Homebuilt markings.

[ElectronWrangler]

When marking a homebuilt firearm can you use just your initials, or do you need to use your full name. I understand that you do not need to mark homebuilt firearms, but if you decide to mark them it is my understanding that you must mark them according to the alphabet boys guidelines.
Thank you.

[KALIDAWG8996]

Check out the sticky put up by Hoffmang.... I suggest you also check out VaderSpade's etching threads as well.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=86627

[Paper Boy]

I don’t believe you have to mark them according to the ATF guidelines. I know some people do, and some people just have fun with the makings and make them whatever they want. I am sure someone with more info will chime in but as far as I know not a requirement.

EDIT ^^ was a little late

[G1500]

I believe the markings have to comply only if you ever sell the firearm. You cannot build your own firearm with the intention to sell it.

I plan on getting my paperweight engraved with a serial number, just so I can identify it if need be.

[Reductio]

Markings are not mandatory. Most people do it to personalize them, but I don't because:

A) If you DO mark them, they have to be up to ATF standards for size / depth. You can't get in trouble regarding markings on a blank lower, but you can on one you screw up.

B) In the unfortunate incident of a LEO encounter, they won't have any # to record.

[Paper Boy]

A) If you DO mark them, they have to be up to ATF standards for size / depth. You can't get in trouble regarding markings on a blank lower, but you can on one you screw up.

The way I am reading the letter the marking have to be to standard ONLY if your selling it.

[G1500]

The way I am reading the letter the marking have to be to standard ONLY if your selling it.

That's how I see it. If it is yours and you do not plan on selling it, you can do just about whatever you want to it, but if you intend to sell it, you must mark it properly.

[goober]

A) If you DO mark them, they have to be up to ATF standards for size / depth. You can't get in trouble regarding markings on a blank lower, but you can on one you screw up.

huh? got a cite?

[Fern]

Does the same go for an ak pistol? I know long guns don't have to be reg.

[nicoroshi]

No law says you need to register a home built pistol either. I believe you should mark the flat as 'pistol' before bending though, and before accepting any <16" barrels.
(turning a rifle into a pistol is also a big No-No , and creating an SBR in CA is likewise A No-No).
As stated you cannot make a firearm with the intent to sell it, and certain markings are required (depth, minimum height of lettering, name of manufacturer, city, and state, unique serial number, and caliber) for a firearm to be sold.

So......It is possible to sell a home built firearm if it is marked correctly but you could not have produced it with the intent to sell it originally.

Personally I do not intend to sell any of mine but mark my pressed flat builds per required guidelines to avoid any confusion with LEO if that should occur.
My reasoning for doing this:
A non-informed LEO may think that a receiver without any markings had them removed (a felony). If they have markings but are home built there will be no record of them at all when/ if they run them. They certainly won't turn up as 'stolen' in their computer, and they cannot guess that markings have been removed if they are present on the firearm.

[ElectronWrangler]

Quoting Nicorishi.
"Personally I do not intend to sell any of mine but mark my pressed flat builds per required guidelines to avoid any confusion with LEO if that should occur.
My reasoning for doing this:
A non-informed LEO may think that a receiver without any markings had them removed (a felony). If they have markings but are home built there will be no record of them at all when/ if they run them. They certainly won't turn up as 'stolen' in their computer, and they cannot guess that markings have been removed if they are present on the firearm."




This is my intention, hate to have some uninformed LEO decide I scrubbed the serial off of my "Illegal Unregistered AW". Also trying to Initiate my Dad into the wonderful world of EBR's and he won't budge unless it's either a NoDak Spud or a "properly marked flat". Once I get this figured out then I'll have to figure out how to get my Mom to forgive me for exposing my dad to BRD.

[Fern]

So "Pistol" and "7.62x39" should suffice for a AK Pistol build? I hope so, cause thats all I was planning on doing (after reading this thread that is).

[Fern]

huh? got a cite?

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/guides/importation-verification/firearms-verification-overview.html

[nicoroshi]

So "Pistol" and "7.62x39" should suffice for a AK Pistol build? I hope so, cause thats all I was planning on doing (after reading this thread that is).

If going that far may as well add in city,state of manufacture, and a unique serial number
Mine is marked:

Nico Armory
(my city),CA
SN (4 digit number) Pistol
FUCADOJ
7.62x39

Not acceptable for future sale since it does not contain my name but sufficient enough to avoid confusion with LEO.

Personally would love to see them try to ban that by make, and model designation

[goober]

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/guides/i...-overview.html

i wasn't asking for a citation of the requirements for legal markings per ATF regs. those are known and published.
what i was requesting is some corroboration for the claim that if you choose to mark (which is not required to begin with), and you do it in a way that does not satisfy the requirements, you can get in trouble.
because that is FUD.