80 Percent Lower Letter

[Kote_hanger]

My shop has some down time recently and the boss wants to jump on the train of manufacturing 80% lower receivers. I called the BATFE a few minutes ago and got quite the run around from them, in regards to an "80 percent lower letter" I ended up gaining nothing from the experience. Has anyone had any experience with receiving a "lower letter" from the BATFE? If so how long did it take for them to determine that what you were manufacturing was indeed not a firearm? Thanks for any help boys!

[WARDOG]

From what I understand, You must send a sample of what you are selling, send it to Cal DOJ, BATFE and have them confirm that it is not machined so much as to constitute a firearm. They will send you a Letter of Determination that what you are selling is a 'paperweight'. From that point on, the 80%'ers you complete cannot be altered without another sample being approved.

I have a good friend who is in the 80% business. His main issue is that he is tethered to the company that supplies the forgings. When the forging company cannot supply its goods, he cannot make the 80%'ers. That is a huge issue right now. If your boss is looking into CNC from billet, he would not have that issue.

[SJgunguy24]

I wouldn't bother sending anything to the state. The BATFE is the only agency that can determine what is or isn't a firearm. The CADOJ can only determine if it violates state AW laws, but that's after it's a firearm.

[Kote_hanger]

We are looking at doing billets. We know we need to submit a sample to FTB for review, but I could not get an answer out of them over the phone in regards to how long it would take them to turn around and send me a letter. We would like to get things rolling soon than later if ya know what I mean.

[baih777]

Do not send it to the CA DOJ.
Your dealing with a federal agency. Its hurry and wait.

[Kote_hanger]

One gentlemen I spoke too said it took them (BATFE) 6 months. Honestly not too surprised by this. Thanks any way yall.

[SMF Tactical]

for all the atf letters I have gotten over the last few years it has been about six to seven months.

[cr250chevy]

Correct me if I'm wrong (I probably am); do you send in all other metal work your shop does to the FEDS for evaluation? If not then build your paperweights and welcome to what I feel is the best exercise of the 2A in California anyone (who legally qualifies) can do!

[ramathorn]

At this point you may be a little too late to the party. That market is over saturated at the moment.

[Bolillo]

At this point you may be a little too late to the party. That market is over saturated at the moment.

It's never possible to be over saturated with AR lowers. America's Rifle, in common use. As long the shop owner can cover his monthly nut, then the more AR-pattern guns we have the better.

Like with any manufactured product, when there's price competition, the sharp guys figure out how to cut costs to achieve the same level of quality and how to streamline their organization to live off the lower margin. Hint: make it up on volume. More volume = more AR owners. More AR owners = harder for the State to deal with.