Just got the stamp approval for my Zenith MP5 clone!... I'm off to have the engraving done Tomorrow.
Others with MP5 clones, where did you have the engraving put?
Trying to decide where mine will fir on the gun, and not look too bad.

My name is 18 characters and 2 spaces, and my city/state is Port St. Lucie, Florida

In the groove on the receiver....

Front of magwell

I did in the side of the rail where the collapsible stock arms ride.  Looks good and is barely noticable.

Attached File

This guy gets it

Hardly even noticeable when a picture is taken directly of it. Seems like a solid spot to me

Exactly where mine is engraved.  It was recommended by Bill Gray at Gray Laser Engraving (quite handy that he's local to me).  You have to look for it, and when you see it, it's perfectly readable.  But it sure doesn't stand out.

When you say in the side are you talking the side of the channel? Pic please?

Where I have the blacked out line in the pic below.

I did all of mine in the stock channel.

I did mine on the barrel. You can see it through the MI rail slot.

These combined with a hammer, some beer, a steady hand, an even steadier eye, and the barrel steadily stabilized.  
A length of duct tape to line up the letters and good lighting helps too.
I’ll leave the results to your imagination.
It works.

Attached File

The barrel is no longer a compliant location for the maker's markings. As of August 2022, the name, location, and serial number must be on the frame/receiver.

I don’t see how that’s enforceable. It’s written in US code that the barrel is an allowed location.

Easily, the US Code was amended so it's black and white on the law. It was that bill last year that did several things, like the enhanced background check for 18-21 year olds. This is the current passage relevant to making NFA firearms:

27 CFR   479.102

(a) Identification required. Except as otherwise provided in this section, you, as a manufacturer, importer, or maker of a firearm, must legibly identify the firearm as follows:

(1) Serial number, name, place of business. By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or otherwise placed on the frame or receiver thereof, an individual serial number, in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed. The serial number must not duplicate any serial number placed by you on any other firearm. The frame or receiver must also be marked with either: Your name (or recognized abbreviation), and city and State (or recognized abbreviation) where you as a manufacturer or importer maintain your place of business, or in the case of a maker, where you made the firearm; or if a manufacturer or importer, your name (or recognized abbreviation) and the serial number that begins with your abbreviated Federal firearms license number, which is the first three and last five digits, as a prefix to a unique identification number, followed by a hyphen, e.g., "12345678-[unique identification number]"; and

(2) Model, caliber or gauge, foreign manufacturer, country of manufacture. By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame or receiver, or barrel or pistol slide (if applicable) thereof certain additional information. This information must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed. The additional information shall include:

(i) The model, if such designation has been made;

(ii) The caliber or gauge;

(iii) When applicable, the name of the foreign manufacturer or maker; and

(iv) In the case of an imported firearm, the name of the country in which it was manufactured. For additional requirements relating to imported firearms, see Customs regulations at 19 CFR part 134.

Not the US Code, but the CFR which as mentioned above was changed.

I didn’t realize that CFR was amended and removing the barrel marking option in legislation passed by Congress.


And wtf is this addition:

and the serial number that begins with your abbreviated Federal firearms license number, which is the first three and last five digits, as a prefix to a unique identification number, followed by a hyphen

FFLS can no longer acquire unserialized PMFs. If they do, they have to serialize them.

I will continue to engrave barrels. No fucks will be given

Damn it. So what you’re saying is that I need to go get this re-engraved? Since I engraved it where and when I did, am I considered non/compliant until I get it done in an approved area?

ETA: I got this done January 2020.

Apparently you do give some fucks otherwise you wouldn't bother engraving it in the first place

If it was an approved location at the time of your approval, you're good to go.

I can't be fully rebellious all of the time