The micro stamp issue is not a false narrative. It's very real. Here is why

In light of the recent comments about micro stamping, I decided to speak up about what I know on the issue. I have worked in the firearms industry for over 15 years and been around firearms my whole life. I started off working as a gunsmith, doing 80% builds and fixing and customizing guns for people. From there, I worked as a builder for a firearms manufacturer. I have also worked in quality control for a manufacturer, and I currently work in sales for a large distributor. I have a very wide perspective on the manufacturing process and I have watched things change throughout the years. This brings me to the micro stamping issue. During a recent visit to a large firearms manufacturer, the topic of micro stamping was brought up. The manufacturer I was visiting stated that micro stamping would not affect their ability to produce firearms because they already have the capability to produce micro stamped parts for other industries. That statement was obviously intended to downplay the issue and make it seem like it would not be a big deal. I accepted the statement, but I had a hard time believing it was that simple. I decided to do some research to find out more about micro stamping. This is what I found:<br><br>Micro stamping is a process that uses a laser to engrave or mark a surface. In the case of firearms, it is used to engrave a marking onto a part that identifies it as being associated with a particular firearm. There are a few different types of micro stamping, but the most common is dot peen marking. Dot peen marking uses a laser to engrave a marking onto a surface using small dots that are placed close together to create the desired marking. Dot peen marking is used in a variety of industries including firearms, aerospace and automotive.<br><br>The micro stamping issue in regards to firearms is focused on the marking of the firing pin and the ejector in striker fired pistols. The idea is that by marking the firing pin and ejector, the markings left on a spent casing can be used to identify the firearm that the round was fired from. In order for this to work, the firing pin and ejector would need to be replaceable and the manufacturer would need to keep track of the different firing pins and ejectors that were produced. If a casing were found at a crime scene, it could be compared to the markings on the different firing pins and ejectors to identify which firearm it was fired from.<br><br>After further research, I found a company that specializes in dot peen marking systems. They offer a range of systems that are capable of marking a variety of materials, including metals and plastics. They also offer a range of marking sizes, from very small to very large. I reached out to this company to ask a few questions about the process and the systems that they offer. Here are a few things that I learned:<br><br>Dot peen marking systems can be integrated into a production line, where parts can be marked as they are manufactured. They can also be used as stand-alone systems, where parts can be marked individually.<br><br>The cost of the systems varies based on the marking size and the material that is being marked. The smallest marking systems start at around $10,000, while the larger marking systems can cost upwards of $30,000 or more.<br><br>The marking process is relatively quick, with marking times ranging from a few seconds to around 1 minute, depending on the marking size and the material that is being marked.<br><br>The marking area is typically around 1-2 square inches, which allows for a relatively small marking area. This means that the marking process would need to be done in multiple locations, which could increase the time and cost of the process.<br><br>There are different types of marking systems available, including systems that use a laser and systems that use a mechanical marking process. The laser systems are more expensive and can be used to mark a wider range of materials, while the mechanical marking systems are less expensive, but are limited in the materials that they can mark.<br><br>Overall, the dot peen marking process is a versatile and effective way to mark parts, and it has a wide range of applications across various industries. It offers a number of benefits, including the ability to mark a wide range of materials, a relatively quick marking process, and a relatively low cost compared to other marking methods. However, it is not without its limitations, and it may not be suitable for certain applications.<br><br>So now that we have established what micro stamping is and how it works, let's go back to the comment that the manufacturer made about already having the capability to produce micro stamped parts. While that may be true, it only tells part of the story. What that comment does not take into account are the additional costs associated with the micro stamping process. These costs would be incurred for every firearm that is produced and would result in increased costs to the consumer. The costs would include the cost of the marking system, the cost of the marking process itself, and the cost of keeping track of the different firing pins and ejectors that were produced. Additionally, the manufacturer would need to ensure that the micro stamped parts were properly installed in the firearm and that the correct markings were used. This could be a difficult task and if done incorrectly could lead to costly legal battles and recalls.<br><br>Now, on to the issue of micro stamping, and specifically micro laser engraving (MLE). While it is true that manufacturers already have the technology to produce micro stamped parts, that does not mean that they will be able to easily incorporate MLE into their manufacturing processes. The MLE process is a highly sophisticated and specialized technology that requires a lot of technical expertise to implement correctly. The implementation of MLE would require manufacturers to make significant investments in new equipment, training and process development.<br><br>Manufacturers have now publicly disclosed that they have developed the capability to produce micro stamped parts. Because of these disclosures, the micro stamping issue has taken a back seat to other issues, such as the ban on magazines. I firmly believe that the micro stamping issue is not a false narrative. The micro stamping issue is real. Manufacturers are not disclosing the additional costs associated with micro stamping and it is not just a matter of flipping a switch to turn on an already existing machine to micro stamp parts. To me, it still seems like a way to increase the cost of firearms and create a way to track firearms. This is all just my opinion, but I hope it clears up any confusion as to what micro stamping is, and how it actually works.<br><br>EDIT: I need to clarify that this is my opinion and is based on my experience and research. Please don't take this as fact, as there are many people who have better qualifications than me to speak on this issue.