[Kaylee]

So the SCAR thread reminded me of the fun I was having workin' with some cool fellers putting together their own contribution last year. I still have some drawings lying around for various action types.. hybird open-bolt/closed-bolt operation at the twist of a selector switch anyone? Perhaps even as a drop-in AR/M16 kit?

It's all only on paper of course however, as I want to stay out of jail. :)

But if I ever wanted to build this kinda stuff in honest to gosh steel, what kinds of hoops would I need to jump through? Some kinda SOT? For that, would I need to actually produce stock for end-user sales, or could I just make prototypes to try to license? Would I need a storefront like an FFL, or hypothetically, with the proper paperwork could I use a home workshop, lots of sweat, and a mini-mill? Would I be able to ring up Colt and say "hey, I need an M4A1 for T&E on a new XYZ kit?" I'm presuming anything exotic I built would have to be sold or demilled if I got tired of it and closed out the license, right?

Is there a user-friendly guide to all this stuff written up somewhere?

[boofus]

You need the FFL that lets you serial number receivers and then pay the Class 2 manufacturer's special occupation tax. Then you can build whatever you want tax-free provided you register it with the ATF as a post-sample within a certain timeframe.

Do a search on the net for James Bardwell's NFA FAQ. Everything you need to know is in there.