Ar15 pistol

Wouldn't you be legal if you had a 80% receiver sitting there as an unfinished pistol.

Hard to say, the BATFE rules are so convoluted and vague, and to date I have found no info regarding that.

BUT, since the 80% lower isn't considered a "firearm" I would lean toward no. In order to be legal I 'think' one needs to have a lower that is designated a pistol lower at point of sale.