Serialization & 80% Lower Services
HB 40 Compliance · 80% Lower Milling · Firearm Serialization · Type 07 FFL
Virginia HB 40 (SB 323) prohibits the possession, sale, and transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers. If you own an 80% lower build, a Polymer80, a 3D-printed firearm, or any other unserialized weapon, it must be serialized by a federal firearms licensee. Ironcrest Arms is a Type 07 manufacturer with in-house CNC engraving equipment — we serialize firearms to ATF specifications, the same standard we use for our own manufactured products.
January 1, 2027: Sale, transfer, manufacture, and import of unserialized firearms and unfinished frames/receivers becomes unlawful.
July 1, 2027: Possession of unserialized firearms and unfinished frames/receivers becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor. Second offense is a Class 4 felony.
What HB 40 Requires
HB 40 makes it unlawful to knowingly possess a firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or receiver that is not imprinted with a valid serial number. It also prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, import, and transfer of unserialized firearms and unfinished frames or receivers. These provisions take effect on two separate dates.
EFFECTIVE DATES
| Date | What Becomes Unlawful |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2027 | Sale, transfer, import, purchase, or manufacture of any unserialized firearm or unfinished frame/receiver. If you want to sell or transfer an unserialized build, it must be serialized before this date. |
| July 1, 2027 | Possession of any unserialized firearm or unfinished frame/receiver — even at home with no intent to transfer. Must be serialized before this date to remain compliant. |
What Counts as a Valid Serial Number
Under HB 40, a "valid serial number" is one that has been imprinted by a federal firearms licensee authorized to serialize firearms in accordance with federal law, OR otherwise assigned pursuant to the laws of any state or pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5801 (the NFA).
If you built a firearm from an 80% lower and engraved your own serial number without going through an FFL or registering it as an NFA item on a Form 1, your serial number is not valid under HB 40. If you registered the firearm as an NFA item through the ATF Form 1 process (such as an SBR), that serial does appear to qualify.
The Compliance Path
Completed firearm (Polymer80, finished home build, 3D-printed lower): Already a firearm — only needs a serial. ATF Final Rule 2021R-05F treats marking a serial on a privately made firearm as "customization." Returning it to the same owner requires no Form 4473 and no background check (27 CFR 478.124(a)). This is our serialization-only service.
Unfinished lower / 80% receiver blank: Not yet a firearm — cannot be serialized as-is. We must manufacture it first (machine it into a finished, working receiver). Because we perform the manufacturing, the finished lower is an Ironcrest-manufactured firearm and transfers back to you on a Form 4473 with a background check at pickup. This is our 80% Lower Milling service. If you are not sure what you have, call us — we will tell you before any work begins.
Services
SERIALIZATION SERVICES
| Service | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Serialization only (HB 40 compliance) | CNC engraved, FFL serial, bound book entry. No Form 4473 required. | $75 |
| 80% lower milling + serialization | Complete manufacturing, Ironcrest serial and markings. Form 4473 required at pickup. | $100 |
| Custom engraving add-on | Magwell, dust cover, or other components | $30+ |
| Bulk serialization (5+ firearms) | Volume pricing available | Call |
How It Works
- 01 Contact Us
Call or email to let us know what you have. Tell us whether you need serialization only or 80% milling. We will confirm and schedule your appointment.
- 02 Drop-Off (In Person)
Bring your firearm to our Richmond facility by appointment. We do not accept shipped firearms for serialization — drop-offs and pickups are in person only.
- 03 Engraving and Manufacturing
We CNC-engrave the serial number to ATF specifications (.003" minimum depth, minimum character height). For 80% lowers, we complete the milling and add full manufacturer markings. All serials are recorded in our A&D bound book.
- 04 Pickup
Pick up in person on presentation of government-issued ID. Serialization-only of a completed firearm requires no Form 4473. 80% lower completions require a Form 4473 and background check at pickup.
Common Questions
Has HB 40 been signed into law?
Yes. Governor Spanberger signed HB 40 into law on April 10, 2026. Sale, transfer, manufacture, and import of unserialized firearms and unfinished frames/receivers becomes unlawful on January 1, 2027. Possession becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor on July 1, 2027.
What firearms need to be serialized?
Any firearm without a valid serial number as defined by HB 40 — completed builds from 80% lowers, Polymer80 frames, 3D-printed firearms, and any other homemade or unserialized weapon. Firearms you serialized yourself without going through an FFL or the NFA Form 1 process also need to be re-serialized by an FFL.
I serialized my own home build. Am I compliant?
Probably not. HB 40 defines a "valid serial number" as one imprinted by a federal firearms licensee or assigned through the NFA. A self-applied serial on a standard rifle or pistol build without an FFL or Form 1 is not considered valid. If you registered the firearm as an NFA item through the Form 1 process (e.g., as an SBR), that serial does appear to qualify.
Can I just get my unfinished 80% lower serialized?
No. An unfinished lower is not legally a firearm yet, so there is nothing to serialize. We have to manufacture it first, which makes it an Ironcrest-manufactured firearm that transfers back to you on a Form 4473 with a background check.
Do I have to do a background check for serialization only?
Not for serialization only of an already-completed firearm. Under ATF Final Rule 2021R-05F, marking a serial on a privately made firearm is classified as "customization," and returning it to the same person does not require a Form 4473 or NICS check (27 CFR 478.124(a)). The same person who dropped it off must pick it up. For 80% lowers we manufacture, a Form 4473 and background check are required.
What serial number format does HB 40 require?
The serial must begin with the FFL's abbreviated license number (first three and last five digits), followed by a hyphen, then a unique identification number. We handle the format, engraving, and recordkeeping.
Can any FFL do this?
The bill allows any FFL to serialize a firearm. Most FFLs do not have engraving equipment and have never performed this service. Ironcrest Arms is a Type 07 manufacturer with in-house CNC equipment built for this work.
Can I just file a Form 1 myself?
You can. Form 1 processing times can take 60 days or more and you handle the paperwork yourself. Consult a firearms attorney if you have concerns.
What about SB 749 (the assault weapons bill)?
SB 749 is a separate bill that restricts the sale and manufacture of certain semi-automatic firearms. Serializing a firearm does not change its legal status under SB 749. We recommend consulting a firearms attorney if you have concerns about how both bills affect your situation.
What if I have multiple firearms?
We offer volume pricing for five or more firearms. Call us to discuss.
Related Services
Custom builds, NFA manufacturing, and general services.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Contact us to schedule your serialization appointment. All drop-offs and pickups are in person by appointment only.
Ironcrest Arms LLC · Type 07 FFL · SOT Class 2 Manufacturer · Richmond, Virginia
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Ironcrest Arms is not a law firm. HB 40 / SB 323 bill status and specific requirements are subject to change. Consult a firearms attorney for legal guidance specific to your situation. All services performed in accordance with federal and Virginia state law.