ScottDLS AR-15 Build Commences

[ScottDLS]

I recently acquired a Spike's Tactical Stripped AR-15 lower to try my hand at building a rifle. I'm thinking of making a 14.5" SBR, just for the NFA "cool" factor and may add a suppressor later. I want it to be as close as possible to the M4 "SOPMOD" version used by US military, but in semi, of course.

Actually, I would like to put a NFA registered drop in auto-sear (RDIAS) into it, but don't have the requisite $12000 or so laying around to get one.

Here's the lower. I'll let you guys know how it goes...

[ScottDLS]

Update. OK I went ahead and submitted ATF form 5320.1 (form 1) to make & register a SBR. I used the ATF eForms which you can do (for now) if submitting for a corporate entity (my LLC). It was pretty quick and paid the $200 NFA tax online with my credit card.

Now...which 14.5" upper to get....?

[Mike S]

Update. OK I went ahead and submitted ATF form 5320.1 (form 1) to make & register a SBR. I used the ATF eForms which you can do (for now) if submitting for a corporate entity (my LLC). It was pretty quick and paid the $200 NFA tax online with my credit card.

Now...which 14.5" upper to get....?

If you're planning to buy a complete upper & wanting to mimic the M4 SOPMOD I'd suggest a Colt 14.5", 1:7. It comes with a Troy rail now, but can still find some with Knights rails. Comes with rail covers.

And thanks for the insight on the LLC route. I'm pretty ignorant regarding ATF avenues & differences between individual/trust/corporate requirements. I took the simple route with builds for me & the kids (stuck to 16" uppers), but eventually looking to add a Surefire can or two.

[ScottDLS]

Update. OK I went ahead and submitted ATF form 5320.1 (form 1) to make & register a SBR. I used the ATF eForms which you can do (for now) if submitting for a corporate entity (my LLC). It was pretty quick and paid the $200 NFA tax online with my credit card.

Now...which 14.5" upper to get....?

If you're planning to buy a complete upper & wanting to mimic the M4 SOPMOD I'd suggest a Colt 14.5", 1:7. It comes with a Troy rail now, but can still find some with Knights rails. Comes with rail covers.

And thanks for the insight on the LLC route. I'm pretty ignorant regarding ATF avenues & differences between individual/trust/corporate requirements. I took the simple route with builds for me & the kids (stuck to 16" uppers), but eventually looking to add a Surefire can or two.

I'm still thinking about the uppers. Maybe instead of Knight SOPMOD, I'll go for M4A3 style flattop. I've kind of lost track of the M16 variants since I got out of the Navy in the early '90's. Corporate entities are what people have been doing since the '80's for NFA stuff. I have a Texas corporation and a Texas LLC that I created over the last few years for some business ventures that I didn't end up using. Member managed LLC's are the easiest to operate as they don't require annual meetings and a little less filing.