The myths and facts about suppressors:
1) Suppressors are illegal!!
The first and most important myth to dispel is that no, suppressors are not illegal, at least not in most states. If you live in AL, AR, AK, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MS, MT, ND, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, or WY, you can possess and own a suppressor as a private individual.
If you do not live in one of the listed states, you should know that you are prohibited to own a suppressor by your STATE, not Federal law.
2) Another myth is that while you CAN purchase a suppressor, the government will charge you $200.00 EVERY YEAR!
This is incorrect. Under present law the $200.00 registration tax is a ONE TIME fee, but does apply to each and every item covered by the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 . This includes all items classified as suppressors, machine guns, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, and destructive devices.
As a matter of fact. If you purchase a NFA item which is legally registered on a BATF Form 4, and you die, if you have named a beneficiary in your will (who is over 21 and can pass the background checks), it can be transferred to that individual TAX FREE on an BATF Form 5.
3) Another myth is that the $200.00 transfer tax is too high!
That may be your opinion but since the fee was set in 1934, in terms of current purchasing power, the fee would be over $3000.00 today, so we encourage getting whatever you want in this area while it is still affordable.
4) All suppressors can be had in black only!
The majority of manufacturers now offer at least two colors and some even the color of your choice from a list of several colors.
5) A widespread myth is that legally owned suppressors cannot be transported over state line without prior BATF approval, as IS the case with machine guns!
Myth! Suppressors are exempt from that restriction.
6) A suppressor is a "Silencer", or alternately, a "Silencer" is a suppressor!
Although the term silencer is commonly used, the term suppressor is more accurate because muzzle mounted or even integrally suppressed weapons "suppress" the weapons' sound signature as they cannot truly make it "silent". Some, particularly weapons loaded with special subsonic ammunition, can be truly impressive, but as yet , they are not truly "silent".
7) Revolvers can be suppressed, just like in the movies!
Big Myth! No standard revolver can be effectively suppressed because of the barrel to cylinder gap which exists in all revolvers which allows gas and therefore noise to escape.
8) You can't buy a suppressor on line!
Partial Myth! While you can buy a suppressor on line and receive and return all of your registration paperwork by mail, you will eventually have to appear at the place of purchase for a Face to Face transfer to take possession of your purchase.
9) If you own a suppressor you must be a criminal!
Myth! Due to Hollywood depictions of suppressors almost always being used by criminals, this is a widespread belief. While this may be the opinion of the uninformed, (usually the same people who think they are illegal.), it is not the case.
As a matter of fact, suppressors were first developed by Hiram Maxim (of machine gun fame) in the early 1900's were advertised that guns could be shot by ladies without the need for ear protection.
10) Suppressors sound (Thoomp) just like in the movies!!
Most of the 22LR suppressors come close to the movie suppressor sounds, however, what they are suppressing in most cases is not a 22 but a 9mm Luger or larger weapon. A real suppressor sounds more like a paintball gun or a pneumatic nail gun, and that is if, they are shot wet. Handgun suppressors perform best when they have about 5cc's of water added to them before firing.
The difference between the same suppressor with the same ammunition can be 12 dB or more, which means they are 12-16 TIMES QUIETER wet than dry! Tell me a movie where you ever saw someone add water to a suppressor before firing? If it exists, we would like to see it!
11) Anything Can Be Suppressed!
Basically true, with the exception of revolvers as noted above. The question for most of us is, at what cost? For example, if you just HAVE to suppress your pet FN Five-Seven pistol, you can, but you also have to be prepared to spend almost $400.00 for a threaded barrel. Before you decide which suppressor to buy for a handgun, make sure that there is a threaded barrel available for it. If you don't check first, you may find out that the cost of a custom barrel will rival that of the suppressor.
The other way to get the most "Thoomp" for your buck is to coordinate barrel threads to allow you to use the same suppressor on multiple weapons without modification. If that is not possible, most suppressor manufacturers sell adaptors to change the thread of the suppressor, but it is not a quick process as the suppressor must be disassembled and reassembled to make the change. Alternatively, you may want to consider not only purchasing a threaded, extended barrel, but getting one that changes the caliber, as well.
12) Caliber Changes are NOT recommended!
False. Often a threaded extended conversion barrel is a better way to go. For example, if you have a Glock 29 in 10mm and want to be able to shoot it as quietly as possible, you need to consider where you will find someone who makes 10mm SUBSONIC ammunition. By converting to 40S&W (which is just a shortened and downloaded 10mm), you can easily find subsonic ammunition in most factory 40S&W loads with 180gr bullets and above.
13) You can purchase a 45 ACP suppressor and use it on Multiple caliber weapons!
