Can you build your own suppressor in Texas?

[makenzie71]

I have a lathe. I have all the required tools. I have the machining knowledge. I want it registered (if required) and I want to apply for the tax stamp. I just don't want to buy a $500~800 multi-cal suppressor when I can make one for $50 in materials and time. I'm just unclear about whether this is allowed and what steps must be taken. Like, if it is allowed, do I manufacture the suppressor and THEN register it/get the stamp?

 

[texas skeeter]

Yes it is legal, Yes file it under an E-file form 1 with Trust first. then once the stamp comes in go make it was how it was explained to me....

 

[Acera]

Always get approval first, don't start making until you do.

 

[BIGPAPIGREG]

http://www.sdtacticalarms.com/Hardware_c_8.html

 

[makenzie71]

Always get approval first, don't start making until you do.

That's kind of the point I'm working at here ~ How do I get approval? Doesn't the form ask for things such as model and serial numbers? If it's not manufactured yet I can't provide this information.

 

[99taws6]

That's kind of the point I'm working at here ~ How do I get approval? Doesn't the form ask for things such as model and serial numbers? If it's not manufactured yet I can't provide this information.

Model - Makenzie71 v1
Serial - 0001
Let them tell you it's wrong.

 

[Shady]

go to silencertalk dot com all your questions will be answered. check out the silencer smithing for lots of helpful stuff.

 

[baboon]

Sure you can make them. Got a buddy in Corpus starting on his first one. Not sure how many you can make before BATFE thinks you're a manufacturer & wants you to pay for an SOT.

 

[LJH]

Sure you can make them. Got a buddy in Corpus starting on his first one. Not sure how many you can make before BATFE thinks you're a manufacturer & wants you to pay for an SOT.

As many as you want to pay for.
If you are going to be making many, a SOT would be cheaper.

 

[makenzie71]

If you have your SOT then can you manufacture them for sale? If you're manufacturing them, do you need to do the Form 1 for every one you manufacture or do you leave it to the buyer?

(having all the tools and materials required and a desire to be an opportunistic provider for my family usually means me pursuing any possible income...and so far every firearm venture I've been on have been profitable)

That video posted above makes it sound like you can manufacture the parts that could be assembled into a silencer and sell them, and then leave it to the buyer to file paperwork and then assemble. Am I understanding that correctly?

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

http://www.cncguns.com/projects/22silencer.html

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

If you want to make a bunch (manufacturer), you'll need a FFL 07 and then pay 500/yr (or $1000/yr if sales exceed 500 grand) for the SOT II (special occupational tax class 2). Then you run into the realm of ITAR. Which I believe any 07 needs to file for. ITAR runs $2250/yr. Gets really expensive to make your own for profit.

 

[HandgunHTR]

makenzie,

Not sure where you are at, location-wise, but I would bet that there is someone local to you who would be happy to personally walk you through the process. It isn't that hard once you get started.

I have built a couple of short-barreled rifles and have put plans together for a home-made suppressor. I haven't started on the suppressor yet because I am not sold on the freeze-plug baffles and I don't have access to the machinery needed to cut my own baffles out of a more suitable material.

 

[HandgunHTR]

That video posted above makes it sound like you can manufacture the parts that could be assembled into a silencer and sell them, and then leave it to the buyer to file paperwork and then assemble. Am I understanding that correctly?

The answer to that is "kinda"

What you could do is manufacture the tubes and endcaps, but once you start with baffles it becomes a gray area, which is never good when it comes to the ATF. Now, you could make funnels that have to be "custom drilled" by the end user for their application, but again, it gets a bit dodgy.

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

The answer to that is "kinda"

What you could do is manufacture the tubes and endcaps, but once you start with baffles it becomes a gray area, which is never good when it comes to the ATF. Now, you could make funnels that have to be "custom drilled" by the end user for their application, but again, it gets a bit dodgy.

I know items than can be used to change any gun into an NFA item (such as full auto conversion kit) must be registered as such, suppressors would be the same I would think?

 

[grumper]

Read up on this thing called Constructive Possession. If you have all the parts readily available and easily assembled into a NFA regulated device and you have no lawful reason to possess the parts, you can be charged with possession and manufacture of the device even if it isn't fully assembled.

A FFL/SOT manufacturer has a lawful reason to have spare tubes, baffles, endcaps, and threaded pistons lying around. You and any customer who doesn't already have an approved form 1, not so much.

 

[kdunn]

http://www.sdtacticalarms.com/Hardware_c_8.html

What kind of decibel reduction do you get with something like?

 

[makenzie71]

makenzie,

Not sure where you are at, location-wise, but I would bet that there is someone local to you who would be happy to personally walk you through the process. It isn't that hard once you get started.

Let me tell you a little about the LGS folks I have in my area. I just got back Academy...I have a little source inside that gets to see some of the BOL's before the freight arrives and she said there's some .22lr listed. So I went up to check out what they had. In the off chance it's bulk stuff I tried to show up when they opened the doors. Five other vehicles showed up about the same time. Three of the guys get out and get together for a little chat. The other two stay in their cars. The doors open. It's a fucking footrace. They have lots and lots of .22lr but only 50rd packs with a limit of 2 each. All five of them leave. Two of these guys I recognize...one owns one of the local stores and the other works in another. The former currently has federal 500ct boxes and 525 Golden Bullet boxes for $90/ea. This is what the locals are doing for the gun community.

At any rate...I do have an FFL acquaintance who is just getting started and who seems really interested in the enthusiasts, but he's just now starting up and is still learning and I'm hoping he gets more into this.

~~

Now, I'm going to do some more research on the manufacturing part. This has only just occurred to me so I've got a long way to go I'm sure...but having access to machines and very competent machinists and, as I've said, being opportunistic means I try to pursue any idea. If all the cost of an FFL 07 is the $500/yr if sales are under $500k...that's one suppressor. Seems like limiting your sales to under $500k wouldn't be too difficult...and if you're looking to do more then the extra fees shouldn't be a problem.

 

[makenzie71]

If you have a manufacturing license do you have to go through the same process with every suppressor made? Or again is it a matter of manufacturing then letting the buyer handle the paperwork for possession?

Could someone who is licensed employ someone else (machinists, for example) in the manufacture of the NFA items?

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

If you have a manufacturing license do you have to go through the same process with every suppressor made? Or again is it a matter of manufacturing then letting the buyer handle the paperwork for possession?

Same process as? When you manufacture, you don't worry about getting the tax stamp for each suppressor, just have to serialize and sell them, etc. as a dealer (business). The buyer has to register it for an NFA item.

Could someone who is licensed employ someone else (machinists, for example) in the manufacture of the NFA items?

Um, kinda... You can become a FFL Dealer class 01 and then pay for a class III SOT and then buy from a manufacturer to sell. The person you buy it from would have to be an FFL 07 (manufacturer) and have the SOT class II. There's no easy (read cheap) work around for what you're trying to do.