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Posted: 8/13/2026 10:34:17 AM EDT
| I been an FEL Type 20 (aka Federal Explosive Licensee type Manufacturer of High Explosives) for about 8 years now and I'm also a PA Certified High Explosive Blaster, so if anyone has questions about becoming an FEL (either high explosive or fireworks type), just ask. If you are an FFL, barring any local or state issues, you can become an FEL Type 20. |
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Tag. What does the Type 20 cover? I have played with the idea of getting an FEL for a while. I have room for a magazine, just dont know if its worth the hoop jumping Thanks for being willing to share your experience! |
" Laziness is an essential part of all walks of engineering."
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Originally Posted By notso: Tag. What does the Type 20 cover? I have played with the idea of getting an FEL for a while. I have room for a magazine, just dont know if its worth the hoop jumping Thanks for being willing to share your experience! FEL Type 20 means you checked all the checkboxes on top of your FEL application in the Manufacturer section, so a Type 20 makes you a Manufacturer and Dealer of: High Explosives, Theatrical Flash Powder, Blasting Agents, Low Explosives, and Commercial Fireworks. Now if you are also a FFL 10 / SOT 02, that means you can manufacture DD's with HE, such as M67 grenades, Claymores, etc like we do. Now, licenses vary greatly from state to state, where some states make it nearly impossible to get an FEL Type 20 while other states have no regulations. I'm in PA and they are kind of in the middle, they don't stop you from getting an FEL, but you are pretty regulated by them on what and how you are allowed to use HE. |
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Originally Posted By RenegadeX: What qualifies as a magazine? Build your own? Buy one from a certified mfg? Depends on the class of magazine you're looking for. ATF 5400.7 is what you seek, starting on Subpart K (page 49). § 555.203 Types of magazines. For purposes of this part, there are five types of magazines. These types, together with the classes of explosive materials, as defined in § 555.202, which will be stored in them, are as follows: (a) Type 1 magazines. Permanent magazines for the storage of high explosives, subject to the limitations prescribed by §§ 555.206 and 555.213. Other classes of explosive materials may also be stored in type 1 magazines. (b) Type 2 magazines. Mobile and portable indoor and outdoor magazines for the storage of high explosives, subject to the limitations prescribed by §§§ 555.206, 555.208(b), and 555.213. Other classes of explosive materials may also be stored in type 2 magazines. (c) Type 3 magazines. Portable outdoor magazines for the temporary storage of high explosives while attended (for exam- ple, a “day-box”), subject to the limitations prescribed by §§ 555.206 and 555.213. Other classes of explosives materials may also be stored in type 3 magazines. (d) Type 4 magazines. Magazines for the storage of low explosives, subject to the limitations prescribed by §§§ 555.206(b), 555.210(b), and 555.213. Blasting agents may be stored in type 4 magazines, subject to the limitations prescribed by §§§ 555.206(c), 555.211(b), and 555.213. Detonators that will not mass detonate may also be stored in type 4 magazines, subject to the limitations prescribed by §§§ 555.206(a), 555.210(b), and 555.213. (e) Type 5 magazines. Magazines for the storage of blasting agents, subject to the limitations prescribed by §§§ 555.206(c), 555.211(b), and 555.213. Construction details are also listed, but too much to cut/paste. |
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Originally Posted By RenegadeX: What qualifies as a magazine? Build your own? Buy one from a certified mfg? The ATF has very strict rules in place for the different types of magazines. I purchased my first one (Indoor Type 2 High Explosive) magazine from Armmag. Here's a pic for about $3k if I remember. I use that for my detonators. Then I ran out of room, so I welded the next one up myself for $700 in steel. Now my Outdoor Type 1 High Explosive magazine I built from a communication Conex box purchased from the military. Added 1/4" steel to walls and ceiling, then 3" of hardwood to make it bulletproof, added 2 lock hoods, welded back door close, added vents, shade roof, grounded it, sat it on blocks on gravel bed, then sourrounded it with those 2-ton blocks. Total cost was around $8k. BUT nowadays you can find amazing deals on used magazines on Facebook marketplace, just an FYI. |
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