EBay has these solvent trap oil filter adapters listed. They are threaded to fit the muzzle of either an ar15 or ak47. This allows you to fasten an oil filter to be used a suppressor. Are these legal? Safe to use? Do they work? Presumably you would fire the first round through the end of the oil filter.
Solvent trap oil filter adapter
- Thread starter glassguy
- Start date
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
They are an extremely grey area in the law.
Unless you pay the tax stamp and the device is registered as a silencer, it would absolutely never be legal to use it as a silencer under any circumstances.
Owning the device and having an oil filter even in the proximity is dangerously close to being in "constructive possession" of an unregistered silencer. Having the device installed on your gun with an oil filter screwed on and having a hole in the end of the oil filter puts you absolutely positively in possession of an illegal silencer.
Frankly, I think the company makes them with the absolute intention of calling it *wink, wink* a "solvent trap" all the while knowing full well that most buyers will use it as an unregistered silencer. So long as no one actually says that's what they're doing *wink, wink*, they can claim ignorance.
It's silly. There's absolutely no reason to spend the money on an automotive oil filter for use as a "solvent trap", say nothing of the $75 device to attach the unnecessary "solvent trap" to your firearm.
I wouldn't consider owning one under any circumstances.
Unless you pay the tax stamp and the device is registered as a silencer, it would absolutely never be legal to use it as a silencer under any circumstances.
Owning the device and having an oil filter even in the proximity is dangerously close to being in "constructive possession" of an unregistered silencer. Having the device installed on your gun with an oil filter screwed on and having a hole in the end of the oil filter puts you absolutely positively in possession of an illegal silencer.
Frankly, I think the company makes them with the absolute intention of calling it *wink, wink* a "solvent trap" all the while knowing full well that most buyers will use it as an unregistered silencer. So long as no one actually says that's what they're doing *wink, wink*, they can claim ignorance.
It's silly. There's absolutely no reason to spend the money on an automotive oil filter for use as a "solvent trap", say nothing of the $75 device to attach the unnecessary "solvent trap" to your firearm.
I wouldn't consider owning one under any circumstances.
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We've covered this before. This thread is good reading on the subject.
That said, Brian's correct. These aren't illegal on the face. However, when one attaches the oil filter and uses it to suppress the report, he is manufacturing an NFA item. It doesn't matter whether or not we agree; it's the law.
The people selling these cannot be ignorant as to how they'll be used, nor can they be unaware of the potential consequences to their customers.
For this to be legal, you'd actually have to serialize and register the oil filter you plan on using. Just that one. When it wears out, you'll have to serialize and register a new one. Racking up the $200 tax that many times outbalances the cost benefit of using cheap media.
That said, Brian's correct. These aren't illegal on the face. However, when one attaches the oil filter and uses it to suppress the report, he is manufacturing an NFA item. It doesn't matter whether or not we agree; it's the law.
The people selling these cannot be ignorant as to how they'll be used, nor can they be unaware of the potential consequences to their customers.
For this to be legal, you'd actually have to serialize and register the oil filter you plan on using. Just that one. When it wears out, you'll have to serialize and register a new one. Racking up the $200 tax that many times outbalances the cost benefit of using cheap media.
I had never heard of these things. So, I decided to look them up on Ebay. All I can say is WOW! I can't believe there are so many vendors selling these things. This is destined to be the DIAS of the early '80's. I think I'll just grab some popcorn and see how this story ends - should be interesting.
Newbie I may be, but I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that thought rigggght when the whole "solvent trap" explanation was given to me. Those folks are playing with fire. All it would take is for an ATF agent to develop an "interest" in that item and I can guarantee it would all be down hill from there.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
So does this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/147049/tipton-gun-cleaning-patch-trap
For $10
Or this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/457163/muzzlemate-gun-cleaning-trap-polymer-orange
For $11.99
Or this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/974438/quake-splatter-box-gun-cleaning-trap-plastic-blue
For $14
Yeah... Spending $75 on one that just happens to also be designed and marketed as a silencer makes PERFECT sense.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/147049/tipton-gun-cleaning-patch-trap
For $10
Or this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/457163/muzzlemate-gun-cleaning-trap-polymer-orange
For $11.99
Or this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/974438/quake-splatter-box-gun-cleaning-trap-plastic-blue
For $14
Yeah... Spending $75 on one that just happens to also be designed and marketed as a silencer makes PERFECT sense.
spacecoast
New member
In their defense, the manufacturers of these devices, at least the most popular ones (others may have sprung up recently), do explain the NFA requirements for using them as a suppressor and have a process for shipping the device back to them for a legal refresh of the filter when it wears out. I wouldn't think that takes very long for a filter trying to suppress 7.62x39. They probably last quite a while for .22LR.
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Shane Tuttle
Staff
glassguy said:
Maybe so. But it's not like you're asking a .45ACP vs. 9mm debate here. Topics such as yours is warranted to bring up again, IMO.
I was looking for videos to hear how effective the oil can suppressor is. Seems to work good with .22LR. I couldn't find anything in 9mm or .45. I did see someone shooting a lower-power rifle cartridge (7.62x25) - it didn't suppress that very well. So, I'm kind of skeptical as to whether it would work well on 9mm or .45.
1. I can't tell if you're playing devils advocate or if you really believe that there's no cheaper way to get the same effect and that it's necessary to spend $75 to keep from making a mess.
2. Have you ever heard of "constructive possession" and have you considered how that concept would apply to having such a device along with a firearm to which it can be attached?
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Beyond designed to adapt an oil filter to a gun, as if that weren't enough, also actively marketed as a silencer.
I'd bet $10 to a donut that the majority of purchasers are using these things as illegal silencers. (Before one of those purchasers gets all up in arms that I'm accusing them individually and specifically, if you're offended I'm not talking about you. You're in the other group.)
I simply can not conceive of spending $75 for a "solvent trap " when there are so many other suitable and far less expensive options available. It's not as if they're $5 or $10 cheaper either, we're talking $50-$65 cheaper, besides the fact that the vast majority of gun owners don't use a "solvent trap" at all.
I'd bet $10 to a donut that the majority of purchasers are using these things as illegal silencers. (Before one of those purchasers gets all up in arms that I'm accusing them individually and specifically, if you're offended I'm not talking about you. You're in the other group.)
I simply can not conceive of spending $75 for a "solvent trap " when there are so many other suitable and far less expensive options available. It's not as if they're $5 or $10 cheaper either, we're talking $50-$65 cheaper, besides the fact that the vast majority of gun owners don't use a "solvent trap" at all.
spacecoast
New member
I love wiping up the splatter after I clean, it makes my desk smell like Hoppes.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Tom Servo said:
I guess I pretty much stayed cave man on the issue. I always put an old rag on the table under the muzzle.