AR-15 Lower-Pre-ban???

im1garandguy

September 23, 2002 11:16

My question is about the much disputed AR-15 lower receiver. I found an auction on Gunbroker for a Bohica "pre-ban" lower. It was in unfinished (bare metal) condition and had a custom serial number (made for original owner with military background or something). But here's where my question about legitimacy comes in. It had no pin holes for the trigger/hammer groups. The BATF rule is that the receiver had to be part of a complete rifle/pistol at some point prior to the ban, right. If you could not fully assemble the lower receiver, does that negate it's being pre-ban? Or does the fact that it left the factory with a valid serial number and may have come into brief contact with a complete parts kit satisfy "the rules"? I did not bid on the receiver because the seller could not produce anything substantial (other than his word; try telling that to the BATF) to prove it's being a true, honest-to-goodness, "Clinton's Folley" pleasin' pre-ban lower.

0

• 

  im1garandguy

  September 23, 2002 11:22

  I forgot to mention. My toaster was sitting right next to a parts kit before the ban...can I have the toaster made into a legal AR-15 lower

  0
• 

  nmyers

  September 23, 2002 12:12

  You KNOW the answer. You even SAID the answer. If the receiver was not assembled into a complete firearm prior to the ban, it can never be legally assembled into a complete "semiautomatic assault weapon". Period.
  
  Now, anyone not otherwise prohibited from making or possessing a firearm can manufacture one for his own use. If you want to make your toaster into a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, as long it's not a "semiautomatic assault weapon" or Class III weapon, you can do so according to federal law. You just can't ever sell it or give it away.
  
  The item you saw at auction was probably a partially finished lower, commonly referred to as a paperweight. Unless you are a skilled machinist, and have either detailed AR drawings, templates, or jigs, all that hunk of aluminum will ever be is a paperweight.
  
  Neal

  0
• 

  im1garandguy

  September 24, 2002 13:48

  Okay then, it's not just me. After having a gunsmith drill out the pin holes, you could make a post ban lower out of it. But at $500 plus (plus the gunsmith fees), you'd be better of buying a Bushmaster or Oly lower and spend the difference towards the upper receiver. If it seems to good to be true...

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.