True, in most cases, but do you really want to? Here are the facts:
The exit diameter of a 45ACP suppressor is typically around 0.495"or about 45 thousandths greater than the bullet diameter (10%). If you were to use it on a 40 caliber pistol, the delta between bullet diameter and suppressor diameter more than doubles to 95 thousandths (22%). The practical difference between a 40 out of a 45 can is almost imperceptible with most high performance suppressors. In 9mm the delta is 145 thousandths (31%). You can do it but you will get a more noticeable difference when compared to a dedicated 9mm suppressor. The difference is typically around 3 dB, or roughly twice as loud as a dedicated 9mm.
So really, the choice is yours! If you are on a budget it is certainly far cheaper to purchase a replacement piston for a 40 or 45 suppressor (around $75-100, depending on maker) as opposed to $750.00 plus for a dedicated suppressor, but if you want the absolutely best performance, then buy a new suppressor.
How to purchase a suppressor:
1) Select the suppressor you want. Suppressor must be paid in full to 626 Arms.
2) 626 Arms will order the selected suppressor from the manufacturer or distributor.
3) The serial numbered suppressor is received at 626 Arms.
4) The BATF registration and/or trust paperwork package prepared by 626 Arms will be given to the customer.
5) Customer gets fingerprinted by local law enforcement, has 2 Color Passport Photos taken and gets county CLEO (chief law enforcement officer) signature, not required for trust, on Form 4 and completes certification form.
6) Customer returns completed paperwork to 626 Arms with Check for $200.00 made out to BATF.
7) 626 Arms will submit completed paperwork and check to BATFE.
8) When the approved Form 4 is received at 626 Arms from BATF, the suppressor can be picked up by customer after filling out a Form 4473, no NICS check required.
Short barreled rifle info:
What is a SBR?
A SBR, according to the NFA, is any firearm with a buttstock that has a rifled barrel of less than sixteen inches, or an overall length of less than twenty six inches. The total length is measured in the extended position, if you're using a folding or collapsing stock, removing the buttstock at home doesn't count.
How can I purchase a SBR?
The process is the same as buying a suppressor as stated above since both are NFA items.
Class II and Class III dealer:
We often hear Class III dealer in regard to NFA item purchases. Both Class II and Class III dealers can sell NFA items. The difference is the type of FFL the dealer has. A dealer that has a type 01 FFL and is a Class III dealer. A dealer that has a type 07 FFL is a Class II dealer. The difference between the type 01 and type 07 FFL is a type 07 FFL is also a manufacturer and can not only sell NFA items but can manufacture them as well.
626 Arms is a Type 07 FFL Class II dealer.
1) Suppressors are illegal!!
The first and most important myth to dispel is that no, suppressors are not illegal, at least not in most states. If you live in AL, AR, AK, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MS, MT, ND, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, or WY, you can possess and own a suppressor as a private individual.
If you do not live in one of the listed states, you should know that you are prohibited to own a suppressor by your STATE, not Federal law.
2) Another myth is that while you CAN purchase a suppressor, the government will charge you $200.00 EVERY YEAR!
This is incorrect. Under present law the $200.00 registration tax is a ONE TIME fee, but does apply to each and every item covered by the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 . This includes all items classified as suppressors, machine guns, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, and destructive devices.
As a matter of fact. If you purchase a NFA item which is legally registered on a BATF Form 4, and you die, if you have named a beneficiary in your will (who is over 21 and can pass the background checks), it can be transferred to that individual TAX FREE on an BATF Form 5.
3) Another myth is that the $200.00 transfer tax is too high!
That may be your opinion but since the fee was set in 1934, in terms of current purchasing power, the fee would be over $3000.00 today, so we encourage getting whatever you want in this area while it is still affordable.
4) All suppressors can be had in black only!
The majority of manufacturers now offer at least two colors and some even the color of your choice from a list of several colors.
5) A widespread myth is that legally owned suppressors cannot be transported over state line without prior BATF approval, as IS the case with machine guns!
Myth! Suppressors are exempt from that restriction.
6) A suppressor is a "Silencer", or alternately, a "Silencer" is a suppressor!
Although the term silencer is commonly used, the term suppressor is more accurate because muzzle mounted or even integrally suppressed weapons "suppress" the weapons' sound signature as they cannot truly make it "silent". Some, particularly weapons loaded with special subsonic ammunition, can be truly impressive, but as yet , they are not truly "silent".
7) Revolvers can be suppressed, just like in the movies!
Big Myth! No standard revolver can be effectively suppressed because of the barrel to cylinder gap which exists in all revolvers which allows gas and therefore noise to escape.
8) You can't buy a suppressor on line!
Partial Myth! While you can buy a suppressor on line and receive and return all of your registration paperwork by mail, you will eventually have to appear at the place of purchase for a Face to Face transfer to take possession of your purchase.
9) If you own a suppressor you must be a criminal!
Myth! Due to Hollywood depictions of suppressors almost always being used by criminals, this is a widespread belief. While this may be the opinion of the uninformed, (usually the same people who think they are illegal.), it is not the case.
