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Trust Engraving Screwed-up By Class 3 dealer

5159 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  A Gun For You
So this year I had made some large decisions to sbr a Scar16s, a Scar17s, and a SAN Swiss 553p. all tax stamps were received and I took my receivers to my class 3 dealer who said they can engrave for sbr. The dealer took about 1-2 months to do the job (I should have just sent them out). When I did get them back they were laser engraved and looked ok but the lettering was 3/16 high and 2 inches long and in the middle of the receiver, This was 4 months ago.

This week I had purchased items from another dealer and he told me laser does not go deep enough that's why he uses a rotary engraver. So I had him check the depth and it was .0015 and under on all three (they should have been .003 or deeper). So I went to the original dealer and gave this info to him and he said their was no depth requirements as this is what the ATF told him a few years ago. I had call the ATF on site and they told him it was required. Needless to say they admitted their wrong and are paying for the receivers to be fixed by identmarking.com (a company who knows what they are doing)

My only concern is if they don't line up with the laser correct I will have a huge f-up on all three receivers (especially the sig 553). So do you think I should risk the engraving overtop or just double engrave on the second side? If I do go with the laser overtop the old engraving I can give a review and pics of identmarkings work for you. Correct me if I am wrong but they are or should be one of the best laser engravers so I will keep my fingers crossed. The only good news is I should be able to shoot my toys again in another 4-8 weeks.
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a competent laser engraving company should be able to fix the engraving by going deeper. I would let them fix it and if they do mess up (which I am doubtful they would) go back to you dealer and let him know you need 3 new rifles + 600$. You could double engrave but that is not aesthetically pleasing but up to you. The atf ruling is clear
7.4.1 Serial numbers. Each manufacturer of a firearm must legibly identify it by engraving, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing on the firearm’s frame or receiver an individual serial number not duplicating any serial number placed by the manufacturer on any other firearm.120 The requirement that the marking be “conspicuously” placed on the firearm means that the marking must be wholly unobstructed from plain view. For firearms manufactured on or after January 30, 2002, the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16 inch.
Thanks, makes me feel a little better. I think i will have them go overtop. It would be a pain in the butt to try and get them to replace the rifles if it gets screwed up.
Even if they did it deep enough I'd be pissed it was 3/16" high when only 1/16" is required.
Unless, of course, you asked for a billboard.
Do you think the ATF is going to come after you for the wrong depth of the engraving? Serious question.
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Do you think the ATF is going to come after you for the wrong depth of the engraving? Serious question.
No I don't think I would have any atf issues but it's better to be safe then sorry.
Even if they did it deep enough I'd be pissed it was 3/16" high when only 1/16" is required.
Unless, of course, you asked for a billboard.
I did not ask for a billboard but to be fair to the dealer it matches the swiss height characters and looks ok. Just wish it was done in a less conspicuous place. I will update the post with a before and after pic when they come back.
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No I don't think I would have any atf issues but it's better to be safe then sorry.

Give me a break. You guys create so much drama over this engraving crap that it's not even funny. OMG I am thinking of making a NFA firearm I better run and get it engraved before the pre cogs find out. You Form 1'd it, paid the tax and engraved it do you think that they will complain for it not being 0.001" deeper? No, they don't have the time or the man power for that stuff.

I am still waiting for someone to show the penalty for not engraving or not engraving deep enough. Please, don't give me that 10-20 years in jail and $10,000-250,000 fine, that's for an unregistered, illegal NFA firearm.
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I'd have it engraved on the front of the magwell in the smallest permissible font. It might be on there twice but you'll not even notice it.
Are you sure the second dealer measured it correctly? Being able to accurately measure the depth of an engraved letter, and stating that it was exactly .0015" (with no +/- tolerance) is quite the feat. How exactly did he make the measurement?
Just had Laser Worx do the NFA engraving on my PS90 this morning using their laser- it took 15 min they let me watch - it was great. Much better than the rotary engraving that was done on my SBR lower and for the same price ($50).

Great guys to work with....

You can ship your receiver - they have an FFL and do custom laser engraving including the EGA on AR15 lowers.


http://www.laserworxonline.com/
you paid 50 for engraving? Found a laser engraver in Auburn Hills MI for $15 each item.
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Are you sure the second dealer measured it correctly? Being able to accurately measure the depth of an engraved letter, and stating that it was exactly .0015" (with no +/- tolerance) is quite the feat. How exactly did he make the measurement?
Not sure what type of depth gauge they used but I trust them. I don't like to name drop but it is a local dealer "Lanco Tactical" and they build their own lowers and rotary engrave to spec and test the depth. He is the one who brought up that co2 lasers don't go deep enough. I had them rotary engrave a AR lower and they did well. Great Company!
you paid 50 for engraving? Found a laser engraver in Auburn Hills MI for $15 each item.
You might have the same issue as I did with a c02 laser and depth. I would check with them first.
Mine already done they are perfectly a ok. I'm not their first customer either with Nfa stuff they have been doing it since laws changed in Michigan and was referred to them from my class 3 guy
Mine already done they are perfectly a ok. I'm not their first customer either with Nfa stuff they have been doing it since laws changed in Michigan and was referred to them from my class 3 guy
Lucky!!! Good to hear. :shock:
CO2 lasers do not go deep enough that is why Ident uses a yag laser and did a great job on my PS90 SBR
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