View Full Version : Engraving SBR...
I just got off the phone with Farmer's Engraving and they are not engraving lower receivers any more. The gentleman on the phone cited an ATF rule that considers "engraving" as modifying the firearm and therefore requires them to have an FFL.
Anyone know of an engraver in the Denver area that CAN engrave and SBR? I know that T & T in the Springs does, but would prefer not to have to drive down. I don't believe that laser engraving will meet the ATF's requirements for engraving the pertinent info....or will it?
Thanks in advance!
wow WTF! I was going to have them do an engraving too.
I haven't used these guys, but have seen them referenced in other posts: http://www.coloradogunwrites.com/
Forum Engraving did mine some years back, there in Englewood off Windermere and Bellview, just north.
Special Ed
04-04-2013, 13:14
I haven't used these guys, but have seen them referenced in other posts: http://www.coloradogunwrites.com/
Yup, Troy at Colorado Gun Writes can do the engraving and it will meet NFA requirements (we got this question through his Facebook page a few weeks ago and he confirmed it). His prices are reasonable and a stand-up guy. He works from his house off of Kipling and 52nd and is also at all of the Denver Tanner shows (though he doesn't do the NFA-level work there)
UPDATE: I contacted Troy at Colorado Gun Writes and dropped off my receiver to be laser engraved. Good guy and the samples he showed me are unbelievable. The level of detail is amazing! Some of the samples looked like a high resolution black and white photo. Prices are very reasonable as well. I will post pics of the receiver when I get it back in a couple of weeks.
Circuits
04-12-2013, 17:05
UPDATE: I contacted Troy at Colorado Gun Writes and dropped off my receiver to be laser engraved. Good guy and the samples he showed me are unbelievable. The level of detail is amazing! Some of the samples looked like a high resolution black and white photo. Prices are very reasonable as well. I will post pics of the receiver when I get it back in a couple of weeks.
Is he meeting the .003" depth requirement?
RCCrawler
04-12-2013, 17:22
Any idea who could give me good results engraving polymer?
Special Ed
04-12-2013, 17:29
lcd3000, Troy is one of my best friends so I'm glad he treated you right (though I'm not surprised).
Special Ed
04-12-2013, 17:34
Any idea who could give me good results engraving polymer?
Colorado Gun Writes can do that, RCCrawler (and he's an R/C airplane guy so he's one of us in that regard too). He did my PMAGs for me at Tanner a couple of months ago. Here's the result:
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/309773_10200340212297854_314009538_n.jpg
Is he meeting the .003" depth requirement?
I measured .003" to .004" on a steel shotgun receiver and a steel flare gun receiver he did for me.
I'm happy with what he did.
RCCrawler
04-12-2013, 18:14
Colorado Gun Writes can do that, RCCrawler (and he's an R/C airplane guy so he's one of us in that regard too). He did my PMAGs for me at Tanner a couple of months ago. Here's the result:
I talked to him at the tanner a while back, he wasn't sure he could get the .030" deep that is required by the ATF.
I talked to him at the tanner a while back, he wasn't sure he could get the .030" deep that is required by the ATF.
0.003. See section 7.4.1 (http://www.atf.gov/files/publications/download/p/atf-p-5320-8/atf-p-5320-8-chapter-7.pdf) (yhea, it's the serial number section, but the same goes for engraving).
O2
Troy said he can meet the required depth of minimum .003". It requires a few extra passes with the laser.
RCCrawler
04-17-2013, 07:20
Troy said he can meet the required depth of minimum .003". It requires a few extra passes with the laser.
In polymer, without melting it and making it look like crap?
In polymer, without melting it and making it look like crap?
I am referring to your standard aluminum lower receiver.
