Machining metal frames/recievers
 

In light of the recent retailer closures, I've been thinking; since the only restricted parts would be the frames and upper/lower receivers, couldn't we make our own? I don't have much machining experience apart from some high school CNC courses but I'm pretty sure that a 3-axis mill will suffice for most parts. So far, I've tried and failed miserably to cast an aluminum frame for a friend's Kraken. I'm not too clear on the legalities at the moment so I'm not gonna say. It's just an idea...

I'm pretty sure that you can by the pre-cut receivers from the states (the flat peices of steel with just cut holes) and use a machine to bend them into shape, I'm not sure on the legalities of that though.

If you manufacture any parts that are illegal to import (restricted or prohibited items) without the proper paperwork to do so, you're breaking the law.

I've thought about this as well - if you made a reciever and frame that did not resemble a production firearm but resembled the general characteristics of a black rifle, would that be legal and would it be acceptable to the airsoft community? I am surprised MadMax hasn't done this yet (HINT HINT CARL!)

Make em, just don't tell anyone except us :D

i think it be very breaking the law porblay get off in court but you most likely be raided if they found out you were machining and fabercating relistic gun parts.

I'm thinking of building some generic receivers that resembles more or less a brick, but will still fit a gearbox and accept standard internals. Technically, it isn't considered a replica since it doesn't replicate any gun (apart from the M4 stock, barrel and mag sticking out ;)).

I'd probably sacrifice realism for a less realistic but more legal gun but then again, that's just me...

On top of that, there's trademark law that you have to worry about. Machining a trademark without a license can get you in bigger monetary hot water than the cost of lawyer fees for getting charged with making prohibited weapons ;)

making sumthing that would just resebeble a brick not a gun would be legal. btw i am a milweright so i can make theys the only problem is i think they would not sell if they were not relistic some ppl would but them because they are metal but it porblay be a flop due to the fact most of the cadain population is used to paying for hig end aegs that come with full trades.

EDIT
Also machinging trades would porblay get your ass sued by mega companys that have money to afford to do so.

Jesster, would you mind taking a little more time to type your posts? They're really hard to read.

Machining metal or molding plastic pseudo-realistic receivers in country would certainly allow us to bypass CBSA, which is arguably the most tightfisted of them all. We'd still have to contend with CFC, though, and they're almost as bad. Finally, there's the question of whether such a venture is financially practical, especially with a market that's more than a little stuckup about realism.

Yes, but how are they going to find out? Is somebody from a local airsoft game going to take several hi-res photos of the person's receiver, send it to colt and tell them that he's making Armalite receivers in his basement?

Never said anything about trades. The goal at the moment is to produce a crucial yet restricted component that will bypass all the definitions of a replica. Trademarks could constitute to the definition of a replica and are sometimes more trouble that they are worth.

They may not be as realistic but first off they are legal, secondly, who says the customer/owner cant put a file/grinder to it and "M16ify" it? Don't believe theres a law restricting that.;)

Yes, no kidding. Just don't tell anybody! Make realistic receivers, not necessarily trades, and keep it hush hush. :D

Sadly, this would probably be the best way to go in this area.

However, I WISH someone with the right tools and skills could start producing metal slides and outer barrels for GBBs. Although I could be mistaken, those shouldn't be illegal to produce, since they're legal to import. I would pay top dollar to get a high-quality CNC machines part made of quality metal rather than the pot metal shit that we currently get.