Is it legal?

[operator331]

So I have a question... I assume the states that require the spent case that comes in the little bag to be turned in is for a forensics data base?? So is it legal to polish the breach and breach face on these pistols?!?!?!

[alexmx22]

i did

[ThumperIII]

I don't know of any law that specifically prevents polishing or altering a firearm, unless when specifically connected with intentional alterations performed as an attempt to cover the identification of the firearm used in the commission of a crime. Barrels, strikers or hammers, extractors and ejectors and cylinders of revolvers are all legally replaceable parts. Removal of the identifying serial number from the frame is probably illegal.
Unless a form of micro-stamping (legislation that has been proposed in several states) is built into the manufacture of future firearms, there is little point in making laws against actions that can be conducted or occur during normal maintenance and gun-smithing activities.

(not a law scholar) Check your own state laws.

[KingArthur]

Interesting. I guess I have never been that paranoid. I've always asumed that the little bullet casing with the date and the name of the person who fired it was for quality control to make sure it worked.

[rm_fritz]

it's actually supposed to be the bullet itself, i was told that if your firearm is stolen and the crooks remove the serail numbers, you can use the spent bullet to identify your weapon, and have it sent back to the manufacturer for replacement of the serial number.

[Cuda66]

Originally Posted by rm_fritz

it's actually supposed to be the bullet itself, i was told that if your firearm is stolen and the crooks remove the serail numbers, you can use the spent bullet to identify your weapon, and have it sent back to the manufacturer for replacement of the serial number.

That sounds like a whole bunch of CSI "looks good on TV" voodoo.

All the round will tell is what type of barrel fired it...a 1:16, .45 caliber, right-hand twist w/6 lands and grooves, for example...or polygonal bore, if it was some type of Glock.

But it won't tell exactly which gun it came out of.

Neither will the firing pin and extractor marks on the spent casings, but let's not let the politicians know that...it'd just confuse 'em.

[1852legend]

I only got a piece of brass with my gun. No bullet

[Vandal]

If you are worried about polishing your XD here is a little something to keep in mind. Over the course of the 2k I have through mine, it looks like I hand polished my feed ramp and chamber. I first noticed it somewhere around 1k.

+1 on the CSI looks good on TV stuff that Cuda brought up. Also, they can't really "trace" a gun based on the round, the striations in the barrel change each time you shoot a round.

[G50]

The spent shell casing is not for "tracing" a gun. If investigators at a murder scene find the spent casing, they cannot find who owns the weapon by examining the marks on the primer etc. If they locate a suspect with a weapon they THINK is the murder weapon, then they can compare the striker to the primer and maybe even the bullet to the bore to use as evidence in court. The idea behind including one in your new pistol's box is that some states require it to be turned in (by the dealer) to your state's DOJ. They build a "database" of these and it will helpo them only if you are ALREADY the suspect and they know where to find you and your pistol.

[KingArthur]

Originally Posted by G50

The spent shell casing is not for "tracing" a gun. If investigators at a murder scene find the spent casing, they cannot find who owns the weapon by examining the marks on the primer etc. If they locate a suspect with a weapon they THINK is the murder weapon, then they can compare the striker to the primer and maybe even the bullet to the bore to use as evidence in court. The idea behind including one in your new pistol's box is that some states require it to be turned in (by the dealer) to your state's DOJ. They build a "database" of these and it will helpo them only if you are ALREADY the suspect and they know where to find you and your pistol.

Odds are if you commit a crime with a semi-auto, your big fat thumb print will be there from loading the magazine.