So I have an AR that I built many moons ago just after Desert Storm - I guess if you called it anything, it's an "AR-15A2". Used a preban PWA lower to build it. Well, I ran across a Black Friday ad from PSA for an AR lower stamped "M16A2", with a "burst" marking, and "Property of US Government". Went ahead and bought it to swap out the lower on my old rifle, and I'm contemplating how worthwhile it would be to sell the old PWA lower on a site like gunbroker. I saw one PWA complete lower listed for $695, but of course that doesn't mean that the seller will get that price.

Anyone have any direct experience with this? I know that in the free state that we live in, a "pre ban" receiver really isn't a big deal. But I gather that in some states it does matter alot. Any ideas on realistic values for a used stripped pre-ban lower?

Thanks

All I know it it's likely worth more to someone else than to me. Someone in Illinois needs it I bet.

In ban states a pre-ban lower does not give you a free pass. The gun has to be assembled prior to the ban going into effect and then there is the issue of someone in a ban state being able to take possession of a pre-ban receiver from out of state. I bought a Barrett 50 caliber from a gun store in California that was selling it on consignment some years back. When I got it it was obvious the gun had been fired very little but the barrel looked like someone had packed it with salt and left it there for a few months prior to sending it to me. I wanted to return the gun to the seller because he had offered a 10 day inspection period and was told by the gun store that that is not possible anymore so instead the previous owner of the rifle reimburse me for the cost of getting a new barrel.

Well, a buyer in Massachusetts ended up paying $1,295 for it. Not bad, gave me the funds to get a PTR 9CT

So I have a pre ban lower made by Olympic Arms. Why would it be more valuable?

I assume they have to have one in that state to have one at all? I don’t know and was just wondering.

You aren't going to know until you put it up for auction.

I asked the FFL in MA where I shipped it. He said that their state law prohibits ownership of "assault weapons" unless they were made prior to their ban date. So folks in that state are willing to pay quite a bit more for a "pre-ban" receiver that is ordinary to us here.

Gunbroker has several Olympic Arms prebans listed at $1,100 to $1,500. Make of that what you will.

wow, what a good investment

Interesting. What date makes it pre-ban? Before the Clinton ban? Or is there another date for Massachusetts?

Nah, but it is a fun toy that I can drop a registered trigger pack into without having to make any modifications.




I assumed it was the Clinton ban, but not 100% sure.

i also have an old pre ban lower. i was happy to see you got good money for yours. Ours is a paperweight and has been for years. I guess we will just sit on it.

i have a couple sbr mp5 clones my self. They are my favorite non bolt action weapons to shoot by far. They are also amazingly accurate.