Gun Silencers?

Question

How hard is it to obtain a silencer for a fire arm?

What is the process involved in obtaining one? Any restrictions on the silencer once its obtained?

Also can you make a reliable silencer that is legal?

Thanks Grizzly. Nothing I wanted more than a terminology lesson.

Answer 1

Grizzly gave you the straight dope, but there are a couple of other things he failed to mention.

1. Suppressors are nothing like as effective as movies make them out to be.

2. To be effective at all, the bullet must be moving at less than the speed of sound, i.e. less than 900 fps. Otherwise, the sound of the bullet breaking the sound barrier will be about as loud as a typical gunshot.

3. You can't suppress a revolver just by screwing a suppressor on the muzzle. Back pressure would make the gas escape from the barrel-cylinder gap almost as loud as it would have been firing an unsuppressed revolver. A company called Wellrod made a few suppressed revolvers for the CIA and the suppressor covered the entire barrel and cylinder.

4. If you suppress a semi-automatic pistol or rifle, you will have to lock the slide so that it does not work as a semi-automatic, otherwise, back pressure at the breech will still sound like a gunshot.

I wish to God suppressors were easier to acquire, I might still be able to hear well if I'd had access to suppressed firearms over the years. However, in my opinion, suppressors are not worth the time, effort, or money.

If you want a suppressed rifle, you can have similar effects by reloading heavy for the caliber bullets over powder charges that will just barely push the bullet from the barrel. Some folks I've know have loaded rounds sufficiently lethal to dispatch vermin at 25 yards and the loudest sound was that of the hammer falling.

Making a suppressor is not difficult. The hard part is doing time in a Federal Pen if you get caught with it.

Doc

Answer 2

In the United States, it is legal in thirty-five of the fifty states for an individual to possess and use a suppressor; however, one must go through the National Firearms Act process administered by the BATFE. Such transfers also require a federal tax payment of two hundred dollars and a thorough background check. Since suppressors are inexpensive to build, with models retailing in other countries for under US$40[1], the licensing and transfer tax restrictions result in suppressors being very expensive in the U.S., with similar models selling for US$400[2] not including transfer fees. Some states and municipalities explicitly ban any civilian possession of suppressors.

Answer 3

First, the correct terminology for the device is 'Suppressor', NOT 'silencer', at least not according to the Federal gov. and the U.S. military.
'Silencer' is a word perpetuated by Hollywierd movie 'experts', gangsta thugs, and other uneducated types.
To purchase a suppressor equipped weapon, you can obtain all info and related paperwork from any reputable Class 3 weapons dealer. There are several at:
http://www.gunbroker.com
Just go to their site & run a search for 'Suppressor'.
The process is simply submitting the proper papaerwork to the BATFE, passing a background check conducted by these gents, and paying a $200 transfer stamp tax upon receiving the device from the dealer.
This is also the process for purchase of full-auto weapons made before 1986, sawed-off shotguns & rifles, and even CANNONS!
If you have the talent, training, and acccess to quality machine tools, with BATFE permission, you CAN construct your own suppressor, but it will be subject to the same BATFE regs. as a commercially manufactured unit!

Answer 4

You have to ask yourself what you want a silencer/suppressor for. Do you really want to go through the paperwork, expense and legalize to own/possess one? In this state of 'homeland security' do you really want to be in the 'wrong' place with one even if you do have the proper paperwork for one?

Wrong or right, 911 changed a lot of things. Do you want to be stopped on a routine traffic stop, found to be in possession of a 'legal' suppressed weapon and have to explain to the FBI/Homeland Security what you are doing with a suppressed weapon when, say the Prez just happens to be in town and you just happened to be nearby???.

Suppressors are bulky and not nearly as efficient as Hollywood makes them appear. I've fired suppressed Beretta 92s w/subsonic .9mm ammo and I was NOT impressed. If loud gunshots trouble you, get a small caliber or get hearing protection.

H