80 Lower
If you're ready to build your first or next biilet, forged, or polymer AR-15, AR-10, or AR9, you're in the right place: All 80 percent lowers we sell are proudly made in the USA and feature FIRE/SAFE engravings, mil-spec anodized coatings or raw finishes for customization, with precision-CNC'd dimensions to guarantee fitment with all your black rifle or pistol parts.
What is an 80% Lower?
Officially designated a "receiver blank" by the ATF, an 80% lower receiver is an unregulated component that you, the builder, will fabricate at home to make it a legal firearm by definition. Completing any 80% lower -- whether made of metal of polymer -- requires the same general procedures: You must cut the internal cavity for the trigger, hammer and parts kit, then drill pin holes to install the parts kit in the receiver. This makes a functional lower receiver assembly that's ready for a buttstock and upper receiver. Then you can hit the range.
Want to know more? Here's a more detailed guide on what an 80 lower is.
Benefits of Using an 80 Percent Lower
- No FFL is required to buy or own one
- 100% compatible with retail AR parts
- Takes as little as 15 to 30 minutes to complete
- Made from quality billet or forged aluminum, or weapons-grade polymer
- Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects and workmanship
- Proudly made, coated, and engraved in the USA
No FFL is required under federal law
It is 100% legal to build a firearm at home for personal use, without any FFL paperwork (the ATF even says so), under federal law. Some states require serialization of your lower before completion (here's a guide on how to do that), and some states have banned 80% lower receivers, certain firearm parts, and other products we sell. Check your local and state laws, and please confirm whether we can ship to your state before ordering. Buying and owning an unfinished lower requires no FFL transfer, no paperwork, no extra taxes, no special fees, no waiting period, and no government bureaucracy in most states. Click "Add to Cart", check out, and your lower's on its way.
More questions? Here's a guide on 80% lower laws for 2020.
Completing Your 80% Lower Receiver
To finish your receiver blank, you'll need an 80% lower jig. The jig functions like a miniature work station and requires either a drill press or router. The jig sets up and orients the lower receiver for you. It also measures everything and it shows you where you need to drill holes and machine raw metal.
This in-depth guide shows how to complete an 80% lower.
Tools needed
- 80% jig
- Drill press or mini-mill
- Drill bits (included with jig)
- End mill bit (included with jig)
All you need to do is put your hands on some power tools and let the jig do the rest. Total machining time is usually less than 2 hours, and experienced builders can get the job done in as little as 15 minutes with a quality drill press or mini-mill.
Available in Popular Black Rifle Calibers
80% lower receivers are available for the most popular AR-15 calibers! Pick an affordable forged unit for a 5.56 or .223 rifle or pistol. Want to build an AR-10 clone? Grab a .308 80% lower. Want a pistol caliber? We have a new, dedicated 9mm 80% lower that accepts all Glock magazines for AR9 builds, too!
DISCLAIMER: If you are new to the world of DIY gun building, you likely have a lot of questions and rightfully so. It’s an area that has a lot of questions that, without the correct answers, could have some serious implications. At 80-lower.com, we are by no means providing this content on our website to serve as legal advice or legal counsel. We encourage each and every builder to perform their own research around their respective State laws as well as educating themselves on the Federal laws. When performing your own research, please be sure that you are getting your information from a reliable source.