The-Econo can adapter...

[FloridaGix06]

So i was just searching around the web and watching some youtube videos...as usual one thing leads to another and somehow i'm watching a guy shooting .22 with an oil filter as a suppressor

Well further research shows that this is actually a legitimate NFA item, with the adapter being sold by American Specialty Ammo(the part that requires a stamp). The oil filter is just the "expansion chamber" and can be replaced as needed.

I'm sure many of you have seen this before and either thought it was stupid and a waste of money, or a kinda cool way to have a suppressor for only cost of the stamp + $55 adapter... I'm someonewhere inbetween those 2 at the moment.

But my question is if one filed their BATFE paperwork and purchased this adapter...is there anything that says you couldn't thread on any "expansion chamber" you want??

While $255 for an oil filter suppressor may not be appealing(mainly cuz the size of the thing!!), what DOES sound appealing is being able to legally play around with different "expansion-chamber" designs and maybe end up with a few practical and usefull suppressors at a fraction of the cost!

I of course don't want to be playing with fire here but does mine line of thinking here seem right??

Btw, I already have paperwork processing on a Thompson Machine Zephyr XL but i can't help being intrigued with the idea of designing my own cans...just not enough to pay $200 each time.

Thanks for any help/advice you guys can give me!

 

[Sam1911]

Ok...so you just shoot right through the back/shell of the filter?

I'm very surprised that such a thing is legal, especially considering the ATF's view on spare and replacement suppressor parts, but it seems that it is.

Before I bought this and used it as you're suggesting -- with a variety of "expansion chambers," some you fabricate yourself for better performance -- I'd want a letter from the Tech Branch in my hands saying that building your own shells to fit on this adapter is not manufacturing new unregistered suppressors.

Seeing as there are plenty of adapters used to attach registered suppressors to different guns -- and the can itself is the suppressor, not the adapter -- I don't see how they could possibly go along with that.

'Course, I'd have lost a LOT of money betting that they wouldn't allow this oil-can adapter thing, either.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Someone actually marketed a registered adaptor for using 2 liter soda pop bottle as expansion chamber.

Joseph Wambaugh, "Echoes in the Darkness" 1987 about the 1979 murder of teacher Susan Reinert and her two children, features use of an illegal silencer made from an auto oil filter on a .22 Ruger: one .22 LR to make a hole through the can as a "wipe", then used with .22 short as a singleshot.

 

[FloridaGix06]

Sam1911,

Don't get me wrong i'm with you 100% on this! First i can't believe this is actually legal...and second, i would most definitely want verification from the manufacturer AND ATF that homemade "expansion chambers" were acceptable.

I tried calling the company but of course it's saturday and no one was there...

I'm not so worried about spending the money and then a new ruling come out because this seems like something that would've seen extra scrutiny in the evaluation process but of course that being said govt never ceases to surprise us.

The loophole it seems is that they've approved use of replaceable filters which i believe leaves the door wide open for interpretation. For me, i'm not looking to have anything i own fall to interpretation buy an agency that i don't think is going to be on my side.

That being said idea is strictly a thought at this point and if i did have PROOF that my idea would be ok, the thought of being able to construct and review my own suppressor designs at minimal future cost is very appealing to me.

Hope to hear more from you guys and i will post whatever my findings with the company and ATF are.

Carl N. Brown,

When looking up information about this i did come across the soda bottle adapter you spoke of...from what i read though it has been since pulled from the market after initial approval?

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I'm very surprised that such a thing is legal, especially considering the ATF's view on spare and replacement suppressor parts, but it seems that it is.

He says it's the "Because-I-can can" and it has been registered with the BATFE under NFA laws.

 

[crazy-mp]

This is like trying to light a cigarette while wearing gasoline soaked clothing. Somebody might need to correct me who is a "old timer" in the NFA world but some of the older suppressors used wipes and the manufacturer could supply wipes with the can when it was new, but they could not give you more wipes once it was shot up. This is where the "Do I need to repack a suppressor" comes from I believe.

Everything I have ever seen says the tube of a suppressor is the registered part not the bushing, or the trunnion, adapter or what ever fancy word you want to call it.

From the ATF website:
The silencer must be marked in accordance with 27 C.F.R. §§ 478.92 and 479.102. The regulations require that the markings be conspicuous and legible, meaning that the markings may be placed on any external part, such as the outer tube or end cap.

ATF strongly recommends that manufacturers place all required markings on the outer tube of the silencer, as this is the accepted industry standard. Moreover, this practice eliminates the need to remark in the event an end cap bearing the markings is damaged and requires replacement.

 

[rjrivero]

The econo-can was designed by Cadiz Gunworks. It's vaporware at this point. I called them, ordered one for demo use at my local Class 3. Paid for it over a year ago, and it still hasn't shown up.

I believe that the ATF Tech Branch is giving them heartburn about this product. It may say it's legal, however you still can't buy it.

 

[Fatdaddy]

/\
Paid for it over a year ago and still no merchandise.
I hope they told you this up front.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

If it sounds too good to be true, it often pays to be skeptical.

 

[alemonkey]

When you build a suppressor on a Form 1 any individual part such as a baffle or tube is considered a suppressor. Once your suppressor is done you can't manufacture another extra baffle, and the legality of making replacement parts is a gray area that always stirs up a lot of debate among home suppressor builders. I see this as even more legally dubious.

 

[MasterSergeantA]

It is actually sold as a "Solvent Trap for the AR 15/M-16" to be used when cleaning your firearm. Reduces the likelihood of a POL spill and the subsequent EPA hassles. I ordered one and got it about three weeks later. Fit and finish is fine. No more pesky Hoppe's or CLP stains on the deck.

One might suppose that punching a hole in the oil filter by whatever means one thought was necessary might allow the collected solvents to be disposed of in an appropriate manner. But I just toss the old filter and get a new one.

 

[FloridaGix06]

Thank you all for the replies...while I figured it too good to be true(registered adapter with legal attachments), I thought I'd ask and certainly got the final word on the matter...

1) The company isn't selling the product anymore it seems and 2) Even if it was available and even with the favorable ATF ruling, there is already much case precedence established regarding the replacement of suppressor parts.

Why they allowed this in the first place is a mystery but they undoubtedly are not happy about it and would be even less so with someone taking a liberal view of their ruling experimenting further.

Luckily I have a legal suppressor in the workings

Thanks guys

 

[zignal_zero]

It is actually sold as a "Solvent Trap for the AR 15/M-16" to be used when cleaning your firearm. Reduces the likelihood of a POL spill and the subsequent EPA hassles. I ordered one and got it about three weeks later. Fit and finish is fine. No more pesky Hoppe's or CLP stains on the deck.

One might suppose that punching a hole in the oil filter by whatever means one thought was necessary might allow the collected solvents to be disposed of in an appropriate manner. But I just toss the old filter and get a new one.

so the "Solvent Trap" is still being sold? i see that it is still advertised, on their site. it seems like a very handy cleaning aid. now that i think of it, i do tend to spill too much solvent, i'm going to call tomorrow and see if they are available