Does anyone know of a 80 percent lower receiver that is compatible with the PSA Ar-10 upper receiver?
Probably not, because with ar10s there is not an industry standard like with ar15s. Some may work but no guarantees without you having to do extra milling.
I know that the AR-10 doesn’t have industry standard mil specs which is why I asked if anyone new of or has used an 80 percent lower with the PSA upper. I don’t want it serialized which is why I don’t just buy a PSA lower that I know for sure will fit.
You’re really better off just going with an upper that you know is DPMS-compatible. If it’s price you’re worried about, Aero comes close and is very good quality.
I was just suggesting to a retired friend who has really good machine shop skills, to offer his skills to the 80% lower community.
He was already looking for machine shop work.
A few years ago I bought a machine shop and damaged the surface grinder moving it. He bought it for $500, fixed it up, then re-sold it for $2500.
What I think people with 80 lowers need is, an inspection report to tell them where the 5 pairs of hole centers are.
People rely on the Drill Fixtures as if they were a perfect reference, but they’re not.
Using an aluminum jig, to guide a tool steel drill, that has flutes on the side ?
It might guide the drill right the first time, but the slightest bit of sideways movement on the rotating drill drives a steel blade into an aluminum lower, or an aluminum jig.
The drill fixtures need to be made with steel inserts to guide the drill.
Also it wouldn’t hurt to have customized drills that can’t dig into the drill fixture.
I see people treat the finished lowers as if they are a Lab Reference, like a Factory Lower.
On their very first part.
With no major machine shop experience.
Machining just doesn’t work like that.
I’m not worried about the price. I already have have this upper
So, obviously, if I can’t find an 80 percent lower that will fit, then I will buy a PSA lower. That is only if I have to though.
Maybe post that somewhere where it will help someone out. This literally has nothing to do with the topic at hand.
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Do not do this, even if the person is physically present and doing most/all of the milling your friend would be considered a manufacturer because he’s accepting money to use his tools. Manufacturing firearms for the purpose of making money requires an FFL.
@Secretninja If you find an 80% lower that matches Aero’s you can mill the rear of the lower flat so the charging handle clears. That the main hiccup between PSA and Aero.
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Your friend will get loved tenderly by the AFT for doing that…
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That is the main problem I’m having. I wasn’t sure if milling that part down would mess with the integrity.
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The top won’t matter, pretty much all of the stress is around the takedown pin.
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It’s not so the experienced machinist can do the milling.
It’s so he can use his machining skills to provide an inspection report, for the hole locations.
So that 80% lower owners can compare their work to the nominal dimensions on a Factory Lower.
Sounds like it would need to be stressed - the service involves ONLY MEASURING - no machining.
Though he might need to put the lower in a vise, and use an edge finder, to do part of the process.
So he’s charging money to QC lowers, QC is part of the manufacturing process. The ATF won’t like that either. There is 0 demand to pay to have an 80% lower verified.
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This thread is turning into a discussion about legal vs. potentially illegal milling of 80% lowers.
OP, to answer your question, see my original response. For further information regarding 80% milling, a quick Google search will probably provide you with information, articles about the ATF, etc.
You may find that the most helpful.
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