Introduction to NFA Parts Engraving

The National Firearms Act (NFA) is a piece of legislation passed in 1934 that regulates the possession and transfer of certain firearms in the United States. Two categories of NFA firearms that require special markings are silencers and short-barreled rifles (SBRs).

A silencer or suppressor is a firearm accessory that reduces the sound and muzzle flash from firing a gun. They attach to the end of a gun's barrel and contain expansion chambers that allow propellant gases to dissipate, decreasing noise. Silencers are tightly regulated under the NFA.

Short-barreled rifles or SBRs are rifles with a barrel length under 16 inches or an overall length under 26 inches. SBRs provide a more compact size while maintaining rifle firepower. Like silencers, they are strictly regulated and require registration under the NFA.

Both silencers and SBRs require a $200 tax stamp from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as well as registration in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record before they can be legally possessed. The NFA was passed to curb ownership of concealable weapons used in crime, like sawed-off shotguns. However, silencers and SBRs have become popular for recreational and tactical use when properly registered.

The purchase, tax stamp, and transfer process of NFA firearms or parts such as a silencers or short barrel rifles can take anywhere from a couple weeks to well past a year.  During that period, the custody of the NFA component remains locked up with the manufacturer or dealer.  Upon ATF approval and awarding of the NFA tax stamp, custody of the NFA item is released to the receiving party completing the transfer.  At this time, the new owner is required to engrave the NFA item with their name, city, and state, as it appears on the NFA tax stamp.  Proper engraving provides proof of legal ownership and ensures tracking ability for law enforcement. Additionally, engraved markings serve to protect owners from illegal possession charges and give legitimacy to the manufacturing process. Understanding engraving requirements and best practices is essential for any individual or business dealing with NFA firearms.

ATF Marking Requirements

Engraving certain firearms is mandated by federal law under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The purpose is to facilitate the identification of NFA firearms and deter illegal transfers.

The following NFA firearms must be properly engraved:

• Short-barreled rifles
• Short-barreled shotguns
• Suppressors
• Machine guns
• Any other destructive devices

All licensed manufacturers of NFA firearms must legibly identify each firearm with certain required information. This includes serial numbers and the manufacturer's name, city, and state. The engraving must be at least .003 inches deep.

Some specific parts of NFA firearms also require engraving:

• The receiver or frame of all NFA firearms
• The main body of silencers
• In the case of imported NFA firearms, additional markings may be required

Failure to properly engrave NFA firearms can lead to legal troubles.

It is critical for any individual or company manufacturing NFA firearms to fully comply with all engraving requirements under federal law. Proper engraving deters illegal transfers and protects manufacturers from severe penalties. 

Engraving Standards

The engraving on NFA firearms must meet certain standards according to ATF regulations. Here are the key requirements:

• Font - The font must be BLOCK letters. Stylized fonts and scripts are not allowed. The letters must be simple block style similar to Arial or Times New Roman.
• Size - The minimum height of the engraving must be at least 1/16 inch. The depth of the engraving must be at least .003 inch.
• Location - For handguns, the engraving must go on the frame of the gun. This is the part that is legally considered the firearm. For rifles and shotguns, the engraving must go on the receiver or barrel. The engraving can go on any visible external part as long as it passes the size requirements.
• Abbreviations - The engraving must contain the full serial number. Abbreviations of the manufacturer or importer are allowed, such as:
• MFG - Manufacturer
• IMP - Importer
• CAL - Caliber

The engraving must also include the city and state. Two letter state abbreviations are allowed, such as TX for Texas.

The key is that the information is clear and legible. As long as the engraving meets the font, size, and depth requirements, the ATF reviewer should approve it. Proper preparation of the parts and neat engraving is important for acceptance.

Engraving Methods

When it comes to engraving NFA firearms, you have several options for the actual engraving process. Some of the most common methods include laser engraving, rotary tool engraving, stamping, and hand engraving. Here's an overview of each approach:

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving involves using a laser machine to etch or engrave markings directly onto metal surfaces. A laser uses a high-power beam to melt away material in precise patterns. Laser engraving is highly accurate and can create clean, crisp lines for engraving. Fiber lasers are the most practical and popular for engraving firearms parts. They are very powerful, with wattages the most common wattages ranging from 30 up to 80 watts.

Fiber lasers excel at marking metals, even those that are difficult to engrave like stainless steel and titanium.

Some pros of laser engraving are:

• Extremely accurate and controllable
• Fast engraving process
• Clean and precise lines
• Minimal setup time

Some cons are:

• Requires investment in laser machine
• Can damage surface if settings aren't calibrated properly

Overall, laser marking provides a superior solution over traditional engraving when it comes to cleanly and durably applying markings to NFA firearms. The process is faster, more consistent, and creates less potential for human error. As laser becomes the new standard, manual engraving will likely fade into obsolescence for NFA marking applications.

Rotary Tool Engraving

Rotary Tool engraving uses a rotary tool like a Dremel with a mounted engraving bit. The high speed of the rotary tool spins the engraving bit to grind away material. This can be done freehand or with a template or fixture for accuracy.  This is also often referred to as an electro pencil.

Pros of rotary tool engraving:

• Very affordable option
• Widely accessible tools
• Ability to engrave freehand or with templates
• Variety of bit sizes and shapes

Cons:

• Requires a steady hand and practice
• More challenging depth and size control
• Slower process than laser
• Can damage surface if too much pressure applied

Stamping

Stamping uses steel letter and number stamping sets to imprint markings by hammering the stamps into the metal. The stamps bite into the metal with each hammer strike.

