I was Talking to a buddy about wanting a SBR. I said I wish I could send off the form before I spent alot of money and somehow I could have all that time to save up money for the rest of the gun. He said I can. He said the form is just for the lower reciever. So all I have to do is get a stripped lower, and send all the paper work in on that lower. Then after I got it back, I could build the rest of the gun. I would rather not go on just a buddy's advice. I'm looking for real world input. Also if this is true, can I go out and just buy a say 10" barreled upper after I get my form back. As in could I order one from say spikes tactical and have it shipped to me no problem? Thanks and I hope you can wade through all of my confusion. Thanks.

And,

You could start the build. Although I suggest getting the lower engraved and installing the lpk before sending in the form, there would be nothing wrong with getting the form approved, saving the money for the engraving and getting that done, and then saving the money for the lpk and installing that and then the stock. Just DON"T get tempted to order the upper until you get your approved form back.

Of course you could get a pistol buffer tube and build an AR pistol and shot it while waiting on the Form and then just install the stock.

Nothing, unless you have the SBR set up in a trust. If that the case than you would be required to engrave the trust name on the lower receiver.

Where on the lower? How big?

You can put it pretty much anywhere that is visible on the lower receiver exterior that doesn't require removing parts to see.
Common areas are on the side of the magwell, front of the magwell, in the trigger guard area (next to trigger, not on actual trigger guard), on the side of the receiver above the trigger pin.

The NFA requires the engraving to be a minimum of .003" deep.

Check out Ident Marking. They did my SBR engraving for $45. Their site also shows examples of where they can engrave.

Honestly, I'm on my phone right now so I don't really feel like searching for all that. There are plenty of sticky topics on this in the SBR forum.

But if you, the individual or the trust, is "making" the SBR, you must engrave that name/city/state on the lower.
Manufacturer of the SBR must be on there. If you buy a complete SBR from a manufacturer (ex: Noveske) then the engraving is not required.

But since the OP is talking about adding a short barreled upper to a lower, he will be the one manufacturing the SBR (as an individual or trust) and so he is registering it with the ATF and he must have his info engraved on the lower.

Thanks for the assist.

Thanks...learn something new everyday.

I've never built a SBR under a individual transfer. All of mine are in a trust.