How to "build" an AR15 while under 21?

[smohmand]

I'm looking to "build" (In quotes as I just want to attach a complete upper on a complete lower,cheaper than actually building the lower in my desired config) an AR15 (aren't we all ) and I recently learned that you can't buy a lower receiver under 21 as only "long guns" are able to be purchased at 18+, so my question is can I ship both a complete upper and a complete lower to an FFL and have them turn it into a long gun so that I can buy it at 19?

[Junkie]

My impression was that if a stock is attached it's now a long arm and legal for <21. Some places will sell fully built lowers like that.

[MissiontoMars]

How old are you? If you're a minor, i'm pretty sure you can have a parent buy it for you and then gift/transfer it to you. Might be worth looking into...

[smohmand]

My impression was that if a stock is attached it's now a long arm and legal for <21. Some places will sell fully built lowers like that.

Yeah this is the Lower I had in mind

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/14406/category/4342/

[smohmand]

How old are you? If you're a minor, i'm pretty sure you can have a parent buy it for you and then gift/transfer it to you. Might be worth looking into...

19 but I want to know if I can buy it myself without having someone buy it for me and then transfer it to me as a long gun

[ke6guj]

My impression was that if a stock is attached it's now a long arm and legal for <21. Some places will sell fully built lowers like that.

incorrect. ATF says that it is only a long gun when it is completely assembled with a 16+" barrel.

those that sell complete lowers do so at their peril.

the OP has a couple options, one is to machine his own lower from an 80%. another is to purchase the parts he wants and providing that to an 07FFL who could use that upper to complete the rifle build.

[steelheadmike]

Or buy a complete rifle and then sell the upper if you want a different one. For the most part lowers are lowers. Change the parts out as you see fit. Complete rifles can be had pretty cheap these days.

[Junkie]

incorrect. ATF says that it is only a long gun when it is completely assembled with a 16+" barrel.

those that sell complete lowers do so at their peril.

the OP has a couple options, one is to machine his own lower from an 80%. another is to purchase the parts he wants and providing that to an 07FFL who could use that upper to complete the rifle build.

So, outside of CA, if I buy a lower with a stock attached I can remove the stock and turn it into a pistol, as long as a 16+" barrel hasn't been attached?

I'm not an FFL, it just seems bizarre to me that attaching a stock doesn't change anything.

If it's a small FFL, you could ask them about potentially returning an upper so you can buy the one you want. It might be similar to how SSE is commonly done, where you pick it up and immediately decide you don't like the upper.

Or, hell, the upper doesn't even need to stay on the gun while it's in jail. If it goes on for 5 seconds the lower is now a long arm, right?


OP, is there some reason you want that specific lower? While it's a good deal, once you look at the cost of shipping and what an FFL is likely to charge you, it often makes more sense to buy locally.

[ke6guj]

So, outside of CA, if I buy a lower with a stock attached I can remove the stock and turn it into a pistol, as long as a 16+" barrel hasn't been attached?

I'm not an FFL, it just seems bizarre to me that attaching a stock doesn't change anything.

actually, YES. and there are ATF letters that state that. It isn't a rifle until it has a rifled-barrel installed on a shoulder-stocked lower.

[CK_32]

Only issue you will have is buying the lower. All else is easy to buy under the age of 21.

Good ol' CA. Can't buy a stripped lower because it could be a pistol. But it can't be registered as a pistol because its already a rifle.

Best thing I could recommend is immediate family member buy and gift it to you. GL OP!

[ke6guj]

Good ol' CA. Can't buy a stripped lower because it could be a pistol. But it can't be registered as a pistol because its already a rifle.

you mean, good ol' Feds. this is an ATF issue, not a CADOJ issue.

[CK_32]

you mean, good ol' Feds. this is an ATF issue, not a CADOJ issue.

One of those acronymed government agencies. I can't keep track anymore lol

[Junkie]

actually, YES. and there are ATF letters that state that. It isn't a rifle until it has a rifled-barrel installed on a shoulder-stocked lower.

Thanks for the clarification. I'd always read that a lower couldn't be used for a pistol if it's ever had a stock attached, I guess that's wrong.

you mean, good ol' Feds. this is an ATF issue, not a CADOJ issue.

Isn't the second part a CADOJ issue - that it can't be registered as a pistol? I thought that was entirely CA based due to the roster rather than anything ATF related.

On the other hand, you've already shown how little I know in this thread.

[smohmand]

I'll call PSA and see if they would assemble it into a rifle before shipping it (Both the complete upper and complete lower are from PSA)and if not I guess I'll call around for a LGS that has a 07FFL and is willing to assemble it for me. Thanks Guys

[smohmand]

OP, is there some reason you want that specific lower? While it's a good deal, once you look at the cost of shipping and what an FFL is likely to charge you, it often makes more sense to buy locally.

Aside from price and that the upper I want is also PSA, not really. I suppose now I'll look into any LGS's that have complete lowers like this for a lower price (heh no pun intended)