According to ATF, probably. Ridefast notes some things that qualify:
# Drop in parts.
# Bluing and colorization.
# Sporterizing.
# Mounting a scope base.
# Installing a different sight.
Manuel Lora notes that coloring and heat-treating qualify as well.
Last night, I had a punch and big ass hammer out to fix the Enfield. I did not apply for a Federal Firearms License nor did I pay a Special Occupational Tax to do that.
And it means that not only do you have to be licensed, you also have to pay excise tax.
More importantly did you get the front sight in the same plane as the rear sight? And did you get to send a few down range or did you just hammer it out?
Oh, and one the registerd thing, I think you need to be paid for those sevices before you qaulify. You can bang on your own gun with out one and if you do it for free for others I think you are safe from the ATF.
If you read the ATF link, it’s pretty clear that you’re only a dealer if you make the listed mods for the purpose of reselling the guns. Mods to personal firearms doesn’t make you a manufacturer. Making mods to other people’s guns makes you a gunsmith.
“I did not apply for a Federal Firearms License nor did I pay a Special Occupational Tax to do that.”
Will you blog from jail, or will the no-knock warrant and ninjas dropping from the skylights kill your buzz for writing?