Guide to finishing an 80% Lower from Dlask Arms?

MechaStalin

MechaStalin

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 75%
3   1   0
Hello

I was recently looking into building an AR and thought doing one from 80% would be a bit more fun and let me get exactly what I want, as well as a good learning experience. Does anyone have a guide or know exactly what needs to be done to one of these? I've never built an AR before and don't know a whole lot about them.


Lower in question

https://www.dlaskarms.com//product_..._id=9&osCsid=b8d7667123d9fe2f8083692134a112a3

Thanks!
 
The amount of tools needed, such as taps and dies, a drill press, etc., even common tools won't do, you'll need tools specific to the AR, such as a tap to do the buffer tube threads,for these reasons it's not feasible.

Unless you already have all these tools...............
 
Please note - finishing an AR15 lower in Canada has to be done by a registered firearms manufacturer.... If you try and finish it yourself you're creating an unregistered restricted class firearm [end disclaimer]


There are a few steps involved, mainly drilling the holes for the fire control parts, drilling some detente holes and threading the buffer tube hole.

CNC Guns is a great place to learn about finishing stuff, they are a US based site though, so keep that in mind US guys can make their OWN lowers as long as they dont intend to sell them.

ETA (forgot I cant hotlink :p ) just remove the space between the T's in http

ht tp://www.cncguns.com/projects/ar15lower80tutorial-1.html



Now for what you're looking at getting into, look at the cost of a Dlask 80% lower and look at what a finished lower costs.

220 for an 80%, and 250 for a finished stripped lower.

The Tap to thread the AR15 buffer tube ALONE is more than the price difference.


Money wise and time wise its not worth it. To get it and have a gun manufacturer finish it for you is gonna be way more money, and cost way more time than it would to just buy the stripped lower and have it shipped.


I wont make any comments about anything else, just know that finishing your own lower is a no-no in the eyes of lawmakers and law-enforcers ;)
 
It is completely legal to finish the lowers yourself. The cfc even has a nice bulletin on how to proceed with registration etc.
Economical? Not if you have to buy all the tools, however ask around and I bet you cam borrow or rent everything you need from members here.
 
Please note - finishing an AR15 lower in Canada has to be done by a registered firearms manufacturer.... If you try and finish it yourself you're creating an unregistered restricted class firearm [end disclaimer]
Click to expand...

100% incorrect UNLESS you are making it for the purpose of making $$ (ie. as in a business). If you are making it for yourself (personal use), you are required to call and have it registered the instant it is capable of discharging a round. At what point, officially, is it capable of firing a round? Good question and don't expect that the RCMP is going to tell you, because they won't (unless you just send them pictures after every operation for them to yay/nay it). The RCMP firearms lab will need you to send a picture in of the fire control group pocket to ensure that you don't have it cut so that an auto sear will fit.
Also, if you decide 3 years down the road that you don't want it anymore, you CAN sell it (not on CGN though due to CGN's no selling of homemade firearms on the EE policy). So, if you make 5 and sell them all, you may end up having an issue with the RCMP accusing you of being a 'business', but, if you make 1 and sell it a couple years later, there will likely be no issue.
This is all info I have received directly from the RCMP firearms lab and the Ont. CFO (specifically the FO i charge of business firearms licenses). Please feel free to verify this information yourself. NOTE: the CFC doesn't know anything, talk to the RCMP firearms lab and/or the CFO.

As far as what has to be done? If you have to ask, you probably won't have the ability or machinery to do it (not trying to be an a$$, just tends to be the case).
But like was mentioned above, check on cncguns , they have lots of useful info on making your own. You WILL NOT save any $$ making your own as opposed to buying one as there are several specialty tools you will need that most people don't have lying around.
As far as "getting what you want" by making your own. If you're making it from a forging or an 80%, theres not going to be much you can do different than one you'll buy. If you make from a billet of aluminum, you have much more freedom to change features and the way it looks.

Now, if I'm mistaken and you have the access to a machine shop and the ability to use the machine tools, pm me and I can go into further detail on what machining you'll have to do. :)
 
Last edited:
What are the legalities of getting 80% lowers from the states? They don't cost MORE than a stripped lower down there.

Edit- For an 80% forging with the magwell broached or EDM'd already you really only need a lathe and mill and a couple hours time. You can substitute the lathe for a mill with proper tap for the extension, but lathe would probably be easier as most people at home have a desktop mill that wouldn't have the size capabilities (I know it would be a squeeze in my sieg x3)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the help guys, I do have access to a machine shop and although I'm not an expert I think this would be good practice gunsmithing. I was wondering though, is there anywhere I can buy all the parts for the lower in one big batch? Basically everything that goes inside or on it together, Dlask sells all the stuff separately but I'm worried about missing ordering a part.
 
MechaStalin said:
Thanks for the help guys, I do have access to a machine shop and although I'm not an expert I think this would be good practice gunsmithing. I was wondering though, is there anywhere I can buy all the parts for the lower in one big batch? Basically everything that goes inside or on it together, Dlask sells all the stuff separately but I'm worried about missing ordering a part.
Click to expand...

fabsports and a few other sponsors sell lower parts kits for around 100. you just need to add a buffer tube and stock
 
I am only the messenger... google "Mujahadeen AR-15" The dude puts it together with JB weld :D Hopefully this method will never be required.
 
G37 said:
I am only the messenger... google "Mujahadeen AR-15" The dude puts it together with JB weld :D Hopefully this method will never be required.
Click to expand...

Haha yes, I saw this writeup. Just goes to show you how easy it is to hack together something that will fire a bullet.

Thanks for all the help guys, by the way, I read in the US that if you are finishing a receiver that all work on the receiver must be done by the person who plans to own/use the gun, do any such laws exist in Canada?

fishy said:
fabsports and a few other sponsors sell lower parts kits for around 100. you just need to add a buffer tube and stock
Click to expand...

Excellent, thanks!
 
^^^^^^^
There is nothing that says you can't have someone help you. There's actually nothing that says you can't make one for someone else (providing they're licensed to possess it and you/them register it) as long as you don't make it for profit (ie. business). I wouldn't bring it up if you're not asked about it, though.
They probably won't really even ask how, where, or when you made it. As long as you can't put a fun switch in it, they're happy. You can even make up your own serial number if you want (as long as it's not too obscene, lol). They don't even bust your balls about how you got it home from the machine shop without an ATT ;).
The fact that you're registering it seems to make them happy.
 
Excellent, thanks.

By the way, does anyone know of a good place for a complete 9mm upper, barrel and everything in Canada? If I can get such a thing. I'd be looking for something like the Rock River Arms 7 inch A2 upper. I'd also need some proper mags I'd imagine, any good resources for 9mm ARs in Canada?
 
Excellent, thanks a lot everybody. I found a nice jig for the job, as well as an excellent tutorial and a list of all the drill bits and taps I'll need, next paycheque I'll bang the lower out and see where it goes from there.
 
fishy said:
Are you planning on tapping the buffer tower or single point threading?
Click to expand...

The tutorial I found tapped the buffer tower so I think I'm going to follow them on that one.

Shame we don't get the 80% receivers with an already threaded buffer tower in turn for a fire control pocket that isnt drilled yet.
 
tacticalmachining.com has the threaded tower with no fire control done. It is what most of the people on home gunsmith seem to use. Just questioning if shipping from the states is legal to canada.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom