Can you send a machine gun to a regular FFL for gunsmithing services?

**bac0nfat** · February 15th, 2012, 11:00 AM

Well, can you?

**knight0334** · February 15th, 2012, 11:07 AM

Yes.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/guns...ve-nfa-firearm

Q: May a licensed gunsmith receive an NFA firearm for purposes of repair?

Yes, for the sole purpose of repair and subsequent return to its owner. It is suggested that the owner obtain permission from ATF for the transfer by completing and mailing ATF Form 5 (5320.5) to the NFA Branch and receive approval prior to the delivery. The gunsmith should do the same prior to returning the firearm.

Only the face of the form needs to be completed in each instance. ATF Forms 5 may be obtained from the Bureau of ATF, NFA Branch. ATF Form 5 is also available on the internet at www.atf.gov

**bac0nfat** · February 15th, 2012, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by knight0334

Yes.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/guns...ve-nfa-firearm

Thanks. Another question...If I'm waiting on a machine gun on a Form 4 with a class III dealer in PA, is there any reason why it would be a bad idea to have that class III dealer send my machine gun to a refinisher to get refinished while I'm waiting for the form to clear?

ETA: Would refinishing be considered a "repair?"

**knight0334** · February 15th, 2012, 12:49 PM

um.. I donno. Hopefully someone smarter can answer that one.

I dont imagine it would be a legal problem so long as the present possessing FFL does the proper paperwork. But, I really don't know.

**Gun Bowanna** · February 15th, 2012, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by bac0nfat

Thanks. Another question...If I'm waiting on a machine gun on a Form 4 with a class III dealer in PA, is there any reason why it would be a bad idea to have that class III dealer send my machine gun to a refinisher to get refinished while I'm waiting for the form to clear?

ETA: Would refinishing be considered a "repair?"

It's not a problem to do so.
The form 5 is just a temporary transfer notice. Not a permanant transfer.
Send in your form 4, have the selling SOT send it off in the mean time for refinishing.
Hopefully, it'll be back before the form 4 clears (and if it's not, no biggie).

**bac0nfat** · February 15th, 2012, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Gun Bowanna

It's not a problem to do so.
The form 5 is just a temporary transfer notice. Not a permanant transfer.
Send in your form 4, have the selling SOT send it off in the mean time for refinishing.
Hopefully, it'll be back before the form 4 clears (and if it's not, no biggie).

If I send in a form 5, does that need to be approved before the firearm can be shipped to the refinisher?

I'm starting to think I should just wait it out, and not bother with the hassle. No need to bog everyone down with paperwork.

**Nate7667** · February 15th, 2012, 04:45 PM

I personally would wait until the dealer has the transfer approved to them. Then im sure if you ask real nice they could send it where ever you wanted to get it refinished while you wait for your Form 4 to clear to you

**bac0nfat** · February 15th, 2012, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Nate7667

I personally would wait until the dealer has the transfer approved to them. Then im sure if you ask real nice they could send it where ever you wanted to get it refinished while you wait for your Form 4 to clear to you

Sounds good to me. Hopefully the dealer doesn't get too annoyed by that request.