According to the ATF the reciver is what is considered the gun.

I guess I'd need to know why you'd want a firearm without the bolt? Myself, no way!

As what remington said, the receiver alone is what is considered the firearm.

But when a firearm is disassembled, it is just guns parts in my opinion. The firearm doesn't become a firearm until it is whole just like no one part of your car makes it a car. It is when the car(gun parts) parts are put together correctly that it becomes a car(gun). The law has one definition as remington stated, and reality has another.

Alright... so what part of a 7mm Bolt action Rifle would you consider to be the "Receiver"? The barrel or the bolt?

lol... I really am asking for a reason. I'll explain later.

Receiver is the part that the barrel screws into, the bolt fits into, the magazine box is attached to, scope bases screw into, etc. It should have a serial number, brand name and model marked on it. Along with the earlier car analogy...kind of think of it like the engine block.

This.

Well mismary, it's been a long time since I've seen anything posted from you. Where have ya been? It's actually good to hear from you again. So are you in a bit of trouble with the ATF? (Joking!!)

remington is correct regarding the reciever, but I believe that is just for long guns.

But I do believe that the rules may have changed to include the firing mechanism for handguns. I only say this because SIG Sauer has come out with a new pistol where you can use various sized frames and slides and barrels, but only the trigger and hammer mechanism is serial numbered. I actually think that in a pistol or revolver, it's the firing mechanism (which is attached to the frame). I only say this because I'm not sure how SIG is getting around just having the firing mechanism serial numbered and using or exchanging various other parts i.e. frames, barrels, slides, on their new model pistol. Check out the ATF page. I'm sure they have the laws posted.

I believe the frame is serial #'d on the sig sauer pistols(most pistols I think) which allows you to have one serial # and a combo of barrels, slides, grips, etc. and the frame contains the action(which is the firearm in a handgun).

Not sure but from the picture I saw on SIG's newest model, the trigger assembly which contained the hammer was the only part that was serial numbered. But, I could be mistaken, only seen the advertisement for it, not the gun itself.

I know that their other handguns that are made here, or imported here for the US market are all serial numbered on the frame like my P220 is. German and Swiss SIG's are serial'd on frame, barrel, and slide.

As far as mismary's question - yes I would consider a 7mm rifle without the bolt a firearm, though a temporarily disabled firearm. As per the ATF, the reciever is the gun and is all that requires a serial number. Many other countries require slide, barrel, and frame to be serial numbered.

You could be right, but in my opinion it is not smart for them to put the only serial number on a replacable part like a trigger assembly. That is usually the first thing I replace or rework on my guns. What model is the new SIG?