Last Updated: October 12, 2026
Shipping
Can I ship my firearms or NFA items directly to you for work?
Yes! As we are FFL 07 holder and Class 2 Dealer/Manufacturer, it is legal to ship them to us. We can also ship them back to you at the address shown on your government ID. No need for an intermediate FFL on your end to send or receive items.
Can I drop off or pick up my items at your shop?
Yes! If you are local to us here in Central Texas, contact us to make an appointment to visit the shop. As a small shop, we do not allow walk-ins; we want to be able to focus on one customer at a time.
Cerakote
How do I have something coated by you?
The process starts with contacting us either through an email or a phone call to describe what you wish to have done. Reference images help greatly in this process. We then work together on the ask, then provide a quote and turnaround time for the work. If you agree, you provide us the item(s) and we do the work. Once the parts are coated, we email you pictures of the work. If the pictures look good, we schedule an appointment for you to come pick up and pay, or arrange payment via an email invoice and return shipping.
What is the turnaround time?
Turnaround time varies for a couple of reasons. The two most common reasons are the jobs in the queue ahead of your work and the complexity of you work. On average, turnaround times are 5 to 7 business days. If you would like to know what the current turnaround times are, please contact us.
Do you have custom colors not on Cerakote’s website?
Yes! We have many custom colors we have created. These range from colors meant to match something else, chromatic colors, ghost colors that only appear under bright light, and even glow-in-the-dark options. See our gallery or Instagram for some examples.
Can I bring you an item or a color code to have you match the color?
Cerakote does not provide a process or equipment to create a custom mix based on a color scan of an item like you find at a paint store. To try match a non-Cerakote color, we must hand-mix colors through a trial-and-error process. This is labor intensive, and can have fees associated with this process if you require us to attempt to match a color that takes significant time. Cerakote does offer creation of custom colors at their factory, however, this is very expensive option as this requires purchasing several gallons of Cerakote at a time.
Can you make Cerakote match existing anodized or plated parts?
In general, no. Matching aluminum parts that have an anodized finish or other parts that are plated is not possible due to the difference in the processes. Beyond a standard black Type III black anodizing, the hue and sheen of anodized parts rarely matches Cerakote.
Can you make Cerakote match existing Cerakote parts?
Even for parts with existing Cerakote of a known color, there are a number of factors in the process that can have a newly coated part not exactly match an existing part. Think of it like matching paint on a house or a vehicle; even with a paint code match, the colors can be slightly off due to composition changes between color batches, or color oxidation from time or UV exposure. If you want parts to match, we recommend coating all the parts together. While more expensive, this provides the best outcome for a consistent look.
I had something coated with Cerakote at another shop, and its peeling and flaking. I thought Cerakote was stronger than that?
We hear this often, and its always due to poor preparation of the part. Like a building, a structure is only as strong as its foundation. Creating the right foundation is the bulk of the Cerakote work, and many shops take shortcuts at this point for a variety of reasons. You can read in more detail in our Instagram post about it.
We are happy to say that to date, after almost 1000 Cerakote jobs, we’ve never had one come back because the coating failed.
Can I have my item coated as-is, or does it need to be disassembled?
To properly apply Cerakote to a part, all parts that can be readily removed must be removed from the part. For a handgun slide as an example, this includes barrel, extractor, sights, firing pin. Exceptions to this requirement would be removing the barrel from a bolt action or AK-style receiver, or removing the front block from an AK barrel, as those parts are ever unlikely to be disassembled from each other in a way that does not damage the coating. If unsure, contact us with information about your item, and we can provide more information on what must be removed or what can remain in place.
Will you disassemble and/or reassemble my firearm for Cerakote?
For most firearms, yes. However, we do charge an hourly gunsmith fee for the time. Contact us for more information.
I want something really unique but not sure where to start, can you help design something?
Yes! We’ve done a number of one-off looks. We tell people to look around on social media or Cerakote’s Gallery for ideas to get started and alter the look as they like. And now in the age of AI, tools such as ChatGPT and Claude can be used as starting points for creating images of something you are looking for. If using AI tools, keep in mind that they are not always good at creating looks that can be realistically done with Cerakote without providing them with cues on proper constraints. If in doubt, send us what you have, and we can help guide you to something that is, or point you to vinyl or hydro-dip if those processes are better for your expectations.
Laser Engraving
Can you apply a serial number to my Privately Made Firearm?
Yes! Note that there are special considerations due to ATF Rule 2021R-05F that went into effect August 24 2022, which require the serial number to include the unique part of our FFL number for traceability.
Do you offer NFA marking services on my NFA items?
Yes!
Can you apply NFA markings to polymer receivers?
In most cases, yes! There are some polymers that prefer to melt than be engraved. If its something we haven’t marked before, we can perform a test-shape engraving in a hidden area first. That way we don’t end up with an ugly engraving that does not meet marking requirements.
Are NFA markings still required?
The law as written in 27 CFR § 479.102 states they are. However, the ATF’s October 2026 Open Letter and Updated Guidance has stated the “ATF will cease enforcement on October 9, 2026” of several provisions, including “The NFA requirement to mark all NFA firearms”. It is up to each person with NFA items to decide for themselves if they are satisfied with it no longer being enforced at this time. If a customer still chooses o have the markings applied, we still apply them per the requirements defined by 27 CFR § 479.102.
