What this is
An ATF Form 1 is what you file when YOU are the one making (manufacturing, by ATF's definition) an NFA item. The most common case: you have an existing rifle and want to legally shorten the barrel below 16 inches or the overall length below 26 inches — making it a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR). You can't just chop it; you have to register it first by filing Form 1, paying any tax (currently $0), and waiting for ATF approval.
We file the Form 1 for you. You bring the rifle (or buy components from us to convert one we transfer). We capture prints + photo in-shop, fill out the Form 1, submit electronically via ATF eForms, and follow up with the examiner if anything stalls.
The $200 tax stamp is gone. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, eliminated the federal NFA tax on SBRs, suppressors, SBSs, and AOWs effective January 1, 2026. Form 1 filings cost $0 to file with the ATF as of mid-2026. Our $75 processing fee covers our time — there's no longer any federal tax to add on top.
Pricing
- Our processing fee: $75 — covers live-scan digital fingerprints, passport-style photo, demographic data entry, electronic Form 1 submission via eForms, and ongoing follow-up with the ATF examiner
- Federal tax stamp: $0 (eliminated January 1, 2026)
- Optional NFA gun trust setup: $200–$500 if you go through an attorney — we can refer you to attorneys who do this regularly
- Optional engraving: TBD — there's a proposed ATF rule (still in comment period as of mid-2026) that would eliminate the re-engraving requirement on Form 1 SBR conversions of factory-serialized rifles. If that rule passes, your factory serial number counts. If it doesn't, we'll quote engraving separately
When you'd use this service
- You bought an AR pistol and want to convert it to an SBR (add a stock that takes it over 26" but barrel still under 16")
- You have a rifle and want to legally shorten the barrel for handling, suppressor host duty, vehicle storage, or any other reason
- You want to register an SBR for a build you're putting together from parts
- You're using a virgin lower receiver and want to register the finished short rifle directly as an SBR via Form 1
How the process works
1Tell us what you're converting
Call us with the make, model, and current configuration (caliber, barrel length, overall length). We'll confirm whether your situation is a clean Form 1 case or if there are complications (some out-of-state imports, certain pistol-grip configurations, or chassis platforms have edge cases worth checking before you commit).
2Book an appointment
30-minute slot. Bring photo ID, the rifle (if you're showing us the configuration in person), payment, and whatever documentation you have on the firearm.
3Fingerprints + photo in-shop
Live-scan digital capture — no ink, no cards — plus a passport-style photo. Your prints are read straight off the scanner glass and packaged into an ATF-compliant EFT file via EFTSuite.
4We file Form 1 via eForms
We complete the Form 1 with your information, attach the EFT file and photo, and submit through ATF eForms. ATF acknowledges receipt within a few days.
5ATF processes your application
Current average for individual Form 1 filings is about 10 days in 2026. Trusts run slightly longer (around 11 days). Some clear in a few days; complex applications can take longer.
6Approval — go build
When ATF approves, you get a stamped Form 1. From that point, the conversion is legal. You (or your gunsmith of choice) can shorten the barrel or assemble the SBR configuration. If we built the host or did the engraving, we'd hand over the finished rifle at this stage; if you're doing the work yourself, we hand over the approved Form 1 and you finish.
What about engraving?
Historically, when you Form 1'd an SBR, you had to engrave the firearm with your name (or trust name), city, and state in block letters at least 1/16" tall and 0.003" deep. This is because YOU are now the "manufacturer" of the SBR under ATF's definition.
A proposed ATF rule in comment period as of mid-2026 would change this — for Form 1 conversions of factory-serialized rifles, the factory serial number would count and re-engraving would not be required. If you're filing a Form 1 in 2026, ask us at quote time whether the rule has finalized; we'll have the latest.
If engraving IS required for your case, we'll quote it separately (typically $50–$100 by laser engraving, depending on the surface and complexity).
Questions we hear
Can I just shorten the barrel before approval?
No. Configuring a rifle into SBR specs BEFORE you have an approved Form 1 is illegal possession of an unregistered NFA firearm. Wait for the stamp. Approval averaging 10 days makes this much easier to live with than it used to be.
Do I need a trust?
Not for an SBR specifically. Individual filings work fine. The reason people use trusts on NFA items is so multiple "responsible persons" can legally possess the item independently. If you want your spouse, hunting buddy, or shooting partner to be able to use the SBR when you're not present, a trust makes sense. If it's just you, individual is simpler.
What if my rifle is registered to a CA / NY / NJ resident or built from a CA-spec lower?
State laws on SBRs vary. Some states ban SBR possession entirely (CA, NJ, NY, DC, IL, RI). Some allow possession but ban certain configurations. We can file the Form 1, but possession in those states may still be illegal — talk to a qualified attorney for your state.
How long does the whole thing take, start to finish?
Appointment: 30 min. Same-day eForms submission. ATF review: ~10 days typical. Total: about two weeks from appointment to approval in most cases.
Can I pair this with a suppressor purchase?
Yes — that's actually the most common bundle in 2026. You file a Form 1 for the SBR, file a Form 4 for the suppressor, both submitted around the same time, both clear in roughly the same window. We coordinate the timing so you walk out with the stamped SBR config and the can together. See our suppressor process.
What if I'm out of state?
For a Form 1 SBR conversion, the rifle has to physically be in our possession during the application period in some configurations (if we're holding it during the wait) — or it can stay in your possession in others (depending on whether the rifle is already in SBR configuration). Out-of-state customers can mail us the lower receiver, we file Form 1, return it once approved. Call us to walk through your specific situation.
Ready to start?
Call (406) 518-7280, or use the services form. Tell us what you're converting and roughly when works for an appointment. Prints and photo are part of the $75 — the same live-scan fingerprint capture we run for Form 4s.
Not legal advice; NFA rules are federal and state laws differ. Consult a qualified attorney for trusts, multi-state moves, or unusual configurations.