[Emmet Brown]

There are many high quality 9mm blank guns on the market these days, in the usa. I won't give examples because I don't want kids or morons to do this, but I have found several very strong frames. One is so clo to a beretta 92 that my slide fit and was functional.
That ones from a company that also makes real handguns.

My question is, if I can make my own 1911 from an 80% frame, can I use parts from a blank firing to build a live firing?

Depending on the model they can chamber 22lr, or 380 auto rounds, with a minor modification. (Not telling, but it's simple)

As far as I know if these rules are followed it should be legal.

1. Must have a rifled barrel. Smooth bore= prison on any handgun, the flare gun drop in converter guys rifle the 410 adapter and claim it's legal.
2. Must have serial number STAMPED not engraved into the frame.
3. (Not sure of this) must use 1000 degree solder or weld or screw barel in place (no jb weld) anyone know if that's bs btw?
4. Must not use the full auto version, as they are imported and it's not legal to make an automatic weapon from imported parts.

If it's legal, one could grab a few 22lr or 9mm blank, pop in new chambered rifled barrels, and have a couple emergency pistols to give to friends if there was a disaster. Or even bury them here and there.

Again, I won't say the names of the ones that can be converted, but there are several , one is so easy I suspect they are made for converting, most require access to a lathe at least, but that one has a barrel secured with pins exactly like the real one, all they did was grind them flush and paint over them.

These are not the zinc starter pistol s we had as kids, if they can fire full auto 9mm pak blank (estimating 1/2 to 3/4 load,) without cracking.... anyway, no "it will blow up in your hand" posts please,

I just want to know the federal law. I'm not going to do it, I have real grown up guns (nothing special), but I am curious.

Also, off topic, I just ordered a pair or (chippiwa)arms big 22lr pistol I'm picking up weds, with ammo that cheap I thought it would be fun to shoot with my daughter, anyone have experience with those, those are cheaper than the conversion s would be, about $150 each. My daughter is 21, never shot a pistol, I think the large ness of it will let her respect it more, she has shot long guns.

 

[1skrewsloose]

Not an expert on this, but no. I would think the frames are no where near sturdy enough to handle full house rounds. Just cause they fit doesn't mean its suitable. jmo.

 

[1skrewsloose]

My bad. Troll.

 

[Emmet Brown]

No trouble, yes I understand that even a very high quality one, one made by a company that produces real pistols as well would probably not have the same quality control, the metal will most likely be a weaker alloy, but they are not pot metal zink garbage.

I doubt one of these could run more than a box or two before something failed, but in an emergency only one or two shots would be better than zero. .

Just interested in the Legality please.

I have a friend that is a machinist and does government contracts, I've been trying to get him to make me a pair of aircraft aluminum1911 frames, and a 15 lower for a while, he doesn't believe me that it's legal, and I'm positive that is.

One more thing, it is absolutely not ok to make DIY handguns with the intention of selling them.

 

[Slippy]

Be careful it doesn't blow up in your hand, Emmet.

 

[dsdmmat]

No trouble, yes I understand that even a very high quality one, one made by a company that produces real pistols as well would probably not have the same quality control, the metal will most likely be a weaker alloy, but they are not pot metal zink garbage.

I doubt one of these could run more than a box or two before something failed, but in an emergency only one or two shots would be better than zero. .

Just interested in the Legality please.

I have a friend that is a machinist and does government contracts, I've been trying to get him to make me a pair of aircraft aluminum1911 frames, and a 15 lower for a while, he doesn't believe me that it's legal, and I'm positive that is.

One more thing, it is absolutely not ok to make DIY handguns with the intention of selling them.

It is not legal for your friend to make the frames or receivers for you. The ATF rules on day firearms are that they must be done by the person who will own them. If your friend makes the receivers for you he is considered a manufacturer without a license and that is a felony.

https://www.atf.gov/questions-and-answers

 

[SecretPrepper]

For the best and most accurate information on this. Contact your local BATF. They will be able to answer your questions or direct you to the correct answers.

 

[SOCOM42]

3. (Not sure of this) must use 1000 degree solder or weld or screw barel in place (no jb weld) anyone know if that's bs btw?

THIS is BS, that temp. will destroy the heat treat of a barrel and receiver. There is no requirement to permanently attach the barrel.

