To those curious about capability, the device is programmable, sort of. It requires a proprietary (but open-source) 'tape file' to run, for which you'd need a compiler program to generate (probably also open-source). Modern CNC centers have onboard computing power to do things like rapid moves and return-to-zero operations (for tool changes), and a G-code file that's given them just accesses these built in functions. This is why it's dumb to blindly run G-code for one machine on another; they may perform the same operation differently and break/ruin stuff.
The Ghost Gun, in order to keep costs down, likely has none of this, and requires a hard-link to a computer to do anything, with all motor controls done over the tether. Being a desktop unit, that also means it is inherently going to be both extremely under-powered, as well as structurally very weak. The combination of limited power and flex in the structure makes it more difficult to develop a manufacturing program that will make in-spec parts without tool chatter/breakage/etc. and that is why it is only being offered for AR15 80%'s at present. They're already working on an AR10 and 1911 80% routine, as well, so more capability will definitely be coming.
There's likely no real reason it couldn't do a billet lower or upper (or at least the operations to get partially there), but it would take a lot of R&D to develop an process that works reliably for every mill produced. That reliable/repeatable performance across the production line is what the GG supposedly offers, which allows it to be much more 'turn key' than most CNC products that require calibration/tweaking.
Do keep in mind that the GG takes two hours to do a lower; think how little metal is removed for the FCG pocket, and extrapolate the run-time for a 100% anything. It'll be running for easily a full day, no coolant, on a single cutting tool. Nothing can tolerate that abuse, so you'd have to intermittently pause the program, change the tool, re-adjust things, and start up once more. Yes, you could probably do a job like a billet lower, but it'd be wildly impractical compared to spending a little more on a true CNC (or manual) mill, and learning some actual machining basics.
But for a turn-key solution to making yourself some good quality 'ghost' lowers for all your 'registered' ARs bought assembled, that you'd probably sell to another guy who wants to make lowers when you're done, this may be a good option.
TCB
