EFFECTIVE July 10, 2017, this will become a part-time business normally operated outside of normal business hours; once a permanent schedule had been determined, the new business days and hours will be posted on this Website. Calls will frequently be returned after normal business hours.
Contact Information:
(Messages and emails are normally answered 7 days a week)
Phone / Text Messaging: 281-639-0026
Email: keith@NFAinvestments.com
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Service Available While You Wait (By Appointment ONLY) or Next Day Via Common Carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS). Unequaled turnaround time!
SBR Engraving – SBS Engraving – NFA Engraving – Deep Rotary Cut the Old Fashioned Way – Not Burned by Laser – No Extra Fee For While You Wait Service
High quality, DEEP ROTARY CUT SBR / SBS / NFA engraving services are offered by NFA Investments, a Class 2 Manufacturer with over 13 years in business. Service is also available for other FFL’s who legally must engrave their manufactured / assembled firearms to be in compliance with ATF marking requirements. Turnaround time for shipped items is normally one business day; walk in “while you wait” service is also available by appointment at no extra charge.
All engraving is deep cut using a rotary pantograph and generally is cut at .012” to .015” deep in aluminum or polymer and around .007” – .010 in steel or titanium. The ATF requirements are .003” minimum depth which is only about a sheet of notebook paper thick. Cutting at such a shallow depth makes refinishing difficult as such shallow markings tent to be covered or obliterated when refinishing. Most laser engraving services struggle to even hit the .003” depth; our machines can cut up to .020” deep, nearly seven times the depth required and without using heat to vaporize metal from your valuable weapon. Unlike most laser marked items, deep cut rotary engraving can be color filled with paint or epoxy for a two toned finish; most laser engraved items cannot have this performed as the engraving is not deep enough to hold paint.
Note: As of 10/01/2016, NFA Investments now offers engraving of more than just text. Logos, badges, and graphic designs can now be engraved on the same high quality deep cutting rotary pantograph. NFA Investments acquired a CNC milling machine and is manufacturing engraving dies for graphic designs in house. For more information, please visit the BlackRifleEngraving.com Webpage. WWW.BlackRifleEngraving.com is the Website for graphic arts engraving side of NFA Investments.
Why use the old style cutting system and not laser?
You may be debating whether to use laser engraving versus rotary cutting for your project. As stated, all engraving is cut on a rotary cutting scalable pantograph and the difference was partially explained above. If you want the engraving to hide in plain sight and blend in with the other markings on your firearm, you may want to compare images of laser marked engraving with deep cut rotary engraving online. Most OEM manufacturers use either deep cut engraving or roll marking to mark their products as part of the manufacturing process; very few use laser. Unless your particular firearm was originally laser cut by the original manufacturer, deep cut rotary engraving will be a closer match to your firearms existing markings and tend to blend in, or hide in plain sight. Most laser cut engraving on aluminum or steel virtually disappears when cold bluing or aluminum oxidizer is applied – this is not the case with deep cut engraving. While lasers have their place and can perform amazing cosmetic marking, most will not give a factory type appearance on your firearm or cut nearly as deeply as a rotary cutting engraver.
Here are some samples of recent text engraving projects:
The preferred method of shipping to NFA Investments is via UPS Ground service; shipped items will normally be returned in the same manner. If you prefer alternate shipping methods, such as USPS or FedEx, please contact NFA Investments.
Text engraving on AR15 type weapons is normally performed on the ejection port side of the receiver, either above the hammer and trigger pins or on the side of the magazine well. For other types of firearms, engraving will be performed in a place determined by NFA Investments. While you are welcome to indicate your preferred engraving location, no guarantee can be made as to whether or not it can be engraved in the location you indicate due to the geometry of irregular shaped objects in machines designed to hold round or rectangular shaped objects. Lettering is blackened in unless otherwise requested. Some AR15 Billet lowers can be engraved on the bottom of the trigger guard.
DUE TO PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS OF THE ENGRAVING EQUIPMENT, RECEIVERS CANNOT BE ENGRAVED INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD OR ON THE FRONT OF THE MAGAZINE WELL
Appointments can be scheduled on most weekdays between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM to have these items engraved WHILE YOU WAIT. Service is also available via UPS with a 1 or 2 day average turnaround time; estimated UPS ground service shipping costs are usually between $15 and $20 which is in addition to the cost of engraving. Shipping can also be via USPS or other carrier at your request. NFA Investments strives to have the best quality engraving service with the quickest turnaround time in the industry. NFA Investments has been offering this service for over 13 years.
As for pricing, most aluminum or polymer receivers can be engraved with up to three lines of text for $60.00; most steel, stainless steel, or titanium receivers cost just an extra $10.00. For Form 1 suppressors or other items requiring 4 or more lines of text, please contact NFA investments for pricing. Dealer pricing an volume pricing are also available.
FAQ:
Can anyone, such as a trophy engraving shop, engrave my weapon? In other words, do they need to be a FFL?
According to the ATF, firearm engraving – especially engraving required markings – falls under gunsmithing activities. As such, the engraver needs to be properly licensed in order to perform this service. Non FFL’s cannot accept weapons by mail or common carrier to provide these services.
Do I need to disassemble my AR15 type lower receiver first?
No, completed lowers can be engraved without disassembly.
Do I need to disassemble my PS90 first?
Please remove the receiver from the stock and remove any optics from the weapon before it is sent to be engraved.
Do I need to disassemble my HK type weapon first?
Please remove the stock and any optics from any HK (MP5 / HK91 / Etc.) type weapons before they are sent for engraving.
What payment methods to you accept?
Payment can be by cash or check. Credit cards are no longer accepted.
I do not see your shipping address on your website – where do I ship my weapon to have it engraved?
Please send an email to keith@NFAinvestments.com to request this information. I will instruct you on how to proceed.
Are you available on weekends?
Occasionally. Service is generally available on most weekdays between 8:00 AM and 9:090 PM, for while you wait service. Exceptions will occasionally be made to offer service on weekends but there is a generally minimum charge of $100.
I am only available on weekends and I do not want to pay any extra for outside of business hours service. What are my options?
You are welcome to ship your weapon to have it engraved. Turnaround time is generally same day or next business day.
I am an FFL. Do you offer commercial discounts for other dealers / FFL holders?
Yes. Please send an email to keith@NFAinvestments.com to request this information.
Can you engrave my logo or design?
Yes! Effective October 1, 2016, NFA Investments can digitize your design / logo, create a master engraving die, and can engrave your design on your firearms and other items. For more information, visit http://www.BlackRifleEngraving.com.
Do you offer any volume discounts or Law Enforcement officer discounts?
Yes. Please send an email to keith@NFAinvestments.com to request this information.
Posted prices are subject to change and do not include any return shipping, if applicable.
NFA Investments / SBRengraving.com 