Guns that can be "built" No Smith Required.

[kcofohio]

The Polymer80 Glock frames come pretty close to just assembling a gun. You have to drill three holes and trim some plastic, and the ‘gun’ comes with a jig. After 15-20 minutes with a dremel or even a pocket knife then it’s just parts assembly. I don’t think you save any money that way however, because buying all the parts seems like it costs more than if you just went out and found a used Glock somewhere.

I've looked at several of those 80%. and shied away from them because I don't think there is any metal, but plastic that the slide runs on.

Most, if not all all of 80% 1911s are aluminum. And once the the cuts are made, the slide would be running on non anodized metal. Maybe if one could get a raw aluminum and after the cuts and fitting, have it anodized.

I'm curious of the P320 chassis, and the type of metal they use.

 

[doubleh]

I have a half-stock .45 caliber muzzle loader build that I gathered up all the parts for and started ---well---let's just say "a lot of years ago" that I have kept putting aside for other things. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get out in the shop and finish it this year.

 

[Elkins45]

I've looked at several of those 80%. and shied away from them because I don't think there is any metal, but plastic that the slide runs on.

Most, if not all all of 80% 1911s are aluminum. And once the the cuts are made, the slide would be running on non anodized metal. Maybe if one could get a raw aluminum and after the cuts and fitting, have it anodized.

I'm curious of the P320 chassis, and the type of metal they use.

I think maybe that was the case on the very earliest versions. The current version has two metal inserts that you install in the frame as part of the ‘construction’ process.

 

[kcofohio]

I think maybe that was the case on the very earliest versions. The current version has two metal inserts that you install in the frame as part of the ‘construction’ process.

That's good to know.

 

[bannockburn]

Elkins45

I don’t think you save any money that way however, because buying all the parts seems like it costs more than if you just went out and found a used Glock somewhere.

Aye and that's the rub...after you find out that the bag o' surplus parts you bought are pretty much all useless and you wasted a fair amount of time and effort on trying to make them work! If you go into this thinking you're going to save a bunch of money by getting a great deal on a frame or a slide assembly and then shopping around for parts, you're in for a rude awakening.

And then there's the matter of what is your time worth on this labor of love because at some point you'll get fed up with the whole deal and just set it aside for awhile till you have the patience to pick it up again. Of course all of these things are forgotten (at least temporarily), the first time you pull the trigger and everything works, just like it's supposed to!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

There are a number of black powder kits available.
Track of the wolf
Kibler rifles
Pecotonica river
Tennessee Valley Muzzleloaders
Muzzleloader builders supply...
.......to name a few.
They are rewarding to build and satisfying to shoot.View attachment 988681

Gorgeous gun! Whats with the stickers on the buttstock?

 

[AK Hunter]

If you are looking for something that is a bit more of a challenge, AK type rifles can be built without needing machinist skills, and only a few custom tools & jigs.

Of course, it doesn't make as much financial sense as it did back in 2004-2010 or so, when you could get all the parts for one for under $250.

Right the AK has just about priced it's self out of the kit build market. It's a shame too because those were some fun builds. I just checked the AK Builder web sight & they are selling the AK center support rivet & sleeve for $7 that used to be included in the $9 rivet set. LOL
There are a lot of firearm kits on the market that any proper citizen can build with out asking anyone & without getting any type of license.(check your local laws first)

 

[Zerodefect]

Precision rifles are a bolt together affair now.

But nearly everyone still buys a complete ''donor'' rifle.

 

[WestKentucky]

AK takes some ingenuity, but once you get past a couple small hurdles your in the clear. Plenty folks have successfully done it, and usually attaching the barrel to the reciever is the biggest headache. Some users even claim to have pounded their reciever out of a shovel.

 

[Armored farmer]

Gorgeous gun! Whats with the stickers on the buttstock?

Those stickers are proof of inspection and compliance with the rules of the Alvin York memorial shoot. (Open sights only)
It was inspected again on 3/27/21, but the shoot was rained out before it began.

 

[high country]

There are a number of black powder kits available.
Track of the wolf
Kibler rifles
Pecotonica river
Tennessee Valley Muzzleloaders
Muzzleloader builders supply...
.......to name a few.
They are rewarding to build and satisfying to shoot.View attachment 988681

Beautiful, thanks for sharing that! Also a great list of sources for kits. I am going to be spending some time taking a deep dive into those, pretty sure this is going to have to be the next project I tackle.

 

[jmorris]

If by “build” you mean assembled by buying parts from various vendors, I’d agree with the Glock, 10-22, 1911 and muzzle loader “kit’s”. That said, I have built lots of projectile throwing devices from air guns to 50 BMG and am not a gun smith.

 

[Buckhunter 62]

Can some one answer this? I have built several rifles from scratch which are copies Remington Model 700's & Winchester Model 70's. I know this is legal to do as long as don't sell them or give away meaning I must keep them until I die. But what happens then. What is my widow suppose to do with them?. I would like to give them to my only son which I will do legal or not.

