Anyone build a hangun from an 80% frame

G

Geezerbiker

New member
I've been seeing these do it yourself 80 frames for awhile and I'm wondering how likely it is that a regular home tinkerer could actually finish one hand have it be functional?

Any one here try it?

Tony
 
A good friend decided to build a 1911, at the moment the name of the company escapes me but he did not consider it to be something that he would do for the money saving, I know there's other reasons to do it.

He did say that if you are a person that pays attention to small things and have at least some level of mechanics it's not bad at all. Plus you need to be a person that keeps his guns because there's not much of a market to sell it if you wish to
 
From what I have seen on youtube, You just can't finish the remaining 20% with typical hand tools. You need to buy the required jigs along with a fairly decently equipped machine shop.

The main reason for attempting the job is to end up with an incognito firearm. Do you need that ?
 
The main reason for attempting the job is to end up with an incognito firearm. Do you need that ?
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And incognito is a loose term at best. I imagine any 80% frame vendor will turn over their sales records as soon as they are are issued a subpoena.
 
The main reason for attempting the job is to end up with an incognito firearm. Do you need that ?
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That may be the main reason for some, but there are plenty of other reasons. The accomplishment of building a firearm would be my primary reason. There are easier ways to obtain a gun very loosely if at all tied to you if you live in a state that allows private transactions. And as you stated... "do you need that?" I would do a build even if I were required to register it with the ATF, as the ghost gun aspect isn't my draw to doing a build from an 80% receiver. Is there a small piece of mind bonus knowing that the government doesn't know it exists in the event of future confiscation bans? Kind of, but I would still be committing a felony if I choose to maintain possession of it in that hypothetical future... and that's not something to take lightly.

likely it is that a regular home tinkerer could actually finish one hand have it be functional?
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It depends on your level of expertise in "tinkering." If you have a drill press, assorted needle files, a belt/disc sander, a good caliper, and some other basic shop tools, and you are proficient with them, I would say yes if you are careful and take your time.
 
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The accomplishment of building a firearm would be my primary reason.
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This seems to me to be the most valid reason for considering an 80% build.

I've considered a Glock 80% build in the past, but have never been able to make the numbers add up to anything reasonable in my point of view.

.
 
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I have never built a handgun, but I have done a couple AR15s.

Most of the internet gun forum reasons for building them, never entered my mind. Saving money wasn't part of the equation. Having a lower receiver with no paperwork wasn't a consideration.

I had put together probably a dozen AR-15s, mostly the same ARs reconfigured every five years or so. I started out of course installing a few minor after-market parts, then worked up the nerve to assemble a lower which wasn't difficult at all. Then finally, years later, bought the tools and assembled a few uppers, which also was not difficult at all. So, I thought it would be fun and interesting to finish an 80% receiver. Just to take very simple gunsmithing to the next level.

I am not mechanically inclined. I can see what needs to happen, I have the tools to do it, but often when I try to do whatever it is I screw it up. The AR15 allowed me to dabble in gunsmithing to a small degree and I enjoyed it.

Finishing a lower is just another fun project that you can then later use and proudly show off as something you did yourself.
 
I was a mechanic for many years so I'm not a stranger to making things work but cutting the slide rails on a 1911 fame is something I don't think I could do. It's interesting to think about but I'm going to pass for now...

Tony
 
The polymer ones are VERY VERY easy and could be completed with hand tools. In fact, I did mine with a hand drill and a utility knife. Literally.
 
jackstrawIII said:
The polymer ones are VERY VERY easy and could be completed with hand tools. In fact, I did mine with a hand drill and a utility knife. Literally.
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What 80% polymer handgun can be completed with a hand drill and a utility knife?
 
The Polymer80 Glock 19 clone is a 80% polymer lower. You basically have to drill out six holes for trigger and cross pins (3 on each side...and Polymer80 says specifically to use a hand drill) and then a few inches of polymer rail sticking up needs to be removed so you can install the front and rear metal rails....I saw a youtube video where a guy used a sharp pair of wire cutters to do it. ....and there's a section of polymer where the recoils spring/guide rod sits that has to be removed. The kit comes with a jig plus drill bits for the holes and an end mill for everything else but I think most people use files or a dremmel. You don't save much over a factory Glock, price is comparable but I think a lot of people like the grip angle better than the Glock.
 
Aye. The Poly80 products are dirt simple, and easy to work with ... other than the material loving to chip out.
Many reviews, videos, etc. out there on their products.

I finished two of their AR 80% lowers a few years back. They're even easier now, but all I used was a drill press, a dremel, and a sharp blade.
A drill and a chisel would have been slightly slower, but just as effective.
 
Pardon me for a little thread veer here but whenever the topic of 'building your own' comes up I'm always reminded of a previous thread about Garwhaite's pistol gunsmithing class.

http://www.garthwaite.com/

It sounds like it would be really interesting and fun and Geezerbiker, with a mechanical background, this might really suit you.

If I was a younger guy with a better background as to what is involved in being a 'machinist' I think I'd really have a ball with this course.
 
We all have the right to build a handgun or rifle from scratch, so what's the difference? There is a forum just for people all over the world who design and build their weapons. There is satisfaction in just knowing you can do it, and the fun of holding a gun in your hands that you built yourself.

Of course, that was all before Las Vegas, apparently the biggest gift to anti gunners ever.
 
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