Trigger Guard Engraving?

BossmanPJ · Aug 4, 2015

I recently turned in my first form 1 and had my lower engraved in the traditional spot on the side of the receiver. I have recently discovered that some have been engraving the trigger guards on thier SBR rifles. How is this legal to do with a removable part? Or is it not?

Just wondering what thoughts others here had.

TyFromMD · Aug 4, 2015

Many billet lowers have a nonremovable trigger guard. I've had two forged lowers engraved under the trigger guard. I can't imagine a non permanent part engraving being legal.

BossmanPJ · Aug 4, 2015

True. Didn't think of billet or say a smith m&p lower. But other then a lower that has one milled into it.... Is it legal?

TyFromMD · Aug 4, 2015

The name of the maker has to be engraved into the frame of the firearm so that depends on whether the removable trigger guard is considered part of the frame.

TyFromMD · Aug 4, 2015

If it was my jail sentence, I wouldn't risk it.

rsideout · Aug 4, 2015

I've had a half dozen Form 1 SBR's engraved inside of the trigger area on the receiver. Neat, clean, and not very noticeable.

Flipz · Aug 4, 2015

rsideout said:
I've had a half dozen Form 1 SBR's engraved inside of the trigger area on the receiver. Neat, clean, and not very noticeable.

Same here.

MACTHEGUN · Aug 5, 2015

I've seen one engraved on the grip "stub" located underneath the grip that wouldn't show when the gun was assembled.

Is this acceptable?

BossmanPJ · Aug 5, 2015

Is there any clear literature from the ATF that specifies where a firearm must be engraved? I know there are depth requirements but is it actually spelled out anywhere?

TyFromMD · Aug 5, 2015

BossmanPJ said:
Is there any clear literature from the ATF that specifies where a firearm must be engraved? I know there are depth requirements but is it actually spelled out anywhere?

From Chapter 6 of the NFA Handbook:

"The serial number must be engraved or stamped on the receiver of the firearm and the caliber, model,
and identification of the maker must be engraved on the barrel or frame or receiver of the weapon.96 The
marking and identification requirements for a maker are the same as for a manufacturer. Refer to
section 7.4 for a detailed discussion of the requirements."

And from Chapter 7"

Section 7.4 The identification of firearms.
7.4.1 Serial numbers. Each manufacturer of a firearm must legibly identify it by engraving, stamping
(impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing on the firearm’s frame or receiver an individual serial
number not duplicating any serial number placed by the manufacturer on any other firearm.120 The
requirement that the marking be “conspicuously” placed on the firearm means that the marking must be
wholly unobstructed from plain view. For firearms manufactured on or after January 30, 2002, the serial
number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch.

7.4.2 Additional information. Certain additional information must also be conspicuously placed on
the frame, receiver, or barrel of the firearm by engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), that is, they
must be placed in such a manner that they are wholly unobstructed from plain view. For firearms
manufactured on or after January 30, 2002, this information must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch.
The additional information includes:
(1) The model, if such designation has been made;
(2) The caliber or gauge;
(3) The manufacturer’s name (or recognized abbreviation); and
(4) The city and State (or recognized abbreviation) where the manufacturer maintains its place
of business.122

Under the pistol grip DOES NOT COMPLY according to this. Under the trigger guard should work though. I would also say that engraving the barrel with the maker name of the firearm wouldn't work with an AR if you're putting a handguard over it.

TyFromMD · Aug 5, 2015

The NFA Handbook can be downloaded here:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-firearms-act-handbook

Gryphon · Aug 5, 2015

Thanks Ty - getting ready to do my first Form 1 SBR

MACTHEGUN · Aug 5, 2015

That's pretty much what I had thought.

Thanks for the reply!

BossmanPJ · Aug 5, 2015

So underneath that trigger guard... Where the firearm has to be flipped over and studied to find the engraving is considered " wholly unobstructed from plain view"?

TyFromMD · Aug 5, 2015

I think so. Id say its just as unobstructed from plain view as my trust name and city, state engraved on the right side of my receiver when fired by a lefr hander. And my guess is that it wouldn't be considered an issue by the ATF unless someone wrote them and asked.

BossmanPJ · Aug 5, 2015

TyFromMD said:
I think so. Id say its just as unobstructed from plain view as my trust name and city, state engraved on the right side of my receiver when fired by a lefr hander. And my guess is that it wouldn't be considered an issue by the ATF unless someone wrote them and asked.

That's a good way to look at it. I am new to this but the first SBR will surely not be the last.

rico903 · Aug 6, 2015

TyFromMD said:
I think so. Id say its just as unobstructed from plain view as my trust name and city, state engraved on the right side of my receiver when fired by a lefr hander. And my guess is that it wouldn't be considered an issue by the ATF unless someone wrote them and asked.

Is it legal to have a multi caliber SBR? Getting ready to build one and thought it would be nice to have 9MM and 300AAC as well as 5.56 options.

ironpony · Aug 6, 2015

Please, no one ask for an opinion letter!

rouchna · Aug 6, 2015

rico903 said:
Is it legal to have a multi caliber SBR? Getting ready to build one and thought it would be nice to have 9MM and 300AAC as well as 5.56 options.

When filling out your Form 1, you must pick a caliber. Although they list "Multi" in the drop down, you cannot choose that option. You must pick a specific caliber. Having said that, you can then put whatever caliber upper you choose as long as it is not a permanent modification. Hope that makes sense.

TyFromMD · Aug 6, 2015

ironpony said:
Please, no one ask for an opinion letter!

This times a billion.

Trigger Guard Engraving?

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