Pros:

• Inexpensive stamp sets readily available
• Simple manual technique
• Easy to touch up imperfections

Cons:

• More challenging depth and size control
• Hammers can damage surface if not careful
• Requires some practice to get straight alignment

Hand Engraving

Hand engraving is the traditional method of using engraving tools like burins pushed by hand to cut grooves into metal. It takes great skill but allows for artistic flourishes.

Pros:

• Ability to create artistic, custom scrollwork
• Highest precision control

Cons:

• Very steep learning curve
• Extremely time consuming
• Costly for professional hand engraving

When selecting an engraving method, consider the tradeoffs between cost, time, artistic liberties, and learning curve. With practice, all of these methods can produce compliant and attractive NFA engravings.

Practice and Prep

Before you engrave an NFA firearm, it's important to practice your technique and properly prepare. This will help ensure you meet all legal requirements and produce a clean, professional engraving job. Some tips:

• Get engraving material to practice on - Don't try practicing directly on a real firearm or part right away! Engravers commonly practice on plastic dummy receivers, metal plates, or sections of scrap firearm parts and receivers. This lets you get used to handling the engraver without risking mistakes on a real serialized firearm.
• Make or buy jigs - Jigs are devices that hold your firearm securely in place while engraving. They allow consistent positioning and prevent slippage. You can make simple jigs yourself or buy commercial options. Proper jigs are crucial for clean straight engraving on rounded firearm surfaces.
• Take precautions to avoid mistakes - Accidentally engraving the wrong information or making messy markings on a serialized firearm is a major problem. Go slowly, triple check your work, and stop if you feel tired. Mistakes could mean starting over or ruining the firearm. Stay focused and don't rush.
• Practice your lettering - Get very familiar with producing neat, legible lettering and lining words up straight. Engraving fonts take practice. Work on consistent spacing, sizing, and letter formation. You don't want the engraved serial number or markings to look sloppy or amateurish.
• Try different bits and settings - Experiment to see which engraver bits, tip sizes, and machine settings produce the best results in the metal you'll be engraving. The optimal bit and technique can vary across firearms with different metal finishes. Practice lets you dial in the equipment.

With proper diligent practice and preparation, you can gain confidence and skill before attempting to engrave a real NFA firearm. This helps ensure engraving success on your first try and satisfied firearm owners. Don't cut corners on practice when engraving legally required markings.

Business Considerations

Starting an NFA parts engraving business involves understanding the costs, timelines, and licensing requirements. If you're a gunsmith looking to add laser engraving to your business, or already an engraver in a good market for NFA items, offering NFA engraving could be a great addition. Here are some key factors to consider:

Costs

• Engraving equipment - Need quality engraving tools like rotary engraving machines, laser engravers, etc. These can cost $500 to over $5000.
• Shop space - Need adequate workspace for equipment, storage, etc. Either rent commercial space or set up a home workshop.
• Materials - Ongoing costs for metals, chemicals, etc needed for engraving and finishing work. Lower receivers can cost $50-100 each.
• Insurance - Important to have appropriate business insurance coverage. Product liability insurance is essential.
• Licensing - Initial and recurring costs for federal licensing through ATF. Also any state/local business licenses.

Timelines

• Equipment acquisition - 1-3 months to research, purchase, and set up engraving equipment.
• ATF licensing - 60+ days just for the ATF application processing, plus time to prepare application materials.
• Skill development - Several months to a year to develop expertise with equipment and engraving methods. Takes consistent practice.
• Workflow refinement - Expect it to take some months to streamline the engraving process and achieve faster turnover times.

Licenses

• Federal Firearms License (FFL) - Required for any business performing NFA engraving services. Needs a Type 07 manufacturing FFL.
• ATF Permit - Type 02 SOT from the ATF for production, testing, evaluation, etc. of NFA parts for engraving for customers.
• Business licenses - Check state/local requirements for business licensing, sales permits, zoning, etc.

Proper planning in these areas is crucial for successfully starting or adding NFA parts engraving to your business. The initial ramp-up could take 6-12 months but the rewards can be great. The standard rates for NFA Laser engraving are $50-$125 depending on the engraver and the complexity of the project.  When comparing such rates to the setup and machine time to complete NFA engravings being just a couple minutes with laser engraving its reasonable to conclude that NFA engraving services can be a great additional income for your gunsmithing and engraving business.

Conclusion

Getting started with engraving NFA firearms can seem daunting, but breaking the process down into manageable steps makes it much more approachable. As a beginner, the most important things to focus on are understanding the legal requirements, learning engraving best practices, and practicing your skills.

Start by carefully reviewing the ATF's laws and regulations so you understand exactly what information needs to be included and the proper formatting and depths for engraving. Setting up your workspace with the right equipment, and learning the different engraving techniques hands-on, will set you up for success. Work on simple practice pieces first before moving up to lower receivers and silencers.

Always triple check your work, before considering applying your engravings to real NFA firearms. Rushing through the process or making a mistake could lead to legal issues. Patience and mastery of the fundamentals are key.

The learning curve may seem steep in the beginning, but with determination and focus on quality and consistency, engraving NFA firearms can be a great additional service to offer for a firearms shop, gunsmith, or engraving business.