On the other hand, if the number is in the hundreds, then this might actually be a valid investigative move. Sometimes it takes unusual measures for the FBI to "always get their man". If a name on a FAC sales record happens to match a name that has already surfaced and is on a long list of possible suspects, it could break the case.
Ballistic fingerprinting, however, goes much further and I would expect some judicial oversight and evidence of probable cause if they are really trying to collect every barrel for such fingerprinting.
Certainly, if the FBI plans to fingerprint thousands and thousands of barrels from around the nation, as opposed to a much smaller number, I think some attorneys need to be called in and legal reality check conducted, if for no other reason than the expense and questionable practice of such a wide canvass.
Much more importantly, though, each fingerprinting legally constitutes a search from a civil rights perspective, and a burden upon everyone so searched. If there is insufficient probable cause for such searches, they may be prohibited on constitutional grounds.
I am definitely no fan of heavy-handed government, but if the numbers and conduct in this case point to valid criminal investigative technique instead of a general shakedown, and the rules of probable cause and appropriate legal restrictions are observed, I can't knock them for giving this a try in this case, particularly if they aren't getting results from other angles.
If they are trying to pull an end run around the law, however, then they must be stopped just like anyone else who would violate the law, because then they would be nothing more than criminals with badges.
If the number is 10 or less it might be a valid investigative move.
What is wrong with the good, old-fashioned search warrant?
This sounds to me like a giant fishing expedition with lots of people's rights being trampled and little hope of success.
More like dozens, probably several hundred. The PM Makarov is a popular handgun, and those who use one and fail to clean it afterward find out pretty quickly what the effects of Soviet-Bloc corrosive-primer ammunition are, requiring a replacement barrel if continued effective use is to continue. The Makarov's design allows the simple and easy replacement of barrels with an inexpensive barrel press or large vise, and their stainless steel construction is favoured by some users as one antidote to the corrosive ammo effects problem; others like to change the caliber to the more easily available .380 caliber while they're at it, and the threaded fitting available on the FAC barrels allows the addition of a silencer or sound suppressor in those states where their purchase is legal, or a barrel muzzle weight for target shooters more used to longer-barrelled handguns with a bit more weight up front. And many of those expecting that the use of their handgun might take place at night find a flash suppressor might be a good idea after trying the ex-commie ammo at night.
Federal Arms Corporation replacement barrel info *here.* If you get one, tell Harlan that archy sent ya.
-archy-/-
A production run of hundreds is unlikely to be economicly viable. The reason you get stories of government "$600 toilet seats" and "$200 hammers", is that they specify some non-standard specification, for a tiny production run.
I would be surprised if anybody did a production run of replacement barrels in quantity less than a few thousand, and more likely tens of thousands.