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Posted: 5/12/2026 4:50:09 PM EDT
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Well, in an attempt to build a custom AR, I ordered a custom engraved 80% lower from Right to Bear. No problem with them - they did exactly what I asked. Problem is with my local gunsmith - they say they can't finish the machining because it has my name and serial number, so they can't put their info on it to make it a legal lower once machined. Did I just make a $100-something mistake, or is there something I can do? Is the 80% lower just a paperweight now since I had it custom engraved? |
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INFO LINK " Required Markings on PMFs The Final Rule amends the regulations to require all FFLs to identify (mark) any PMF they take into their inventory. This requirement will allow licensees to comply with GCA recordkeeping requirements when accepting PMFs and allow ATF to trace those firearms through licensees’ records if involved in a crime. Licensees who take a PMF into inventory are required to mark the PMF with an individual serial number that begins with the FFL’s abbreviated license number, which is the first three and last five digits, as a prefix to a unique identification number, followed by a hyphen, e.g., “12345678- [unique identification number]” in accordance with 478.92. The markings must be completed no later than seven days upon receipt or before the date of disposition, whichever is sooner." |
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Originally Posted By TGWLDR: INFO LINK " Required Markings on PMFs The Final Rule amends the regulations to require all FFLs to identify (mark) any PMF they take into their inventory. This requirement will allow licensees to comply with GCA recordkeeping requirements when accepting PMFs and allow ATF to trace those firearms through licensees' records if involved in a crime. Licensees who take a PMF into inventory are required to mark the PMF with an individual serial number that begins with the FFL's abbreviated license number, which is the first three and last five digits, as a prefix to a unique identification number, followed by a hyphen, e.g., "12345678- [unique identification number]" in accordance with 478.92. The markings must be completed no later than seven days upon receipt or before the date of disposition, whichever is sooner." This wouldn't be a PMF scenario since the OP hasn't made it into a firearm. The lower isn't milled out yet and the FFL would be doing the finishing work to make it into a firearm. They would need a mfg. FFL and would have to mark it with their info obviously, same as if they made the lower from a raw forging, or any other firearm. So yes OP, they would have to engrave their markings. Technically since it's not a firearm yet, your markings are just cosmetic engravings on a paperweight, but I'm guessing they're leery to have two sets of different engravings on the gun that they would be manufacturing. |
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Originally Posted By D_Man: This wouldn't be a PMF scenario since the OP hasn't made it into a firearm. The lower isn't milled out yet and the FFL would be doing the finishing work to make it into a firearm. They would need a mfg. FFL and would have to mark it with their info obviously, same as if they made the lower from a raw forging, or any other firearm. So yes OP, they would have to engrave their markings. Technically since it's not a firearm yet, your markings are just cosmetic engravings on a paperweight, but I'm guessing they're leery to have two sets of different engravings on the gun that they would be manufacturing. With all that in mind if someone drilled a hole in the fire control pocket and it was no longer a blank would it then be a PMF that a gunsmith could finish and use the exception of only prefixing the existing PMF's serial number with the required portion of the FFL mentioned under that method of marking to enter in his book? I can see where an FFL would not fool with an 80%. The marking of an existing PMF serial number is mentioned around 16:40 of the video. But as mentioned it is not a PMF.  FINAL RULE 2021R-05F-Definition of "Frame or Receiver" and Identification of Firearms |
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Yeah, the FFL wouldn't do the machining since I had the custom engraving done. I suppose I should have done a bit more research before ordering the lower. Oh well, live and learn. Maybe this will be a lesson to another newbie to do a bit more research before doing something like this. Thanks to all for your input. |
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Originally Posted By D_Man: This wouldn't be a PMF scenario since the OP hasn't made it into a firearm. The lower isn't milled out yet and the FFL would be doing the finishing work to make it into a firearm. They would need a mfg. FFL and would have to mark it with their info obviously, same as if they made the lower from a raw forging, or any other firearm. So yes OP, they would have to engrave their markings. Technically since it's not a firearm yet, your markings are just cosmetic engravings on a paperweight, but I'm guessing they're leery to have two sets of different engravings on the gun that they would be manufacturing. Originally Posted By D_Man: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: INFO LINK " Required Markings on PMFs The Final Rule amends the regulations to require all FFLs to identify (mark) any PMF they take into their inventory. This requirement will allow licensees to comply with GCA recordkeeping requirements when accepting PMFs and allow ATF to trace those firearms through licensees' records if involved in a crime. Licensees who take a PMF into inventory are required to mark the PMF with an individual serial number that begins with the FFL's abbreviated license number, which is the first three and last five digits, as a prefix to a unique identification number, followed by a hyphen, e.g., "12345678- [unique identification number]" in accordance with 478.92. The markings must be completed no later than seven days upon receipt or before the date of disposition, whichever is sooner." This wouldn't be a PMF scenario since the OP hasn't made it into a firearm. The lower isn't milled out yet and the FFL would be doing the finishing work to make it into a firearm. They would need a mfg. FFL and would have to mark it with their info obviously, same as if they made the lower from a raw forging, or any other firearm. So yes OP, they would have to engrave their markings. Technically since it's not a firearm yet, your markings are just cosmetic engravings on a paperweight, but I'm guessing they're leery to have two sets of different engravings on the gun that they would be manufacturing. So much for reading comprehension on my part. 
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