Question about FFLs

[BigKevo]

I'm planning out my first AR build and I had a question about how buying from an out of state manufacturer works. I'm looking at Spike's complete lowers but it doesn't look like they have an option to add a bullet button. Will a FFL release the lower to me without the BB installed?

I have tried searching the threads and wasn't able to find any thing. Thanks in advance.

[h0use]

you should be ok. you dont need a bb on a lower, i think as soon as you install your upper you need to install your bb. correct me if i am wrong....

[NewbieDave]

Yes & No... based on below statement.

NO: If you are getting a complete lower (with LPK & stock installed), the sending party needs to put a BB on it first before sending it to a standard FFL in CA. Most receiving FFL won't take a complete unless a BB is installed... cause that would be taking procession of a AW.

YES: If your CA FFL is approved to deal with AW per-DOJ... then you're GTG. BUT dealer will have to install the BB before releasing it to you.

IMHO, get a stripped Spikes lower and build it... least issue then getting a complete.

[scoutpup99]

If it does not have a centerfire upper attached to it, it is not an aw.

[dachan]

NO: If you are getting a complete lower (with LPK & stock installed), the sending party needs to put a BB on it first before sending it to a standard FFL in CA. Most receiving FFL won't take a complete unless a BB is installed... cause that would be taking procession of a AW.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Complete FUD. A complete OLL AR lower is not an AW.

YES: If your CA FFL is approved to deal with AW per-DOJ... then you're GTG. BUT dealer will have to install the BB before releasing it to you.

Also wrong, wrong, wrong. Complete FUD. A complete OLL AR lower is not an AW.

[spookie]

I'm planning out my first AR build and I had a question about how buying from an out of state manufacturer works. I'm looking at Spike's complete lowers but it doesn't look like they have an option to add a bullet button. Will a FFL release the lower to me without the BB installed?

I have tried searching the threads and wasn't able to find any thing. Thanks in advance.

Might I ask where about california you reside? I had a similar problem considering I didn't want install all the parts to the lower. There is a gunshop in tracy with spikes lowers and parts kits and will do the install for you free of charge. Awesome place btw its where I got mine.

[tujungatoes]

As stated previously the lower does not need a mag lock. Actually you don't need to install one until you have a centerfire upper and one "evil" feature. A featureless semiauto centerfire rifle isn't an AW either, and as such doesn't require a fixed magazine.

[BigKevo]

I'm actually in the Orange County so Tracy is a bit far, but thanks for the suggestion Spookie.

I just got off the phone with my local FFL in Orange and they said they can't accept a built lower without a BB. I suppose I'll just order a stripped lower and get the experience of building it myself.

Thanks all for the replies

[klewan]

I'm planning out my first AR build and I had a question about how buying from an out of state manufacturer works. I'm looking at Spike's complete lowers but it doesn't look like they have an option to add a bullet button. Will a FFL release the lower to me without the BB installed?

I have tried searching the threads and wasn't able to find any thing. Thanks in advance.

Just buy the cheapest one the local gun stealership has in stock. Unless it's a Colt, no one gives a crap which lower it is; no functional difference. Colt isn't any better or worse, just that it's a Colt and all the history that goes with that name.

Not some "bozo" make like a BCM or Noveske or Spikes lower that no one outside of the forum mouthbreathers will recognize. And don't work any better than a no name lower...

Then buy a rifle kit out of state so you don't get stuck will buying pieces that are more expensive than a kit with the inflated shipping....buy the BB locally and install it yourself. If you can't do that, you probably shouldn't be playing with guns.

[jbush]

Just buy the cheapest one the local gun stealership has in stock. Unless it's a Colt, no one gives a crap which lower it is; no functional difference. Colt isn't any better or worse, just that it's a Colt and all the history that goes with that name.

Not some "bozo" make like a BCM or Noveske or Spikes lower that no one outside of the forum mouthbreathers will recognize. And don't work any better than a no name lower...

Then buy a rifle kit out of state so you don't get stuck will buying pieces that are more expensive than a kit with the inflated shipping....buy the BB locally and install it yourself. If you can't do that, you probably shouldn't be playing with guns.

Is someone having a bad day??? Not bad advice, but could have been stated a lot softer.

[Arkangel]

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Complete FUD. A complete OLL AR lower is not an AW.



Also wrong, wrong, wrong. Complete FUD. A complete OLL AR lower is not an AW.

Technically correct.

But a lot of shops choose to err on the side of extreme caution. So they will not sell a complete lower without a BB, or sell SSE handguns and force you to wait 11 days instead of 10. I know plenty of shops that are guilty of at least one of the these "precautions".

This may lead some people to form incorrect opinions.

[Irish Gunner]

Just buy the cheapest one the local gun stealership has in stock. Unless it's a Colt, no one gives a crap which lower it is; no functional difference. Colt isn't any better or worse, just that it's a Colt and all the history that goes with that name.

Not some "bozo" make like a BCM or Noveske or Spikes lower that no one outside of the forum mouthbreathers will recognize. And don't work any better than a no name lower...

Then buy a rifle kit out of state so you don't get stuck will buying pieces that are more expensive than a kit with the inflated shipping....buy the BB locally and install it yourself. If you can't do that, you probably shouldn't be playing with guns.

Real harsh, but not bad advice. But be prepared to buy one of those "BOZO makes". I ended up with a Noveske, not by choice, but because I drove 45 miles and it was the only one they had in stock and I didn't want to waste the trip. A lot of stores are having a hard time keeping AR lowers in stock.

PS: I bought it at the Store in Tracy.

[jbush]

OP I think you said you where in OC so if you're looking for a stripped lower to build, just start calling around, and be prepared to drive a little. I'm in the IE (Chino, Ontario area) and found several available at assorted shops from $89 to $249, but there were some Aero Precisions, PSAs, etc out there in the 100 buck range, DPMS & Stag in 139-149 range. The big names where up there higher. Whiile there wasn't a huge supply I did get one today for my sons rifle I'm building. Also check Turners, Riflegear and Ammo Bros, I bet theres some complete lowers out there. The other thing to watch. Different Turners get there warehouse supply on different days, find out when and call on those days. They don't always know what they are getting until that day.