Wasn't able to find the specific answer-

[jbilling85]

Hey folks-
I am somewhat familiar with laws regarding making firearms- but I seek clarity. I know that it is illegal for other people to build or machine parts of a gun FOR you. However, Assume someone wanted to make a smidge of money by providing all of the required parts, tools, and guidance for people to build their own firearms. I BELIEVE this to be legal but it's always a good idea to aire on the side of prudence. Anyone ever hear of this? I guess you can market it under the name of "Gun building seminars" or "Weapon making courses."

[Spirit 1]

I suggest spending a good bit of time reviewing the many stickies on this website in various sections. Otherwise your post is way too vague to comment on, no idea what specific type of gun you're talking about. And no, it isn't necessarily illegal to make gun parts, depending on what they are, and what they're for as a finished product.

[jbilling85]

I speak in generalities because I mean generalities- Someone want's to build an AK? Alright no problem. Someone wants to build an M3, alright. If I were to do it, I'd invest a degree of money for tooling and parts for whatever I'd (or more specifically my client) need. What I'm prodding for is whether or not this could could possibly be lucrative for anyone offering such services. Having most of the parts assembled and ready to rock, while instructing them how to assemble the receiver, so essentially they spend a minimal amount of time "buying" a weapon. Of course, I might be inquisitive on how legal this type of service may be. I'm almost certain it would be legit, but I prefer not playing powerbottom for Bubba given the choice.

[baih777]

thats what the AK and HK build parties are for.
also shops that setup a mill for you to finish a AR 80% lower

[Intimid8tor]

I've often thought about this. In fact, when we move to Idaho and open a retail store it is one of the services I wanted to have available. In essence, the customer buys a paper weight, machines it with instruction then builds it by buying parts in stock from us.

I haven't looked deeply into the legalities of it as we are not close to opening the store yet.

I'm interested to see more on this topic.

[goober]

I speak in generalities because I mean generalities- Someone want's to build an AK? Alright no problem. Someone wants to build an M3, alright. If I were to do it, I'd invest a degree of money for tooling and parts for whatever I'd (or more specifically my client) need. What I'm prodding for is whether or not this could could possibly be lucrative for anyone offering such services. Having most of the parts assembled and ready to rock, while instructing them how to assemble the receiver, so essentially they spend a minimal amount of time "buying" a weapon. Of course, I might be inquisitive on how legal this type of service may be. I'm almost certain it would be legit, but I prefer not playing powerbottom for Bubba given the choice.

What you describe is currently being done in a spectrum of ways, from build parties/get-togethers where everyone brings their parts and whatever tooling they have to the event and share equipment and expertise, to more formal situations where the host provides everything the builder needs as far as tooling and even raw materials and/or parts, for a fee.
The bottom line is that whatever the format of the event, each builder must do the work themselves (although advising and guidance are of course allowed).
On another note for the OP, your attempt to speak in generalities may have obfuscated the issue somewhat; all gun "parts" do not have the same laws restricting their manufacture. It is only the frame or receiver that is typically considered to be the actual gun, and the laws regarding home-building are typically applied only to them.

Note that there HAVE been some dust-ups with folks that provide the whole shebang as a regular service/product (such as KT Ordnance having their BBQ/Ice Cream Social build events at the shop shut down many years ago), but I believe there was other "color" in that particular situation, and it was years ago.
I guess the bottom line is that yes, in theory it could be done legally, but I'm not sure I would want to be a test case. Informal, not-for-profit events have much less likelihood of attracting scrutiny. But a business that offers this service on a regular basis may have to deal with some drama.

[tujungatoes]

What you describe is currently being done in a spectrum of ways, from build parties/get-togethers where everyone brings their parts and whatever tooling they have to the event and share equipment and expertise, to more formal situations where the host provides everything the builder needs as far as tooling and even raw materials and/or parts, for a fee.
The bottom line is that whatever the format of the event, each builder must do the work themselves (although advising and guidance are of course allowed).
On another note for the OP, your attempt to speak in generalities may have obfuscated the issue somewhat; all gun "parts" do not have the same laws restricting their manufacture. It is only the frame or receiver that is typically considered to be the actual gun, and the laws regarding home-building are typically applied only to them.

Note that there HAVE been some dust-ups with folks that provide the whole shebang as a regular service/product (such as KT Ordnance having their BBQ/Ice Cream Social build events at the shop shut down many years ago), but I believe there was other "color" in that particular situation, and it was years ago.
I guess the bottom line is that yes, in theory it could be done legally, but I'm not sure I would want to be a test case. Informal, not-for-profit events have much less likelihood of attracting scrutiny. But a business that offers this service on a regular basis may have to deal with some drama.

^THIS

If you need more specific answers you'll have to ask more specific questions.

[wash]

Parts are parts, the only worry is the receiver, serialized part or whatever you want to call it.

For a "home built" firearm, that part has to be completed by the owner.

The one stop shopping idea is neat but as has been said, ATF might not approve.

In my opinion in order to avoid unwanted attention from ATF, make sure that all parts and 80% paperweight purchasing is done separately from all of your build party activities.

If you are not doing anything illegal, there is no reason for ATF to know what you are doing.