Ghost Gunner 3 - Worth it?

FfNJGTFO · #1 09-26-2020, 04:48 PM

In my Youtube travels on building my AR-15, I've come upon the "Ghost Gunner" series of 3D Printers that convert 80% lowers to full 100%. I've seen them advertised on the Ghost Gunner site itself for about $2200.00 + tax and accessories. They even offer a lay-a-way plan with a $500.00 deposit.

For those of you into serious lower building, is it worth it? I would think that if you really want one of these, then you'd be in to manufacturing lowers and, therefore, needed the appropriate licenses, etc. etc. I'm not sure if you'd want one for just "your own personal builds..." as I've also seen videos on using the various vice grip jigs and the like to drill the right holes and route out the fire control port.

Worth it?

Caleb · #2 09-27-2020, 01:01 AM

Not to me. Seems like too much risk of being watched by the feds for any little mistake you might accidentally do.

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RandallZ · #3 09-27-2020, 10:15 AM

I would put that money towards an old Clausing 8520 mill and tooling. That would be able to easily turn 80s into 100 lowers, and do just about anything else you might want to do in the future.

Randall

Gatorade · #4 10-01-2020, 10:00 AM

80% lowers can be finished with a drill press or a router. Use the jig appropriate to the tools you have on hand. No need to pay $2K+ for 80% work at all. I do know some places sell 0% blocks of aluminum, that kind of work may require more than just a drill press and the mill may be appropriate.

So can you pay $2K+ to get the tools to produce a superb product? Yes. Can you pay under $200 to get the same functional results but maybe not as perfectly finished. Yes. Far be it for me to tell someone how to spend that kind of money on a fun hobby. If you want to do it then yes by all means go ahead, but if you have a more modest budget then there are other options that produce the same functionality.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14700

http://www.cotep.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14849

FfNJGTFO · #5 10-01-2020, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatorade

80% lowers can be finished with a drill press or a router. Use the jig appropriate to the tools you have on hand. No need to pay $2K+ for 80% work at all.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14700

http://www.cotep.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14849

So I have seen in several YouTube videos. And the jigs for them seem quite available....

Gatorade · #6 10-01-2020, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FfNJGTFO

So I have seen in several YouTube videos. And the jigs for them seem quite available....

The company I got mine from are no longer selling and they were not the best or easiest to work with. The good thing about buying quality jigs is that if you use them on a couple lowers, you can probably sell them and recoup a good part of your money. By the same token you could check other forums like AR15.com and find a good jig and other tools for sale used.