AK flat serial question

[Zamble]

Anyone know where I can go in Stockton to have a serial, etc. stamped into my flat?

[kcstott]

Go to HArbor freight and buy a cheep set of stamps.
Outside of that find a trophy shop they can do engraving for cheep.

[CSACANNONEER]

If it's still an 80% receiver, send it out. There's a calgunner in Santa Clarita who does good work. But, why bother with a SN at all?

[Richard Erichsen]

Because it's easier to point to your home-grown serial number than explain to the LEO why you don't have one. It's another CYA procedure that some will go the extra mile to do and others will not bother with. If you've never had a problem with LEOs, you're probably in the latter group.

It's also a great opportunity to add custom logos while you're at it for another $50-$75.

R

[CSACANNONEER]

Because it's easier to point to your home-grown serial number than explain to the LEO why you don't have one. It's another CYA procedure that some will go the extra mile to do and others will not bother with. If you've never had a problem with LEOs, you're probably in the latter group.

It's also a great opportunity to add custom logos while you're at it for another $50-$75.

R

But, it's not really a "CYA" thing. When it comes to AKs, most parts kits have numbers all over them. If anyone, including LEOs, doesn't understand the laws enough to understand about homebuilds, they'll probably just think the numbers on the trunion are the SNs. Hell, I've seen gunstores do similar. To me, the only reasons one should put a SN and all the other legal info on a homebuild is to: 1) identify it if it is stolen (but, a discrete maker's mark can do the same thing), 2) get it ready to transfer it to a new owner (AFAIC, putting this info on a homebuild could be seen as intent to manufacture a firearm with the plans of transfering ownership), 3) have the legal info there to temporarily transfer (loan) it to another person. 4) custom logo for cosmetic reasons. However, if one is doing so just because they are scared that someone will think it's illegal to not do it, they probably should think twice about owning such an evil looking gun in the first place.

[SVT-40]

Just for "Yucks" when I build a rifle on a home built receiver I just transfer the existing serial number from the parts kit to the home built receiver. It makes it in my opinion "cleaner" and since all the numbers match each other there is no confusion about any serial number related questions.

Plus there is no down side.

[Zamble]

Having never really seen an AK in person, I would like to serial it, fire, and safe where they would normally be. Anyone got a picture of theirs so I can see where to put them?

Also I got the flat from AK-builder, and it has ink stamped on it. Do you bead blast it before you begin building it or before it is parkerized?

[Gowking]

Blast before you park. You can wipe that ink off with acetone or take it off with some fine sand paper if you need to.

I use a guy in Fresno that charges about $10 per flat (or less for quantity) for the engraving. I have him do the serial, caliber, manufacturer (Me) and place it was made. Pretty much like what NoDak does but better since it's diamond engraved vs the dot matrix look of NDS. Here's the link:

http://www.rwfcompany.com/

-MRA

[CSACANNONEER]

Having never really seen an AK in person, I would like to serial it, fire, and safe where they would normally be. Anyone got a picture of theirs so I can see where to put them?

Also I got the flat from AK-builder, and it has ink stamped on it. Do you bead blast it before you begin building it or before it is parkerized?

If you are going that far, you might as well put all the legal info that the Feds would require to be on it in case you ever need to sell it. There are also legal size and depth requirements. I do like STV-40's idea about using the same number as the kit or, at least, the front trunion. Either that or a simple SN like FUCADOJ001, DIFI47001, BOXER47001, etc.

[Zamble]

That's what my plan is. Put all the info on the receiver.

[Richard Erichsen]

But, it's not really a "CYA" thing. When it comes to AKs, most parts kits have numbers all over them. If anyone, including LEOs, doesn't understand the laws enough to understand about homebuilds, they'll probably just think the numbers on the trunion are the SNs. Hell, I've seen gunstores do similar. To me, the only reasons one should put a SN and all the other legal info on a homebuild is to: 1) identify it if it is stolen (but, a discrete maker's mark can do the same thing), 2) get it ready to transfer it to a new owner (AFAIC, putting this info on a homebuild could be seen as intent to manufacture a firearm with the plans of transfering ownership), 3) have the legal info there to temporarily transfer (loan) it to another person. 4) custom logo for cosmetic reasons. However, if one is doing so just because they are scared that someone will think it's illegal to not do it, they probably should think twice about owning such an evil looking gun in the first place.

Not everyone uses parts kits, myself included and some virgin parts, such as barrel trunnions, may be free of serial numbering.

I don't rely on what LEOs will know. It harms nothing in my opinion to have the serial numbering as a build step (though some may argue the exact opposite, I respectfully disagree). If there is no trouble to be had from the odd/occasional interface with LEOs, so be it. The weapon is now legal for sale at a later date if the builder so wishes. If I recall the requirements are a minimum text size of 1/16" height, the make/model/mfg location/caliber information and of a depth of at least .003". I suggest springing for personalizing graphics while you're at it before the weapon is given a finish and for better management of time. Many engravers will discount if you do several engravings at a time. For anyone disinterested in serial numbering, the whole topic is moot.

R

[valley82]

I just had my flat engraved at a local engraver that does team/award trophies.
Mfg. Name (me)
City
Caliber
Serial #

Put it on the bottom front, in front of the mag hole.
Came out great and he charged me $10.00

[arsilva32]

i vote for the: FUCADOJ001 CANNONEER suggested . love it

[wash]

Not everyone uses parts kits, myself included and some virgin parts, such as barrel trunnions, may be free of serial numbering.

I don't rely on what LEOs will know. It harms nothing in my opinion to have the serial numbering as a build step (though some may argue the exact opposite, I respectfully disagree). If there is no trouble to be had from the odd/occasional interface with LEOs, so be it. The weapon is now legal for sale at a later date if the builder so wishes. If I recall the requirements are a minimum text size of 1/16" height, the make/model/mfg location/caliber information and of a depth of at least .003". I suggest springing for personalizing graphics while you're at it before the weapon is given a finish and for better management of time. Many engravers will discount if you do several engravings at a time. For anyone disinterested in serial numbering, the whole topic is moot.

R

If you put serial numbers on your gun, you might obliterate them which is illegal. If they were never there, there is nothing to obliterate and no possibility of being convicted of that crime.

There is no law stating that home built guns must have serial numbers so you will never get a conviction there.

There is less real legal risk without serial numbers.

There might be less risk of false arrest with serial numbers but that is a big "might".

I've never had anyone check my serial numbers so I'm not worried.