Call the ATF periodically. They’re are some dunce-cap wearers purporting this is of no use. They even suggest this slows your approval down because they think they are talking to regular staff and not call center workers. They are separate. I call once a month.
Things you can learn by calling:
Recieved by ATF and in system
Status, most often pending
Approved
Other details have been suggested but not confirmed by me. These could be: problems with form, problems with payment, assigned status etc.
My best friend is a patient guy. He put in a form 4 in the Spring. He never called until the following February. When he did finally call, he found out that his can had been approved in Oct.

The Stamp never made it to the dealer. The dealer never checked or suspected anything was wrong. He had to apply for a replacement stamp, which went fairly quickly.
Also, just because most folks are seeing 7-12 months does not mean yours could not inexplicably slip through early (or late) seemingly out of queue. I have seen this happen
When I call, I have everything ready and turn on the charm. I figure no sense in tempting fate. These call center people already have a shitty job.
Remember the BATF works for you.