Posted: 4/9/2011 9:47:16 AM EDT
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Wondering about the legality of covering the serial number on a handgun. A friend has an older S&W Sigma 9mm that does not have the provision for the rail adapter. He really wants to put a flashlight on the handgun and since the bottom of the frame is flat (in front of the trigger guard), it would not be too difficult for me to drill and tap it for a small rail section. Only problem is the serial number is located right there. Would it be ok to cover up the serial number since you are not actually removing it?
The other option I was thinking about for him was to remove the metal plate with the serial number engraving and install the rail section. We would then inlet an area on the frame (I was thinking about the back strap thickest area and least seen) and secure the metal plate. Is there a fedearl requirement to have the serial number of the handgun located in a specific area for a particular model? TIA |
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Quoted: Wondering about the legality of covering the serial number on a handgun. A friend has an older S&W Sigma 9mm that does not have the provision for the rail adapter. He really wants to put a flashlight on the handgun and since the bottom of the frame is flat (in front of the trigger guard), it would not be too difficult for me to drill and tap it for a small rail section. Only problem is the serial number is located right there. Would it be ok to cover up the serial number since you are not actually removing it? The other option I was thinking about for him was to remove the metal plate with the serial number engraving and install the rail section. We would then inlet an area on the frame (I was thinking about the back strap thickest area and least seen) and secure the metal plate. Is there a fedearl requirement to have the serial number of the handgun located in a specific area for a particular model? TIA Removing the metal plate with the S/N even if "relocating" it to another spot on the frame is VERY illegal. Don't do it. |
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i wouldnt mess around with the moving of the plate at all. if you "cover it" and the covering part can be removed to read the s/n, then i dont see any reason that it cant be done. again, being able to remove the part to read the s/n.
fwiw, my M1 Carbine has the "newer" adjustable rear sight and it covers the s/n. i had to remove the rear sight to read the complete number and it wasnt a problem. also, i wouldnt mess with the plate at all. |