TexasCHLforum.com

First off, IANAL.

It is perfectly legal to make your own out of an 80% or less receiver for personal use only. The ATF deems that a block of material that is 80% or less through the process of creating a firearm is considered just a block of whatever. 81-100% would be considered a firearm.

There are kits available for both Glocks and SIG P320s. Normally, you'd want some good, high quality tools to make sure all the cuts are perfect. But the same can be done with a good eye, a Dremel, and a hand drill. The current gen Polymer80 kits are pretty much designed with the Dremel user in mind. Of course, it would be a million times easier if you had a drill press to work with.

As for serials, I *think* the only time you'd need a serial number is if you change your mind down the road and want to sell it. Even then, I'm not sure what the regulations are with selling a firearm you made for your personal collection. Despite that, I make a habit of serializing every firearm I make, as that's a way for the police to track the firearm if it ever gets lost or stolen. I just put my trust info and an arbitrary serial number. Again, this is optional, but a very good idea if you ask me.

It doesn't matter who owns the tools or workshop. It is up to you, the person who wants to make a gun for yourself, to go through the process of hitting the buttons or making the cuts necessary to produce the firearm. It is perfectly fine for someone to guide you over your shoulder along the way. Also, when building, all local and federal laws apply for possession. So no-go if you're a felon. Also no-go if you want to build an SBR without a tax stamp. You get the idea.

And of course, no full auto is allowed for us mere mortals.

I've never built an 80% traditional pistol before. There's no money to be saved, and frankly, Glock and SIG will be able to do a much better job than I can. Although I like to tinker, I am not interested enough in Glock and SIG pistols to warrant building one for myself as a project. But that's just me.