Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Manufacturing firearms in your home

Engineer88
So lets say the gubmet banned all firearms tomorrow - and required turn in.

What is to stop these people who mill their own receivers? I know that homemade weapons are not transferable - but how the heck do you enforce that? I would totally buy home made lowers if I had the resources or knew the right people.

Now - I know that this would be prohibitively expensive for many - But for less than $1000 (ONE RIFLE) I could purchase a mill and learn how to do this - what's to stop us from doing that?
0

Comments

14 comments

Date Votes
  • Engineer88
    You don't have to have a license to make one for your personal use - with your own tools from raw material do you?

    I know to take that milled receiver and sell it to anyone without a license is a crime.
    0
  • chris8X57
    While a romantic notion, I think that the idea of manufacturing a receiver is probably a little more difficult than just learning to use a milling machine. Many receivers require complex broaching operations, shapers, and operations above the abilities of the average hobbyist.
    That being said, there were some firearms designed for simple machine work --- sten guns, for instance. But then, how do you deep hole drill a barrel blank, and then rifle it?
    How about machining a chambering reamer, and heat treating it for that barrel?

    Then, if you ever complete it, you have to find ammo for it...

    Regards,
    Chris
    0
  • torosapo
    A competent machinist can make a muzzle loading smooth bore. Admittedly they will not stand up to a full auto, but does it matter what a guy gets shot with.[:D]
    0
  • nards444
    quote:Originally posted by chris8X57
    While a romantic notion, I think that the idea of manufacturing a receiver is probably a little more difficult than just learning to use a milling machine. Many receivers require complex broaching operations, shapers, and operations above the abilities of the average hobbyist.
    That being said, there were some firearms designed for simple machine work --- sten guns, for instance. But then, how do you deep hole drill a barrel blank, and then rifle it?
    How about machining a chambering reamer, and heat treating it for that barrel?

    Then, if you ever complete it, you have to find ammo for it...

    Regards,
    Chris



    yeah I would have to plus 1 this. Anybody half way compenent could probably dig up something like a single shot, but then theres ammo and the idea of reliability of the product made. And if guns all together illegal why wouldnt this be.

    And to top it off there is some romantic feeling about bucking the government or creating some little red dawn in your back yard, but in the end you will lose in one shape or form.
    0
  • Don McManus
    quote:Originally posted by chris8X57
    While a romantic notion, I think that the idea of manufacturing a receiver is probably a little more difficult than just learning to use a milling machine. Many receivers require complex broaching operations, shapers, and operations above the abilities of the average hobbyist.
    That being said, there were some firearms designed for simple machine work --- sten guns, for instance. But then, how do you deep hole drill a barrel blank, and then rifle it?
    How about machining a chambering reamer, and heat treating it for that barrel?

    Then, if you ever complete it, you have to find ammo for it...

    Regards,
    Chris



    Like the WWII Liberty .45 ACP single shot pistol, the purpose of home-made firearms would be primarily as a tool to gain better ones.
    0
  • nards444
    quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
    quote:Originally posted by chris8X57
    While a romantic notion, I think that the idea of manufacturing a receiver is probably a little more difficult than just learning to use a milling machine. Many receivers require complex broaching operations, shapers, and operations above the abilities of the average hobbyist.
    That being said, there were some firearms designed for simple machine work --- sten guns, for instance. But then, how do you deep hole drill a barrel blank, and then rifle it?
    How about machining a chambering reamer, and heat treating it for that barrel?

    Then, if you ever complete it, you have to find ammo for it...

    Regards,
    Chris



    Like the WWII Liberty .45 ACP single shot pistol, the purpose of home-made firearms would be primarily as a tool to gain better ones.


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FP-45_Liberator

    i thought of that as well. Still going to be challenge for the guy with a craftsmen lathe, And ammunition is the second problem.

    I think these guns were accurate to like 10ft away or less.
    0
  • cat66hat
    Think like the OSS did in WW2. You just have to make a gun shoot once, hit close up and then you have the guns and ammo from the terrorist for yourself.

    Terry
    0
  • Waco Waltz
    quote:Originally posted by Engineer88
    So lets say the gubmet banned all firearms tomorrow - and required turn in.

    What is to stop these people who mill their own receivers? I know that homemade weapons are not transferable - but how the heck do you enforce that? I would totally buy home made lowers if I had the resources or knew the right people.

    Now - I know that this would be prohibitively expensive for many - But for less than $1000 (ONE RIFLE) I could purchase a mill and learn how to do this - what's to stop us from doing that?



    The question is not how do they enforce it the question is how do you justify risking 20 years in the Federal slammer?
    0
  • nards444
    quote:Originally posted by Waco Waltz
    quote:Originally posted by Engineer88
    So lets say the gubmet banned all firearms tomorrow - and required turn in.

    What is to stop these people who mill their own receivers? I know that homemade weapons are not transferable - but how the heck do you enforce that? I would totally buy home made lowers if I had the resources or knew the right people.

    Now - I know that this would be prohibitively expensive for many - But for less than $1000 (ONE RIFLE) I could purchase a mill and learn how to do this - what's to stop us from doing that?



    The question is not how do they enforce it the question is how do you justify risking 20 years in the Federal slammer?




    Ive heard this a million times, the law only has to get lucky once, the criminal or the person breaking the law has to be lucky every day
    0
  • kdixon
    I think 99% it is against the law to make a gun at home for personel use, it would be an un-serial numbered firearm, gun control act of 68? Any machinist could make a gun at home and many including myself have the equipment, I don't because that is what most machinists are in jail for. That being said a smooth bore stein is the best choice, for me its not the gun that would be hard its the mag. If you think it may be in the future buy a good book now and just think about how and with what, and hide the book!
    0
  • nards444
    I think if your looking for a sustainable weapon that could be easy to produce would be a bow and arrow or cross bow. Not quite a gun, but projectiles are limitless, and the ease producing is quite simple.
    0
  • Waco Waltz
    Making a gun at home is perfectly legal, "Manufacturing" implies distribution. Selling to others would be illegal.

    If you make the gun it needs no serial number but you can not ever give it away or sell it.
    0
  • cat66hat
    "the USG banned firearms and required us to turn them in" Are you nuts?

    Why would you consider complying with a ban/turn-in while trying to manufacture something unaccounted for? With all due respect, the logic is a little shaky.

    If a ban comes, THAT is the time to USE them or turn them in. If you decide to turn them in, start parking for the relocation camp.

    Terry
    0
  • cat66hat
    Sorry, the correct word in my previous post should have been 'packing', not 'parking'. As in 'packing for a relocation camp'.

    Regarding manufacturing a firearm:

    1) Anyone can manufacture a firearm. Check out Shotgun News that has monthly how-to articles by several persons on this subject. The last one that I read was on bending up an AK receiver from a piece of sheet steel.

    2) Anyone can also make a semi-auto firearm from a de-milled full auto as long as you are careful about following the BATFE requirements.

    3) The above info is not an attempt to interpret your state or local laws. You still need to check them out. Also, as a Journeyman Die Maker and shooter, I know that it is necessary to understand the firearm design as well as to be a good machinist so the firearm is not more dangerous to the user than the target.

    4) An individual can apply to the USG for a firearm manufacturing license that will allow them to sell weapons that they have made. The cost is a couple hundred dollars.

    5) I have no reliable info on manufacturing pistols or revolvers or the legality thereof.

    Terry
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?