Suppressor confusion...

[BudgetBucks1]

I live in NC and it is finally legal to hunt with a suppressor here. I take my son and daughter in my dad's old box blind so the deer can't see them fidgeting. It is loud shooting in that blind with multiple folks in it. My question is that I am interested in getting an attachment for my rifle that I can use a filter with. I have seen them for sale cheap and I know they work as I have seen people use them. I can't afford a commercially made suppressor. Does the $200 tax stamp cover an individual suppressor or the person that applies for the suppressor? Also, if it only covers the suppressor , does the suppressor have to be commercially made with a serial number engraved on it or can you use an attachment for a filter. Any help would be greatly appreciated as the BATFE website is confusing.

 

[GarySTL]

I'm not going to address the filter adaptors because I'm not a lawyer.

There is a $200 transfer tax everytime a suppressor changes hands in a form 4 or form 1. A Form 4 is for a transfer while a Form 1 is for manufacturing.

 

[yugorpk]

The filter is a silencer if used on a rifle and if you use one on the end of your rifle you are creating a silencer and need to pay the $200 tax, forms etc.. You can buy an adapter that the filter threads onto which threads onto your rifle. To be legal it needs a tax stamp. Sort of a grey area about the filters when used on there but its not realy something they care too much about if you have a tax stamped adapter.

 

[Swing]

IANAL, but just a fan of Title II items, and my understanding of this is ...

My question is that I am interested in getting an attachment for my rifle that I can use a filter with. I have seen them for sale cheap and I know they work as I have seen people use them.

An unregistered, unserialized adapter with a oil filter on it attached to your rifle is very much illegal. However, you may be referring to the Econo Can. It is an adapter that is serialized and is on the NFA registry as a silencer. It uses commercial automotive oil filters. While the cost is $75 + $10 S&H + $200 NFA Tax, there are some issues you should consider:

• The oil filter obscures the sights. You'd have to work around this somehow.
• It is not nearly as quiet as purpose built suppressors.
• I haven't shot one, but I'd have to believe accuracy is going to suffer some. That might be fine whilst blasting away at soda cans, but I have my doubts for a hunting application.
• As an NFA item, you're still going to have to pay $200, take care of all the paperwork associated with said, and wait the 3—9 months for approval.
• Contrary to popular belief, you cannot legally replace the oil filter yourself once it is shot out. It must be returned to the original manufacturer. Your looking at $25 per replacement, plus postage.

Personally, I wouldn't waste my time on one, but to each their own.

I can't afford a commercially made suppressor.

You didn't say what you are suppressing, but you did mention deer, so I am assuming a centerfire rifle. I've seen .30 / 7.62mm cans as low as in the $500-ish range. If you let us know the exact rifle and caliber, we might be able to narrow it down some as to what you're looking at for an adapter, suppressor, etc.

Beyond that, .22 cans can be had as low as in the $150-300 range.

Does the $200 tax stamp cover an individual suppressor or the person that applies for the suppressor?

It is a one time transfer tax of the item to you. It only covers that one suppressor transferring to you.

Also, if it only covers the suppressor , does the suppressor have to be commercially made with a serial number engraved on it or can you use an attachment for a filter.

NFA-regulated items must have a serial number. One already built can transfer to you on a Form 4. Or you can build your own with an approved Form 1. Both, however, require a serial number on the item.

Hope that helps.

 

[MasterSergeantA]

The tax is paid on the suppressor itself. In the case of the oil filter adapters, the adapter normally gets the serial number. The issue is whether the end user is legally permitted to swap out filters when one finally wears out or if the whole assembly has to be shipped back to the adapter manufaturer for 'repair'. The adapters sold as 'solvent traps' are cheap...and not serial numbered. The ones used as suppressors cost a good bit more. If you buy one of the cheap ones and shoot through the oil filter, you are committing a felony. Use one sold for suppressor use and you are good.

 

[jmorris]

I would have them put in ear plugs on muffs, electronic even, before I would put and oil filter on the end of my gun and try and hunt with it.

If you have a lathe you can make a good suppressor for very little money, just time.

 

[BudgetBucks1]

Thanks for the info guys. You answered all my questions. I know two of you mentioned accuracy suffering from using a filter on a hunting rifle but I know people who have done this and accuracy did not seem to be affected and it also did not block the ability to see through the scope on the rifle. As for ear plugs I cannot wear them when I am hunting as my hearing is the most important sense to me when hunting. I usually hear them coming before I see them coming so I definitely want to go with the suppressor. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Elkins45]

File a Form 1 and then once it is approved build yourself a freeze plug silencer using a tube and end caps from SD Tactical. It will only cost a few dollars more than the oil filter silencer and would be MUCH more effective and better in every way. All you would need is a drill and an engraver

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Try these. They magnify sounds and are quite clear. They are also much cheaper than a quasi-legal supressor

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Howard-Leight-by-Honeywell-R-01902-Impact-Pro-Electronic-Shooting-Earmuffs-Black-and-Grey/27954606

 

[Havok7416]

It seems awfully easy to just put on a pair of electronic earmuffs for hunting. They will actually pick up more sound than your naked ear. Certainly they are much cheaper than buying a silencer.

