80% completion question (thinking outside the box here)

[inbox485]

So question here:

Since an 80% receiver is a lump of metal legally, and an 81% receiver is a firearm even if it isn't functional, and for several receiver designs, the limits are clearly defined, if a person buys an 80% AR lower for example, and drills (or even dimples) the selector hole and nothing else, that person now has a firearm (legally).

What would then be wrong with taking that firearm to machinist and having them finish it for you. (I'm not suggesting anybody do this just yet, but I'm not seeing an applicable law preventing it). Legally this should be no different than finishing it yourself and sending it to an anodizer. It crossed the line into being a firearm the instant the first portion of any of the 20% features were completed, so everything past that point should be good to go.

If this reasoning holds, we should be able to do build parties by having the person drill one of the holes (or even just drill a small hole somewhere into the fire control pocket so that it is partially completed) prior to going. At that point, it would be no different than having a anodizing or parkerizing party.

[billofrights]

Asked and answered several times on the site already. You must to the work your self. 80% and 81% are just arbitrary numbers, either it's a firearm or it isn't. Some random machinist can't do it unless they have a license to manufacture. Why would anyone be willing to do so, instead of just having you buy a completed lower? Not worth it for their time/ effort.

[Whiterabbit]

Asked and answered many times.

Yes, it is akin to taking a complete rifle and asking a gunsmith to thread the barrel for a muzzle break. No different. That viewpoint is well understood.

But it's not so simple in the case of an otherwise incomplete lower, firearm status or not.

[inbox485]

Asked and answered several times on the site already. You must to the work your self. 80% and 81% are just arbitrary numbers, either it's a firearm or it isn't. Some random machinist can't do it unless they have a license to manufacture. Why would anyone be willing to do so, instead of just having you buy a completed lower? Not worth it for their time/ effort.

Sorry, must have missed it. 80 and 81 are not arbitrary numbers. One is legally a firearm, and the other is not. Once it is legally a firearm, why would a machinist need a license to work on an existing firearm? You can't manufacture that which has already been manufactured. More relevant to the nonsense ATF is pulling with equipment "ownership" for build parties, what license would anybody need to allow somebody to work on an existing lower with rented equipment?

Asked and answered many times.

Yes, it is akin to taking a complete rifle and asking a gunsmith to thread the barrel for a muzzle break. No different. That viewpoint is well understood.

But it's not so simple in the case of an otherwise incomplete lower, firearm status or not.

And the (legal) difference is???

[Whiterabbit]

Search is your friend. If you are able to find a licensed gunsmith to take the 80% lower receiver you just drilled on your drill press and mill out the FCG pocket for you, good luck and Godspeed sir.

[Whiterabbit]

I stand corrected in two ways:

#1 search is not needed. There is an ongoing thread two threads below this one:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=873789

It has been ongoing including being bumped several times yesterday and today. If you read through the first page of this forum, your question would have been answered.

#2. Case law already is in place.

[SJ-Chris]

I just received the answer from the ATF as discussed in another active thread on this idea. Search for 81% build party for a good discussion on tjis (and an actual answer directly from the ATF).