Auto pistols like the 1911 do not have barrels that are permanently attached,

some such as rimfires are generally pinned in place, others are screwed. Doubles are generally soldered or braised together.

If you make a gun for yourself, YOU must make the control part yourself.

 

[Medic33]

why not just go out and buy a real gun?

 

[Emmet Brown]

I thought the thing about high temp solder sounded like bs. interweb rumor.

Also thanks for telling me that it would be illegal for my friend to machine the frames for me, too bad, his family has amazing tools, if you can make it in Autocad, they can reproduce it to some insane thousands of an inch tolerance.
He has no interest in making firearms anyway (how could you not?!?, I'd mill myself an armory if I had his tools and stock. ) but if I manage to talk him into it one day, I'll be sure it's me that presses the buttons. That piece of legal advice is very welcome.

On the same subject, what about small cannons? Is there a size limit, or regulations? My dad had one that uses water and some chemical (wonder is he still has it. .) and a few black powder ones you set off with green fuse. These are desktop sized things, on 6" wheels less than a foot or so. One was even rifled, I remember when he got it (30 some years ago! ), at an antique shop, I'm guessing it was made from a musket kit or something like that.

 

[Emmet Brown]

Has no one here built a pistol? I'm surprised.

 

[PaulS]

I have. I have made rifles too. They are expensive and a bit on the rough side. I have the tooling but it is cheaper for me to buy a gun than it is to make one. A friend of mine made a beefed up Mauser from the ground up. There is a lot more work and craftsmanship than you want to imagine.

 

[Medic33]

Has no one here built a pistol? I'm surprised.

why would we it is illegal?

 

[Camel923]

As long as you pay the tax and have the right permits via ATF, you can make a frame or receiver and you can make a nontransferable automatic weapon, as far a I know. I would make sure through ATF. Anything they view as illegal will be prosecuted.

 

[dsdmmat]

I have built several pistols (7 Over the years) all from receivers I have bought from gun dealers as I do not want to mess with the 80% receivers.
Same with rifles I have built dozens of rifles but all have been with receivers bought from gun dealers. 80% receivers may be fun but I really don't have time for that.

 

[dsdmmat]

As long as you pay the tax and have the right permits via ATF, you can make a frame or receiver and you can make a nontransferable automatic weapon, as far a I know. I would make sure through ATF. Anything they view as illegal will be prosecuted.

You cannot make full auto guns after the federal law of 1986. It is illegal to make or transfer to civilians any automatic weapon manufactured after 1986. Unless you are a licensed manufacturer making a full auto weapon is an invitation to the big house.

 

[Slippy]

Has no one here built a pistol? I'm surprised.

Back in the 3rd grade I learned some nifty ways to launch a projectile through the barrel of a Bic Pen by covering the air hole of the pen cylinder and pushing piece of rolled up paper moistened with spit thru the pen cylinder using pressure. It was a handy tool to use on douchebag socialists and democrats who sat at the front of the classroom. But if you do the crime, you must be prepared to do the time.

 

[PaulS]

It is completely legal to make and use any non-NFA firearm in your home. That means you can legally make and use a smooth bore gun (shotgun) as long as the barrel is at least 18 inches long and the fixed over-all length in more than 27 inches(??) (the overall length may be wrong - look it up before building.
You can also make any pistol that is not built on a rifle action as long as it has a rifled barrel. You can make any rifle as long as it has a rifled barrel length of at least 16 inches and has the minimum overall length.
You can use any gun you make for any legal purpose and as often as you like. You cannot sell or transfer a home made gun without registering it and serializing it (and paying the $200 TAX PER GUN).

 

[dsdmmat]

Zzz

You cannot sell or transfer a home made gun without registering it and serializing it (and paying the $200 TAX PER GUN).

I don't believe that to be true. You are encouraged to serial number any weapon you make before you sell it. But just I case I have missed something care to share the link to that requirement?

 

[PaulS]

You cannot transfer any home made gun by sale or as a gift - it is a felony to do so and a felony to receive it.
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/does-gca-prohibit-anyone-making-handgun-shotgun-or-rifle for the manufacture of PERSONAL FIREARMS
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/can-anyone-make-firearms-and-sell-them for selling or transferring home made firearms

There are a few other links that also apply that you may want to look at.