FFL (Federal Firearms License)

FFL is a U.S. ATF-issued license that authorizes defined firearms manufacturing, dealing, or gunsmithing activities with strict recordkeeping, security, and compliance requirements.

Overview

An FFL (Federal Firearms License) is an ATF-issued authorization required for businesses that manufacture, import, deal, or gunsmith firearms and certain firearm components. The license type (e.g., dealer, manufacturer, importer) determines what activities are legal, how transfers are handled, and what records must be kept (A&D bound book, 4473s), plus required background check workflows where applicable.

Choose an FFL-holding supplier when your build involves regulated firearms, receivers/frames, or serialized components, or when your program needs lawful transfer, repair/return, or distribution of firearms. Tradeoffs are compliance overhead (audits, traceability, retention), operational constraints (secure storage, premises requirements, zoning), and lead-time/cost impacts for transfers, serialization/marking, and any NFA activity (often requiring SOT). FFL does not guarantee machining quality or a QMS; it’s a legal prerequisite for regulated work.

Common Materials

  • Aluminum 7075
  • Steel 4140
  • Stainless Steel 17-4 PH
  • Titanium Grade 5
  • Polymer (Nylon)
  • Brass 360

Tolerances

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Applications

  • Serialized receiver or frame manufacturing
  • Firearm assembly and test-fire operations
  • Gunsmith repair and return-to-owner service
  • Dealer transfers and customer pickup handling
  • NFA suppressor manufacturing (with SOT)
  • Law-enforcement procurement and transfers

When to Choose FFL (Federal Firearms License)

Use an FFL-holding shop when your project includes regulated firearms, frames/receivers, or requires legal transfer, repair/return, or distribution of firearms. It’s also the right fit when you need controlled serialization/marking and documented custody from build through delivery. Expect added process steps for compliance, storage, and paperwork.

vs ISO 9001 (Quality Management)

Choose an FFL when the core requirement is legal authority to manufacture/deal/repair regulated firearms or handle transfers. ISO 9001 helps with process consistency, but it does not permit regulated firearm activities without the appropriate FFL.

vs AS9100 (Aerospace Quality)

Choose an FFL when the deliverable is a regulated firearm, receiver/frame, or firearms transfer workflow. AS9100 improves aerospace-grade traceability and risk controls, but it does not satisfy ATF licensing or firearms recordkeeping obligations.

vs ISO 13485 (Medical Device Quality)

Choose an FFL when compliance must cover ATF licensing, serialization/marking expectations, and firearms custody/transfer requirements. ISO 13485 governs medical device quality systems; it does not authorize firearm manufacturing or dealing.

vs ITAR Registered

Choose an FFL when you need lawful domestic manufacture/dealing/repair of firearms and controlled transfers under ATF rules. ITAR registration addresses defense article export controls and controlled technical data handling; it does not replace an FFL for regulated firearm activity.

vs NADCAP (Special Process)

Choose an FFL when the risk is regulatory—handling regulated firearms and transfers—rather than a special-process accreditation. NADCAP supports process-specific approvals (e.g., heat treat, coatings), but it does not provide legal authority to manufacture or transfer firearms.

Design Considerations

  • Clearly define what item is the regulated “firearm” (e.g., receiver/frame) so the supplier can scope serialization, marking, and custody correctly
  • Specify required markings (content, depth, location) early to avoid rework and ensure compliant engraving/laser parameters on the chosen material
  • Provide a transfer plan (ship-to FFL, return-to-owner, dealer transfer) with responsible party and documentation requirements before quoting
  • Call out any NFA scope (suppressor/SBR/SBS) and confirm SOT status; missing this changes lead time and allowable work
  • Include configuration control requirements for controlled parts (rev levels, scrapped-serialization handling, re-serialization rules) to prevent traceability gaps
  • Confirm storage/security expectations (segregation, access control) if prototypes or customer-furnished firearms will be held on site