can’t decide. it’s individual, so my name and city/state. also, is the middle initial mandatory? under the trigger guard and inside magwell lip area seem like common spots but some people say that may be dubious legally…
“Some people” are wrong.
Yes.
I got mine on the magazine well.
As far as your middle initial, I would engrave exactly whatever you submitted on your Form 1.
*not an expert, and I use a trust, others will know more on this
Go here for available options;
https://www.identmarking.com/index.php/shop-online#!/AR15-SBR-Engraving/p/54229067/category=14354138
Or here;
https://tarheelstatefirearms.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=119
Both highly recommended.
The law says you have to engrave the barrel, frame or receiver. If I were you, I’d engrave the barrel, frame or receiver.
The single best legal advice given on this forum. EVERRRRRR!
The NFA handbook also says that the engraving must be “conspicuously” placed. The definition of conspicuously is “in a clearly visible way”. Take that to mean whatever you want. I personally take it to mean that if I can see it while holding the firearm at whatever angle necessary, then the location is good to go.
I engrave high on the mag well.
PB
I engraved the inside of my bore. It cost a fortune and ruined the accuracy. But it’s worth it!
Priceless!
I have done inside the trigger guard, on the sides of the magwell, and sides of the upper receiver (SCARs).
I never really think about / look at the engraving, even though it’s there. I really don’t give a ****, as there is other engraving / markings on the weapons already from their manufacturer, which I don’t often look at either. But I keep things simple - AR-15s are 5.56, AR-10s are 7.62x51, etc.
Oh, and in 10+ years of owning them, nobody has ever asked to see the engraving. Only the douchenozzles at the range asked to see and make copies for the Form 1/4s - yeah, not gonna happen fellas. EAFD.
I am taking mine today to a local engraving company that has been around for decades and does it while I wait in the same room. Any trophy shop should be able to do it but it must be at least .003 inch deep and 1/16th of an inch lettering. Abbreviated first and middle initials are permitted. From the ATF website:
Section 479.102 How must firearms be identified?
(a) You, as a manufacturer, importer, or maker of a firearm, must legibly identify the firearm as
follows:
(1) By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously
placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the
frame or receiver thereof an individual serial number. The serial number must be
placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed,
and must not duplicate any serial number placed by you on any other firearm. For
firearms manufactured, imported, or made on and after January 30, 2002, the
engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a
minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch; and
(2) By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously
placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed), or placed on the
frame, receiver, or barrel thereof certain additional information. This information
must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered or
removed. For firearms manufactured, imported, or made on and after January 30,
2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of this information must be
to a minimum depth of .003 inch. The additional information includes:
Firearms Verification - Gun Control Act Definitions 7
(i) The model, if such designation has been made;
(ii) The caliber or gauge;
(iii) Your name (or recognized abbreviation) and also, when applicable,
the same of the foreign manufacturer or maker;
(iv) In the case of a domestically made firearm, the city and State (or
recognized abbreviation thereof) where you as the manufacturer
maintain your place of business, or where you, as the maker, made the
firearm; and
(v) In the case of an imported firearm, the name of the country in which
it was manufactured and the city and State (or recognized abbreviation
thereof) where you as the importer maintain your place of business. For
additional requirements relating to imported firearms, see Customs
regulations at 19 CFR part 134.
Jim Willi law firm recommends Gray Laser Engraving in. San Antonio. HTTPS://texasguntrust.com/useful-links/recommended-firearms-engravers.
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Whenever possible, you want to engrave exactly as it appears on the form. If you don’t, there’s always the chance, however small, that an ATF agent might take it and send it back corrected with electropenciling done by a man without thumbs.
The law says the engraving has to be conspicuous. So that’s open to interpretation. People have been engraving in less visible places for a long time and no one has ever said anything about it. This includes manufacturers as well. For example, I have an AK clone that’s engraved under the trigger guard from the factory, and he’s been doing it that way for many, many years.
What most people don’t know is that you can also engrave the barrel. If the entire barrel is covered by handguard, they can’t ding you for that. Kind of like how they can’t ding you for having a redi mag covering your receiver engravings.
Just a quick clarification: only the serial number needs to be 1/16” tall. There is no text height requirement for the Maker’s name/location. I don’t know how much smaller you can go than .0625” and still be legible, but probably enough to make some more spots on the gun available.
I’ve got a Billet style lower. I had it engraved on the “outside” of the trigger guard. Blends right in.
Exactly. SBRs, Suppressors, etc. are all so common, no one here in AZ bats and eye. I just stumbled across my Stamps the other day… hadn’t looked at them in years.
Engraving is more critical for ACTUAL manufacturers… not F1er’s. When we did that kit can, the engraving was “Real” because we made the can and assigned the real serial number, etc.
I have used Ident Twice. I’d use them again.
That’s how I did my last one too.
Can you see it?
This is sage advice.
Nice sub gun.