Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Yes, it can be legal to make a silencer. For everything Form-1, from silencer designs that are easily made, to filing forms with the BATF, to 3D modeling. Remember, you must have an approved BATF Form-1 to make a silencer. All NFA laws apply.

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kend
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Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by kend »

Tried searching but found nothing. If it is legal is there a limit as to how much? Thanks
garredondojr
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by garredondojr »

if the can has been fired then only a 07/02 can do the alteration.

if you haven't finished it then yes you can shorten it to your hearts desire.
Last edited by garredondojr on Mon May 28, 2018 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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fishman
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by fishman »

garredondojr wrote:if the can has been fired then only a 06/02 can do the alteration.

if you haven't finished it then yes you can shorten it to your hearts desire.
Essentially this. There's gray area and disagreement as to what constitutes a can being "completed".
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doubloon
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by doubloon »

fishman wrote:
garredondojr wrote:if the can has been fired then only a 06/02 can do the alteration.

if you haven't finished it then yes you can shorten it to your hearts desire.
Essentially this. There's gray area and disagreement as to what constitutes a can being "completed".
And a gray area about parts left over. If you make it too short to accommodate any already made internals destroy the extra to stay legal.
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T-Rex
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by T-Rex »

You can shorten a tube if it's for repair purposes, as a non licensee.
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fishman
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by fishman »

T-Rex wrote:You can shorten a tube if it's for repair purposes, as a non licensee.
Source?
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http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=141800&p=955647#p955647
kend
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by kend »

garredondojr wrote:if the can has been fired then only a 06/02 can do the alteration.
07 maybe?
kend
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by kend »

If it has been fired is there a limit as to how much it can be shortened? Any requirement to amend or note on the F4? Thanks!
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T-Rex
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by T-Rex »

fishman wrote:Source?
Directly from the ATF

Reducing the length of the tube by a minimal amount in order to repair a silencer is often necessary to replace damaged end caps, as the tube must be rethreaded. Such minimal reduction of the length of the tube uses all of the original parts, does not significantly affect performance of the silencer, and may be done as part of a repair process without making a new silencer.

Persons other than qualified manufacturers may repair silencers, but replacement parts are “silencers” as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(24) that must be registered and transferred in accordance with the NFA and GCA.
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by garredondojr »

kend wrote:
garredondojr wrote:if the can has been fired then only a 06/02 can do the alteration.
07 maybe?
07/02's also are ok I think.

T-Rex thats pretty interesting. but the part get's a little grey is wouldn't a "replacement endcap" still constitute a "silencer part" seems to be contradicting.
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T-Rex
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by T-Rex »

garredondojr wrote: 07/02's also are ok I think.

T-Rex thats pretty interesting. but the part get's a little grey is wouldn't a "replacement endcap" still constitute a "silencer part" seems to be contradicting.
An 01 FFL gunsmith can repair a silencer.
Only an SOT can make replacement parts, sans a new form 1.

To answer your query:
You get an endcap strike, on your form 1 can, which ruins the cap and the tube's threads.
You file a form 1 to make a replacement cap and serialize it.
You shorten the tube and rethread.
Remove and destroy a baffle or spacer, to account for lost length.
Thread on new endcap.
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kend
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by kend »

garredondojr wrote:
kend wrote:
garredondojr wrote:if the can has been fired then only a 06/02 can do the alteration.
07 maybe?
07/02's also are ok I think.
An 06 is an ammo manufacturer, how is it ok for them to make or repair a can? Just asking 'cause I don't know....
garredondojr
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by garredondojr »

kend wrote:
garredondojr wrote:
kend wrote:
07 maybe?
07/02's also are ok I think.
An 06 is an ammo manufacturer, how is it ok for them to make or repair a can? Just asking 'cause I don't know....
an oversight on my part. which is why we all should double check our sources on the internet. my bad. made the corrections.
crazyelece
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Re: Legal To Shorten A Tube?

Post by crazyelece »

There is no specific length that makes it ok, any shortening is allowed as long as the serial # and other markings aren't impacted.

It takes an 07/02 to do the work without creating a new silencer if any parts need replaced.
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