Posted: 6/11/2026 8:01:21 AM EDT
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I run my family's construction services business and I am now finally in a position with capital to invest into something I actually have a passion for which is starting a 07 FFL gun manufacturing business. The biggest hurdle is the location requirements for which I need to find a properly zoned place of business in order to get the license. Instead of doing that myself I figured that maybe someone out there might have their 07 FFL already setup but maybe doesn't really use it it do much with it... So I am just wondering if maybe someone in here knows of an 07 FFL already in business that may want to partner with me and get started manufacturing the guns that I design. I figured maybe someone out there wants to team up and make an agreement of some kind to start making and selling guns. Worth a shot! Thanks! |
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Have you built a working prototype ? I worked for an 02/07 that designed a couple of guns that are out in the wild. What he discovered is you are better off designing the gun and selling the design to a larger company. If you want to talk I can put you in touch with him. Starting up Bobs guns from scratch and getting to profitable volume is way tougher than most realize. Expect any design you make to be stolen by a larger player. It takes an easy high 5 to well into 6 figures to go to court over IP theft. The Keltec designs stolen by others are a great example. The Ruger LCP is a virtual clone of a Keltec P3at so much so that mags will fit and the top end at least slides on each other gun. We played with 2 of these in the shop. Smith and Wesson sells a Keltec shotgun clone. |
RIP Jeff Reed. Tennessee Squire, Ga. Carry member, NRA,Non-puking 72 ounce drinker 2 of 6 Norcal call sign, Forgotten.
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My $0.02; I live vicariously through a type 10/02 FFL and I have seen a couple of these relationships from the outside. In my observation, they really don’t work out for either party, particularly the guy who brings the money to the table. As far as intellectual property, most new designs aren’t all that new and easily copied if they prove successful. Also, if the business isn’t actually in your name, you are going to have limited legal claim to the designs and any profits regardless of how much you contribute financially or intellectually. I know a lot of guys who got into the firearms business (in one capacity or another) because they were “passionate” about it. Almost every one of them got “out” of the business sooner than later. As one such acquaintance noted: “HOW TO BECOME A MILLIONAIRE SELLING FIREARMS Step #1 - Start with a Billion Dollars” I am NOT trying to discourage you and I wish you best of luck in any such endeavor but perform your due diligence before you commit any money and go into any business venture because it makes good business sense, not because you are passionate about it. That “passion” is how they sell timeshares to people. ETA- If you really believe you have a golden goose of an idea, spend the money and effort required to set yourself up as an FFL manufacturer. It’s a lot of headaches up front but will prove cleaner and more lucrative if things pan out for you. GOOD LUCK |
Life is short. If you are waiting for “someday”, it’s here!
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Partnerships are a bad idea. No matter how well you get along with someone in business, there WILL come a day when you will butt heads on something important in the business. Partnerships almost always end up broken. John Browning made a fortune selling his designs to manufacturers. IIRC, he was never in the business of building his own designs. |
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Originally Posted By Kalashnikov762: Partnerships are a bad idea. No matter how well you get along with someone in business, there WILL come a day when you will butt heads on something important in the business. Partnerships almost always end up broken. John Browning made a fortune selling his designs to manufacturers. IIRC, he was never in the business of building his own designs. If John Browning were to try that today, he would be sent to Federal prison. Another example of how Leftists destroy American innovation. |
Life is short. If you are waiting for “someday”, it’s here!
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Originally Posted By Makarov: If John Browning were to try that today, he would be sent to Federal prison. Another example of how Leftists destroy American innovation. Your telling me that if I design a gun, and patent that design, I can't license manufacturers to produce it? When did this take place? |
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Originally Posted By Kalashnikov762: Your telling me that if I design a gun, and patent that design, I can't license manufacturers to produce it? When did this take place? Originally Posted By Kalashnikov762: Originally Posted By Makarov: If John Browning were to try that today, he would be sent to Federal prison. Another example of how Leftists destroy American innovation. Your telling me that if I design a gun, and patent that design, I can't license manufacturers to produce it? When did this take place? True genius, as JMB was, doesn’t begin with filling out Government paperwork. JMB tinkered and made proof of concept prototypes before seeking patent protections and marketing his creations. It is that exactly that unlicensed tinkering with guns, particularly machinegun designs, that will now garner you a lot of unwanted attention from the ATF who has gone after people for merely publishing their ideas for how to make an NFA item. ETA- My post was meant to convey what the current regulatory environment would do (likely has done) to a modern day JMB. You do whatever you like. |
Life is short. If you are waiting for “someday”, it’s here!
