The AR-15 bitcoin project *finished*

[tonto]

So I was thinking to myself the other day, can I purchase/assemble an AR-15 funded solely by bitcoins? Surely I can... so this thread will document the various parts that I find that I purchase using only bitcoins, either directly or indirectly.

What is an AR-15?  For those who don't know, it's a gun that can be assembled by a plethora of individual parts.  There is, quite possible, a bajillion different things you can do with them.  They're like the Honda Civic of the gun world, except much much cooler.

So that out of the way, my goal is to either trade bitcoins for AR-15 parts either directly (giving bitcoins to individuals or companies for direct trade) or indirectly (purchasing either amazon.com gift cards from a service, or selling the bitcoins for cash on an exchange, and then using that cash to buy the parts, from an individual, dealer, or gun show).

I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to AR-15, so please don't make fun of my purchases in case I buy the "wrong" company or part. This goal is to see if I can get a "free" gun (minus the cost of electricity). I think it's possible, so that's why I'm doing this.

Note that I'm keeping this entirely legal, so I won't be buying fully-auto parts, since I'm not authorized to own such guns..


This thread may take a while, since I don't have an awesome computer, and cannot mine coins quickly. It will also depend on market price of the coins as well. If the value of coins drops a lot, this project may never complete (or I may cheat and buy it anyway). If the value of coins goes up, I will be able to complete it faster. Note that all shipping costs will also be paid for by bitcoins.

Away we go.....!

[tonto]

lower receiver assembly placeholder

edit 3/5/12:  Purchased a Spike's Lower receiver (stripped) from a dealer.  Paid with money I got from trading bitcoins.  For newbies (like myself) this part is the part that's considered the "gun".  As in it has the serial number, and it's what you have to buy from a dealer (or you need your own FFL license to have it shipped to you)




Also just placed an order for a Lower parts kit from Amazon.  Paid for by an Amazon gift card I bought with btc.

[tonto]

stock placeholder

[tonto]

upper receiver assembly placeholder

edit 3/5/12:   purchased a charging handle for 5.56 btc (the irony is not lost on me!) direct from Eveofwar.   Will post pictures upon its arrival.

[tonto]

barrel assembly placeholder

[tonto]

accessories placeholder (optics, rail accessories, magazines, etc)

edit 3/5/12:  purchased a 30 round magazine (.223/5.56) directly from jwzguy for bitcoins.  Thanks for helping with my project.
edit 3/7/12:  received the England (made by Royal Ordinance) 30 round magazine from jwzguy.  Thanks again!



edit 3/5/12:  I forgot I had a magazine stored away that my grandpa had.  It was made by Adventure Line Manufacturing in Parsons, KS.  It's been stored away for at least 20 years, and was loaded with blanks.  No idea if the magazine or rounds will work properly but I will find out as soon as the gun is put together.

[evoorhees]

Well, of course you can purchase the parts if you sell the bitcoins for USD and buy them like that. You could acquire a Ferrari in the same manner

To make the project interesting, you'll need to buy the parts directly with BTC.

I'm sure you saw The Armory thread, about the new weapons site on Tor? A few quick PMs there and I'm sure you'd have what you're looking for, payable solely in BTC.

[stevegee58]

You planning on taking receipt of that lower receiver directly without an FFL?

[unicron]

lower receiver assembly placeholder

This is the only AR-15 part that would legally require a background check in USA.

If someone has a 3D printer they could print one, though I don't know how well it would work:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11770

[tonto]

I'll edit the lower placeholder when I get pics, but yeah I purchased the stripped lower receiver from a local dealer (with cash from btc), so I'm legal, and passed the background check.
 
 
I initially wanted the entire purchase to be via bitcoins, but not finding a dealer who would accept btc, I needed to use cash for the lower receiver.  Hopefully this will be the only "cheating" I will need to do.   I will have to "cheat" and buy amazon gift cards as well, but have already accepted that fact until btc gets more popular.
 
I also started a thread on www.ar15.com hoping that I can garner interest in bitcoins there as well.
 
So this will be a fun/interesting project!

[cbeast]

Bail and legal defense fund placeholder. 

[bitcoinsarefun]

interesting post, I will be following 

[tonto]

Yes, I can legally receive everything (but the lower receiver) through the mail to my door.
 
If anyone following this thread has any AR-15 parts, (especially new-ish) that they'd be willing to sell for this project, I'd be interested to hear what you have. 
 
Make sure you view the posts above as time goes on, as I will be editing the placeholders as I get stuff.  But again, this will be ongoing, possibly over several months, so it will take a while.   My 7970 can only crank so fast!

[DeathAndTaxes]

This is the only AR-15 part that would legally require a background check in USA.

AR-15 is semi auto.  There is federal standing on intra-state sales involving non FFL.  In VA for example I could (but likely wouldn't) sell any firearms to anyone* without doing any background check.  It is called a person to person sale.  Only if the sale crosses state lines would it fall under federal law.

* You are prohibited from selling to a person KNOWN to be prohibited buyer.  If the person is anonymous well there is no way for someone to know if they are prohibited or not and the law doesn't require any "due diligence" beyond that.

For the record I don't think it is smart to sell firearms to other people anonymously just because unless you purchased the weapon anonymously if it is used in a crime the paper trail is going to lead to yourself.  The resulting legal headache (even if you have done nothing wrong) is not likely worth it.

[shackleford]

lower receiver assembly placeholder

This is the only AR-15 part that would legally require a background check in USA.

If someone has a 3D printer they could print one, though I don't know how well it would work:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11770

This^ .. there should be an open project to reproduce every part. Was thinking something like a glock would be easier to start with though.

[jwzguy]

I have a bunch of metal 30rd Ar15 mags for sale. Good luck with your project.

[Eveofwar]

Awesome !

Hey, let me know if you need any other parts

[btc_artist]

Awesome thread. 

As for the receiver, another option might have been an 80% receiver if there are any companies accepting bitcoins.

[tonto]

btw, I don't know if edited posts show up as "unread" or not in terms of the forum showing up as boldfaced or regular.  So you might check my place holders from time to time for updates.  I'll try to note them here as well when I update with a picture or text or something.  Since today is new and fresh and I'm figuring a bunch of stuff out, it's more likely to be edited today, and then will go dormant until parts arrive.

[tonto]

Bail and legal defense fund placeholder. 

I was thinking the same thing. He wants a record of the transactions so the ADA’s case is a slam dunk. Will there be a separate thread listing the chronology of the crimes committed with said weapon or will that just be posted here as well? lol

I appreciate the humor, but where I live, I can order everything I need (except the lower, which i've already purchased from a dealer) shipped to my door, and be completely legal.  I love living in the middle of nowhere.