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Posted: 11/16/2009 2:17:03 PM EDT
| I have obtained all the necessary parts to put together my first AR. My rifle will be a pretty basic flat top, 16" heavy barrel, collapsable stock, A3 style handguards, iron sights. I noticed today that the Lower Receiver that I purchased doesn't have a caliber stamped anywhere on it. the upper that I purchased doesn't either. I seem to recall someone telling me that the law requires the caliber to be stamped somewhere on the rifle. Is this the case? If so, any suggestions on how to solve this dilemma? |
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Welcome to the forums!
What you read was misleading. The manufacturer has to have something about caliber marked on the firearm-the lower in this case. If the manufacturer made your lower without a specific caliber marked on it (maybe it's marked "MULTI" or something like that), you can assume that it is kosher-and refer any questions to the manufacturer. Once the lower is manufactured and sold to you, what caliber you configure the finished gun in is up to you. You could build a rifle in .50 Beowulf on a lower marked .223; no problems with that at all. |
| What lower reciever is it? I have seen a few that didn't...they are usually sold as a stripped lower.I don't believe it's a problem but just check your local laws.You might try going in the "hometown" section under your state and post this question.Someone will chime in... |
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When licensed manufacturers make a firearm (or you make an NFA item on a Form 1) it must be marked with the name of the maker, the maker's city and state, and the caliber as well as serial number. These must appear on the barrel or frame/ receiver (except that the sn must be on the frame/receiver, unless a variance is obtained). Many stripped frames and receivers (not just to ARs, but other guns too) are sold without caliber markings on the frame or receiver because they really don't have a caliber yet.
While it is generally a good gunsmithing practice to make sure that the caliber appears somewhere on the firearm (I would def. want the barrel to be marked on a modular firearm, like an AR) there really isn't any federal legal obligation for you to place the marking unless you are a FFL. |
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Quoted:
When licensed manufacturers make a firearm (or you make an NFA item on a Form 1) it must be marked with the name of the maker, the maker's city and state, and the caliber as well as serial number. These must appear on the barrel or frame/ receiver (except that the sn must be on the frame/receiver, unless a variance is obtained). Many stripped frames and receivers (not just to ARs, but other guns too) are sold without caliber markings on the frame or receiver because they really don't have a caliber yet. While it is generally a good gunsmithing practice to make sure that the caliber appears somewhere on the firearm (I would def. want the barrel to be marked on a modular firearm, like an AR) there really isn't any federal legal obligation for you to place the marking unless you are a FFL. Your answer sounds great. What happens if I decide to sell this gun 5 years down the road. I ship from my FFL to your FFL. Will not having the caliber marked keep me from legally selling it at a later time? Also if my barrel is marked 5.56 does this meet the requirement? NOTE––this was meant as a follow up question based upon this answer––I have no idea besides a SBR build so thats why I'm asking these follow up questions. |
| I appreciate the responses gentlemen. The stripped lower is from a company called Delaware Machinery in Muncie, IN. I handled a large number of lowers at a large local show and despite the relatively low price ($100), the machining and finish were well above most and equal to or better in some cases the known "best" manufacturer's receivers. Although I no longer work as a machinest, I did for some time and I can tell you that these people know what they are doing. I was so impressed with the workmanship and the attitude of the representative that I failed to notice the lack of a caliber marking on the receiver. |
| similar except mine has an emblem "DM" stamped on the left side of the mag well and what I consider to be a pretty darn low serial number in the 300's (which may account for the extremely low machining tolerances). I appreciate the fine details like the plastic case which was a fantastic place to store the springs and pins while I assembled it, kept them from rolling around or off my bench. |
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