Does the BATF forbid the removal of the suppliers name from a gun/action.

For example if someone wanted to remove the Charles Daly stamping on the action but leave the serial number in tact and the marks on the receiver
K.B.I.-HGB,PA
Yugoslavia

is this ok with them?????

They can be moved to below the wood line.

I don't know what's legal but, I have never had anything inspected by anybody. I like to grind the crests off of 98's and just leave the side reciever markings.

Title 26, chapter 53, section 5842 of the National Firearms Act states:

“ Each manufacturer and importer and anyone making a firearm shall identify each firearm, other than a destructive device, manufactured, imported, or made, by a serial number which may not be readily removed, obliterated, or altered, THE NAME OF THE MANUFACTURER (capitals mine) importer or maker, and such other identification as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.â€

In other words...who the Hell knows?

As a FFL holder I have had fairly good success at getting answers from my local ATF office on the “real†meaning of what the laws say and don’t say, and on any rulings that have addressed these types of matters. The language of all laws, and gun laws in particular, are intentionally written to be very broad and open to interpretation by whomever happens to be in power at the time.

When dealing with the ATF I follow the practice of when in doubt ask first, so I would suggest calling the closest ATF field office and getting an answer (in writing) from them.

Ultimately, each person will do what they want to, but better safe than sorry, can sometimes be the best advice. After all, some of these laws, if violated, could result in never being able to own a firearm again.

It is my understanding that one can not remove identfying marks that would inclue the manufactors name.

When one does a search on a firearm the serial number in not enough info.

I have run in to it many times run a serial number and get 4or5 hits on that number only to sort them out my model, type, cailber and manufactor. If you ever have any of your guns stolen you,ll want as much identifialbe info as you can get on them.

I am not sure about the legality, but in my conversations with the ATF, after surface grinding an action, which removes everything, they only required that the serial # be replaced. I have also been known to get some bum information from them. They will not give you any legal info over the phone any more. They need the request in writing and they will mail you the answer.

When surface grinding an action, does anybody worry about the heat changing the temper?

Steve

quote:

When surface grinding an action, does anybody worry about the heat changing the temper?

No not if its done right, unless its an old action that was only surface heat treated, then your grinding of the heat treated metal. The good news is there these are usually old actions and were candidates for heat treating before you started grinding.

On your dealing with BATF, as Customsox stated before you need to request this in writting, and maintain the docement, because even if you get the answer you want from one individual, 5-10 years later someone else may interpet this completly differently and you might need the documentation.

I looked in the Rulings and in the FAQ’s section of my book but didn’t find anything about this.

I know that people do it all the time, but that doesn’t make it any more legal. People exceed the posted speed limit all the time also and don’t get tickets...but then there is always that one cop!

quote:

Originally posted by skl1:
When surface grinding an action, does anybody worry about the heat changing the temper?

Steve

Actually the surface grinding does not generate enough heat to be concerned. One can make a pass of .001 and touch the metal afterwards with no discomfort and do this without using coolant. You have to heat the metal to about 400 degrees before you cause a drawing of the temper and this is accompanied with discoloration. Surface grinding rarely causes this much heat. If it does the wrong wheel was used and gauls up quickly

When sleeving an action the BATF&E only requires that the serial number be exposed. Covering the makers name, model number etc. does not seem to be a problem. But, I would certainly ask them for an opinion. in writing, before obliterating anything stamped on the receiver.