Need to clean your 1911? Want to replace or upgrade components? This step-by-step, instructional picture walks you through how to break down your 1911 — from field stripping for basic cleaning, to complete disassembly with tools. Let’s start. 1911 Disassembly: Tools Required basic field stripping doesn’t technically require any tools. But to disassemble the frame…
Finished your 80% 1911 frame? Need to put back together a bunch of pieces for an upgrade? Here’s how to assemble your frame. Note that although we’re using a retail-bought 1911, the frame is, in form and function, identical to a completed 80% frame. Need parts? Shop our 1911 build kits and 1911 parts. Need…
The GLOCK series of handguns are, by the numbers, the most popular firearms on Earth. Of those, two models are favored far more than any others: The GLOCK® 17 and GLOCK® 19. At a glance, the G17 and G19 look nearly identical — but there are key differences to consider. With all the aftermarket parts…
The GLOCK® is arguably the most popular handgun on Earth. Tens of millions of GLOCKs have been issued to military and law enforcement worldwide and, by the numbers, it’s the preferred handgun for civilians who want a reliable concealed-carry weapon. But the GLOCK® (and the Polymer80 pistols based on it) is unlike any other handgun…
“Which 80% lower is the best” Is a question we get asked frequently by AR-15 builders and new customers. The answer to that question depends on what type of AR you’re building, and what tools you have access to. Of course, there is generally one overall best choice when it comes to putting together a…
Ready to assemble a barreled AR-15 upper receiver? Follow these instructions. We’re assembling a 300 Blackout upper, but these instructions are identical for all standard AR-15 (5.56/.223), AR-10 (.308) and AR9 (9mm) uppers. Note that 9mm uppers do not need a gas system, so skip those steps. Total time required is approximately 30 minutes to…
In the past years, AR-15 pistols have become increasingly popular. The reason why is simple: Buying or building a short-barreled rifle (SBR), is far costlier and requires extensive paperwork. But what, exactly, is an SBR? What’s an AR pistol, and why choose one or the other? Let’s compare. What is a Short-Barreled Rifle? Under federal…
Updated October 30, 2026 What Did The ATF Do? On August 24, 2022, the ATF’s Final Rule ( 2021R-05F), went into effect. This rule attempts to restrict the manufacturing, sale, and ownership of unfinished 80% lowers, 80% frames. Under this rule, 80-Lower.com and other, similar businesses are restricted from selling some of our products to…
Your AR-15’s bolt carrier group (BCG) cycles ammunition at a high rate of fire. It extracts, ejects, and chambers new rounds with every pull of the trigger. But to do all this, the BCG gets dirty. Very dirty. The AR’s downfall is its “direct impingement” gas system, which launches carbon, gas, and corrosive chemicals from…
We’ve covered how to build an AR-15, but many shooters want a rifle with a larger caliber. While the AR-15 can chamber some larger cartridges — like 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout — the AR-10 platform is what you need to load rounds like .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor. Picking Your AR-10 Platform Before you…
DISCLAIMER: If you are new to the world of DIY gun building, you likely have a lot of questions and rightfully so. It’s an area that has a lot of questions that, without the correct answers, could have some serious implications. At 80-Lower.com, we are by no means providing this content on our website to serve as legal advice or legal counsel. We encourage each and every builder to perform their own research around their respective State laws as well as educating themselves on the Federal laws. When performing your own research, please be sure that you are getting your information from a reliable source.
