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2/12/2026 12:05:06 PM EDT
I jst recened my apporved form 1 for an an HK M27 Clone.

The reg says you can mark the barrel which is where I plan to have both of my Shockwaves engraved.

If I get the barrel of my M27 engraved can it be obscured by the Handguard?
2/12/2026 12:15:31 PM EDT
[Last Edit: willi3d][Edited] [#1]
You can’t do the maker marking on the barrel anymore.  That rule was changed a couple of years ago.  Has to be on the receiver (or frame for a pistol).  A lot of guides and “manuals” still have outdated info saying it’s OK.

My MR556 is engraved on the inside of the magwell flare.
2/12/2026 12:24:40 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Originally Posted By willi3d:
You can't do the maker marking on the barrel anymore.  That rule was changed a couple of years ago.  Has to be on the receiver (or frame for a pistol).  A lot of guides and "manuals" still have outdated info saying it's OK.

My MR556 is engraved on the inside of the magwell flare.
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I think I have one shotgun marked on the barrel.  I would be very interested to see documentation on exactly when that rule changed.
Preferred pronoun: MARINE
2/12/2026 12:34:23 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Originally Posted By wildearp:
I think I have one shotgun marked on the barrel.  I would be very interested to see documentation on exactly when that rule changed.
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Quote History
Originally Posted By wildearp:
I think I have one shotgun marked on the barrel.  I would be very interested to see documentation on exactly when that rule changed.
If you did it before the rule change then it was a valid placement at the time and you're fine.  The wording in the law for engraving changed in mid/late 2022 as a part of that "Safer Communities Act".

This is how the law reads now:

27 CFR   479.102

(a) Identification required. Except as otherwise provided in this section, you, as a manufacturer, importer, or maker of a firearm, must legibly identify the firearm as follows:

(1) Serial number, name, place of business. By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or otherwise placed on the frame or receiver thereof, an individual serial number, in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed. The serial number must not duplicate any serial number placed by you on any other firearm. The frame or receiver must also be marked with either: Your name (or recognized abbreviation), and city and State (or recognized abbreviation) where you as a manufacturer or importer maintain your place of business, or in the case of a maker, where you made the firearm; or if a manufacturer or importer, your name (or recognized abbreviation) and the serial number that begins with your abbreviated Federal firearms 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]"; and

(2) Model, caliber or gauge, foreign manufacturer, country of manufacture. By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame or receiver, or barrel or pistol slide (if applicable) thereof certain additional information. This information must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed. The additional information shall include:

(i) The model, if such designation has been made;

(ii) The caliber or gauge;

(iii) When applicable, the name of the foreign manufacturer or maker; and

(iv) In the case of an imported firearm, the name of the country in which it was manufactured. For additional requirements relating to imported firearms, see Customs regulations at 19 CFR part 134.


2/12/2026 1:55:36 PM EDT
[#4]
The sad thing is that the ATF still has the PDF version of the NFA Handbook available for download on their web site and it has not been updated in over 3 years.
2/12/2026 1:59:22 PM EDT
[#5]
The rule change became effective on August 24, 2022.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/26/2022-08026/definition-of-frame-or-receiver-and-identification-of-firearms

2/12/2026 2:00:37 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Originally Posted By VaFish:
The sad thing is that the ATF still has the PDF version of the NFA Handbook available for download on their web site and it has not been updated in over 3 years.
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One of the oldest jokes in the NFA world, it's filled with wrong and outdated info.

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