How big is the NFA engraving? I don’t want my name or trust to be like a billboard on my firearm.
The requirements are the letters be at least 1/16″ (1.57mm) tall, and 0.003″ deep. In general, this is smaller than most of the Name and Model information manufacturers apply to their firearms. Once we show the area that will be covered by the engraving before the laser marks the part, most customers are surprised at just how small the engraving can really be.
What is your turnaround time for engraving my NFA item?
We can usually apply the marking while you wait. The process usually takes about 10 minutes per item.
Can you do custom engraving on a firearm or other item?
Yes! If you have text or an image, we can look at it and tell you how it will come out. If you have an idea in mind, we can work with you to turn the idea into a digital file that the laser can apply.
If you are looking for “scrollwork” type engravings like you find on old revolvers, we can do that as well. However, one-offs for such work can cost many hundreds of dollars due to how labor intensive it is to set up the artwork for the laser to apply to the item. It is often cheaper to have a hand engraver do the work instead.
Can you stipple the grip of my firearm?
In general, yes. however, it depends on the polymer used in the firearm. We apply stippling via laser and not by hand as we think it provides a cleaner look. The ability for the laser to cleanly apply the pattern depends on the polymer of the part. For example, we can do Glocks and most Sigs , CZs and Polymer80 parts. Some Smith & Wesson and most Springfield Armory pistols do not engrave cleanly as the polymer used in these models prefers to melt than be cleanly ablated.
What is a Suppressor Index Mark mentioned in your pricing options?
Attaching a suppressor to a firearm usually shifts the Point of Impact (POI) of the bullet. To make sure the firearm holds its zero with the suppressor attached, the suppressor needs to be attached the same way each time. The easiest way to verify that is having a visual reference mark on the body of the suppressor. We achieve this by engraving a thin line on the suppressor body, usually at the 12 o’clock position when attached to the firearm.
Can you engrave other things like Yeti cups or wood or plastic?
Yes, our shop is set up with several different laser systems that each have their material specialties. We can engrave onto many different materials. We’ve done everything from stainless tumblers for businesses to acrylic blocks for weddings to initials on individual M&M candies!
NFA Sales & Transfers
Do you transfer NFA items like suppressors and SBRs?
Yes, we can do transfers, however, you must contact us first before sending any item to us. Failure to contact us first risks your item being returned to the sender.
Do you use a 4473 or a Form 4 for NFA transfers?
At this time, we still follow the Form 4 process. We are aware of the court injunction and that the ATF has stated they “will cease enforcement on October 9, 2026” of NFA provisions that require transfer approvals. However, “cease enforcement”, is not the same as the NFA being repealed by Congress. In addition, the ATF has stated in their Transfer Guidance Update that there is a future risk to such transfers if Congress or an administration changes direction, as well as stating there is no guarantee of an amnesty period for registration or grandfathering of such transfers. As a small shop, we don’t want to take the risk that may come if there is a reversal.
We do not quote the ATF’s information to scare customers into using a Form 4; we provide the information to explain our decision for our business. We known many customers prefer to use a 4473-based process and will not be happy with our decision, and we understand if they look to other shops for their NFA needs.
Firearm Sales & Transfers
If I buy a firearm online from another dealer, can I have it shipped to you for pickup?
As a customization shop, we are not set up to handle transfers like a typical brick-and-mortar gun shop. However, we can often handle a transfer if there isn’t a better option for you, or you plan to have us apply Cerakote or engraving to the firearm once you receive it. For any transfer, you must contact us first to get transfer authorization. This is required to make sure we can be available to receive the firearm. Firearms shipped to us without prior authorization are subject to having it returned to the seller. Firearms shipped to us in the blind have caused issues for us and the customer, resulting in the customer having to pay for shipping twice. We don’t want that for anyone.
Can I come into your shop and look at different firearms?
No, we are not a traditional gun store; we are a gunsmith focused on customization services involving Cerakote and laser engraving. As such, we don’t stock firearms or NFA items. If you do find a firearm or suppressor you like, you can contact us to see if we can order it for you.
Pricing
How does your pricing work for Cerakote or engraving?
Pricing varies for each job. To get a rough idea of what a job might cost, refer to the pricing table in each service page for examples. If you want a detailed or exact quote, contact us to arrange it. We’re happy to quote out work for free.
Why are your prices so much cheaper than other places?
We have the luxury of having a dedicated shop on our own property. As such, our overhead costs are considerably lower than other shops renting commercial space and needing to make a take-home profit off each job to pay their home bills. More importantly, we’re not doing this to support ourselves; we do it because we enjoy it and get to meet great people while doing it.
Do you offer discounts?
We offer several types of discounts. We highly value the service of military and first responders. To show our appreciation of their service, all military, active, reserved, and retired, as well as any active first responder, receive:
-10% off all Cerakote and custom laser engraving work
-One free firearm transfer (once the transfer request is approved)
-One free NFA engraving
We ask you provide us evidence of which category you are, for example, a DD-214 or badge or hospital ID.
Third, charity group are eligible for various discounts. For example, we have been known to do a Cerakote job for free for a charity rifle. Our goal is to give back to those that support is, and more importantly, support our communities and our country.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes we do! Contact us to discuss amounts and delivery methods.