Stripped lower in "jail" now what?

[CHEONG_FUN]

So I decided to venture into the AR world as a friend convinced me to join his journey on it. Purchased 3 Anderson stripped lowers, that started dros this weekend.

Obviously I have no experience with the AR platform. So my questions are as follows:

1) where did you start?
2) if you could build 3 how would you do it?
-I was thinking, hunting, 3 gun, and a simple inexpensive range one. Thoughts?
-I've never shot competitively but thought why not build one for that purpose.
3) recommended calibers for above.
4) most importantly and reason for this being here, with the new laws possibly coming to effect, what needs to be done now by Jan 1, 2017? Do they all have to be built by then? Or since I have lower can they be built over time.

Thanks guys/ gals in advance

Rick

[meno377]

So I decided to venture into the AR world as a friend convinced me to join his journey on it. Purchased 3 Anderson stripped lowers, that started dros this weekend.

Obviously I have no experience with the AR platform. So my questions are as follows:

1) where did you start?
2) if you could build 3 how would you do it?
-I was thinking, hunting, 3 gun, and a simple inexpensive range one. Thoughts?
-I've never shot competitively but thought why not build one for that purpose.
3) recommended calibers for above.
4) most importantly and reason for this being here, with the new laws possibly coming to effect, what needs to be done now by Jan 1, 2017? Do they all have to be built by then? Or since I have lower can they be built over time.

Thanks guys/ gals in advance

Rick

Youtube will be a good resource for many answers. While I wouldn't consider it the gold standard, it will certainly give you some general information. Regarding the new law going into effect, it is unclear how all the details will affect us at the moment. Regarding calibers, I would definitely recommend 5.56 as that's what the AR platform dominates. 50 Beowulf and .458 SOCOM would be other fun options as well. Other alternative cartridges are 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel and .300 Blackout. If you go with 223/5.56 realize that you could get a 223 type barrel that may not handle 5.56 pressures. You can shoot 223 out of a 5.56 barrel, safely, but not the other way around. 5.56 chambers are slightly larger than their 223 counterparts and as such can handle the higher pressures.

Start looking at deals regarding parts kits for internals. Think about whether you want to build featureless or not as that will decide on what type of butt stock you will choose. Same goes for a muzzle break/flash hider depending again whether featureless or not. Also pistol grip plays a role regarding featureless. Since you purchased three lowers, you may consider one for longer range which would be an excuse to get a scope. The others you can get some flip up sights.

[Calico1404]

Let the spending begin!
IMHO:
556 18" distance build
556 16" light combat build
300AAC 16" go get them build.

[Quiet]

So I decided to venture into the AR world as a friend convinced me to join his journey on it. Purchased 3 Anderson stripped lowers, that started dros this weekend.

Obviously I have no experience with the AR platform. So my questions are as follows:

4) most importantly and reason for this being here, with the new laws possibly coming to effect, what needs to be done now by Jan 1, 2017? Do they all have to be built by then? Or since I have lower can they be built over time.

Until 12-31-2016, it is legal to use a "bullet button" style maglock with a 10 round magazine to make the receiver into a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine.

If it is made with a "bullet button" style maglock before 01-01-2017, then it can qualify to be registered as an assault weapon in 2017.

If the receiver was used to make a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a "bullet button" style maglock before 01-01-2017, then the following must be done with it before 01-01-2018:
A. Register it as an assault weapon.
B. Make it into a semi-auto centerfire rifle without any restricted features.
C. Make it into a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.
D. Take it out-of-state for storage or to transfer it through an out-of-state FFL dealer.
E. Surrender it to law enforcement for destruction.

Starting 01-01-2017, "bullet button" style maglock will no longer be a legal compliance device.
So, some other method must be utilized in order to create a fixed magazine which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.

Any firearm made in 2017, will not qualify to be able to register it as an assault weapon and must be made so that it conforms with the new assault weapons laws.

Post 12-31-2016, a receiver can be used to legally make the following:
A. Manually operated shotgun.
B. Semi-auto shotgun with a fixed magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.
C. Rimfire rifle.
D. Manually operated centerfire rifle.
E. Semi-auto centerfire rifle without any restricted features.
F. Semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.

[dekul34]

Until 12-31-2016, it is legal to use a "bullet button" style maglock with a 10 round magazine to make the receiver into a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine.

If it is made with a "bullet button" style maglock before 01-01-2017, then it can qualify to be registered as an assault weapon in 2017.

If the receiver was used to make a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a "bullet button" style maglock before 01-01-2017, then the following must be done with it before 01-01-2018:
A. Register it as an assault weapon.
B. Make it into a semi-auto centerfire rifle without any restricted features.
C. Make it into a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.
D. Take it out-of-state for storage or to transfer it through an out-of-state FFL dealer.
E. Surrender it to law enforcement for destruction.

