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Silencers and air rifles

MyjackMyjack Member Posts: 86 ✭✭
edited May 2002 in Ask the Experts
Looking at a couple European Air Rifles that offer silencers as options, being a machinist I would have no problem building a silencer. I have even checked out the ATF site and as I understand, it is legal to pay $200, file a form 1 (I believe) and get a permit to build a silencer for a firearm (the form specifies "firearm")
This is no firearm. But I fear an argument over semantics with the ATF might lead to one of those stripped suntans
Any qualified opinions out there?
How about permanently attached to the air rifle?
Potential for trouble in the time between completing the silencer and final attachment to the barrel?
Any qualified opinions out there?
Thanks in advance guys!
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Comments

  • LIKTOSHOOTLIKTOSHOOT Member Posts: 523 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Paying the $200.00 NFA tax does not allow you to build one.
    That allows you to buy an exsisiting or one manufactured for a specific
    weapon. If you wish to manufacture one, you will have to apply for an FFL Manufacture`s license. Then comes the other problem, to enhance your own private stock....also frowned on by BATF. Since most air rifles are either close to or are sub-sonic....under 1095fps, what`s the need anyway? Seems like a lot of stuff and money for a pellet rifle, might as well go for a .22 rimfire.
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  • cliffdropover1cliffdropover1 Member Posts: 136 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    An unregistered suppressor (silencer) is illegal whether it is on an "air gun" or a true firearm.
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.comcaptkirk3@dslextreme.com Member Posts: 3,804
    edited November -1
    Myjack called that one correctly...Forget it..! Best...

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Airguns that fire subsonic projectiles, a little trick that is legal is you can drill an excessive amount of porting in the barrel, starting about mid way and all the way up. It works with paintball guns, I don't know if it will work with pellet guns.

    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.
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  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is right straight off the BATF FAQ.
    What does it say?

    (A9) Q. Are Paintball and/or Airgun Sound Suppressers legal? [Back]

    A. ?921(a)(24) The terms "firearm silencer" and "firearm muffler" mean any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.

    Numerous paintball silencers tested by the Firearms Technology Branch have been determined to be, by nature of their design and function, firearm silencers as defined in 18 U.S.C., Section 921(a)(24). An individual wishing to manufacturer a firearm silencer must receive prior approval from ATF by submitting an ATF Form 1 and paying a $200 making tax.

    cpermd
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  • MyjackMyjack Member Posts: 86 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Do I detect a possible back door to enter the rolls of manufacturer?
    I have heard of the $2000 manufactures tax - as I understand there are a mess of plusses there also - Gotta turn a respectable profit outta the blocks just to pay the "fees"
    BUT
    I can file form 1 - pay $200 and build one only- what about R&D? First one isn't right - it gets destroyed and start over? - Up to how many? Who counts?
    Limited to silencers?
    What about Receivers?
    What about full auto designed for sales to LE & Military?
    Thanks again all
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  • PotatoBobPotatoBob Member Posts: 41 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just a note on the paintball issue- a few years ago there was a barrel called the boa concealer,which because of its porting and silencing abilities,caused the manufacturer to be raided and their stock impounded.Keep in mind this barrel didn't silence anything,just dampened the report a little,and hid some of the co2 cloud that comes after the shot.A reputable company almost went under,even though the BATF later admitted their mistake.
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  • MyjackMyjack Member Posts: 86 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am aware of the zealous approach of ATF and they apologize frequently for their actions - don't think they bother worrying about the lives and business the ruin along the way.
    Much of the reason I would first investigate, investigate some more - then act.
    No desire to vacation on the cinderblock Holiday Inn


    Another question related to the form 1 and manufacturing --
    What if someone else applied for the form 1 to build at my location for their use?
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  • austin247austin247 Member Posts: 375 ✭
    edited November -1
    Maybe it's just my ignorance, but since the majority of the noise when firing a firearm is caused by a) escaping gas from the gunpowder and b) the projectile exceeding supersonic speeds...why would you need a suppressor on an air rifle?
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  • MyjackMyjack Member Posts: 86 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Couple responders have asked why the need -
    These rifles operate of a cylinder of compressed gas with a pressure of about 3000 psi
    the fire a .22 cal 30 gr. pellet to about 1000 fps and faster and can shoot groups CTC of .040 at 10 meters amd under 1/2 inch at 50 yards
    I would be doung varmint and pest elimanation in the city so noise is a bad thing, if the neighbors don't hear you, they dont *

    P.S. silencers don't work on projectiles that exceed the speed of sound as when the sonic shockwave hits an object - a mini sonic boom will result
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.comcaptkirk3@dslextreme.com Member Posts: 3,804
    edited November -1
    You would be breaking the Law....! No Shooting within a 1/4 mile of any Habitable Dwelling...Also, You being in a City and shooting a Projectile or shot...I'm willing to bet that its against the Law to Shoot Within the City Limits of the Place you live...! Again I caution You....Forget it! This Topic is more for the BATF to answer than The Forum membership...

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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