As others have posted, the frame of a 1911 (or other gun) is NOT a firearm under MA law, but IS under Federal law. If you want to build a target pistol based on a 1911 frame (since you cannot buy one commercially from Les Baer of Rock River Arms, for instance) you can purchase a frame or frame/slide assembly from Caspian and take possession in MA via your friendly FFL. He would then make out the Federal 4473 and likely the FA10 as well although it is not required at that point.
Then, you may have the gun built by a bullseye gunsmith here in MA or elsewhere in the U.S. Said gunsmith/FFL would then return the gun to you directly (you must remember that the frame that you sent him is a gun under Federal law and he may legally return it to you after working on it). You now have a complete gun suitable for bullseye competition.
HOWEVER, you CANNOT place this gun in the hands of a MA FFL for any purpose as he cannot return it to you since it is not MA Approved. He would only be able to sell it or ship it out of state.
A question for those more learned than I is whether a second FA10 is required to be filed (first one filed on Frame Only) when the gun is fully assembled?
Then, you may have the gun built by a bullseye gunsmith here in MA or elsewhere in the U.S. Said gunsmith/FFL would then return the gun to you directly (you must remember that the frame that you sent him is a gun under Federal law and he may legally return it to you after working on it). You now have a complete gun suitable for bullseye competition.
HOWEVER, you CANNOT place this gun in the hands of a MA FFL for any purpose as he cannot return it to you since it is not MA Approved. He would only be able to sell it or ship it out of state.
A question for those more learned than I is whether a second FA10 is required to be filed (first one filed on Frame Only) when the gun is fully assembled?