Special Ed
04-22-2013, 07:19
Guys, Troy at Colorado Gun Writes sent me the following this morning:
"On hardened steel receiver... we can reach .003 - .004". On aluminum... we usually hit between .006-.008" this is standard for us because some people want to color fill or recoat their receiver and they will still be legal afterwards. Plastic is a bitch! We did a frontier lower with better results than a dremel or wood burner, but not as clean as we would like. (Still legal). P-90s shottys and ARs are no problem. If anyone wants to see a sample, at every Denver tanner show we have our standard nfa form 1 compliant lower there. They can pick it up touch it lick it whatever. ."
Troy is a good guy, I recommend him highly.
What does Troy charge for an SBR engraving? Stripped lower.
Special Ed
07-16-2013, 07:27
Jer, I believe his cost is $50 for that.
Jer, I believe his cost is $50 for that.
Right around there. For me the turn around was a few days, not sure if i just got lucky. Engraving will meet the BATFE requirements.
Jer, I believe his cost is $50 for that.
I'm in communication via email with him right now. Thanks!
Schrambo
09-03-2013, 06:36
Troy is a good guy, I recommend him highly.
+1... Got to visit Troy last week to get my 2 lowers engraved after receiving my F1s... 45 minutes later I was out the door...
Great guy to deal with, and quality work!
FYI I ended up shipping it off to Orion as much as I wanted to keep it local. Bottom line is that $35 for front of mag-well w/filled in letters simply can't be beat locally. Not even close in fact. I shipped to Orion and had my lower back in-hand two weeks later. Very good turn around time and I'm very happy with the results. Front of mag-well is nice and the engraving itself looks fantastic.
FYI I ended up shipping it off to Orion as much as I wanted to keep it local. Bottom line is that $35 for front of mag-well w/filled in letters simply can't be beat locally. Not even close in fact. I shipped to Orion and had my lower back in-hand two weeks later. Very good turn around time and I'm very happy with the results. Front of mag-well is nice and the engraving itself looks fantastic.
Picture please, Im going front of mag-well also. Just not sure who to go with
Picture please, Im going front of mag-well also. Just not sure who to go with
I'm not posting my name & address online. It looks like your basic SBR engraving though. Nothing I would change about it.
electronman1729
09-09-2013, 21:17
Picture please, Im going front of mag-well also. Just not sure who to go with
Go with Colorado Gun Writes. Engrave while you wait
Isn't it techincally illegal to send a lower to someone else with CO's new laws?
Circuits
09-09-2013, 22:01
Isn't it techincally illegal to send a lower to someone else with CO's new laws?
Only if for more than 72 hours
Isn't it techincally illegal to send a lower to someone else with CO's new laws?
HOUSE BILL 13-1229
...
(6) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION DO NOT APPLY TO:
...
(f) A TRANSFER OF A FIREARM THAT IS MADE TO FACILITATE THE
REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE OF THE FIREARM; EXCEPT THAT THIS PARAGRAPH
(f) DOES NOT APPLY UNLESS ALL PARTIES WHO POSSESS THE FIREARM AS A
RESULT OF THE TRANSFER MAY LEGALLY POSSESS A FIREARM;
...
Go with Colorado Gun Writes. Engrave while you wait
How does the finish turn out. Are they able to get a decent color match on a black lower
How does the finish turn out. Are they able to get a decent color match on a black lower
They don't fill the letters after they're done. That was another reason I sent mine to Orion.
They don't fill the letters after they're done. That was another reason I sent mine to Orion.
So the engraved letters are left the color of the metal? Is there any discoloring to the receiver around the engraving?
Schrambo
09-10-2013, 13:32
No discoloring to the lower, just aluminum showing... Having SBRs engraved after Form 1 approval requires you and the lower are there together...
Engraving prior to approval allows the use of Orion and other engravers... 8 months to get it done, I still forgot...
I can fill in the lettering myself, no biggie...
electronman1729
09-10-2013, 18:28
Here is how mine came out. Depth is more than what is required. If you refinish the lower you will still be in within regulations. The guys at Colorado Gun Writes leave the refinishing up to you.
