Just putting this out there since the topic of suppressors has come up quite a bit recently. People get intimidated by the process. DON'T BE. It's easy. You have 2 options to get one, a Form 4 (buy one from a Class 3 FFL) or Form 1 (build one). You need either a trust or can file as an individual. For anyone who wants a suppressor but doesn't really want to wait a year, you're in luck. Form 1 wait times to roll your own are currently 3-5 WEEKS. That's right, 3-5 weeks. I submitted 3 of them on Nov 7 and received 2 back on Dec 1 and just received the 3rd one back today. The application is very straightforward and ONLINE via the ATF eForms website. There's a couple good tutorials on YouTube for the entire process. Go watch them and get that process started!
Can you really build something that is as good as what you can buy? Yes. Absolutely. Form 1 stuff has come a long ways in the past 5 years and I would put my Form 1 builds up against anything, for both suppression and accuracy. There's a lot of knowledge out there. Suppressors are actually pretty basic things and it doesn't take a rocket doctor to put one together. One excellent resource in particular is a guy on YouTube and Patreon called Silencer student. He tests a ton of stuff with dB meters and so what you take from it is backed by real data. Check him out. You will be glad you did.
Cost- it can be substantially more affordable to build your own, or costs can be similar to the Form 4 route…it can be a rabbit hole for some people. Regardless the Form 1 route will cut your wait time by 11-13 MONTHS. Depending on design, my cans cost me $230-300/each + $200 stamp to build. All titanium except the baffles which are stainless. Equivalent Form 4s are $1100-1700.
Aesthetics- You can very easily make something that looks as finished and professional as you want it to.
If you've ever wanted one, now seems like as good of a time as ever but one thing is certain. The clock never starts until you submit the paperwork.
Can you really build something that is as good as what you can buy? Yes. Absolutely. Form 1 stuff has come a long ways in the past 5 years and I would put my Form 1 builds up against anything, for both suppression and accuracy. There's a lot of knowledge out there. Suppressors are actually pretty basic things and it doesn't take a rocket doctor to put one together. One excellent resource in particular is a guy on YouTube and Patreon called Silencer student. He tests a ton of stuff with dB meters and so what you take from it is backed by real data. Check him out. You will be glad you did.
Cost- it can be substantially more affordable to build your own, or costs can be similar to the Form 4 route…it can be a rabbit hole for some people. Regardless the Form 1 route will cut your wait time by 11-13 MONTHS. Depending on design, my cans cost me $230-300/each + $200 stamp to build. All titanium except the baffles which are stainless. Equivalent Form 4s are $1100-1700.
Aesthetics- You can very easily make something that looks as finished and professional as you want it to.
If you've ever wanted one, now seems like as good of a time as ever but one thing is certain. The clock never starts until you submit the paperwork.
