LEGALITIES and FAQ
Silencers (or suppressors, which is really a more correct term),
fall under
the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934. This
means they are legal for ownership by civilians in most states, but you
have to
pay the Government a one time transfer tax of
$200, and undergo a background check to exercise your Constitution
Right, um,
privilege.
1) Make sure the item you want is legal in your state. Some
states ban
all NFA weapons, some ban just certain types. If you
live in, CA, HI , IA, MI, MN, IL,, NJ, NY, MA, RI or VT,
you can’t
own one.
Don’t try to buy one “under the table”
either, as we don’t do that, and you are soliciting a felony if you try.
2) Contact a local Class 3 dealer or Class 2 manufacturer and
find out
what needs to be done in your state in order to
purchase an NFA item. If you don’t know a dealer that has the proper
license
(not just any FFL can do this), we can probably
recommend someone.
3) Make sure you can get Law Enforcement a sign off. A chief of
police,
County attorney, some judges, State Attorney
General, and County Sheriffs are legitimate Chief Law Enforcement
Officers
(CLEO) empowered to sign your form 4, which is
the transfer paper that gets sent to the BATF . These
people
are not required to sign the form, and in many locations around
the country, won't. Corporations and legitimate trusts do not need to
get this signoff, though the principals of these organization still
must be legally able to own a firearm. Once you order and pay for
a suppressor, you own it, even if it hasn't been delivered.
4) Send us money. This is not a cash and carry business, or COD
business.
5) Be patient. We typically start the paper work to transfer to your
local
dealer within 3-5 weeks of receipt of funds. That
paperwork takes about 4 weeks to clear, then we send your gun to the
local
dealer (who typically will charge you a nominal
transfer for his trouble and storage of your gun). At that time he will
give you
the Form 4’s, fingerprint cards, etc, and you get
them filled out, and send them into ATF with your $200. Some dealers
will have
you give the forms to the dealer with your
$200 check, and they will send it in. About 2 months after that, the
ATF will
send an approved Form 4 back to your local
dealer, and you will get your gun.
Frequently Asked Questions:
---- Why does only the Comanche come apart for cleaning and the other
suppressors are sealed?
There is no free lunch, take apart suppressors are usually louder than
sealed units, and in most cases, so called take apart cans that are as
quiet as sealed units, will only come apart when they are clean, once
you fire a 100 rounds through them, you can't get them apart, the
complexity that makes a can quiet, means it is not easily disassembled
and re assembly orientation is critical to optimize suppression,
incorrect re assembly can cost several db.
---Won't my suppressor clog up if I can't clean it?
Generally, no. A .22 rimfire can, fired on a short barrel pistol, will
need a rebuild after 10,000-12,000 rounds, we offer this service for a
nominal charge. Centerfire rifle cans are self cleaning (our
cans,anyway), the crud blasts loose after if builds up more than a
several thousandths of an inch, due to the high pressures involved. Our
pistol caliber centerfire integrals have enough volume inside that
expected life is 80,000 rounds before they need a factory rebuild.
--- Can't you make your stainless rifle cans lighter to match some of
your competitors?
Yes, we could, but then you lose longevity; ultra lightweight,
stainless suppressr tubes will often start to bulge at the baffles
after heavy use, ours will not, even when used on many cartridges
beyond what they were designed for. Since a new tube/serial number to
replace a bulged can will cost you another $200 tax stamp, we
decided to make our cans more robust, even if it meant adding a few
ounces. If light weight is important to you, you should consider
a Titanium can, they are half the weight and stronger yet than
out stainless cans. Our suppressors can often have the baffle stack
replaced at the factory if needed, fully welded suppressors cannot, and
will cost you another $200 tax stamp.
---I live in Arizona, can i buy direct from SRT or do i have to go
though a dealer?
You may buy directly from us, but you will need to drive to Tempe to
pick up the can when the paperwork is approved.
---Can i start the transfer paperwork from my local dealer to me before
you have shipped the suppressor to him?
Generally, no, your dealer needs to have the suppressor in his
possession prior to signing and dating the form 4. However, on
longer lead items like our Integral suppressors, if time is critical,
and if you don't mind paying a little extra for the shipping, we can
ship a registered tube to your dealer as soon as the dealer transfer
paperwork is approved, and then the dealer can get your paperwork
started, then either the dealer or you can ship the tube back to us to
be finished.
---Will your .30 can work on .223? How about using a .223 can on
a .22?
Yes, either will work fine. We make adaptors to allow the 5/8"-24
threaded .30 can fit the 1/2"-28 .223 threads. The only disadvantage to
using a .223 can on a .22 is the size and weight compared to a
dedicated .22 can
---Are there any cancellatiuon fees if I need to cancel my order?
Yes, We have invested money in paperwork, dealing with ATF and often
work on the suppressor, Cancellation fees can range from 20%-30%,
depnding on the order, and custom built units are non-cancelable.
NOTE, PLEASE READ! We warrantee our suppressors to be free from
defects and will repair any such defects, however a damaged
suppressor cannot simply be replaced with a new one if it cannot be
repaired, an additional $200 transfer tax is required, and we
will not be
responsible for payment of this tax. The good news is, it goes directly
back to you, not through a class dealer and no photos or
fingerprints or LEO signature is required see:http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/nfa/041708silencer_faqs.htm
SRT Armaments Division, D.H. Melton Co., Inc.
1753 E. Broadway Rd, # 1-161, Tempe, AZ 85282
480-967-6218