Starting 01-01-2017, "bullet button" style maglock will no longer be a legal compliance device.
So, some other method must be utilized in order to create a fixed magazine which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.

Any firearm made in 2017, will not qualify to be able to register it as an assault weapon and must be made so that it conforms with the new assault weapons laws.

Post 12-31-2016, a receiver can be used to legally make the following:
A. Manually operated shotgun.
B. Semi-auto shotgun with a fixed magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.
C. Rimfire rifle.
D. Manually operated centerfire rifle.
E. Semi-auto centerfire rifle without any restricted features.
F. Semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.

well, he's got 3 receivers already waiting, just needs 3 lpks and bullet buttons and at least install someone's upper on each one briefly, and bam, 3 complete rifles he can register next year, aaand, there's really no way for them to go back and check next year what the condition of your lower was this year...

To the OP if these are your first AR builds, be careful installing that forward takedown pin detent, i'm not sure how many of those I've lost or almost lost after shooting it across the room... install the front pin inside a plastic bag or something, or use the specialized tool i never got around to purchasing...

[BAJ475]

There are some tools you will need. A set of punches to drive in the roll pins is mandatory and a small gunsmith hammer would help. If you assemble your own uppers, you will need the tool to tighten the barrel nut and a torque wrench unless you use an ALG guard that comes with its own tool. You will also need a tool to hold the barrel or upper receiver when tighten the barrel nut. I like my Geissele reaction rod. You will most likely need a set of allen wrenches and as someone else said, the tool to install the forward takedown pin detent is nice and they are inexpensive.

[Mitch]

This is the best video I have seen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcko0UlvQxQ

After watching that a couple times, you can't go wrong.

[heidad01]

Let the spending begin!
IMHO:
556 18" distance build
556 16" light combat build
300AAC 16" go get them build.

This

And, by the time you put everything together you have spent way more than just buying complete ARs with various configurations that are constantly on sale at one shop or another. Ask me how I know.
Good luck with your project.

[CHEONG_FUN]

Until 12-31-2016, it is legal to use a "bullet button" style maglock with a 10 round magazine to make the receiver into a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine.

If it is made with a "bullet button" style maglock before 01-01-2017, then it can qualify to be registered as an assault weapon in 2017.

If the receiver was used to make a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a "bullet button" style maglock before 01-01-2017, then the following must be done with it before 01-01-2018:
A. Register it as an assault weapon.
B. Make it into a semi-auto centerfire rifle without any restricted features.
C. Make it into a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.
D. Take it out-of-state for storage or to transfer it through an out-of-state FFL dealer.
E. Surrender it to law enforcement for destruction.

Starting 01-01-2017, "bullet button" style maglock will no longer be a legal compliance device.
So, some other method must be utilized in order to create a fixed magazine which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.

Any firearm made in 2017, will not qualify to be able to register it as an assault weapon and must be made so that it conforms with the new assault weapons laws.

Post 12-31-2016, a receiver can be used to legally make the following:
A. Manually operated shotgun.
B. Semi-auto shotgun with a fixed magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.
C. Rimfire rifle.
D. Manually operated centerfire rifle.
E. Semi-auto centerfire rifle without any restricted features.
F. Semi-auto centerfire rifle with a fixed 10 round magazine, which can not be removed without disassembling the firearm's action.

So full rifle must be assembled with BB, then registered as assault weapons in 2017? Then I'm good to go forever?

If I don't get around to building one, do I simply just need a build in accordance to new law? Or cannot build?

[CHEONG_FUN]

This

And, by the time you put everything together you have spent way more than just buying complete ARs with various configurations that are constantly on sale at one shop or another. Ask me how I know.
Good luck with your project.

Haha yes I can see that happening now

[CHEONG_FUN]

Thank you all for your input. This is a great help

[SmallShark]

build 1 and sell the other 2 after Hillary gets elected.

since you wont be able to buy more AR later, you might want to build a "perfect" one.

[Firearms1979]

Nice

[MotoFahren]

So full rifle must be assembled with BB, then registered as assault weapons in 2017? Then I'm good to go forever?

If I don't get around to building one, do I simply just need a build in accordance to new law? Or cannot build?

No, if you are going to build it into a current BB configuration you'll need to do it before 1/2017. Otherwise you will be manufacturing and AW.

Build them all featureless, at your leisure.

[kenl]

Let the spending begin!
IMHO:
556 18" distance build
556 16" light combat build
300AAC 16" go get them build.

^ this, or replace the 300aac with a 7.62x39 if you don't reload. You reload? Go big with .458socomm or something similar.