Building an AR pistol with 80% lower

[Marksman829]

[Califpatriot]

There's some dispute on whether it is legal to convert from single-shot pistol to semi-auto pistol. I believe it is. Some intelligent forum members believe it is not. Consult a competent firearms lawyer (who will likely give you the same mealy-mouthed answer lol).

Moreover, violation of the unsafe handgun act is a misdemeanor, so they're most likely not going to bust down your door because of it. Does anybody know of any case where a person has been prosecuted for a self-built handgun in violation of the unsafe handgun act?

[Marksman829]

There's some dispute on whether it is legal to convert from single-shot pistol to semi-auto pistol. I believe it is. Some intelligent forum members believe it is not. Consult a competent firearms lawyer (who will likely give you the same mealy-mouthed answer lol).

Moreover, violation of the unsafe handgun act is a misdemeanor, so they're most likely not going to bust down your door because of it. Does anybody know of any case where a person has been prosecuted for a self-built handgun in violation of the unsafe handgun act?

Thanks so much for the reply! I’ve been scrambling to gather everything I need to do this legally so I can register my engraved pistol lower before July 1st. But the more threads I read the more discouraged I get about completing the build...

What if i finish milling the 80, can I still volreg it as an SSE pistol and leave it stripped or does it have to be complete? This is all so confusing, serves me right I guess for waiting so long

[CommieforniaResident]

You can register a frame; it does not have to be a pistol or a rifle (thought you are required to select whether the frame is for a rifle or a pistol). You do not have to 100% mill out a 80 to make a firearm out of a frame per the ATF. Refer to the following photo showing even a small cut in the FCG area makes an 80% a firearm. https://www.atf.gov/n/n/sites/defaul...s-10-23-14.png

[TriggerHappy86]

So to jump on this bandwagon, since I'm in a similar boat...

Can a person who legally owns an 80% AR pistol w/ a fixed magazine, that doesn't have a serial number yet engraved, request a CA DOJ serial # and Vol Reg AFTER July 1st 2018 or does it have to be engraved/Vol Reg before then?

[Marksman829]

So to jump on this bandwagon, since I'm in a similar boat...

Can a person who legally owns an 80% AR pistol w/ a fixed magazine, that doesn't have a serial number yet engraved, request a CA DOJ serial # and Vol Reg AFTER July 1st 2018 or does it have to be engraved/Vol Reg before then?

I believe you can apply for one and have it engraved after July 1st. The only problem is anyone who built an AR pistol from and 80 sometime this year cannot legally convert it from single shot to semi auto.

[TriggerHappy86]

I believe you can apply for one and have it engraved after July 1st. The only problem is anyone who built an AR pistol from and 80 sometime this year cannot legally convert it from single shot to semi auto.

Yea, that's my concern. How will DOJ discern what was legallt built in 2014 versus illegally built after July 1st 2018?

[shin_en]

how about volreging an ar pistol frame completed in 2015 but never built up?

[TriggerHappy86]

I just re-read and re-read and re-read the law/regs and came up with the following, if any information is incorrect please let me know. This applies to 80% lowers that have already been 100% built. There are more stringent regs for unfinished 80% receivers / or 100% receivers that have yet to be built.

OPTION# 1 / BEFORE July 1st 2018 you must:
- Engrave 80% completed rifle or pistol lower receiver w/ personal serial #
- Create a CFARS account
- Log in to CFARS and submit an online Voluntary Registration form
- Pay $19 via debit card
- DONE! Wait for letter in mail

OPTION #2 / AFTER July 1st 2018 (but before January 1st 2019) you must:
- Create CFARS account
- Log in to CFARS to request a CA DOJ serial number & pay $35 fee via debit card
- Notified for eligibility via e-mail, a serial number is issued, print determination letter to show approval (DOJ will not mail a letter)
- Have lower pistol or rifle receiver engraved within 10-days
- Take/Submit four (04) required pictures of pistol to CA DOJ to prove serialization
- DONE!

[edgerly779]

Drill a hole in fire control group area before or after engraving then volreg before 7/1/2018. It is not rocket science.

[Marksman829]

Drill a hole in fire control group area before or after engraving then volreg before 7/1/2018. It is not rocket science.

No not rocket science, that part is pretty clear. What isn't clear is whether or not an AR PISTOL built this year (SSE2.0?) can be converted legally from single shot to semi auto.

I think the consensus is that it's not legal and that once built as a SSE it must stay in that configuration.

[Califpatriot]

So to jump on this bandwagon, since I'm in a similar boat...

Can a person who legally owns an 80% AR pistol w/ a fixed magazine, that doesn't have a serial number yet engraved, request a CA DOJ serial # and Vol Reg AFTER July 1st 2018 or does it have to be engraved/Vol Reg before then?

[Califpatriot]

The only problem is anyone who built an AR pistol from and 80 sometime this year cannot legally convert it from single shot to semi auto.

Citation please.

[Califpatriot]

Yea, that's my concern. How will DOJ discern what was legallt built in 2014 versus illegally built after July 1st 2018?

You self-report when you do the CFARS process outlined above. Remember, burden of proof to prosecute you is on them, beyond a reasonable doubt. Of course, they can probably take your gun, and good luck getting it back.

[Califpatriot]

how about volreging an ar pistol frame completed in 2015 but never built up?

What about it? Go ahead and do it, you have three more days. If not, get a serial number in the next 6 months, engrave it, send them the photos. Not a big deal either way.