As a matter of fact, suppressors were first developed by Hiram Maxim (of machine gun fame) in the early 1900's were advertised that guns could be shot by ladies without the need for ear protection.
10) Suppressors sound (Thoomp) just like in the movies!!
Most of the 22LR suppressors come close to the movie suppressor sounds, however, what they are suppressing in most cases is not a 22 but a 9mm Luger or larger weapon. A real suppressor sounds more like a paintball gun or a pneumatic nail gun, and that is if, they are shot wet. Handgun suppressors perform best when they have about 5cc's of water added to them before firing.
The difference between the same suppressor with the same ammunition can be 12 dB or more, which means they are 12-16 TIMES QUIETER wet than dry! Tell me a movie where you ever saw someone add water to a suppressor before firing? If it exists, we would like to see it!
11) Anything Can Be Suppressed!
Basically true, with the exception of revolvers as noted above. The question for most of us is, at what cost? For example, if you just HAVE to suppress your pet FN Five-Seven pistol, you can, but you also have to be prepared to spend almost $400.00 for a threaded barrel. Before you decide which suppressor to buy for a handgun, make sure that there is a threaded barrel available for it. If you don't check first, you may find out that the cost of a custom barrel will rival that of the suppressor.
The other way to get the most "Thoomp" for your buck is to coordinate barrel threads to allow you to use the same suppressor on multiple weapons without modification. If that is not possible, most suppressor manufacturers sell adaptors to change the thread of the suppressor, but it is not a quick process as the suppressor must be disassembled and reassembled to make the change. Alternatively, you may want to consider not only purchasing a threaded, extended barrel, but getting one that changes the caliber, as well.
12) Caliber Changes are NOT recommended!
False. Often a threaded extended conversion barrel is a better way to go. For example, if you have a Glock 29 in 10mm and want to be able to shoot it as quietly as possible, you need to consider where you will find someone who makes 10mm SUBSONIC ammunition. By converting to 40S&W (which is just a shortened and downloaded 10mm), you can easily find subsonic ammunition in most factory 40S&W loads with 180gr bullets and above.
13) You can purchase a 45 ACP suppressor and use it on Multiple caliber weapons!
True, in most cases, but do you really want to? Here are the facts:
The exit diameter of a 45ACP suppressor is typically around 0.495"or about 45 thousandths greater than the bullet diameter (10%). If you were to use it on a 40 caliber pistol, the delta between bullet diameter and suppressor diameter more than doubles to 95 thousandths (22%). The practical difference between a 40 out of a 45 can is almost imperceptible with most high performance suppressors. In 9mm the delta is 145 thousandths (31%). You can do it but you will get a more noticeable difference when compared to a dedicated 9mm suppressor. The difference is typically around 3 dB, or roughly twice as loud as a dedicated 9mm.
So really, the choice is yours! If you are on a budget it is certainly far cheaper to purchase a replacement piston for a 40 or 45 suppressor (around $75-100, depending on maker) as opposed to $750.00 plus for a dedicated suppressor, but if you want the absolutely best performance, then buy a new suppressor.
How to purchase a suppressor:
1) Select the suppressor you want. Suppressor must be paid in full to 626 Arms.
2) 626 Arms will order the selected suppressor from the manufacturer or distributor.
3) The serial numbered suppressor is received at 626 Arms.
4) The BATF registration and/or trust paperwork package prepared by 626 Arms will be given to the customer.
5) Customer gets fingerprinted by local law enforcement, has 2 Color Passport Photos taken and gets county CLEO (chief law enforcement officer) signature, not required for trust, on Form 4 and completes certification form.
6) Customer returns completed paperwork to 626 Arms with Check for $200.00 made out to BATF.
7) 626 Arms will submit completed paperwork and check to BATFE.
8) When the approved Form 4 is received at 626 Arms from BATF, the suppressor can be picked up by customer after filling out a Form 4473, no NICS check required.
Short barreled rifle info:
What is a SBR?
A SBR, according to the NFA, is any firearm with a buttstock that has a rifled barrel of less than sixteen inches, or an overall length of less than twenty six inches. The total length is measured in the extended position, if you're using a folding or collapsing stock, removing the buttstock at home doesn't count.
How can I purchase a SBR?
The process is the same as buying a suppressor as stated above since both are NFA items.
Class II and Class III dealer:
We often hear Class III dealer in regard to NFA item purchases. Both Class II and Class III dealers can sell NFA items. The difference is the type of FFL the dealer has. A dealer that has a type 01 FFL and is a Class III dealer. A dealer that has a type 07 FFL is a Class II dealer. The difference between the type 01 and type 07 FFL is a type 07 FFL is also a manufacturer and can not only sell NFA items but can manufacture them as well.
626 Arms is a Type 07 FFL Class II dealer.