We’re 10 months out still (June-ish 2025) on hearing the outcome of the Garland vs Vanderstok (frames / receivers) case, which will be heard this October (2024). I am VERY optimistic about a favorable decision, and we’ll see a surge of interest in privately made firearms!
Why am I optimistic? With the recent NYRPA v. Bruen and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (overturning Chevron) decisions from the SCOTUS, I predict a “slam dunk” favorable decision in Garland v. Vanderstok. Look’em up!
But June 2025 a long time from now in my book. It’s a really long time for those businesses who serve the building community, which is effectively in limbo. But it doesn’t mean we can’t build guns!
We recently lost the biggest company and leader in this facet of the firearms hobby, Polymer80. “P80” supplied the most popular of the unfinished (and therefore not a firearm) Glock clone frames. Polymer80, as a company, is no more. Gone. Sued out of business aka “lawfare.” Their manufacturing and headquarters property in Nevada is up for sale. And that fucking sucks. This screenshot of a social media post by the owner of Polymer80 was reposted on Reddit:
Hopefully they’ll come back in some form after a favorable SCOTUS decision next year.
I would encourage my fellow builders and aspiring builders to consider alternatives such as buying and building serialized and unserialized (if available) frames from other manufacturers (Geisler, SCT, Nomad, Lone Wolf, and others) and, of course, all the parts that go with building guns…. barrels, slides, triggers, internal parts, controls, etc. Here are some of my favorite sources for building goodies. I’m sure I’m forgetting some. Add yours in the comments!
80p Builder
Rook Tactical
Zaffiri Precision
Lone Wolf
Tyrant CNC
Glockmeister
NDZ Performance
Unserialized, “off-the-books” is certainly one of the attractions to building 80% frames. But most of us are true firearms enthusiasts who also own factory (serialized) guns, because… well…. we’re not felons or prohibited persons. And a big reason we enjoy this part of the hobby is creating a personalized working gun that is “one of a kind.”
If you don’t have an 80% frame (or two or three) that remain unbuilt, go buy a serialized frame! There are some amazing deals out there now! As low as $30 – $60! I just got these very cool (serialized) SCT17 frames for $58 each from Arm or Ally (link below).
Yes, you’ll have to transfer serialized frames through an FFL. So what?
Here are some sources for frames currently available (both kinds). Go look!
Arm or Ally
US Patriot Armory and here US Patriot Armory
Mas Defense
80% Arms
Nomad Defense
Lone Wolf
Palmetto State Armory
Freedom Unlimited
Or you can go down the 3D printing and milling rabbit hole and make your own from a solid block of metal or polymer or from a spool of nylon!
Continuing to build serialized frames (temporarily) or unserialized frames that you’ve previously purchased and had waiting in the wings can help support those companies that are still barely standing.
Let’s do our part! Let’s support the industry and our vendors. Start a new build today! Visit the linked 2A supporters and give’em some love! (I have no financial interest whatsoever. But feel free to tell them about our community!)
And the bonus: It makes liberals cry! 
Build, baby, build! One, and then another. You can’t have too many! If you’re new (or not) to building, join us on the forum!