What does a guns serial number tell you?

[Adrian.1994]

Been looking on google and couldn't find the answer and forgot, we have a section where we can ask a Leo anything.
My question is, when a Leo searches the serial number, does it tell him if the gun is registered as a pistol or rifle? If not is it possible an officer can find out it is a rifle and not a pistol lower.
Thanks

[M1NM]

On a Federal level: A serial number on it's own tells you nothing. First you need to identify the manufacturer. Next the Model and finally the Serial Number. The manufacturer has their records by model an serial number. There are many duplicates. My Colt Troopers number was used on two other models of Colt handguns so just checking the number will come up with 3 different guns. That makes a problem for the owners of the other 2 pistols if one of the 3 is stolen and not reported correctly with the model name rather than just Colt #XXXXX.

On a state level: I imagine he has access to the CA DOJ records and if the gun is registered there it would list it as a long gun or pistol.

[CBR_rider]

Been looking on google and couldn't find the answer and forgot, we have a section where we can ask a Leo anything.
My question is, when a Leo searches the serial number, does it tell him if the gun is registered as a pistol or rifle? If not, is it possible an officer can find out without any crime being done, just his assumption it is a rifle and not a pistol lower.
Thanks

Yes; should come back as a pistol or a rifle. But as already noted; more is needed than just a serial number to obtain the most accurate information because those numbers can be used not only by a single manufacturer but by several.

[E_Shaw90]

A query in AFS tells the officer what make, caliber, barrel length, date of transfer, who transfered the weapon and weapon ownership information. AFS information is input by Cal DOJ upon a successful DROS.

http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-26615.html

[Adrian.1994]

A query in AFS tells the officer what make, caliber, barrel length, date of transfer, who transfered the weapon and weapon ownership information. AFS information is input by Cal DOJ upon a successful DROS.

http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-co...ect-26615.html

What if you bought it as stripped lower?

[micro911]

Many long guns pre-2014 do not have a record. Handguns will have a DROS record. Assault weapon voluntary registration also show in AFS. Any long gun volunteer registration also shows.

It usually shows purchaser's information and date of transaction.

[Slack Jaw]

Yep all acurate info ^

[wpod]

In the early/mid 1990's my mother (rip) and wife went to a CA gun shop and my wife bought a 92fs, my mother paid for it. My wife filled out all the paperwork.
My wife carried it as a LEO.
May 2016 wife listed the 92fs on her CCW application.
Wifr got a call saying the gun is not registered to her. According to CA DOJ it's not registered to anyone.
Wife sent in the OPLAW form. We'll see if that works.

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