I need some strait answers on a form 1

[T1000]

I have a few questions now that my form one has been approved. I'm hoping you gentlemen can help

1. I went a little crazy and listed my Can as 11 in long. Do I need to notify ATF if i en up building a can at about 9 in long?

2. I listed the can as 308 an I understand that I'm to adhere to that caliber but is there any specific rule stating the bore can't be as big as .40 or even bigger?

3. I plan on using this can for 300 blk, 32acp and maybe .9mm will a can made of all aluminum be strong enough?

4. I keep reading all this talk about loosing efficiency when you use a larger bore. why is it that 45 Can's on a 9mm host work so well?

[doubloon]

[66427vette]

Al for 300 supers or subs?

[Libertarian_Geek]

New from Cart-Horse silencers, the oops-core.

[doubloon]

New from Cart-Horse silencers, the oops-core.

Heh ...

There's a good thread on this somewhere but I'm too lazy to look for it.

I think the answers go something like this.

1: it would be a good idea

2: list the largest caliber that will safely pass through the aperture

3: depends

4: design but not all of them do

[T1000]

doubloon I agree that it would be a good idea, I'm just curious if there's a rule on it? I have searched for answers but I just keep finding lot of opinions on the mater.

I got my Form 1 back already and I just listed .308! So would it be a problem if I bore it out bigger and use it on say a 9mm?

300blk subs

Thanks in advance

[T1000]

New from Cart-Horse silencers, the oops-core.

the Kestrel 7.62 AK suppressor is bored out to .40

[doubloon]

doubloon I agree that it would be a good idea, I'm just curious if there's a rule on it? ...

Strap yourself in because it seems you've asked for simple answers to a set of complex questions.

PREFACE:
The ATF "rules" that deal with a lot of this stuff are sort of open ended or a loop that appears to exist in one document is closed in another. It's a basket weave of GCA, NFA, 18 U.S.C. and more.

The answers to your legality questions will vary depending on who you ask and what you tell them but in the end it really only matters what an agent or a judge think and by then it's too late. The answers to your performance and durability questions will vary just as much, the only difference being an agent or a judge wouldn't give two shits.

I think the cart-horse comment didn't have anything to do with your design criteria, only that these seem to be foundation questions being asked late in the form 1 game.

And if you get the answers you are looking for they are predicated on the idea that they actually matter. Some people seem to be of the opinion that what the ATF don't know won't hurt me.

"ANSWERS:"(actually thinly disguised opinions)
-B- once said the ATF allows for the shortening of a can for things like thread repair and that the original build, if shorter, needs to be close to the documented length. Here again "close to" is a matter of interpretation but you're talking about a something like a 20% difference in length which I personally would not consider close or insignificant. Longer is not a valid option. Some believe as long as nobody checks your can against the paperwork nothing happens, it only matters when it matters.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/nationa ... ncers.html

For the caliber question, the rules (link above) say you can't change the caliber of the can after you've made it or it's a new suppressor, just like you can't make the can longer or it's a new suppressor. Personally I would list the largest caliber that will pass through the bore because I think it would be really hard to prove I didn't make it bigger later. On the off chance you find yourself trying to explain an aperture significantly larger than the documented caliber to an agent or a judge I don't think either of them will be impressed with the lack of fresh machining marks as evidence of your honesty. We're back to the possibility of the hand in the cookie jar scenario again. As for the Kestrel comparison, Huntertown may have filed a variance or maybe actual bore size doesn't really matter and you can make a 50 cal suppressor and call it a 7.62 with no problems ... don't really know. Also, if you care enough, you can probably list additional calibers in 4h "Additional description" as long as you put them as markings on the can similar tot he multiple calibers listed on the Spectre.

vette is trying to help you with the aluminum question and there's a ton of things that matter like supers vs subs, baffle erosion, wall thickness, yada yada, blah blah ... a ton of s--t I only understand in the same way I understand there's no replacement for displacement ... I'm not much of a mechanic either.

The efficiency question is a whole different cesspool of opinion full of floaties like baffle design, volume, baffle placement, number of baffles, material and of course aperture as you mentioned along with a few things I've forgotten and a whole bunch of s--t I will never know. Like I mentioned before some 45 cans do fine for 45, OK for 40 and are crap for 9mm. That's why I buy them and don't make them.

[T1000]

First and foremost I'dd like to say a sincere thank you sir for taking the time to write all that. I knew there had to be a reason I couldn't find any clear answers it's because there aren't any! JK

It would probably be easier if I just list my goals and let you guys help me with the rest.

1. I'm not going for super quiet I just want to make some of my guns hearing safe.

2. I originally wanted to suppress my FAL but know I'm not so sure on what rifle I want to use this Can on.

3. I have a 11x36 lathe that I'm in the process of repairing and my experience with it is limited to AL.

Maybe I should have just invested in some nice ear muffs I do have a Sparrow on it's way for 22lr

[doubloon]

Remember, everything I said is my unqualified opinion.

You really need to follow up with somebody like vette on that super/sub al question.

[57fairlane]

300blk subs

Thanks in advance

I really do hate even 7075 aluminum in any silencer application save outside of a tube for a pistol can maybe.

There isn't any reason to use aluminum for anything unless its a prototype or you want to machine one in half the time.

For a thing that will cost $200 in just a stamp, and will have forever, there isn't any advantage to aluminum that I am aware of.

Stick to stainless or titanium.