Kit Guns

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Millwright

Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
396
Location
New Jersey
There's a long tradition - and a lot of legal/bureaucratic precedent - for the DIY approach to basement fabrication of a lot regulated mechanical devices, (aircraft and cars come most readily to mind). Why not firearms more complex (and modern ) than the muzzle stuffers and dueling pistols traditionally offered ?

Sure would raise hell with the ICA "excuse" that's been the BATF's traditional fallback position. >MW
 
There are plenty of kit guns available. The AR-15 is a DIYer's dream come true. There are home build AK parts kits as well. More obscure kit guns include the Suomi, and a Sten gun or M3 Grease gun (semi-auto, closed bolt) kits are not unheard of either.

Muzzle loaders are the only ones commonly marketed, possibly due to lack of information. Any title I weapon you can legally own, you can build. I'm actually considering an Uzi clone build.
 
I have a Kit Gun, an S&W Model 63 Stainless Steel .22 LR revolver. I'm quite sure I could not build it at home. ;)
 
Actually there are some kit guns out there. In particular for the 22LR 10/22 variety. Here's a link to a company that makes a kit receiver that you can buy without an FFL and build your own gun without needing to involve the BATF.

http://www.ruger1022receiver.com/
 
AK receiver flats are available in quite a few places on the web. They are technically not considered receivers in that they are not complete (similar to other 80% receivers out there) so no FFL transfer and no serial number.
 
AK variants are by far the easiest to build. A little patience and a good guide and a receiver from Nodakspud and you can make one. If not get a flat that'll work for your parts kit. Bend it (might have to make your own bending jig like I did), heat treat it (used a kiln), and painstakingly assemble it while cursing that you'll never do this again to only do it again after your bakelite it and take it to the range and realize you are shooting something you make.

I've been stashing Sten and Suomi mags for awhile now. I'll eventually get a barrel blank from Greenmountain for 9mm and turn out a Draco style 9mm AK variant. Might actualyl get it finished by may of 2014 ( I don't get more than a few hours a week to do builds and I'm too busy on other projects). My main thing is to save up for a CNC engraver to cut out my own flats. I have my own CAD drafts/templates for a Yugo M70 so I'll have to make adjustments for the sten mags and I'll have to work up my own trunions for it. I know a machine shop that will make the trunions for me.

If you want to get into closed-bolt guns, stay away from open bolt designs as they are illegal to make, you culd turn out a STEN gun with a drill press and a wrappable template. None of these projects are a weekend project unless you are really good and have lots of time, and know exactly what you are doing.

I'm saving up for the day I can buy a CNC Mill (or build one), and then run my 1911 CAD, and my 1903 CAD (guesstimates).
 
Just FWIW, there's kit guns and "Kit Guns".... The latter are using the word "kit" as "in your knapsack" or something to that effect. IOW, "camping gear".

The others, like the AK or even AR, not to mention things like Stens, involve buying bits & pieces, and assembling them to your needs. Or, I suppose making some parts, or even the new computer-generated setup that's making the antis crazy. :neener:

(To some extent, the 1911 is in that category, too.)

When my dad was very young (he was born in 1914, passed in 1999), you could go into a hardware store and buy all the parts for a simple home radio, and then build it yourself. Not exactly Heathkit (I miss 'em), but not uncommon.

I think that the OP misunderstood the use of the word "kit" in an ad for an S&W gun. But I could be wrong. I make mistakes. Big one in 1975 :D....

(Yeah, got married :evil:.)

Regards,
 
^^^^^

Yes. My S&W Model 63 has long been known as a Kit Gun, for carrying in your "kit" or pack.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top