When Do I engrave my SBR's Receiver?

[CmdrSlander]

The company I am going to use for my lower engraving requires an entirely stripped lower for my chosen location for the NFA "Manufacturer" (as in my name, city and state) info. Can I go ahead and have the info put on the receiver before I get my tax stamp back? (I ask because in the interim I want to run it as an AR pistol and I don't want to strip my lower again after building it up). Or does the ATF want you to wait for approval?

If you can engrave before getting the tax stamp back then that is excellent because then all I'll have to do is throw a collapsible stock on my pistol build.

 

[Telekinesis]

You can have it engraved whenever you like, either before your form comes back or shortly after you receive it. All you're doing is writing your name (or trust/corp's name) and location, so it's just the same as if you wanted decorative engraving done on a high dollar shotgun.

 

[Bubbles]

We suggest doing it before the F1 is submitted. That way if someone makes a mistake (it happens) there is time to correct it before the paperwork gets started.

 

[tepin]

++1

 

[MrCleanOK]

Step 1: Build the rifle as a pistol. Ensure the lower is in working order and is compatible with your magazines. Ensure the gas set-up of the upper works.
Step 2: Strip your lower and send it out for engraving. If the engraver messes up too bad, you can get another lower and start over without redoing paperwork.
Step 3: If your lower works, and the engraving is good, do your Form 1.
Step 4: Wait, then wait some more.
Step 5: Get your approved Form 1, put a butt stock on your SBR.

 

[Charger442]

let me throw out another scenario:

i was going to have my SBR engraved last month, before my Form 1 was approved. The engraving was going to say "The Charger442 Trust". I didnt get it engraved because i was worried if something comes back wrong with my Form 1, then my engraving is not correct. Well, i was right because last week, the NFA sent an error that the word "THE" is no longer allowed at the front in the title. Therefore, i had to revise and resubmit as "Charger442 Trust".

Ill wait until the Form 1 is approved and my stamp is submitted before i engrave. obviously, YMMV.