 

[Elkins45]

It seems awfully easy to just put on a pair of electronic earmuffs for hunting. They will actually pick up more sound than your naked ear. Certainly they are much cheaper than buying a silencer.

Yes, but then he wouldn't own a silencer.

 

[Havok7416]

For the intent the OP describes it would certainly be the cheaper (and faster) alternative.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Unless you're good with a lathe, I wouldn't bother Form 1-ing a can. You can get a 30 cal in the $500 range if you look around. Basically, buy once, cry once. Anything freeze-plug or oil filter is questionable at best. Don't get me wrong, an effective silencer can be built from these things (via ATF Form 1), but it's not as good as a commercial can.

 

[yugorpk]

You'll have maybe $120 into it ( before tax stamp...I mean after tax stamp ) with a flashlight, baffles and end caps and it will work fine for a form 1 can and no lathe experience necessary . The "cups" come pre spotted. drill and cut a side slot with a dremel. Some of the "parts cups" you'll find out there are on on the thin side. Not these.

http://www.amazon.com/JMPF-MagLite-...sC1oWoL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR153,160_

http://www.amazon.com/Maglite-Threa...265542&sr=8-4-catcorr&keywords=D+cell+end+cap

http://www.amazon.com/MagLite-LED-3...id=1449265653&sr=1-2&keywords=d+cell+maglight


Or... for a cleaner build with no flashlight hole ( and a little cheaper )

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-6061..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1J9ZNZ7B1233S9N3S380


Ain't America great!

 

[Elkins45]

Unless you're good with a lathe, I wouldn't bother Form 1-ing a can. You can get a 30 cal in the $500 range if you look around. Basically, buy once, cry once. Anything freeze-plug or oil filter is questionable at best. Don't get me wrong, an effective silencer can be built from these things (via ATF Form 1), but it's not as good as a commercial can.

I'v heard latheless cans that were every bit as good as the >$700 cans from commercial makers.

 

[Darkbob]

Just to be clear here, IF you intend to shoot .308, you should not use an aluminum tube or aluminum baffles.

Aluminum can be appropriate for a lower powered caliber, but it will not last very long with .308.

Tons of good info on building your own US legal (with approved Form-1) silencer at SilencerTalk.com. There are builds there covering everything from $50 cheapies using muffler tube welded onto an A2 style flash hider (ie, no lathe needed) up to superfantastic titanium and inconel ones.

One more thing, if you go with the electronic muffs, you may want to make sure that it's OK to hunt with hearing enhancment in your area. I seem to recall that, at least in one jurisdiction, that was a no-go.

 

[plodder]

I have built a few form 1 silencers (suppressors, mufflers or whatever you choose to call them). I have used aluminum, stainless and titanium; all machined on a lathe. You can build a very good silencer with a hobby lathe if you are patient and reasonably skilled.

On the other hand, I have a buddy who recently built a "Maglight" & freezeplug form 1 silencer using the parts available on Amazon, etc. On a .300 BLK it performs every bit as well as my meticulously crafted Form 1s (maybe better). He has less than $400 in it, including the stamp. When I add up the cost of my Titanium version I come very close to that with a lot more time & effort. (not that I will change my way of doing things in the future).

If you have limited resources and have some basic mechanical aptitude, the Maglight form 1 silencer doesn't seem like a bad way to go to me.

 

[pdsmith505]

Unless you're good with a lathe, I wouldn't bother Form 1-ing a can. You can get a 30 cal in the $500 range if you look around. Basically, buy once, cry once. Anything freeze-plug or oil filter is questionable at best. Don't get me wrong, an effective silencer can be built from these things (via ATF Form 1), but it's not as good as a commercial can.

Side by side with the YHM .30 cal can on a 300 BLK, this freeze plug can is pretty much the same sound wise. 0.5" shorter, and 0.125" greater in diameter. 1 oz heaver (dead nuts at 16 oz).

Except a Ti .30 cal YHM can (http://yhm.net/titanium-30-cal-q-d-phantom-1623.html) costs $1200 before the stamp and this Ti one cost $510 after the stamp.

Your mileage may vary. Picking the right source for your "solvent trap" is critical.