Suppressor question

[RyanM]

In a previous thread, months ago, someone stated that suppressors are useless because all the parts are regulated, so they can't be legally repaired, since replacing parts would make it legally a whole different suppressor. Then about 10 other people said that no, only the assembled suppressor (or the complete parts to manufacture one) are regulated, and that getting a busted suppressor fixed wouldn't be a problem.

So if that is indeed the case, would it be legal to buy a single suppressor housing, but then get multiple sets of "innards" for that housing, so you can use it on different calibers? It would only be physically possible to use one set at a time. And it wouldn't be that much different from using a single suppressor on multiple guns. It's even possible to use the same suppressor on guns of smaller calibers anyway, though it doesn't work as well.

All I can find on the ATF's website is:

Some examples of the types of firearms that must be registered are:
Silencers and any part designed and intended for fabricating a silencer;

So that could mean any part other than ones that are actually a part of a suppressor (assembled or not). Or it could mean that if you take your suppressor apart, you commit a felony by manufacturing suppressors without a license, since each individual part, once seperate from the whole, is another suppressor. I wouldn't put it past the ATF to do something dumb like that.

I should probably just e-mail them, but I figured I'd ask here first.

 

[Sunray]

"...Some examples of the types of firearms that must be registered are:...
Funny that don't include ALL new firearms too. All those ATF forms you're required to fill out is defacto registration.

 

[RyanM]

Registered and with a $200 tax stamp paid, as per the ATF.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
WASHINGTON, DC 20226

AUG 23 1999

901040:GS
5320/99-0115

Dear Mr. Bardwell:

This is in response to your letter of June 28, 1999, regarding the repair of a silencer by an individual owner. You ask "whether it is lawful for the owner of a lawfully possessed silencer ... to repair that silencer himself, by replacing unserialized internal components with new components of his own making." You cited the replacement of a worn out plastic "wipe" or damaged baffle as an example.

As you are aware, the terms "firearm silencer" and "firearm muffler" mean any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication. Thus, certain internal components, intended only for use in a silencer, are silencers as defined.

If an individual made one of these parts, even for use as a replacement part, the individual would be making a silencer. Under the provisions of the National Firearms Act, any person must apply for and receive permission to make a silencer and pay the making tax for each silencer made. This would require the individual owner to file an ATF Form 1 application for each silencer part to be made with the payment of $200.00 for each application prior to making any replacement part.

In regard to the two parts in your cited example, we consider a baffle to be a silencer, but a wipe, which is usually nothing more than a rubber or plastic disc with a hole in it, is generally not considered to be a silencer. Thus an individual owner could replace a wipe.

For the replacement of a part or parts that meet the definition of a silencer, the individual owner would need to arrange for the transfer of the silencer to a Federal firearms licensee who is qualified to manufacture silencers.

If you have questions about the classification of other silencer components, please provide us with a description of them or should any additional information be needed, please contact Gary Schiable at (202) 927-8330.

Sincerely yours,
[signed]
Kent M. Cousins
Chief, National Firearms Act Branch

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter66.txt

since each individual part, once seperate from the whole, is another suppressor.

They do consider it that way.

would it be legal to buy a single suppressor housing, but then get multiple sets of "innards" for that housing, so you can use it on different calibers?

This would not be legal.

 

[RyanM]

Darn. Oh, well. Anyone have any test data for how poorly suppressors perform when using one on a smaller caliber firearm than designed for?

 

[444]

"manufacturing suppressors without a license"

You don't need a license to manufacture a suppressor. You do need a tax stamp on a form 1.
Here is a link to a forum for making suppressors: http://www.silencertests.com/silencer-forum/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=3989c49ba5f269711ad32bdd706c443a

 

[bogie]

According to Norm's letter, it's illegal to create a "tire" sound suppressor.

 

[artherd]

I find it amazing how close to FELONY some people will come just to save a buck or two.

Just buy 3 darn suppressors already! (And then let's repeal the entire NFA.)

 

[Brad Johnson]

In regard to the two parts in your cited example, we consider a baffle to be a silencer, but a wipe, which is usually nothing more than a rubber or plastic disc with a hole in it, is generally not considered to be a silencer. Thus an individual owner could replace a wipe.

Wasn't there some case where an over-zealous ATF agent with an axe to grind prosecuted some dude by claiming that a bunch of generic old hardware store washers in his toolbox were actually "silencer baffles"?

Brad

 

[Dr_Pain]

I wish they would make "noise suppresors" on my 68 mustang illegal

 

[wingnutx]

According to Norm's letter, it's illegal to create a "tire" sound suppressor.

What is a "tire" sound suppressor?

I wish I had bought one of those soda-bottle adaptors before they got yanked off the market.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

What is a "tire" sound suppressor?

You line up a row of tires and fire down through the center. Somewhat effective.

 

[Lupinus]

They should be legal IMO. Would be better for everyone involved IMO. Manditory on your car illegal on your gun it is redicules. Personally it's nice living in a state with no car inspection, I'm convinced half the people have no mufflers or cat converters. It's great