Suppressor vs. 'Barrel exension - aka false barrel' legalities?

[6.5BR]

Curious - Knew someone who had an extension if I remember that made a TC pistol barrel 'Super 14' legal 16 or 16+ to use w/a rifle stock. It seems TC mfg it.

Curious if something like that can be threaded in lieu of a suppressor on same threads, cut blast and be legal? Just wondering, since some 'carbine length' rifles are coming pre-threaded for suppressors, would avoid the 'stamp' or tax for a suppressor.

 

[Bloody_Tailgate]

I would assume the extension would have to be permanently attached as in pinned or welded. I'm sure there are laws on the ATF's website that spell this out clearly. I would check there.

 

[6.5BR]

Ok that I recall now, that it was as I remember done permanently. It's ludicrous though as a false barrel say 4-8" inches long would do nothing more than a longer bbl, compared to a suppressor. It would just be an option to lower blast during range sessions but the laws are not always sensical.

 

[redirt78]

I know a few people who permanently attach extended aluminum brakes to 12.5 and 14" rifles to cut down on weight but remain 16" legal.

 

[Bloody_Tailgate]

Do not take what I say as fact. Check the laws before you wind up in trouble.

 

[Gentleman4561]

You can weld a muzzle brake, flash hider, suppressor etc. onto a gun to make it over 16". The brakes and flash hiders are often times welded onto 14.5" AR uppers to reach 16". Either way you will have to pay a tax stamp for a suppressor.

 

[Pinecone]

Weld or pin and weld the end of the pin.

It has to be "permanently" installed to avoid the tax stamp.

 

[Randoman5]

I'm not really sure what you're asking. Are you asking if it's legal to thread on a fake suppressor or whether doing so makes a rifle that would otherwise be too short ok?

 

[40xs]

I once had a t/c contender with a threaded extension "permanently attached". you could hardly tell where the seam was. I bought it from an acquantence so I really didn't know exactly what process of attachment the smith used. it was legal for butt stock and was chambered for 6.5 tcu. Made a handy truck gun. Like a dummy I traded it off for something else. Wish I had it back. It shot the 85 gr. very well. velocity was in the mid 2300 range if I remember correctly.

 

[6.5BR]

I'm not really sure what you're asking. Are you asking if it's legal to thread on a fake suppressor or whether doing so makes a rifle that would otherwise be too short ok?

Yes, to clarify, wanted to know the legalities of an 'extension' aka faux barrel, but not a suppressor, w/o a tax stamp. Not trying to add length, but wondered if a device could be used as an 'off-on' option like folks who use suppressors. Last I checked one cannot use suppressors in my state when hunting, but having something cut blast would be convenient at the range, and useful for handling to remove when in the field. Looks like it needs to be permanent. Seems stupid...as many laws. Thanks all.

 

[biffj]

If you are cutting the blast more than one db than its a suppressor whether it was intended for that purpose or not. That is the legal definition of a silencer. If you're talking about a rifle than the barrel length (in the US) must be at least 16" so if you have a 14" barrel on a contender with a buttstock its not legal unless registered as a short barreled rifle.
Having gotten that out of the way the question of a removable extension is a bit moot....if you're trying to cut down the noise and or blast you need to have a registered suppressor. If you're trying to extend your barrel to make it to the legal 16" minimum than the extension has to be permanently attached using high temp solder, blind pin or welding. If you are talking about a pistol barrel then you can do what you want as far as the extension goes as long as it doesn't reduce the sound by 1db or more.
lastly on the stupidity of regs, the minimum barrel length has to do with the concealability of the firearm. They believe a rifle with a stock and a 14" barrel is concealable and a 16" barreled rifle isn't. Whether you agree or not makes no difference. That was the purpose of the reg.

hope that helps

Frank

 

[6.5BR]

Frank it sums it all up perfectly, appreciate all replies/posters. Thanks much.