SBR process

[jahwarrior1423]

I'm curious on what the process is to SBR my AR lower. I have a reciever set that ive had for a few years but am wanting to build a SBR now.

Being that I already own the lower, what do I need to do to get it SBRed? Can I do the paper work myself and send the $200 myself? Or do I need to get with an FFL to conduct the paperwork? Id much rather do the paper work myself because I would assume I'd need to pay the FFL for their time.

I know theres an individual route or the Trust route...im open to either one but ill definitely need to research with route is better. I am assuming the trust route being that I have a son and all of my weapons would go to him if I pass away.

[GTF425]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?9830-How-to-SBR-Your-Lower-by-Scottryan

This would be an excellent thread to read through. Various posts over the years will answer any questions you may have about the process.

If anything is still unclear, the NFA section of the website should be your first place to search. It’s a somewhat confusing process if you’ve never done it before and there’s a lot of members on this site who can assist you if necessary.

To directly answer your questions; no, an FFL is not required to SBR your lower. You can set up an EFile account and submit the paperwork electronically. I have not filed anything since 41P went in to effect, so I will gracefully bow out to someone with more recent experience in the process; ie using a Trust and having your son as a Trustee and any effect this has on the process.

[jack crab]

I'm curious on what the process is to SBR my AR lower. I have a reciever set that ive had for a few years but am wanting to build a SBR now.

Being that I already own the lower, what do I need to do to get it SBRed? Can I do the paper work myself and send the $200 myself? Or do I need to get with an FFL to conduct the paperwork? Id much rather do the paper work myself because I would assume I'd need to pay the FFL for their time.

I know theres an individual route or the Trust route...im open to either one but ill definitely need to research with route is better. I am assuming the trust route being that I have a son and all of my weapons would go to him if I pass away.

Form 1 and $200. No FFL. The Scottryan thread is awesome.

Keep in mind that a trust is not a will. If you put the lower/rifle in a trust, the trust owns it. It passes to your son if the trust provides for it. Your death could have nothing to do with what the trust does. That being said, many of the canned trusts expire with the expiration of the maker/creator of the trust.

Also, put the lower in the trust before you SBR it, one $200 tax. Otherwise, it is $200 to make the SBR in your individual capacity, and $200 to transfer from you to the trust.

[SteyrAUG]

Also there is another option.

You can submit an individual Form 1 - $200 tax and then when the time comes it can transfer to a designated heir "tax exempt" on a Form 5.

As noted, trust don't automatically mean other trustees inherit things. Trust were mostly created for people who lived in areas where CLEO's would not sign off on Form 1s or Form 4s so transferring to a "trust' eliminated that obstacle, or at least it did, I can't recall if they changed it or not.

The other advantage of trusts is people worried about family members shooting NFA weapons when they aren't specifically listed as an owner and thinking this somehow violated a law. This is of course pretty stupid. But if having a trust and having everyone in the family on the trust made everyone feel safe legally, then that is their business.

[Whiskey_Bravo]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?9830-How-to-SBR-Your-Lower-by-Scottryan

This would be an excellent thread to read through. Various posts over the years will answer any questions you may have about the process.

If anything is still unclear, the NFA section of the website should be your first place to search. It’s a somewhat confusing process if you’ve never done it before and there’s a lot of members on this site who can assist you if necessary.

To directly answer your questions; no, an FFL is not required to SBR your lower. You can set up an EFile account and submit the paperwork electronically. I have not filed anything since 41P went in to effect, so I will gracefully bow out to someone with more recent experience in the process; ie using a Trust and having your son as a Trustee and any effect this has on the process.



Similar to the above in that I have not filed for one since the changes but it can be confusing and daunting if nothing else. I went the trust route used a law firm out of Austin that specializes in NFA trust to set mine up. Was fairly simple, he called and asked me a lot of question, then we emailed with details and he sent me the paperwork(after payment of course lol). Navigating the ATF website can be annoying(or at least it was) but that is to be expected with any .gov run website. If going the trust route just make sure it's not just a canned internet trust in my opinion and that it is configured for you and how you want it, who you want on it, etc.

based on memory
Get your trust set up first if you go that route
transfer your lower to your trust(the firm I used provided forms and instructions to make this easy)
engrave your lower with your trust name and location
efile your forms and wait

I believe there is another step now requiring the people on the trust to have fingerprints or something along those lines but like I mentioned above I have not done one since.

[26 Inf]

I believe there is another step now requiring the people on the trust to have fingerprints or something along those lines but like I mentioned above I have not done one since.

I set up a trust for my first SBR and suppressors. At the time it seemed to be the best route for me as it required no fingerprints, etc.

After the changes to the trust process which require fingerprints and (I believe) photos from all members of the trust, I really didn't see the value of the trust in my situation. My heirs can submit a Form 5 to get my NFA weapons and accoutrements transferred to them.

By all means, read the thread(s) referenced.

[Alex V]

I just SBR’ed my first lower. God bless Free America.

Anyway; I set up a Trust using the online tool at Silencer Shop. As a total newcomer to the whole NFA game I wanted something simple. Currently I am the only RP on the trust but I will add my wife shortly.

The online eForm can be daunting for a first timer but if you follow the sticky thread in the NFA section you can’t go wrong. I can’t thank the members of this forum enough for all the I formation here. It was priceless.

I also followed member’s advice and rolled my own prints. I ordered the ink pad and card holder on Amazon, the cards are free from the ATF.

It took 41 days and was approved last week. Just got the lower back from the engraver and it looks awesome.

Follow the steps on the sticky thread and you shouldn’t have any problems.

I also already have two cans in NFA jail, also on the trust. No need to waste time. :-)

[prepare]

e-form 1 is easiest way. Takes 30 minutes for first time around. Approval back in 3 weeks. Just sit down and do it. Plenty of good tutorials on the web.

[jahwarrior1423]

Thank you guys. I dont mind doing my own research but I had no clue where/how to start. Thanks for the link

[SteyrAUG]

Thank you guys. I dont mind doing my own research but I had no clue where/how to start. Thanks for the link

The most intimidating thing is the process the first time. Once done, you will wonder why you haven't been doing this for the last 10 years.

Other than that the only thing you need to know is be patient. It doesn't always approve in 3 weeks. Oh and when you get your receiver engraved, if you do it local - make sure they understand you are bringing a firearm lower with you to get work done. You will probably have to explain that a lower is not a complete firearm.

You don't want to know the story about a guy I know who just walked into a jewelry store that advertised engraving services and pulled and AR lower out of a gym bag. Nobody got hurt but there was several minutes of people misunderstanding what his intentions were and it could have been bad.

[Alex V]

The most intimidating thing is the process the first time. Once done, you will wonder why you haven't been doing this for the last 10 years.

Sometimes the answer is simple; I lived in a shithole that didn’t allow NFA items lol. Now the flood gates have opened! You are right, once you do it the first time, you probably won’t stop at just one.



You don't want to know the story about a guy I know who just walked into a jewelry store that advertised engraving services and pulled and AR lower out of a gym bag. Nobody got hurt but there was several minutes of people misunderstanding what his intentions were and it could have been bad.

Wow! Just wow. Where is the CCTV tape? :-)

[Ryno12]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?147975-Visual-guide-How-to-fill-out-a-Form-1-using-EFORMS


https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?186089-Work-In-Progress-new-F1-F4-guide-for-41F-submissions

Tons of great “How to” info in these threads.