''Fuel Filter'' Curiosity has the better of me...

[mainegrw]

A friend of mine sent me a link to an ad today, that is like many others I've seen over the last couple years. The ad is for a "Fuel Filter" for a car or motorcycle, and features a removable set of baffles with a straight hole bored through the center. These units also feature 1/2-28 threading, something I've never seen on a single automobile of any type, and no real filter screening whatsoever. I suspect the design is terrible for liquid filtration, however I suspect it may have an effect as a sound suppressing device.

Anybody else see these ads? Curious if I'm just crazy and this is actually a filter of some sort, or this is a blatant attempt to circumvent ATF regulations.

Thoughts?

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[andy52]

They have been around for awhile some were for old maglites. My advice is "Don't do it" if you assemble something like that you basically have a unregistered suppressor.

 

[steelslaver]

Once you drill a hole in the cap it is a suppressor. I doubt any judge is going to see it as anything else. Last couple gun shows I have been to have had displays of such components. Standing right on the line. I wouldn't want to have most LEOs find me with one.Montana has a "Freedom Act" which is supposed to cover gun and gun accessories made, sold or used here legal. Feds say NO GO. Would a Montana Leo bust me with one, probably depends on the Leo and what I was doing with. Some guys in another state with such a law tried something similar and the feds busted them. Personally, I am waiting for my paper work to clear

 

[ACORN]

I choose B.

 

[old tanker]

If you caught with that filter, you probably won't much luck with one of these either...

 

[mainegrw]

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not looking to take a risk and buy one, I just wanted to make sure I'm not seeing something that's not there. It's clear though you all see it too. There's no way that this Filter can actually filter anything, I'm just surprised that these have been around as long as they have considering how blatant the ads are.


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[Bro. Dave]

This seems even more blatant than the "solvent traps" I used to see floating around.

Seems like a pretty high chance of earning room and board at the cross-bar hotel.

 

[SteveA]

Some guys here in Kansas did it. Also have a State law saying its not illegal provided it stays with the maker and in state. Feds prosecuted them and they were convicted. Not sure if the appeal is complete yet. Too bad they don't aggressively enforce the federal drug laws in the same fashion.

 

[s&wchad]

20 to30 years ago, we had a local guy selling kits at gun shows that included an adapter and instructions to use a 2 liter bottle as a suppressor. Rumor has it, he was escorted out of a show and later convicted of manufacturing sound suppressors. Haven’t seen him since.

As ridiculous as the law is, play stupid games and you just may win stupid prizes...

 

[ACORN]

Saw a guy at a local show with a hand lettered sign offering full auto Glock “happy switches”. The switch replaces the rear plate on a Glock slide to supposedly convert it over.
I commented to another dealer and was told he’s been selling them for years.
I don’t look good in orange so I declined.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Around 1980 there was a "Survivalist" gun shop that sold all types of "parts kits" for full auto and suppressors. They gave very questionable advice too. After 3 months they closed down, turned out to be a Sting Operation! Turns out they couldn't get anyone to bite on forbidden fruit! I bought 3 books, two on making alcohol fuel and one suppressor theory. I loaned the suppressor book to the Columbus, Ohio PD Organized Crime Task Force. They refused to return it! They gave me a photo copy. So I was out $7.50, but the knowledge is still in my head!

You are still allowed to file the manufacturing class III paperwork, and AFTER you get your stamp "Activate" one. It might be the cheapest way to go about getting a legal can!

Ivan

 

[Steve912]

Have at it, if you want an unscheduled visit from some
enthusiastic BATFE agents.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted a package addressed to Justice
at the international postal station at John F. Kennedy airport in New York City.
Agents opened the package because the Chinese company that sent it was known
to ship silencers into the U.S. illegally."

All the follow-on drama occurred, only by his website purchase,
Custom's intercept of the package, and notice to BATFE.

KAFB airman found with arsenal >> Albuquerque Journal

 

[Tex1001]

Wasn't there an outfit that did almost the same "Adapter" but for a spin on oil filter?
Screw on the oil filter. First shot perforates the end of the filter and there's your suppressor. Aiming the thing must be a bear.

 

[steelslaver]

This stuff is all over the place. Ebay, gun shows etc and nobody is getting arrested or prosecuted. Well, maybe some of the incredibility stupid are, but they always manage to do that anyway. The guy in the article ordered an assembled unti form China. Well, DUH. Love the article BTW. He had instructions for making a Molotov cocktail. If you need instructions to pour gas in a bottle and stick in a rag you just might be a moron.

