Is it legal to build your own rifle or pistol?

[.... callchet ....]

[cliffordu]

1. the google might know.

[1]

2. yes. yes it is. n/t.

[FreakinDJ]

17. People do it all the time

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=24

[Xithras]

3. Perfectly.

As a bonus, federal firearms laws don't apply either, so long as you don't transport your creation across state lines. Only your states firearms laws will apply. Keep in mind that you will NEVER be able to sell or give the creation away though...if you transfer the firearm to anyone, you become a "manufacturer" and must be federally licensed.

[.... callchet ....]

4. Been searching, It says legal. Can you build a machine gun?

[krispos42]

5. Since you can't register it with the federal government...

...I would think not.


Maybe if they ever open the machine-gun registry? :shrug:

[.... callchet ....]

6. I have been looking at the nailers that use gas bottles to fire the nails.

Was thinking about building a rifle like that. They use a little I guess propane tube that mixes with air and then uses a battery to supply the spark to fire it.

[angrycarpenter]

9. You're serious?

It would be hazardous to use and might have the muzzle velocity of a pellet gun. Propane does not ignite with nearly the power of black powder much less cordite.

[.... callchet ....]

13. Hear you. Propane vs acetylene. MIxed with Oxygen.

[angrycarpenter]

16. Here's something

sounds pretty half baked to me.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5613483.html

Too many moving parts.

[.... callchet ....]

18. Been thinking.

Just like an automobile engine, except the piston would not be connected to the connecting rod. The piston would be the projectile. Or the valves would be the projectile.

[TheWraith]

11. In theory, it's possible...

In practice you'd need to be one hell of a gunsmith in order to do that, legalities aside. Even one of the simplest full-auto weapons in history, the Sten, had at least 47 seperate parts.

[Why Syzygy]

7. Does that mean it must be buried with you? nt

[Xithras]

10. Actually, strike that last bit.

I didn't realize that U.S. v Stewart was reversed in 2006. At one point, the courts ruled that homemade firearms were exempt, but the appeals court overturned it.

I wouldn't recommend trying out those Sten plans anytime soon.

[1]

8. why do you ask? n/t.

[.... callchet ....]

12. Interested in building firearm using igniting gas as propellant.

[.... callchet ....]

14. Plus I really like guns. Might try and want to make a new one.

[Iktomiwicasa]

15. yup, sure is....

....building a rifle right now, matter of fact.

[guntard]

26. Me too, working on an original semi-automatic shotgun design

I need to make at least three testbed prototypes. These will be simplified designs to be installed in a stand (not hand-held) to test the system and its components. I reckon I will machine these up on a friend's Bridgeport mill after getting the magazine wells broached in a local shop.

If everything works, I'll get my Manufacturer's FFL and go into production.

But no paperwork at all is needed for the homemade prototypes.

[michreject]

19. You can go into a hardware store

and for about 10 dollare, get the stuff to make a zip gun. (And no I'm not saying how)

[oneshooter]

20. Here are a few home made "firearms"?

http://www.coilgun.ru/

http://www.anothercoilgunsite.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPciBQnZw3c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mobpTrl7cA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxkZaYYSHFs&feature=related

Maybe the future? ( Ban them NOW?)


Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

[jody]

21. As others have said, yes! n/t

[scrinmaster]

22. Yeah, just follow all NFA and state laws.

If it's a rifle, the barrel needs to be over 16"
Shotgun, over 18".
Pistol, can't be smooth bore, no second pistol grip.

[oneshooter]

23. Here are a few

home made weapons.

http://www.coilgun.ru/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPciBQnZw3c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mobpTrl7cA&feature=related

http://www.anothercoilgunsite.com/

Firearms of the future?

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

[slackmaster]

25. A coil gun does not fit the definition of firearm in US federal law

They're legally not firearms, and are not regulated in any way.

[Statistical]

27. Just don't forget state laws....

State laws do vary and depending on the exact definition it is possible they would be considered a "firearm".

In VA it would not but some state use vague language like "propels a projectile via gunpowder, exploding gas, or other method".

Of course vague laws are bad laws but there are thousands of them on the books.

[slackmaster]

24. Yes

I have built a few rifles, and am in the process (very slowly) of building a 1911-A1 pistol.

As others have stated, you have to comply with state laws and the National Firearms Act - If you build something that is covered by it such as a short-barrelled shotgun, you have to do the required paperwork.

[guntard]

28. On-line tutorial for making an AR-15 recever at home

http://www.cncguns.com/projects/ar15lower80tutorial-2.html

[slackmaster]

29. It's a whole lot easier if you have use of a milling machine

;-)

[.... callchet ....]

30. I ahve found

a barrelsource. Thanks for the internet.

[Howzit]

31. Generally you can build what would be legal to own

Check your state laws before you start.

[virginia mountainman]

32. The Irony is...

That the easiest repeating gun to make, is the submachine gun, the real difficulty comes in making it semi automatic.

A person that owns a muffler shop, could easily crank out submachine guns by the hundreds with no modification (to the shop) All they would need would be an assortment of springs and some scrap steel.

[AlinPA]

33. Potato guns are fun.