Quick question

2003flht · March 25, 2013, 07:29 PM

Hi all
Just curious... Is it legal for me to turn and thread a barrel for someone other than myself? Am I required to have a FFL or some other license?

Thanks

NESHOOTER · March 25, 2013, 09:58 PM

As far as I know threading a barrel is not againt the law? Because it could be use for a muzzle brake.

**4V50 Gary** · March 25, 2013, 10:32 PM

Not illegal to work on your own stuff. However, your state laws may prohibit possession of certain features.

oldgunsmith · March 25, 2013, 10:56 PM

What you need the FFL for is to take possession of someone else's gun long enough to do it. If he stands there and watches you do it, no problem. But if he leaves the premises and leaves the gun in your possession the rules change.

Scorch · March 28, 2013, 04:21 PM

As oldgunsmith said, you need an FFL to "take possession" of a firearm. If the barrel is already off of the firearm, you are not taking possession of a firearm, you are working on a piece of metal. What constitutes the "firearm" may be counter-intuitive to some people, but generally means the receiver or action of a firearm, the part with a serial number. If you are rebarreling a bolt action rifle, it would be the receiver, but if you are rebarreling an AR, the receiver is the lower receiver, and you do not have to take the "firearm" into possession to rebarrel it.

Surgeon · March 31, 2013, 12:56 PM

No it is not illegal to turn a barrel.

just as it is not illegal to true up an action.

As long as the owner gives/sends the barrel and action directly to the smith possession does not matter.

If there is a third party involved then yes possession would have to take place and to get the firearm back it would have to go through a FFL Dealer.

James K · March 31, 2013, 08:47 PM

I think the question was really whether someone (gunsmith or not) threading a barrel might be illegal. The answer could be yes. If the customer says or conveys the idea that he intends to install an unregistered suppressor, then threading the barrel is illegal since the worker knows he is an accessory to a crime.

But if he is simply asked to thread a barrel, and no questions are asked or answered, he is probably OK. How would anyone find out? If the customer puts on an illegal suppressor, and is caught, he will lose no time in telling ATF that "good old James K threaded the barrel and I told him what it was for and he didn't say it was illegal....."

Jim

March 25, 2013, 07:29 PM	#1
2003flht Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 199	Quick question Hi all Just curious... Is it legal for me to turn and thread a barrel for someone other than myself? Am I required to have a FFL or some other license? Thanks __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...Wow! What a ride!" Give a Liberal a fish, he'll ask for seconds. Teach a Liberal to fish, he'll sign up for unemployment...

March 25, 2013, 10:32 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Not illegal to work on your own stuff. However, your state laws may prohibit possession of certain features. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 28, 2013, 04:21 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	As oldgunsmith said, you need an FFL to "take possession" of a firearm. If the barrel is already off of the firearm, you are not taking possession of a firearm, you are working on a piece of metal. What constitutes the "firearm" may be counter-intuitive to some people, but generally means the receiver or action of a firearm, the part with a serial number. If you are rebarreling a bolt action rifle, it would be the receiver, but if you are rebarreling an AR, the receiver is the lower receiver, and you do not have to take the "firearm" into possession to rebarrel it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 31, 2013, 12:56 PM	#6
Surgeon Member Join Date: March 30, 2013 Posts: 16	No it is not illegal to turn a barrel. just as it is not illegal to true up an action. As long as the owner gives/sends the barrel and action directly to the smith possession does not matter. If there is a third party involved then yes possession would have to take place and to get the firearm back it would have to go through a FFL Dealer. Last edited by Surgeon; March 31, 2013 at 01:02 PM.

March 25, 2013, 09:58 PM	#2
NESHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2009 Posts: 517	As far as I know threading a barrel is not againt the law? Because it could be use for a muzzle brake.

March 25, 2013, 10:56 PM	#4
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 278	What you need the FFL for is to take possession of someone else's gun long enough to do it. If he stands there and watches you do it, no problem. But if he leaves the premises and leaves the gun in your possession the rules change.

March 31, 2013, 08:47 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I think the question was really whether someone (gunsmith or not) threading a barrel might be illegal. The answer could be yes. If the customer says or conveys the idea that he intends to install an unregistered suppressor, then threading the barrel is illegal since the worker knows he is an accessory to a crime. But if he is simply asked to thread a barrel, and no questions are asked or answered, he is probably OK. How would anyone find out? If the customer puts on an illegal suppressor, and is caught, he will lose no time in telling ATF that "good old James K threaded the barrel and I told him what it was for and he didn't say it was illegal....." Jim