That baffle there is really pushing the line IMHO. Unless they are all blind, the BATF is well aware of all this. Thing is until you assemble it with a hole all the way though the center they are just a bunch of parts for whatever you say they are for. Hard to arrest people for owning a tube, Flashlight tubes, grease gun tubes, pieces of pipe, caps for such tubes are not illegal either. my flash light has a cap on one end. The insert is just a interesting piece of aluminum, the ones that they fill with automotive freeze plugs just have a bunch of automotive freeze plugs until some one drills out the plugs. Put, their plugs are machined aluminum. So,what until you drill the holes. They all leave it up to whoever to convert these "innocent" parts into a evil and deadly silencer. A can is far from rocket science or difficult.

 

[bulletslap]

If you want to do it, do it right, fill out the Form 1, pay the Tax; stupid as the laws are against suppressors in the US follow them.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Too old and too poor to be a test case

 

[BB57]

A friend of mine sent me a link to an ad today, that is like many others I've seen over the last couple years. The ad is for a "Fuel Filter" for a car or motorcycle, and features a removable set of baffles with a straight hole bored through the center. These units also feature 1/2-28 threading, something I've never seen on a single automobile of any type, and no real filter screening whatsoever. I suspect the design is terrible for liquid filtration, however I suspect it may have an effect as a sound suppressing device.

Anybody else see these ads? Curious if I'm just crazy and this is actually a filter of some sort, or this is a blatant attempt to circumvent ATF regulations.

Thoughts?

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk

As someone noted above the "solvent traps" have been around for a few years. The idea is that you screw it on the end of your barrel and it captures all the solvent and patches that you push through it. In effect the baffles ensure the batch comes off the jag.

Of course <wink,wink> if you happen to drill a hole in the cap at the end, its suddenly a fully functional suppressor. But technically it does not become an unregistered NFA item until that hole is drilled.

---

This "fuel filter" approach seems to be taking it one step farther. The end cap is pre-marked for a hole, and they include a piece of tubing that is apparently fuel line to connect the "filter".

Apparently, they are implying you can drill the hole in the end of the cap and fit your "fuel line" and have some sort of justification that it is in fact a fuel filter that will filter very large chunks of gravel out of your fuel.

However, for that to fly it would need to be installed on an engine with no firearm in your possession with 1/2-28 threads. If you have said filter and said firearm, I'm almost certain that ATF could successfully prosecute you based on constructive intent.

----

That said, you could also buy one, submit the necessary paperwork and tax, and when you get approval, put a serial number on it and drill the hole.

Bu then you'll have a lot of money (and waiting time) invested in an aluminum suppressor that probably won't last all that long.

If you are going to make a suppressor, make one where you have the adapter for the muzzle as the serialised part made from steel or titanium, with an outer can, baffles, end cap, etc that can all be replaced if they wear out.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I saw the article about the young airman in New Mexico. Criminal intent appears to be pretty obvious in that case.

Back in the 1980's or so there were so-called "kits" to convert the old steel cylinder grease guns, and I actually saw one of those mounted on a MAC-10 .45 SMG.

Several dealers offered "parts kits" for Sten guns and Sterling SMG's, consisting of all parts except the receiver tube, and a piece of steel tube clearly marked with the necessary cuts to produce your own. Tons of AK parts were sold, including the operative fire control parts.

Many of these things are perfectly legal to possess or transfer under current federal laws. The problems arise when a final cut is made, or a final hole is drilled, etc, to complete a functional NFA item.

I remember one reported case in which a man was convicted due to a .22 rifle with threaded muzzle and a lawn mower muffler of the appropriate thread dimensions. Obviously, neither item is unlawful, but a combination found together can be grounds for a presumptive possession case.

As Cajunlawyer noted, don't be the test case!

 

[colt_saa]

It always surprises how many people go so negative on an item like this

If you want the satisfaction of building your own and at a lower price than retail you could use these parts

There would be nothing wrong with filing a FORM 1 on the parts in compliance with the National Firearms Act of 1929 (as amended in 1934)

Once you had your paid Tax Receipt back in your hands, just drill the hole, engrave the tube, assemble the parts and use the now registered device

As BB57 states, I would worry about longevity in a mail order parts kit

 

[colt_saa]

If you are going to make a suppressor, make one where you have the adapter for the muzzle as the serialised part made from steel or titanium, with an outer can, baffles, end cap, etc that can all be replaced if they wear out.

The down side to this is that the suppressor can only attach to the opposite component (threaded barrel)

If you use a good tube, multiple back ends can fit different devices. My 22 can will fit barrels threaded 1/2"x28 or it will also fit my ghost threaded Ruger MK-II by changing the end cap

My 9MM can has 5 different end caps including a three lug to run on my MP5s and another that is the barrel nut for my UZI and even a 5/8"x24 end cap for the 300 Black Out firearms