Here is one sized for all to read…hopefully
Here is the deal.
Manufacturing and making a firearm are not the same thing. There is a distinct legal difference between the two. Doing a form 1 is not manufacturing.
You need to engrave your lower before you send any paperwork off to the ATF. That way, if you lower is lost or ruined in the engraving process, you do not get into a complicated mess with the ATF.
479.102(a)(1) is the paragraph that stipulates the requirements for the serial number; it contains the 1/16" text height requirement.
479.102(a)(2) is the paragraph that stipulates the requirements for the other information required to be on the firearm; it does not contain a text height requirement, only the .003 depth requirement.
See I fucking knew that letter had been posted on HKpro.
That may apply to an AR15 but sure as hell not marking a barrel under the handgaurds.
That would be like marking your lower under the pistol grip which was proven to be illegal a long time ago.
Also, engraving a barrel means you’d have to engrave all of your uppers- even the 16"+ ones. Kind of stupid.
And, to carry over even more discussion from the other thread (SBR picture thread) you CANNOT engrave your friggin’ triggerguard.
Thanks guys!
ETA: I have heard that it is ok to mark a barrel under the handguards since you don’t need a tool to remove them.
Yea, I knew I posted it, but couldn’t remember where. IMO you would still be legal to do the barrel, provided it wasn’t covered, but why the hell would someone want to do that? It would be to much of a PITA. As for doing the trigger guard. I never thought about doing it, but I don’t think I want to be the test case. For shits & grins I may write and ask if it’s legal in their opinion.
I just had a flashback to TOS! :rolleyes:
I already did that the answer was it wouldn’t work as it was to easy to replace im just gonna go tiny in a top hat logo on the receiver and be done with it
Thanks,
You saved me the effort.
I just had a flashback to TOS!
Demigod,
What’s with that? Are you of the opinion that you shouldn’t ask if you have a question? Or that internet opinion shouldn’t be challenged?
Edit: If I took your comment the wrong way my appologies. It just caught me as snippy for no apperant reason.
Is there a letter from the ATF regarding this or is this your conclusion based on your knowledge (which I’m sure is more than mine)?
Well it isn’t the receiver, the frame or the barrel.
Yeah, just a guess.
You might be able to engrave the triggerguard on a lot of rifles where the trigger guards aren’t removable but I don’t think you can carry that directly over to the AR.
I do suspect that you’re correct. Perhaps the answer lies in how readily removable they consider the trigger guard is. I might write another letter, but they’re taking their time answering the last one that I wrote. I don’t want them to know me by name.
I’m looking at it this way- it’s as much a part of the frame as the pistol grip is. I don’t consider either a part of the receiver with the grip being MORE necessary for the functioning of the gun.
I definitely wouldn’t do the triggerguard.
Here’s a picture I found of an interesting spot:
Someone in here gave me some real grief over suggesting this could be done and whether it would be visible or not- look, visible with mag inserted!
Thanks. I joined this forum just to find that.
ML
https://www.m4carbine.net/showpost.php?p=237870&postcount=26
The letter shown above is correct, but letters do not have the legal power to protect you in court. The law concerning who engraves what on NFA weapons is a pretty easy read.
-B
wow how’d this come back up? I posted that last comment exactly 11 months ago! 
Quick Question - It says something about suitable intitials. Is that all 3 or first and middle only?
Could I do something like:
JBRIII Louisville, KY or would it have to be J B RXXXXX III, Louisville KY if initials are allowed or would it have to be John B RXXXXX III Louisville, KY?
I didn’t know I would need the info eleven months ago.
Thank google (and you), I found it now that I needed it.
ML
Safest would be to spell out your last name at least.
J B RXXXXX III
Louisville, KY
This would also look nicest if you did it in two lines like I just did…
It allows for “recognized abbreviations.” I haven’t seen that defined more specifically, but I would assume it means things like the state, or “Inc” or “Co.”
In the end, I doubt it will matter, but I don’t think that statement in the regs is referring to initials.