How do I determine when a handgun was manufactured?

Brtt485 · July 31, 2005, 08:49 PM

I live in MA and many desireable handguns were made illegal for buy/sell in 1998. However, guns manufactured prior to that October 1998 legislation are legal for purchase and sale. How do I determine whether or not a particular gun was manufactured before then, or better yet, how do I determine exactly when a particular gun was manufactured?

Dfariswheel · August 1, 2005, 12:34 AM

Generally speaking, if you call most gun companies they will tell you a production date over the phone.

Especially if you explain your problem.

kozak6 · August 1, 2005, 02:57 AM

If the gun producer has a website, give that a quick look too. Some list when certain runs were made, and in some cases, the date it was produced is part of the serial number.

jacobtowne · August 1, 2005, 08:35 AM

If it's being sold by a dealer with a gunshop, you can be pretty sure it's a Mass. gun and is lawful to transfer.
JT

James K · August 1, 2005, 11:46 AM

For Colts and some other guns, there are books which give manufacturing dates. Some companies now stamp the date of manufacture under the grips just because of laws like that. There are other ways; for example, a Smith & Wesson revolver without a model number was made prior to 1957-58.

Jim

July 31, 2005, 08:49 PM	#1
Brtt485 Junior Member Join Date: July 31, 2005 Location: MA Posts: 2	How do I determine when a handgun was manufactured? I live in MA and many desireable handguns were made illegal for buy/sell in 1998. However, guns manufactured prior to that October 1998 legislation are legal for purchase and sale. How do I determine whether or not a particular gun was manufactured before then, or better yet, how do I determine exactly when a particular gun was manufactured?

August 1, 2005, 12:34 AM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Generally speaking, if you call most gun companies they will tell you a production date over the phone. Especially if you explain your problem.

August 1, 2005, 02:57 AM	#3
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	If the gun producer has a website, give that a quick look too. Some list when certain runs were made, and in some cases, the date it was produced is part of the serial number.

August 1, 2005, 08:35 AM	#4
jacobtowne Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2005 Location: New England Posts: 277	If it's being sold by a dealer with a gunshop, you can be pretty sure it's a Mass. gun and is lawful to transfer. JT

August 1, 2005, 11:46 AM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	For Colts and some other guns, there are books which give manufacturing dates. Some companies now stamp the date of manufacture under the grips just because of laws like that. There are other ways; for example, a Smith & Wesson revolver without a model number was made prior to 1957-58. Jim