because I've never owned one, but I saw their lower end uppers at SHOT last year and was not too impressed with the finish and details. Again, I'm no expert on them, but I think the PSA might be a good option. PSA barrels are made by FN, and they're the same barrels that ship in US military M4's - or so I'm told.

Now if you're on a real tight budget, this Palmetto set up with shipping is about $4 less than the DTI. The specs are pretty much the same as the DTI you're considering, I guess the difference would be in the LPK and the barrel. The obvious difference is the PSA has chrome lined 1:7 twist, the DTI is 1:9 unlined, note the the DTI has a 1:7 lined barrel upgrade for $45. There are no doubt other differences, but what they are and whether they matter in the real world is beyond me. I think the MOE furniture is worth the $50 bump up, but it wouldn't kill me to go with the standard either.

PSA also has lowers for $80. Strictly subjective, but I find the PSA roll mark more attractive than the "Surplus Ammo" roll mark.

Hate to sound like a Palmetto Pimp, but I think their products at least worth considering. Although you probably can't go too wrong with either one, and either one is better than none.

Anyone else familiar with both products?


BTW - Is that $40 out the door? Or is it in addition to the DROS fees? And does he charge sales tax? If you don't mind a nice drive up to the Gold Country, a FFL there who will do the transfer for $50 - and not a cent more - out the door. PM for details.

[rayrayz]

thanks for all the replies. s
shellchecker I did see the lowers that they had at River city.....they had 3 diff ones at that price. I did think about them but I guess spikes tacticle for 10 more may be better

forefinger not sure on the exact set up at palimito but the is a coupon code that drops the basic set up to about $430 w/ 6 position stock. And the guy charges $40 and his buddy an additional $20 for receiving it so $60 and no tax. I'd rather go 1:9 because of the bullet weight I'd use.

once again thanks for all the input. Still open to suggestions......man I may just pick up local spikes. Decisions decisions