Machining an AR15 lower receiver

[Highpower]

After all the machine work was done, it was time to start working on the finishing touches. Filing down and sanding the flashing that was still remaining from the forging seam running around the center line of the receiver, and filing & de-burring any remaining rough or sharp edges. A few spots of the fire control pocket needed a slight amount of scraping/sanding in order to hand fit the internal parts to make sure that they would function properly and have a minimum of side play inside the receiver.

At this point – under federal law in the US – this chunk of aluminum all by itself, is now defined as a “firearm”. Technically any frame or receiver with more than 80% of the machining already completed, defines it as a firearm. It doesn’t have to make sense… it’s just the law.


With the hand fitting done I shipped the part to a professional finishing shop to have it lightly bead blasted, Type III hard coat anodized, and dyed black.







The remaining parts were gathered and assembled
and this is the final result.

It is a dedicated .22LR rimfire conversion that mirrors another one of my rifles that is chambered for the usual 5.56mm / .223 Remington cartridge.
I’m extremely happy with the results considering this was my first effort with such an undertaking. You never know until you try.
Thanks for looking.