Polymer80, Inc. is an American manufacturer of parts kits containing firearm parts including unfinished receivers (also known as "80 percent" receivers) used for making privately made firearms. The company was founded in 2013 by Loran Kelley Jr. and David Borges and is headquartered in Dayton, Nevada. Polymer80 has received press coverage because of the use of their products in crimes involving so-called "ghost guns", which in specific cases has resulted in lawsuits being brought against the company.
Background
Under U.S. federal law, the creation and possession of firearms for non-commercial purposes (i.e. personal use) is legal, and a license is generally not required if the created weapon will not be transferred in, for example, a sale. In contrast, since 1968, persons intending to manufacture firearms for sale or distribution must have a Federal Firearms License, and each firearm must bear a unique serial number.
Under U.S. law, only a particular part of a weapon is considered to be a "firearm", most often the receiver. This can be completed from raw material, an "unfinished receiver", or a so-called "80 percent receiver", though the last of these being a non-legal term the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, does not recognize. While some states have passed laws restricting the creation of privately made firearms, unfinished receivers are typically sold without the requirement of federal or state background checks. However, some scholars have argued that the existing state regulations may be unconstitutional. Finishing work on these receivers may be performed with machine tools, a common drill press, or hand-held rotary tools such as the popular Dremel. Companies typically sell kits that include drill bits, stencils, or jigs to aid the process, with basic proficiency with those tools required. Starting from the 2010s, 80% completed polymer frames became more popular, requiring only hand tools to finish them. Companies such as Polymer80 became well known for being a top producer of 80% frames compatible with Glock Gen 3 parts and above.
History
The company was founded by Loran Kelley Jr. and David Borges in March 2013. The first project undertaken by the company was an injection molded AR-15 rifle lower receiver. The company then moved to AR-10 style rifle lower receivers, and finally pistol receivers. The name of the company refers to the injection molding process combined with the common designation of unfinished receivers as "80% receivers".
The first version of the Glock compatible handgun debuted in 2016, with a follow up that arrived in 2017. The company expanded the options available to consumers in 2019 by offering more Glock compatible frames in more colors and with more options for grip feel.
In 2019, Defense Distributed announced that their Ghost Gunner automated CNC milling machines would be able to mill Glock 19-style Polymer80 compact frames.
The company markets their kits as "Buy Build Shoot".
Co-founder David Borges retired in 2021. Loran Kelley Sr., who became a partner in the first year of Polymer80, passed away in January 2022. Loran Kelly Jr. is the current President and CEO of the company.
Products
Polymer80 sells a variety of lower frames and receivers compatible with various models of Glock handguns. They include:
PF940v2 - full frame pistol kit, compatible with Glock 17, 34, 17L in 9x19 mm; Glock 22, 35, 24 in .40 S&W; and Glock 31 in .357 SIG PF940c - compact pistol kit, compatible with Gen3 Glock 19 in 9x19 mm and Glock 23 in .40 S&W PF940sc - subcompact kit, compatible with Glock 26, chambered in 9x19 mm PF9SS - subcompact kit, compatible with Glock 43, Gen 4, chambered in 9x19 mm PF45 - large frame, compatible with Glock G21SF, chambered in .45 ACP
Controversies
The ATF raided the company's headquarters on December 10, 2020. Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine filed a civil lawsuit against the company for advertising its products within D.C. in June 2019, apparently for the company violating D.C.'s gun laws.
The company sought to intervene in a lawsuit brought forth by the state and parents of the victims in the 2019 Saugus High School shooting against the Department of Justice for their failure to classify ghost guns like the type Polymer80 sells as firearms under federal law.