I want to build a custom AR, advice needed

[sinful]

OK, a few questions about building your own AR:

My idea is to take a AR lower and put on a short barreled 9mm upper with a suppressor and vertical fore grip with reflex sites. Now for the onslaught of questions:
I pick up a lower, at what point do I register it as a SBR or AOW?
Is a suppressed 9mm AR with VFG an AOW or SBR?
Can the lower be shipped directly to my house, or do I need it sent to an FFL?

Oh, and can anyone recommend brands for parts? I know very little about the 9mm versions of ARs.

And to make things simple, since I already have a Bushmaster m4gery, can't I just buy a short barreled 9mm upper and toss on it?
If so, do I have to register the receiver as a SBR/AOW, and how does that effect me tossing the 16" 5.56/.223 upper back on it?

Ahhh, so many questions... lol

[XD45]

It would be an SBR, and to be safe I would have the lower registered before getting the shorty upper. The lower would go threw a regular FFL, and then you would register it on an ATF form 1(considering you buy it online, there are quite a few ways for you to get a regular AR lower).

You could register you bushmaster lower, but you may need to switch out the FCG to one that is for 9mm and 5.56/223 uppers, you'll also have to do some sort of magblock.


read over this http://www.pafoa.org/forum/nfa-class...xperience.html

[-JD-]

You might want to check this thread out as a start. http://www.pafoa.org/forum/nfa-class...tml#post264153

Having the SBR/Pistol upper with out a Virgin/Pistol-built or SBRed lower would be a bad idea. I'll leave the rest to other who know more.

ETA. Beat me XD

[sinful]

Thanks for the link. my search-fu sucks, and that helps a ton.

Now that the technical stuff is out of the way, does anyone recommend any specific brands of lower and/or upper components?

[XD45]

I love RRA, and they have a great line of 9mm, and 5.56 pistol uppers which convert great to SBRs

[RONNIE77]

Check out the NFA section of the forum.
There you will find all your answers.

Any rifle with a barrel length shorter then 16" and has a stock on it, is an SBR.

Buying a lower would have to go through your FFL, cannot be shipped to you. It is considered a gun and must be registered regardless of what you do with it.

In order to obtain a tax stamp for an NFA item (like an SBR), you would need the Chief Law Enforment Officer in your area to sign for it (Chief of Police).

I am impatiently awaiting the arrival of my tax stamps for the two Rock River SBR lowers I am building (Any week now).

Currently awaiting their lowers are:
SBR 1 - LMT 12" MRP upper, calibered in 6.8spc, Eotech 553, RRA two stage trigger, LMT SOPMOD stock.
SBR 2 - LWRC M6A2 10.5" gas piston upper, calibered in 5.56, Eotech 553, RRA two stage trigger, ACE M4 SOCOM stock..

Cannot wait.....

[Kaos]

Check out the NFA section of the forum.
There you will find all your answers.

Any rifle with a barrel length shorter then 16" and has a stock on it, is an SBR.

Buying a lower would have to go through your FFL, cannot be shipped to you. It is considered a gun and must be registered regardless of what you do with it.

In order to obtain a tax stamp for an NFA item (like an SBR), you would need the Chief Law Enforment Officer in your area to sign for it (Chief of Police).

more on this...If you just want to get the gun running for the moment, buy a lower as a pistol, assemble upper as desired...then do your paperwork and add stock once it's all finished.

[XD45]

more on this...If you just want to get the gun running for the moment, buy a lower as a pistol, assemble upper as desired...then do your paperwork and add stock once it's all finished.

sorta, he did mention he wants a VFG and a VFG makes a pistol an AOW so he can't really assembly it as desired. I'm sure its not a huge deal if he doesn't have it for a couple months, but thats a good thing to know so ya don't end up w/ bubba for a few/10yrs..

[RONNIE77]

more on this...If you just want to get the gun running for the moment, buy a lower as a pistol, assemble upper as desired...then do your paperwork and add stock once it's all finished.

That would be a good idea as well.

With a pistol lower, you can put a short barrel on it with no problem. Shoot it, and have fun.
Just don't put a stock or a VFG on it until the ATF sends you your stamp.
But you would still have to have the receiver engraved..

[Kaos]

Sorry, forgot to add in the VFG thing as well! But it will at least get you running!