Modular silencer legality

[Hannibalbarca]

Would it be legal for a manufacturer to make a "modular" silencer? As in its a two piece silencer with one tube threading into the other.
The caps are interchangeable between the two tubes and the baffles are individual stacked cones. The manufacturer also provides different front caps and different end caps for different calibers.
With this you'd have two silencers if you put one end and front cap on one tube and the other two on the second tube.

[doubloon]

Would it be legal for a manufacturer to make a "modular" silencer? ...

Currently there are a number of manufacturers who make modular silencers.

A "manufacturer" is an entity that holds an actual license to manufacture silencers under the burden of an annual fee.

A yokel with an approved Form 1 (5320.1) in his hand is NOT a manufacturer.

Read the article at the first link in this post then go read more from the stuff that comes up on the second link in this post.

Educate yourself then come back and ask an intelligent question.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017 ... silencers/

https://www.google.com/search?client=ub ... 8&oe=utf-8

[fishman]

if the silencer comes apart in two pieces and each piece could be used as a silencer on its own, then it's 100% illegal.

If there isn't a configuration using every silencer part, then it's 100% illegal.

If you post specifics and drawings of exactly what you're thinking, we'll probably be able to help further.

[Hannibalbarca]

if the silencer comes apart in two pieces and each piece could be used as a silencer on its own, then it's 100% illegal.

If there isn't a configuration using every silencer part, then it's 100% illegal.

If you post specifics and drawings of exactly what you're thinking, we'll probably be able to help further.

no youre correct.
also just curious, does it say in fopa or the nfa that its illegal to have what im talking about if the silencer is from a manufacturer like silencerco.
also for the fopa ban on extra silencer parts, do you know where it says that and where it distinguishes between a maker and a manufacturer?

[doubloon]

In theory what is legal for manufacturers should be legal for makers, volume and distribution not included, but it doesn't always work that way.

I'm sure someone has made a modular can on a form 1 somewhere.

... where it distinguishes between a maker and a manufacturer?

One place


https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/atf-n ... 6/download


Another place

https://www.atf.gov/file/82791/download


more places


https://www.google.com/search?client=ub ... rjX81vGhFU

[T-Rex]

There's no reference to "extra" parts; not in that context. There are, however, many references to "spare" and "replacement" parts being illegal.

If every part is a silencer, and you have "extra" parts, then would you not have an "extra" silencer?











Sorry, it's been one of those days.

[doubloon]

...
If every part is a silencer, and you have "extra" parts, then would you not have an "extra" silencer?
...

Yes, an extra unserialized silencer.



When I disassemble my Spectre for cleaning it's like it multiplied into 9 silencers and this defrays the cost of my stamp to ~$22 per silencer which makes me feel like I put one over on the boot jacks at the ATF.

[Odd Job]

Would it be legal for a manufacturer to make a "modular" silencer? As in its a two piece silencer with one tube threading into the other.
The caps are interchangeable between the two tubes and the baffles are individual stacked cones. The manufacturer also provides different front caps and different end caps for different calibers.
With this you'd have two silencers if you put one end and front cap on one tube and the other two on the second tube.

I recently bought a .22 suppressor which has these features. It is called a Predator 12 and it is made in the UK by "UK Custom Shop Limited."

The suppressor comes in three parts:

1) The main baffle stack or "diffuser" as it is referred to by the manufacturer.
2) The muzzle attachment or "bridge" as it is referred to by the manufacturer. This can be bought in various thread pitches.
3) The reflex tube.

Here is a picture of it disassembled:



The diffuser attaches to the bridge which attaches to your barrel. The reflex tube then attaches to the back of the bridge and extends rearward over the barrel. That reflex tube is a hollow sleeve which essentially becomes part of the initial blast chamber.

See the radiograph for how these pieces are designed:



By purchasing a different bridge, I could put that on a rifle with a different muzzle thread.
By purchasing a different tube I could have a shorter or longer reflex chamber (they go from 110mm to 250mm). The one I have is 150mm.

Purchasing a different diffuser could convert this into a suppressor for a different calibre. It may require a different bridge too if the calibre is large. A different diffuser is classed as its own suppressor, so that would require a licence in the UK.

Here is the P12 assembled and equipped on my R55 Benchmark:

[John A.]

That is a very nice set up.

But if the reflex section retains gas/pressure without the diffuser, it probably wouldn't be allowed in the US.

If I'm understanding correctly though, it wouldn't be retaining any gas without the front of the can being installed and essentially just a big thread protector.

[Odd Job]

Correct, the reflex tube cannot retain gas without the diffuser. The reflex tube gets gas entry via holes in the bridge. See here for a view of the bridge after 100 rounds have been fired through the suppressor: