What rifles can be built entirely from scratch?

[joe_kidd]

Can anyone give me the names of any rifles (or even handguns) that can be built entirely from aftermarket parts?

As I understand it, the 10/22 is one such rifle, but are there more?

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Ar 15

 

[Rubber_Duck]

AR-15 and 1911 come to mind.

 

[TAB]

a 1911 Style pistol.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'm gonna guess that you're looking for guns that can be built from parts that require no machining. Because if not other than legal issues there isn't anything stopping a good machinist from building anything under the sun

AR15's can be built as purely aftermarket pieces

If you consider ordering just an action from Savage as kosher then all other parts can be ordered from various vendors and assembled without machining as well

AK variants routinely get built up starting nothing more than a flat piece of sheetmetal with a SN# and a few holes http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/souptonuts1/index.asp

 

[xd45gaper]

1911's, AR's, AK's, Sten's, FAL's, H&K's... im sure ther are many many more that come to the US as parts kits, excluding the AR and 1911's....

 

[Ash]

But all of them will have a serial-numbered receiver. So, it's not like you can build up a rifle from mail-order parts without an FFL being used in some fashion (unless you get the receiver from a private sale).

Ash

 

[WhisperFan]

But all of them will have a serial-numbered receiver. So, it's not like you can build up a rifle from mail-order parts without an FFL being used in some fashion (unless you get the receiver from a private sale).

Ash

That is true - unless you finish an 80% receiver or make the receiver from scratch (which wouldn't be too hard for guns like the 10/22)

 

[skinewmexico]

Savage

 

[Monkeybear]

From scratch? Well lots of rifles can be made from parts like ARs, AKs, FALs and HKs but if you mean from "scratch" then you better be a machinist. I know that some machinist have made their own .50 cal rifles and you can even find a few books on it.

 

[Ian]

If you just mean from all third-party components, I think it's pretty much just the 10/22, AR-15, and 1911.

 

[dakotasin]

any bolt gun you can think of. a bolt gun is a very simple machine requiring few parts...

 

[mgregg85]

I believe you could build yourself a glock.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

ANY of them may be built from scratch if you have the machinery and the skill, except that full-auto ones cannot be legally built in the USA (since 1986). If you mean assembled from parts, then you're already getting answers to that.

 

[scythefwd]

The garand can be built from "scratch" using parts found over the internet. I have found barrels, trigger groups, stocks, sights, bolt groups fully assembled, recievers, op rods, gas tubes, everything I would need.

 

[VARifleman]

I believe you could build yourself a glock.

You can rebuild a glock completely, or you can build one up from one of the metal frames recently available, but the polymer frames aren't available by themselves unless you find someone that has stripped it down completely.

 

[Neckshot5seven]

Mauser 98's !!! Mine started as just an Action.

 

[Run&Shoot]

From individually purchased parts at either OEM or third party:
- Mauser 98
- Savage 110
- Glock (yes you can buy a stainless steel frame from third party)
- 1911
- probably a Hi-Power
- AR15
- AK
- FAL
- M1 Garand
- M14 semi
- probably an M1 carbine
- probably a Colt SAA clone

 

[JFettig]

I hoped this thread was asking about stuff like this....


Jon

 

[Hoppy590]

roll your own AK or G3 reciver

mill out an 80% AR or 1911

hen assemble the rest

 

[jburnett]

I was kinda hoping this was going to turn into a machining thread too...

The truth is, with a Bridgeport (or other good verticle mill) and a lathe with proper tooling ANY firearm can be built from a chunk of billet...Aluminum or alloy steel...
-J.Burnett

 

[Bubbles]

Easiest "from scratch" we've found are AK's, 1919's, and M2's.

 

[elmerfudd]

The way I see it, if you're buying parts, then you're not building from scratch. That's just assembling a rifle from parts and you can do it with virtually any design so long as you can find the parts.

As far as actually building from scratch, I think the only thing I'd be comfortable making would be a handgonne or a short-barreled matchlock. Making a barrel longer than a foot or so, or making a rifled barrel would be a real challenge.

 

[Tarvis]

There is a thread over at arfcom about how to finish an AR receiver, which I believe you can get without a serial number and no holes drilled, making it an unfinished rifle. All you need is a drill press (iirc) and possibly some paperwork from the ATF. I believe you can do this legally if you never sell it. It is a bit of work though, and like any other rifle you can build yourself, without the know how and the proper tools and specs, you'll end up with a firearm worth what you have into it. Hand fitted 1911's are expensive for a reason.

 

[JFettig]

Here is a pic of the one I linked above completed:
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=590

This one I made everything but the mag, grip, LPK, buffer spring, buffer, upper, charging handle and stock(I made everything not black except for the barrel).

I even made the chambering reamer and headspace gauges. The lower was machined from a 0% forging.


Jon