Making your own firearm at home is a tradition that predates the birth of our nation. It continues to be a fun and rewarding effort regardless if you are creating a vintage muzzleloader or a modern sporting rifle. You can start with basic raw materials or purchase partially manufactured (80%) kits and parts.
- Do I have to serialize my 80% build firearm?
- What are the standards for marking a firearm?
- What options do I have with what I engrave on my receiver?
- What do you use to engrave firearms with?
Do I have to serialize my 80% build firearm?
Making your own firearm at home is a tradition in this country which pre-dates the birth of our nation. It continues to be a fun and rewarding effort regardless of if you creating a vintage muzzleloader or a modern sporting rifle.
Do you have to serialize it? Yes & no. This is an evolving legal topic at the federal level. Individual states such as California (see CFARS) DO require serialization of home built firearms.
You can still buy 80% completed lowers, but this also depends on the state you live in.
(More to come)
What are the standards for marking a firearm?
You can see the full requirements on the ATF website here, but these are the core components:
Manufacturer (Your Name)
City & State of Manufacture
Model (Optional but recommended)
Caliber or Gauge
Serial Number
- Must be conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped (impressed) on the firearm frame or receiver.
- The serial number cannot duplicate the serial number appearing on any other firearm from this manufacturer / model combination.
- 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.
Note: We make no claims of being legal experts and are not providing any legal advice. If you have legal questions, please contact a competent firearms attorney
What options do I have with what I engrave on my receiver?
This is the fun part. As long as you provide all the information required (see above) you can name your firearm “George” if you want. We very much encourage you to be creative and personalize your receiver. You can see some examples here.
What do you use to engrave firearms?
We use a Vision 1624 Router/Engraver. It is a highly accurate and precise machine with a wide range of options for marking.
Discuss your needs with us and we can recommend different depths and styles depending on if you are going to refinish your firearm after engraving or not.
Links
ATF FAQ can be found here.
TITLE 27—ALCOHOL, TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND FIREARMS—CHAPTER I—BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, ATF Subpart C—FIREARMS