Is it possible to send the complete firearm to a SOT to have converted/sbr'ed and the sear sent back quickly? I have a sear that is married to a host (barrel less than 16") and want to send it off for a full conversion. I was thinking it would be easier to just have it sent off (and wait) and have the sear sent back quickly. Is this possible?
No. If the sear is married to the gun, you can't use it with any other gun till the new sear form 4 is approved and returned.
My limited understanding is that the answer "retro" has given is incorrect. I received my Fleming sear just as you have, installed in a Vollmer converted 94. The "married" part has to do with the configuration of the Title I firearm that the sear is installed in. It is not a restriction of the sear's registration so much as the Vollmer converted 94 would not be legal by itself. So removal of the sear from a rifle with a barrel less than 16" would make that rifle an unregistered SBR. The HK94 was imported as a rifle. As such, a rifle has to have a 16" barrel. My understanding is you have three options:
1)File a Form 1 and wait for approval. I did not notify the NFA Branch that my Vollmer converted 94 was no longer married to my Fleming sear after my Form 1 was approved. I do keep a copy of my approved Form 1 with the copy of my sear's Form 4 so it is easy to see that my HK94 is unencumbered. I never received a new Form 4 without the HK94 information on it.
2)Send the complete firearm to a Manufacturer for "repair". He files a Form 2 and your HK94 enters the NFA Registry as a SBR. I would think it would be prudent to wait until the HK94 has actually been entered into the registry before shipping the sear back to you. If the manufacturer is in another state, he can still transfer the SBR directly back to you. A letter, in addition to the standard Form 4 paperwork, explaining that the HK94 is owned by you, so there is no change in ownership, and that the manufacturer simply changed the configuration of the HK94.
3)Add a permanent barrel extension making the HK94's barrel over 16". To be prudent, I'd write a letter to your examiner informing the NFA Branch that the HK94 is in Title I configuration. I'd send that letter registered mail and I'd keep a copy of it with the copy of your sear's Form 4. You could then leave the HK94 as is, or send in a Form 1.
Of course this information is worth exactly what you paid for it. This is just my understanding of how and why a married sear can be divorced from a rifle host with a barrel less than 16". I'm not a lawyer, although I did play one on stage. Good luck with both of your sear divorcing projects.
Scott