How does one legally manufacture a supressor?

[frankie_the_yankee]

I've got a Mini-14 that I shoot from time to time. My problem is that it is just so darn loud. I'm not sure why (the relatively slender barrel maybe?) but it seems like it's twice as loud as an AR-15 even though both guns fire the same round. And compared to my handguns, I might as well be lighting off a suitcase nuke.

I shoot it at my home range. But as I only have a bit over 7 acres, I am concerned that I could be annoying some of my neighbors None have spoken to me yet, but I'm concerned nonetheless.

Ever since I read Tom Clancy's novel "Without Remorse" I have wanted to make a supressor based on the design he describes in the book. It seems straightforward enough if one has a lathe. And I'm an engineer, so I figure that can't hurt.

I'm sure there are some NFA hoops to jump through in order to legally do this. Does anyone have any idea what they might be? And whose approval will I need - my county sheriff? (I live outside of city limits of course.)

Any help would be appreciated.

[dukalmighty]

I don't believe you can legally manufacture your own suppressor,but you can legally buy one and i believe it's like $200 tax stamp plus the cost of the suppressor,and has to be purchased through a dealer on a special form similar to a select fire weapon

[frankie_the_yankee]

Why can't you make one? Someone has to. They don't fall out of the sky. As far as I know, they are not like new machine guns, which were banned in 1986.

[TexaNurse]

Yes. You can. HOWEVER, you must first fill out FORM1 from the ATF and register your firearm before the building can begin. AND yes, they view the suppressor as a firearm.

Here's the Link to the form to fill out-->http://www.atf.gov/forms/pdfs/f53201.pdf

Now say You didn't like it or it just isn't your cup of tea and wish to recoup the money you invested in it and want to sell it. You must fill out FORM4.

Here's the link to that for future references.-->http://www.atf.treas.gov/forms/pdfs/f53204.pdf

PS-It could help if you print the form out and take it to a local gun shop so they can help you fill out the forms or explain anything.

[frankie_the_yankee]

Thanks a lot for the help, people.

[Kalrog]

If you want to check some out - there is a class 3 dealer in Cedar Park who would be happy to show you what he has... and he almost always has suppressed stuff and full auto stuff. Very sweet.

I know it is a bit of a drive from Smithville, so I'll buy the first round of coffee/beer (your choice) just since you would be in my neck of the woods.

[jimlongley]

Most silencers are just simplifications, modifications, and upgrades to Maxim's original design, and some pretty good ones can be had for purchase pretty cheap, it's just the NFA part that costs and takes time. Constructing one might be a fun project, but it is likely to cost more, not to mention time and effort, than just buying one, although if the project is the objective, rather than having a supressor, who cares?

You might want to investigate your noise source a little more thoroughly, what you are hearing may have nothing at all to do with what others hear at any distance. Muzzle blast is a wierd thing, my DPMS A-15 with a crowned bull barrel makes an horrendous amount of noise at the control end, but a friend's similar one with a flash hider seems much less noisy to me, and his barrel is way narrower than mine. I don't think barrel diameter would have any bearing, I think it has more to do with where all that sound energy is directed.

I have audio frequency spectrum analysis software on my laptop, and have done a couple of comparisons during IDPA matches. Lacking a calibrated microphone and such, my comparisons are worth the paper they are written on, but I have noted significant differences in noise experienced immediately behind the shooter with different muzzle configurations.

[KD5NRH]

IIRC, the main body tube is the registered part for a silencer, (i.e. it's the part your Form 1 applies to) so it should be possible to make it in such a way that you can try several different kinds of internals without having to deal with the paperwork and tax every time. Double-check that in writing with ATF before risking it, though.

[Greybeard]

Kinda nice to see a thread on a gun forum where someone mentions a Mini-14 and does not get smoked.

Yea, I had one for many years - and it was LOUD.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Lets not forget the registration and the $200 tax stamp for the rifle that you had to thread the barrel to screw said suppressor on

This is why those firearms with an integral suppressor are so nice...one firearm/suppressor, one tax stamp

Removable suppressor, tax stamp for suppressor and tax stamp for firearm

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

I was unaware the firearm the suppressor was to go on had to be registered separately as well. When I talked to a class 3 dealer recently about getting one and also having one of my AR's registered as an SBR. He said only the suppressor had to be registered, and could go on any weapon of the same caliber. The AR could be registered as an SBR as well, and there would be ONE separate tax stamp for that, but not a second one to put the suppressor on it. If he was wrong and that's not the case, then I'd have to get THREE tax stamps! One to register the AR as an SBR, one to register the now SBR AR as a suppressed weapon, and then another to register the suppressor! Plus, if I wanted to put the suppressor on another .223, I'd have to register THAT ONE TOO?! Since that's not how he explained it to me, I'd like some clarification help too. Anybody know for sure, or where we could find out?

[Kalrog]

I am pretty sure that making it a threaded barrel does not mean it has to have a tax stamp. But many people thread on a suppressor to an SBR and then they both do need a stamp.

Stamp for suppressor - yes
Stamp for SBR - yes
Stamp for regular rifle to take a suppressor - no

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

Thanks Kalrog. That was my understanding as well. I didn't think the firearm itself had to be registered and a tax stamp paid. I just wanted to check. I'll make sure everything's good for sure when I decide to make the plunge. Still not sure if I'm going to. I think I'd like to see how your self made suppressor project turns out, Frankie. I like projects myself!

[Kalrog]

I would talk to a Class 3 dealer to make sure... but that is what I remember.

[DoubleJ]

What if you put a Suppressor on a SBR, which then in turned made it the 16"???? if it never came off, would you still need to register it as a SBR?
and what if, by putting a suppressor on a pistol, it made it a sbr?????






okay, I'm just havin' a laugh here...