The ATF regs say it must be “conspicuously” placed which is somewhat ambiguous. If you can easily remove the handguard for cleaning (like an AR15 or AK) it’s probably ok. I can’t say for sure as I’ve never asked the ATF this question and I’ve not been able to find any letters from their technical branch regarding this.
Also, about the engraving “myth”, my SBR will not be a safe queen or a range toy. It will be set up for HD/SD use, but hopefully I’ll never have to use it in that role. However, if I do, I would rather have abided by the law, to the very letter of the law, whether necessary or not, so that I can give them one less thing to try to convict me on.
So…if I’m reading this right, I could engrave my UPPER as an SBR? Now, to my thinking, that would make far more sense to have the SBR upper engraved with it’s serial, than putting it on a lower that may or may not be hosting the SBR configuration at that particular time.
Maybe “myth” was a bit harsh. That’s an interesting letter but a letter isn’t law & we’ve seen how the ATF can change their minds later. I would rather engrave a barrel than a lower though. Maybe I’ll go that route.
Good question, but unfortunately the gun is the lower in the case of an AR15. My assumption would be that your manufacturer markings would have to be somewhere on the gun itself, that being the lower.
On an AK or even a SCAR, for example, the barrel is attched to the gun (the serial numbered part) and as such the barrels can be marked.
oh man, should not have read/watched this…12.5" upper is VERY tempting!
Thanks for that useful info!
EDIT: I just thought of something not mentioned in the vid. If i get a SBR 6.8 upper, does the lower have to say “6.8 or multi cal”? So could i legally put a SBR 6.8 upper on my lower that reads 5.56?
