A stripped frame is essentially the bare receiver of a firearm, devoid of most of its internal components.
Based on the provided information, a stripped frame, often referring to a stripped lower receiver in certain firearm platforms, is defined as:
Understanding a Stripped Frame
It is a lower receiver without any of the internal components. This means it is the fundamental block of metal or polymer that forms the core structure of the firearm, but it does not include the parts necessary for operation.
What's Typically Missing?
When you get a stripped frame or lower receiver, you won't find:
- The trigger assembly
- Safety mechanisms
- Magazine catch (though sometimes included)
- Bolt catch (though sometimes included)
- Buffer tube assembly (for rifles like AR-15s)
- Other smaller springs, pins, and detents required for function.
It is, in essence, the empty shell that needs to be built up with other parts to become a functional firearm.
Legal Classification
According to the reference, the lower receiver (which aligns with the concept of a stripped frame in this context) is considered by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) to be the firearm itself.
This classification is significant because:
- It requires a serial number for identification.
- Its transfer typically involves adherence to federal and state firearm regulations, including background checks when purchased from a licensed dealer.
An example provided is a stripped lower receiver, illustrating the appearance of this core component before internal parts are installed. Building a firearm from a stripped frame or lower receiver involves sourcing and installing all the necessary internal and external components.
