80% Pipe dreams

[tonym1]

Hey guys, so i start this thread knowing ill get mixed responses. However I would appriciate some feedback. I have been in the 80% build world for a long time now and im getting bored with the same builds. I see more and more companies coming out with the same 80% receivers. Im interested in possibly finding one or two popular firearms and producing a new 80% arms for the home builders market. Im not looking to quit my day job and sell the family farm to do this. Im looking for some pros/cons/possible pitfalls in this endeavor. Is this a pipe dream or a possibility? I know nothing is easy, and if was we would have more variety when it comes to builds! Any advice is much appriciated!

[ar15barrels]

It only takes money, time and machine shop access.
Build a prototype, submit it to ATF with $900 to get a determination, wait 6-9 months for the determination.
If the determination comes back negative, make a new prototype and repeat the process again.
If the determination comes back positive, start producing them and selling them...

[Calico1404]

Come out with the Ares arms type SCR, nice and CA friendly

I will go in for a few of those =o) Consider this a pre-order

[MrOrange]

Well first there's the process that ar15barrels spelled out, but then there's the sales situation.

It does seem like 80%ers in general are a good sized market, but you'd have to find your niche in a niche. It's been said that in the big picture, the entire sporting arms business is a cottage industry, and the 80% biz is a Mongolian Yurt industry. I think the possibility of coming out ahead with something that is not already available would be slim. Although, when it comes to marketing, I always think about what Henry Ford said: "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses."

Then again, it could be a good tax write off!

Personally I'd like to see 80% Marlin 60s and Mossberg 500/Maverick 88s, just because I see so many parts kits for them on GB.

I'm guessing that any DA revolver 80% would be too complex both for the 80% manufacturer and the builder.

I thought it would be cool to have an SAA 80%, then I realized that functionally we already have the BP conversions, so the number of people that would really want an SAA type 80% would be pretty tiny.

[tonym1]

Im open to all firearm suggestions, however im pretty partial to an old workhorse the m14.

[tonym1]

Its a classic, and its a favored by the young and the vintage! Tons of surplus and new parts!

[Calico1404]

^^ Ill take 2 of those as well

[kcstott]

Im open to all firearm suggestions, however im pretty partial to an old workhorse the m14.

If you could get it to the point of being as simple as a AK or AR I'd be in for a few. I just don't see that being true and that would be one hell of an expensive 80%'er too.

[NATEWA]

I'd buy an 80% shotgun receiver, preferably a pump action mossberg 500.

[Whiterabbit]

My vote is a strong single shot break action receiver compatible with an inexpensive off the shelf trigger group. Here's the thinking:

Most 80 builders are milling aluminum. A single shot could be an intro-to-steel project.

Fitting barrels should be straight forward if you also provide stubs. bonus if they are compatible with existing tech like savage barrel nut.

Handi-rifles are on their way out and barrels are going for 2x what they are worth.

an 80 paves the way for what is basically a handi-pistol. (handy rifle as a pistol)

can be compatible with existing stock options (moss 500? maybe something else)

Can be made into a shotgun

Can be made into rifle

Can be strong enough for magnums

work with Hubel, it can be strong enough for 58 HE class cartridges.

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Target market is anyone that wants to transition from machining aluminum to steel, learn to fit barrels, and make a range toy with few parts they know will not blow up on them.

Bonus points if you find a trigger group you can use so the user only needs to drill with a no larger than 1/2" drill bit.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

[Dr69er]

A billet 7075-T6 AK-47 80% Lower/Kit would be Interesting but alas
may be to cost prohibitive in the end...

[ar15barrels]

A billet 7075-T6 AK-47...

It was tried, and failed.
Aluminum is not strong enough for AK locking lugs.

[Chunky_lover]

why not those parts kits
weld up a old cut up receiver, that should be something different
and most of the work is already done, how hard is it to patch in some metal and weld it back up

[Dr69er]

It was tried, and failed.
Aluminum is not strong enough for AK locking lugs.

The trunion/locking lug area would have to be all steel, I was thinking
about the rest of the lower receiver being 7075 billet...just a thought.

[aerodan]

80% 7075 aluminum Glock 34 lower? What a cool Mr. Potato Head gun that would make