33777
I'd rather pay less & have it DONE before I get it back. I had another one done & filled it myself & it's not always as easy as some make it sound. I mean if you're not concerned with how it looks when it's done you might as well use a dremel.
Great-Kazoo
09-10-2013, 19:52
I'd rather pay less & have it DONE before I get it back. I had another one done & filled it myself & it's not always as easy as some make it sound. I mean if you're not concerned with how it looks when it's done you might as well use a dremel.
Diamond point, or ball end?
Diamond point, or ball end?
Football! Duh!
Here is how mine came out. Depth is more than what is required. If you refinish the lower you will still be in within regulations. The guys at Colorado Gun Writes leave the refinishing up to you.
33777
Sweet, looks good. Thanks for the pic
electronman1729
09-10-2013, 21:54
Thanks Ill get it re-finished one of these days but it is not the highest priority in life
No discoloring to the lower, just aluminum showing... Having SBRs engraved after Form 1 approval requires you and the lower are there together...
Engraving prior to approval allows the use of Orion and other engravers... 8 months to get it done, I still forgot...
I can fill in the lettering myself, no biggie...
Just got my engraved lower back from Troy at ColoradoGunWrites - looks awesome and will completely meet the requirements for AFT. I discussed my intent to Duracoat my weapon after assembly and he did the engraving to a depth of .009 (three times the legal minimum) so that the additional thickness of paint will not push me too close to the limit. Very nice lettering and I even had him do an extra engraving on the mag well. Definately recommend him! Tell 'em Rich from Centennial sent ya! Oh, and he works out of his house out in Arvada a few blocks North of Kipling and I-70.
Is there anyone that does SBR engraving in Colorado Springs?
Yes, T&T Engraving. Done two SBRs for me. Excellent work.
2605 E Willamette Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 632-2780
However, their website is down, I hope they're still in business!
O2
Yes, T&T Engraving. Done two SBRs for me. Excellent work.
2605 E Willamette Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 632-2780
However, their website is down, I hope they're still in business!
O2
Thanks! Will let you know if they are still in business.
Yes, T&T Engraving. Done two SBRs for me. Excellent work.
2605 E Willamette Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 632-2780
However, their website is down, I hope they're still in business!
O2
They are still in business and did my SBR for $40 (no blacking). Great people too!
I have read that its a good idea to do the engraving after you get it back, but they didn't specify why. Is there any reason to do wait and do it after you get the form 1 back?
Great-Kazoo
11-08-2013, 22:53
I have read that its a good idea to do the engraving after you get it back, but they didn't specify why. Is there any reason to do wait and do it after you get the form 1 back?
In case someone made an OOPS at ATF, or on your paperwork you submitted. Last thing you need is finding out the lower says Bimer LLC and not Bimmer LLC
I have read that its a good idea to do the engraving after you get it back, but they didn't specify why. Is there any reason to do wait and do it after you get the form 1 back?
In case someone made an OOPS at ATF, or on your paperwork you submitted. Last thing you need is finding out the lower says Bimer LLC and not Bimmer LLC
The 'oops' is more likely to happen at the engraver. It's best to build the lower, test it to make sure it works properly and then have it engraved. This also allows you to send it off to whoever you wish as it's technically not an NFA item at this point. Then, once the lower comes back, fill out your paperwork EXACTLY as the engraving looks. Prime example is the last one I had done I specified a first initial with period and even told them to make sure to add the period. I got it back and the punctuation wasn't there. Good thing I didn't send off the paperwork to the ATF so it was a non-issue. That's the order I do things in and if it takes 15mos to approve a tax stamp I trust them to adhere to higher standards than a guy cranking out dozens of engravings per day for thirty bucks out of his basement.
How do most of you guys fill in, or re finish after the engraving? Should I just have them go to .009 so I can color fill with black paint?
Great-Kazoo
11-11-2013, 06:39
How do most of you guys fill in, or re finish after the engraving? Should I just have them go to .009 so I can color fill with black paint?
Use some aluma-black.
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