Quick Question on Assembling Lower (Legality)

[goodlookin1]

I just bought and picked up a few stripped lowers today but have not yet purchased the Bullet Buttons. I do not have uppers for these lowers yet either. I am about to assemble them, but want to make sure that when I do, they will be in a "legal" configuration:

If I assemble the complete lowers with the standard push-button magazine release that comes with the LPK's, but do not have any upper attached to the weapon (so it is a non-functioning/incomplete weapon), nor a magazine inserted, would I be in any legal "limbo"? Should I just not assemble the mag release portion of the lower until I get the BB? Or does none of this matter because it is not in a complete rifle configuration, so the AW status does not yet apply?

Just curious. I dont want to break some obscure "gray area" interpretation of the law if its avoidable.

Thanks.

[dieselpower]

Rifle.....check
not listed....check
Not semi-auto....check

your good (or "you're" take your pick)

[Uriah02]

I thought since the lower is what is considered the firearm it needs to have the button installed even without the upper.

[SixPointEight]

Is your lower a semi-automatic centerfire?

Give you a hint, you could put one of several bolt action or rimfire uppers on that baby and never have to put a bullet button on.

[dieselpower]

I thought since the lower is what is considered the firearm it needs to have the button installed even without the upper.

for transfer (selling buying lending giving) its a firearm. For AW ID law its only a firearm and does fit into any category.

[Kharn]

Don't assemble them until you have the BBs, changing the magazine release without removing the bolt catch (which requires a special punch) is a pain in the rear.

[Sgt Raven]

Don't assemble them until you have the BBs, changing the magazine release without removing the bolt catch (which requires a special punch) is a pain in the rear.

No it's not, I do it all the time when I travel out of state, switching from a BB to a regular mag button and back.

[Falstaff]

Don't assemble them until you have the BBs, changing the magazine release without removing the bolt catch (which requires a special punch) is a pain in the rear.

I've assembled hundreds of these and I don't understand how you think the bolt catch affects this. There is no mechanical relationship between the bolt catch and the mag release. The mag release installs or removes the same whether the bolt catch is there or not.

To the OP, it's completely legal to assemble them, heck you might be going featureless on them anyway and you wouldnt need a BB at all. Just don't ever install an upper with evil features without the BB.

[safewaysecurity]

What if the lower has a collapsable stock

[Lone_Gunman]

What if the lower has a collapsable stock

Still fine as it is the upper that makes it centerfire. Think dedicated .22 upper.

[Cokebottle]

I thought since the lower is what is considered the firearm it needs to have the button installed even without the upper.

The lower may have any number of upper configurations installed, including .22lr

Is a .22lr upper is installed, the BB is not required because rimfire arms are exempt from California long-gun AW regulations (pistols are not exempt).
Same lower, different uppers, centerfire needs a BB, rimfire does not.

Centerfire... Disable the gas system, effectively rendering it a bolt action rifle, and it no longer requires the BB.

Yes, the lower is the firearm, but a stripped lower is neither centerfire nor semi-automatic in and of itself.

[Kharn]

I've assembled hundreds of these and I don't understand how you think the bolt catch affects this. There is no mechanical relationship between the bolt catch and the mag release. The mag release installs or removes the same whether the bolt catch is there or not.

To the OP, it's completely legal to assemble them, heck you might be going featureless on them anyway and you wouldnt need a BB at all. Just don't ever install an upper with evil features without the BB.

You have to hold the magazine release in with a punch or other object to get enough clearance to spin it over the bolt catch, vs without the bolt catch you can do it with just a finger. I have the punch, so I just pop out the pin whenever I need to change the mag catch.

[goodlookin1]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like i'll just slap 'em together with the parts I already have.

Thanks

[Write Winger]

I assembled my first complete lower receiver recently. My bullet button didn't fit, so I tried out the normal mag release. It DID fit. Now, since I haven't bought the upper receiver yet, you're telling me what I've assembled is perfectly legal? P.S. - I am going to get the lower drilled out to fit the BB eventually, I've just been stressed ever since.

[burr2of4]

Don't assemble them until you have the BBs, changing the magazine release without removing the bolt catch (which requires a special punch) is a pain in the rear.

Im kind of new to ARs but the only tool i used to change my button was a small flat head screwdriver, (to install the new button.) and the rifle functions perfectly