Non-functioning Display Lower?

[umd]

I'm interested in taking an 80% blem and making into a display piece, maybe putting a window in it so you can see the inside. I was wondering what would need to be done to it (if even possible) to render it non-functioning so that it would not be or be considered a firearm, for legal and safety purposes.

I would like to still be able to have the trigger and hammer but maybe be out of position so that the hammer can't work, or could not properly strike the firing pin?

[Gunsmith Dan]

Basically take a "80%" lower that has not been machined and still considered a paper weight and copy that. Basically fill in the area for the trigger group with metal that is welded in or make a rectangle between the pins that holds the trigger group making sure the entire pin holes for both are cut out completely.

Not sure what would be the legal issues unless your are a felon or under the age of 18

[umd]

I think I didn't explain it well enough... I don't want to fill it in, I want to basically show the inner workings of an AR but not have it actually be able to function. I want the fire control pocket to remain open and have the trigger and hammer. I dont care if they can move, so maybe if I just weld them in place that would be sufficient? I'm not trying to wink-wink its firearmness (is that a word) away, I am curious as to the minimum level of modification that would be required to make it actually non-operational.

As far as legal issues... Having it still be a functioning firearm would bring with it all the standard issues of storage and transportation.

[ar15barrels]

I think I didn't explain it well enough... I don't want to fill it in, I want to basically show the inner workings of an AR but not have it actually be able to function.

I'm pretty sure that the current batfe interpretation of wether an AR receiver is a firearm or not is primarily dependent on its ability to accept the fire control parts.
So, if you have a fire control pocket, its a firearm.
No fire control pocket = paperweight.

[umd]

That is the crux of my question... Whether it is possible to undo that, or if once it's milled out is it forever a firearm?

Eh, I suppose I could just try it; weld the trigger in place, cut a window into the side and sent it into them for a determination like the 80% manufacturers do.

[h0use]

Might want to look into one of the polymer clear lowers you can see everything inside.

[ar15barrels]

That is the crux of my question... Whether it is possible to undo that, or if once it's milled out is it forever a firearm?

It ceases being a firearm once you make two saw cuts all the way through the fire control pocket area of the lower, making the lower be three separate pieces.
The saw cuts should be at least 1" apart from each other.

[ar15barrels]

It ceases being a firearm once you make two saw cuts all the way through the fire control pocket area of the lower, making the lower be three separate pieces.
The saw cuts should be at least 1" apart from each other.

After doing that, you could encapsulate the parts in acrylic or glue them to a board for display.

[umd]

Thanks

[Gunsmith Dan]

Like I stated above the second option would be to cut the sides out where the 2 holes are for pinning in the fire control group, if you can't hold the trigger in place it will not function:



if you cut it like that both sides that would work BUT you would have a hard time making the trigger group work with just gluing the bottom.


The only real solution would be to make all the parts out of plastic and install them

[big jim]

Brownells has a cutout AR in the tool section with trigger and such.