Laser Engravers for Guns: What Is Gun Engraving?
Gun laser engraving is typically used for tracking and identifying firearms, but it can also be used to personalize and decorate your weapons. Whether it’s adding an elaborate image or a meaningful quote to your gun barrel, you can provide durable customization with a laser engraver for guns!
Laser gun-engraving involves using a precise beam of light to engrave patterns onto surfaces like metal, wood, or plastic. This accurate laser beam can etch intricate patterns or detailed lettering onto your weapons. Laser-engraved guns also offer more consistent engraving than hand-engraved guns due to the absence of human error.
Read More: Gun Laser Engraving vs. Hand Engraving
What Laser Engraver Do You Need to Engrave Guns?
Depending on the type of material utilized, you’ll need to use either a fiber laser cutter or a CO₂ laser engraver for guns. Generally, for gun laser engraving, you typically need a fiber laser to engrave on the steel and aluminum receivers and slides.
Standard CO2 and blue diode lasers do not work directly on raw metals because the wavelength is wrong; they will only strip coatings like Cerakote or mark plastics like PMAGs. However, you can use a CO₂ laser engraver to create the best markings on the wooden parts of the gun.
1. CO₂ Laser Engravers for Guns: Laser Engraving the Wood of Your Firearm
CO₂ laser machines offer the best engravings for wood due to consistent wavelengths and even beam absorption. You should not use a fiber laser for engraving wood—a fiber laser creates poor, charred etchings on wood due to the short wavelength. CO₂ engravers, however, work well with organic and non-metal materials, making them the ideal choice for laser engraving guns made of wood.
Polar Lite 55W CO₂ Laser Engraver
The engraving examples of OMTech CO2 laser engravers:
2. Laser Engraving Metal and Plastic: When to Opt for Fiber Laser Marker
If your gun is made of metal or tough plastic, your best bet for engraving is a fiber laser marker. Fiber laser markers engrave denser materials like metal and polymers much quicker and deeper than CO₂ machines. This is due to the intense laser beam generated by stimulated radiation, resulting in incredibly durable and precise fiber laser engraving on your firearm.
Laser Engraving both Metal and Non-Metal with OMTech Solis Duo
If you run a business of laser engraving guns, the best choice is the OMTech Solis Duo. This is because it can engrave guns made of both metal and non-metal. It has a speed of 10,000 mm/s, comes with a 16 MP camera, and is also compatible with a conveyor. This allows you to easily engrave guns in batches.
Here are the samples engraved by OMTech Solis Duo.
Gun Laser Engraving: Hardware Requirements, Best Software, and Everything You Need to Know.
A fiber laser engraver is the primary hardware you usually need for gun laser engraving. It gives you the ultimate control over graphics, allows for maximal shading, and produces the best contrast. Many gun engravers prefer MOPA fiber lasers over standard fiber lasers, mainly because they add that special touch of color.
For a fiber laser engraver, 50W or 60W is considered the sweet spot. 20W or 30W fiber lasers can hit the required ATF depth, but they typically require significantly more passes and take much longer.
1. Software and Settings for Gun Laser Engraving
For gun laser engraving, the consensus is that Lightburn is the best software, mainly because it handles vector mapping better than many of the alternatives. Take note, however, that Lightburn works best for gun laser engraving when you use a laser engraver that uses an EXCAD 2.0 board or compatible controller.
2. Best Laser Engraving Settings For Gun Laser Engraving
For deep steel engravings on pistol slides, the best approach is to use tighter interval passes (e.g., 0.002 mm to 0.05 mm intervals) paired with cleaning passes to strip away the charred material and produce crisp lines. This is the best strategy for achieving crisp and clean lines.
3. A Fume Extractor is a Must.
For gun engraving, you must use a dedicated fume extractor. Vaporizing metals like 7075 aluminum produces toxic dust, and engraving polymer components (like Glock frames) releases highly hazardous gases. You need an effective, reliable way to get rid of those fumes.
Legal Warnings for Gun Engraving
For Form 1 or SBR builds, there is an NFA Minimum Depth. Federal law mandates that you use a minimum engraving depth of 0.003 inches (roughly 1/16 inch in text height). There are also FFL licensing rules. Generally, you can legally engrave your own personal firearm without any special license. But, if you perform engraving as a commercial service or business for others, the ATF classifies you as a gunsmith, meaning you must possess a Type 01 FFL.
How Much Does Laser Engraving a Gun Cost?
Laser-engraved handguns can cost anywhere from $8 to $300, depending on the design and area you want engraved. Engraving something as small as a magazine might run you around $8-$15, while engraving the barrel might cost you well over a hundred.
Also, the expected cost of gun laser engraving may generally differ depending on whether you are working with a DIY machine or outsourcing the engraving tasks. If you have many guns and intend to engrave them yourself, you may need a fiber laser. A small 30W to 50W fiber laser can cost between $3000 to $6000. That is about how much it will cost you to take on gun laser engraving by yourself.
If you need a single NFA lower slide engraved, the obvious pathway is to pay a local shop. The typical prices can be between $30 and $60 per engraving.
If you’re wondering, “What’s the best laser gun engraving near me?” make sure to weigh all your options before committing. Getting fair prices for fine craftsmanship will make laser engraving your gun even sweeter.
Gun Laser Engraving Designs
From tribal designs to intricate murals to favorite quotes, the possibilities for firearm laser-engraving patterns are virtually limitless! Imagine a revolver with the words, “Memento mori” carved into the handle or a Glock with Red Hood pictured on the side.
Just like the cowboys of the Wild West had fancy revolvers to accompany them, you, too, deserve a beautiful, bespoke firearm. The personality and customization offered by laser machines are truly priceless!
Tips for Laser Engraving Guns
First, you should ensure your gun is not loaded before performing any laser engraving. Practice proper gun safety when managing your firearm. You must also determine the materials your gun is made out of, so you know whether to use a CO₂ laser engraver or a fiber marker.
Next, before laser engraving firearms, determine the design you will be engraving onto your firearm. You should also deliberate where you want the image or quote to be. Then consider the location of the design. Do you want to engrave the sides of the barrel, the magazine, the grip, or all of the above?
Finally, upload the image or create the design on Lightburn—OMTech’s designated laser-machine software. Lightburn connects to your laser machine to turn your designs into near-perfect renderings on your chosen material. Use Lightburn to send the instructions to your laser engraver and watch your OMTech laser machine work!
Pull the Trigger with OMTech
Personalizing your handguns isn’t just about showcasing your unique style—it’s also about exploring the possibilities of laser technology. With a suitable laser engraver for firearms, like OMTech fiber marker or CO₂ laser engraver, you can create amazing pieces of art and even make a business out of it!
With a fiber marker, you have the power and precision to engrave durable materials like granite and marble, along with hard plastics and various metals. Our MOPA fiber laser markers can even engrave in color, adding a bit of flair to your engravings!
On the other hand, our CO₂ laser engravers and cutters offer versatility in the range of objects they can cut and engrave. An OMTech CO₂ laser machine can engrave and cut acrylic, wood, leather, glass, and more!
If you’re looking for a compact model for your small business, we offer the sleek OMTech Polar Lite Desktop Laser Engraver.
Find the best laser engraving machines at OMTech! Whether you’re a professional engraver or an inspired hobbyist, we understand your desire for precise and affordable laser technology. Luckily, we’ve combined the best of both worlds—offering our customers top-of-the-line machines at economical prices. Pull the trigger with OMTech and start your engraving journey today!
