Serialization & 80% Lower Services
Type 07 FFL | SOT Class 2 Manufacturer | Richmond, Virginia
TWO DEADLINES UNDER HB 40
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. The bill 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
January 1, 2027 (Subsections B, D, E): You can no longer sell, transfer, import, purchase, or manufacture any unserialized firearm or unfinished frame/receiver. If you want to sell or transfer an 80% lower build or any unserialized firearm, it must be serialized before this date.
July 1, 2027 (Subsection C): You can no longer possess any unserialized firearm or unfinished frame/receiver. Even if you are keeping it at home and have no plans to sell or transfer it, it must be serialized before this date.
What Counts as a "Valid Serial Number"
Under HB 40, a "valid serial number" is defined as one that has been:
1. Imprinted by a federal firearms licensee authorized to serialize firearms in accordance with federal law, OR
2. Otherwise assigned to a firearm pursuant to the laws of any state or pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 5801 (the National Firearms Act) and regulations issued pursuant thereto.
If you built a firearm from an 80% lower and engraved your own serial number on it 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. You will still need an FFL to serialize that firearm.
If you registered the firearm as an NFA item (such as an SBR) through the ATF Form 1 process, that serial number does appear to qualify. A standard rifle or pistol build with a self-applied serial and no Form 1 does not.
The Compliance Path
The law provides that a federal firearms licensee may serialize a firearm by imprinting a serial number beginning with the licensee's abbreviated FFL number (first three and last five digits), followed by a hyphen, then a unique identification number. The serial must be engraved to ATF specifications and recorded in the licensee's bound book.
Firearms manufactured before October 22, 1968 are exempt. New residents moving into Virginia have 90 days to serialize, remove the firearm from the state, or otherwise comply.
What We Offer
Firearm Serialization (HB 40 Compliance)
Bring us your unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver. We perform full compliant serialization for both federal and Virginia state requirements, record it in our bound book, and return it to you compliant. All engraving is CNC-milled in-house to ATF specifications.
80% Lower Milling
We mill 80% lower receivers into completed, serialized, and engraved Ironcrest Arms firearms. Your finished lower is a manufacturer-produced weapon with our FFL on the receiver. Transfer via standard Form 4473 at pickup. If you also want the firearm registered as an SBR, see the next section.
80% Lower Milling + SBR (Form 2 to Form 4)
We handle everything: mill the lower, serialize and engrave it, manufacture the SBR on Form 2, and process the Form 4 transfer back to you. In our experience, our Form 2 to Form 4 process has taken 30 days or less. Form 1 applications can take 60 days or more. We handle all paperwork so you do not have to deal with the Form 1 process yourself. Results may vary on actual times dependent on multiple factors per individual or trust.
Pricing
Serialization Services
| Service | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Serialization only (HB 40 compliance) | $75 | CNC engraved, FFL serial, bound book entry |
| 80% lower milling + serialization | $100 | Complete manufacturing, Ironcrest serial and markings |
| 80% lower milling + SBR (Form 2 to Form 4) | $125 | Mill, serialize, NFA manufacture, ATF paperwork |
| Custom engraving add-on (magwell, dust cover, etc.) | $30+ | Added to any service above |
| Bulk serialization (5+ firearms) | Call | Volume pricing available |
How It Works
Call or email to let us know what you have. Tell us whether you need serialization only, 80% milling, or an NFA build. We will confirm availability and schedule your appointment.
We are based in Richmond, Virginia. Contact us to arrange how to get your firearm to our facility. We will work with you on logistics. We do not accept shipped unserialized firearms, as an unserialized firearm lost in transit cannot be reported or traced.
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.
Pick up your serialized firearm at our Richmond facility, or we can ship it back to the address on your government-issued ID (shipping charges apply). For 80% lower builds, a Form 4473 is required at pickup. For NFA items, the Form 4 transfer process applies.
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.
When do the deadlines take effect?
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. If you plan to sell or transfer an unserialized firearm, you need it serialized before January 1. If you are keeping it, you need it serialized before July 1.
What firearms need to be serialized?
Any firearm without a valid serial number as defined by HB 40. This includes completed builds from 80% lowers, Polymer80 frames, 3D-printed firearms, and any other homemade or unserialized weapon. It also covers unfinished frames and receivers. 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 (26 U.S.C. § 5801). A self-applied serial on a standard rifle or pistol build without an FFL or Form 1 is not considered valid. You would need an FFL to serialize it. If you registered the firearm as an NFA item through the Form 1 process (for example, as an SBR), that serial does appear to qualify.
Can I just file a Form 1 myself to get a valid serial?
You can, but Form 1 processing times can take 60 days or more. In our experience, our Form 2 to Form 4 process has taken 30 days or less, and we handle all the paperwork for you. Results may vary on actual times dependent on multiple factors per individual or trust. Consult a firearms attorney if you have concerns.
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. You just need to bring the firearm in.
Can any FFL do this?
The bill allows any federal firearms licensee 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.
Do I have to do a background check for serialization only?
No. Under ATF Final Rule 2021R-05F, marking serial numbers on privately made firearms (PMFs) is classified as "customization." Returning a firearm received for customization to the same person does not require a Form 4473 or NICS background check (27 CFR 478.124(a)). You bring your firearm in, we engrave the serial, log it in our A&D record, and you pick it up. The same person who dropped it off must be the one picking it up. For 80% lower milling, a Form 4473 is required at pickup. For SBR manufacturing, the Form 4 transfer process applies.
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. How SB 749 interacts with NFA manufacturing is still an open legal question. We recommend consulting a firearms attorney if you have concerns about how both bills affect your situation.
What if I have multiple firearms that need serialization?
We offer volume pricing for five or more firearms. Call us to discuss your situation and we will provide a quote.
Looking for Something Else?
We also build complete rifles, handle NFA manufacturing, and serve law enforcement agencies across Virginia.
Custom Builds NFA Services Law EnforcementREADY TO GET COMPLIANT?
Contact us to schedule your serialization appointment. We are based in Richmond, Virginia and will work with you on logistics.
[email protected] - Serialization and 80% Lower Services
[email protected] - NFA / SBR Orders
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.