 

[DrDeFab]

AK takes some ingenuity, but once you get past a couple small hurdles your in the clear. Plenty folks have successfully done it, and usually attaching the barrel to the receiver is the biggest headache. Some users even claim to have pounded their receiver out of a shovel.

Putting an original barrel back in the matching trunnion was usually easy. Properly fitting, headspacing, drilling and pinning a new US barrel into an old trunnion was absolutely the biggest headache.

I usually worked with the NoDak Spud receivers, so I never had to beat one out of a shovel, but I did get some of the discount NDS-2 "seconds" with the wrong mag opening that I had to recut. Not worth it - I burned through most of the savings in grinder bits...

 

[entropy]

Glock and 10/22.

You can build a 1911 with pretty basic tools and skills too.

I'm gonna have to disagree on the 1911. Some knowledge of where to fit, file, etc. that goes beyond LegoGuns like the AR, Glock, and 10/22 is required.

Uhhh, let's make that a good book!

These 2 come to mind:

The US M1911/M1911A1 Pistols and Commercial M1911 type Pistols, A shop Manual, by Jerry Kuhnhausen

TM 9-1005-211-34, Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual, Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1.

 

[mac66]

Can some one answer this? I have built several rifles from scratch which are copies Remington Model 700's & Winchester Model 70's. I know this is legal to do as long as don't sell them or give away meaning I must keep them until I die. But what happens then. What is my widow suppose to do with them?. I would like to give them to my only son which I will do legal or not.

You've been misinformed. They are not illegal to sell or give away. You just can't make them with the intention of selling them or you need a manufacturer's license. Make all you want, when you get tired of them or don't need them anymore sell any you make. Just don't make them to sell.

Oh, and don't worry if they have no serial numbers. It's not illegal to build, make, own, buy or sell a gun without a serial number. Lot's of guns didn't have serial numbers prior to the the Gun Control Act of 1968. Most are still in circulation.

 

[DustyGmt]

If by “build” you mean assembled by buying parts from various vendors, I’d agree with the Glock, 10-22, 1911 and muzzle loader “kit’s”. That said, I have built lots of projectile throwing devices from air guns to 50 BMG and am not a gun smith.

I'd like to know more about the .50BMG. Single shot? I've not really looked into it, but I've thought about it. I was considering one of those single shot push feed .50 uppers that slap on an AR lower about 10 years ago but I guess the .50BMG has always been at the bottom of my list. I would like to know more about DIY .50BMG's though....

 

[JCooperfan1911]

The U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M1 is a straightforward build.

 

[jmorris]

I cheated a little on it, I bought a Lother Walther rifled and chambered barrel blank, so I just had to taper and thread either end, didn’t really make it. The rest is a mixture of 8620, 4140, 4130, titanium and spring steel.



Most people want to shoot it just to say they have, I guess I built it for the same reason I just didn’t want to spend what they cost, for being so simple in design. I used Maddi Griffin plans.

The bowling ball launcher is a lot cheaper to shoot and has even more muzzle energy though.

 

[somethingbenign]

The U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M1 is a straightforward build.

Okay now you have crossed the line. I have a carbine stock floating around and not the time to start another project. Sigh. Where does a guy go to start a project like that?

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Okay now you have crossed the line. I have a carbine stock floating around and not the time to start another project. Sigh. Where does a guy go to start a project like that?

Not sure. You picked a bad time to get into a build lol parts and the guns themselves of EVERY type imaginable are at record prices.

 

[James Fonteneaux]

Elkins45


Aye and that's the rub...after you find out that the bag o' surplus parts you bought are pretty much all useless and you wasted a fair amount of time and effort on trying to make them work! If you go into this thinking you're going to save a bunch of money by getting a great deal on a frame or a slide assembly and then shopping around for parts, you're in for a rude awakening.

And then there's the matter of what is your time worth on this labor of love because at some point you'll get fed up with the whole deal and just set it aside for awhile till you have the patience to pick it up again. Of course all of these things are forgotten (at least temporarily), the first time you pull the trigger and everything works, just like it's supposed to!

+1 on this. The P80 glock kits are fun, but financially you're better off buying the factory model. If you do assemble your own, you get the benefit of choosing your parts and you'll (eventually) understand how the thing works. Watch out for tolerance stacking, not all parts are created equally.

 

[Space Ghost]

My lever guns, and bolt guns have to go to the gunsmith.

When I say I "build" a gun, I really just "assemble" a gun, because it's an AR...so basically a model kit.

 

[high country]

Okay now you have crossed the line. I have a carbine stock floating around and not the time to start another project. Sigh. Where does a guy go to start a project like that?

This thread is dangerous for my budget and matrimonial harmony...

Looks like fulton armory builds receivers and has them in stock. Several sites had parts kits based on a quick search. Probably into about $900 in stuff so not out of line with buying a complete rifle. Not sure what else would be needed or required for assembly. I'd love to hear from folks that have actually put one of these together.

 

[gyp_c2]

The US M1911/M1911A1 Pistols and Commercial M1911 type Pistols, A shop Manual, by Jerry Kuhnhausen

Definitely!
Both.