C&R and gunsmithing

[ironpete]

Just got my FFL03 and my COE.

I wanted to test different gunsmithing techniques but didn't want to practice on anything "expensive".

1) Can I extensively (within standard legal limits of course) modify my C&R purchases.
2) If in the course of modification I destroy the receiver or render it inoperable, how do get it taken off the books.
3) Is there a legal way to "prove" it was destroyed...receipt from my local PD or something?
4) Would a large number of "destroyed" firearms raise eyebrows?

Thanks in advance,

[762cavalier]

1) You may do whatever you want to a c&r you acquire. however modifying it takes it out of C&R status so you can't sell it without using an 01 FFL
2)If you destroy the receiver in the process of tinkering you log it out of your bound book as destroyed. best bet would be to saw receiver in half and you may want to keep the halves as proof.
3)See #2
4)No one will know how many firearms are destroyed unless you get audited.(doesn't happen all that often) It might raise eyebrows but if you have the destroyed receiver then that is proof.

Last Please Please be careful about what you practice on. Destroying a 75 dollar Mosin is bad enough but carving up something truly collectible is sacrilege

[Franksremote]

What are you practicing as far as 'smithing? It gets pretty expensive to continue to destroy guns/parts vs signing up for a week long class at Susanville or equivalent. Just my 2 cents

[Utha Schleigle]

Just got my FFL03 and my COE.

I wanted to test different gunsmithing techniques but didn't want to practice on anything "expensive".

1) Can I extensively (within standard legal limits of course) modify my C&R purchases.
2) If in the course of modification I destroy the receiver or render it inoperable, how do get it taken off the books.
3) Is there a legal way to "prove" it was destroyed...receipt from my local PD or something?
4) Would a large number of "destroyed" firearms raise eyebrows?

Thanks in advance,

1.& 2. If the gun goes to you and you logg it on your books - you would follow the procedures set by the BATF for you. If you are changing something to override some rule - every time your doorbells rings answer it with a toothbrush in your shirt pocket.

3. Not sure - keep both chunks (as said before) and research how and what constitutes a complete DEMIILLed reciever. Don't go to local PD - you will marked as a gun freak and life will become hell.

4. YES. Any gun or gun modified parts that end up some where they are not supposed to - you will be thrown in a cell and left to rott. Any end up with the emenies of the US I hope they water board you.

Question 5 (the question you did not ask) I think experimenting is great. You will probably buy one or two receivers and a lot of surrounding parts - if it is the other way around well??????? Your gunsmithing pursuits should not be diswaded though. Practice on scrap steel. Depending what gunsmithing your are practicing - you should read all you can find first then modify or redo or ??????

[ironpete]

Thank you for your replies

A) I promise that I'll never modify a true c&r piece
B) I'm enrolled in classes but eager to tinker. Checkering, carry melting, finishes, accuracy work, stockmaking, etc. You can't make an omlette without breaking eggs but usually eggs don't cost $500 a piece.
C) Price perspective...Even with my c&r discount a checkering jig is ~$175, for that much I could get a couple of common pistols and test on those.

With my C&R a whole new world of tinkering and spending have opened to me (much to my wife's chagrin). I've got projects popping into my head when I'm asleep...

Pistol grip Garand (replica)...carry melted Beretta or CZ...matched set of engraved CZs...

Any advice? Better yet, any examples of what I've been dreaming about?