What to do with damaged supressors?

[culatar]

So I've decided to start researching investing in a couple of cans for my collection. I know the whole the NFA process so that's of little concern but I do have a question.

What happens if a supressor get's damaged via a baffle strike or something horrific? I happened to see a few years ago a supressor that went pop from I don't know what, but the housing was bulged and ruptured.

I know silencers wear and parts break, but what happens when you now have a bag full of parts with a $200.00 stamp on them?

Thank for the intel! Looking forward to not wearing ear protection in the future!

[JayBell]

DEFECTIVE suppressors can be repaired or replaced by the manufacturer without incurring another $200 tax.

Example: a flaw in the tubing material causes a crack.. the MFG can replace the tube with the same serial number, and destroy the old tube.

DAMAGED suppressors can be repaired by you, any gunsmith, or the manufacturer of the suppressor.

Example: due to poor threading, or suppressor misalignment, you have a baffle stack strike, or endcap hit. the affected baffles can be replaced, as can the endcap, by you, a gunsmith, or the MFG. old parts MUST be destroyed.

a DAMAGED tube may NOT be replaced by you, a gunsmith, OR the manufacturer without having to buy a whole new tube, another $200 tax, and the F4 process.

Example: you run a suppressor until it fails... you get to buy a whole new suppressor.

thats it, the serial numberd part is a one time buy unless its a manufacturers defect.

this is from the ATF

[culatar]

Thanks for the info Jay! So basically if the supressor self destructs or damages the tube, you're stuck buying a whole new unit. Now I just need to research supressors that have a low failure rate and one that is not laser welder together.

[JayBell]

it all depends what ya want. most 22lr suppressors can be disassembled for cleaning, as can most suppressors intended for subguns or subgun pistol calibers.

most pistol caliber cans cannot be disassembled, aside from the LID or booster, they are intended to be shot wet (grease or other sacrificial media inside) and cleaned with solvents.

almost all high power rifle suppressors are sealed units, aside from quick detach mechanisms, and such.

sealed is NOT bad, this is why its extremely critical that any weapon set up for a suppressor has the threads cut concentric to the bore, and not to the OD of the barrel, same goes with QD cans, the QD adapter must be installed properly to ensure the bullet leaving the barrel follows the baffle stack channel.

I have several suppressors, both pistol and rifle, the rifle is sealed.

I had a end cap hit once on that.. the MFG fixed it for $30 by cutting the endap seal, replacing the endap, and rewelding the can.

no big deal.

[Guns4Fun]

Thanks for the info Jay! So basically if the supressor self destructs or damages the tube, you're stuck buying a whole new unit. Now I just need to research supressors that have a low failure rate and one that is not laser welder together.

I'm going to say that all the current can manufacturers make a good product. AAC, gemtech, swr, yhm, ops, etc.

I'm also going to say that 99% of the failures are created by the user. Ether they mounted it and the mount came loose or they used a barrel that wasn't properly threaded concentric to the bore or they used a bad batch of ammo etc.

I think the most important things to consider when buying a can is -- mount, length, girth and weight. Most all can makers have close enough db reduction that most wont even notice the difference.

[ithinkimamedic]

Thought I would just add the ATF word on it, JayBell sums it up though

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/nfa/041708silencer-faqs.pdf

[forceinPA]

Be advised, A damaged suppressor cannot be repaired by another manufacture. It has to be the original manufacture. Also know as the gemtax

[Guns4Fun]

Be advised, A damaged suppressor cannot be repaired by another manufacture. It has to be the original manufacture. Also know as the gemtax

Gemtax - now that is funny, seriously. I haven't heard that phrase yet but i've not been on the suppressor boards in some time. The high school antics / bickering kinda got old.

You gotta admit that AAC was pretty bold in what they did though. But you're right that was kinda silly for gemtech to screw it up for everyone by going to the man with it.

[Kramer]

"You gotta admit that AAC was pretty bold in what they did though. But you're right that was kinda silly for Gemtech to screw it up for everyone by going to the man with it."

Hmm so it's ok for AAC to be bold, but Gemtech was silly and screwed it up?

I just love how everybody blames Gemtech, but not AAC for the "Gemtax" issue, keep in mind that AAC did rebuild/repaired a can that was not made by them and then bragged about it, and Gemtech inquired to see if that was legal and then the ATF responded about repairing cans...the bottom like is they both f-ed up! They both worked together years ago and now thier rivalry has bit us in the azz.

[JayBell]

problem is, some manufacturers were "repairing" cans into entire new units, with new materials/metals, new tubes, and new design guts, often changing both the CALIBER of the suppressor, and the listed lengths of the cans

this is not "repair", this is making an entirely new item, and stamping the old info on it, and not paying the tax.

this is akin to taking a tommy gun, and "repairing" it into an m16... its not legal, and the manufacturer who decided to do this knew this, and acted shocked that the ATF found out and smacked them for it.

remember folks, dont mess with Uncle Sams tax schemes... Ruby Ridge and Waco were ultimately over suspected NFA weapons violations, that were ultimately over UNPAID $200 taxes on NFA...