I'm wondering if one could make a suppressor designed to accommodate different calibers and have it designated "multi-caliber" on the tube? One can certainly use one suppressor on a smaller-caliber weapon without violating the NFA, so the next logical step is for a design that actually allows one to change the caliber without "making" a new suppressor. Here's my reasoning:
NFA rules prohibit one from changing the caliber of the suppressor as it was approved by the NFA Branch and as it is marked on the tube by (for example) boring out the baffle stack to a larger diameter. But what if the tube is marked either "multi-caliber" or it's marked with an actual list of calibers it's designed for, like "Calibers .22, .32, .357, .38, .40, .45, .50"? Would this allow the manufacturer to ship the suppressor with one tube (the serialized part) and several baffle stacks/end-caps that would make it usable with a variety of weapons? Since any part of a suppressor is an NFA part, and therefor all parts shipped with the approved and stamped suppressor constitute the entire suppressor, would this method be considered "adapting" the suppressor to a particular gun (as in using different buffers or attachment devices) or would it be "making" a new suppressor? I think perhaps not if all the requisite baffle stacks and parts are included in the kit, but I'd be interested to hear other opinions on it, and perhaps something from the NFA branch. It would be, after all, only one suppressor with one tube, and the changing of baffle stacks that have already been approved shouldn't be a "making" of a new suppressor.
Which brings up another question: Is it allowable for a manufacturer to sell a suppressor with a supply of spare parts so that the user can replace them without having to go through the NFA paperwork again?
The BATFE FAQ on suppressors says "Persons other than qualified manufacturers may repair silencers, but replacement parts are “silencers” as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(24) that must be registered and transferred in accordance with the NFA and GCA."
So can a supply of "replacement parts" be made part of the original suppressor sale and NFA approval process? And how does one "register" an unmarked baffle stack or end-cap? Do they require their own individual serial numbers and other information in order to be properly registered? If that's the case, could one make (hypothetically) a set of five baffle stacks with integral end-caps in differing calibers, all with the same serial number as the tube and lawfully have them as a single NFA registered item?
NFA rules prohibit one from changing the caliber of the suppressor as it was approved by the NFA Branch and as it is marked on the tube by (for example) boring out the baffle stack to a larger diameter. But what if the tube is marked either "multi-caliber" or it's marked with an actual list of calibers it's designed for, like "Calibers .22, .32, .357, .38, .40, .45, .50"? Would this allow the manufacturer to ship the suppressor with one tube (the serialized part) and several baffle stacks/end-caps that would make it usable with a variety of weapons? Since any part of a suppressor is an NFA part, and therefor all parts shipped with the approved and stamped suppressor constitute the entire suppressor, would this method be considered "adapting" the suppressor to a particular gun (as in using different buffers or attachment devices) or would it be "making" a new suppressor? I think perhaps not if all the requisite baffle stacks and parts are included in the kit, but I'd be interested to hear other opinions on it, and perhaps something from the NFA branch. It would be, after all, only one suppressor with one tube, and the changing of baffle stacks that have already been approved shouldn't be a "making" of a new suppressor.
Which brings up another question: Is it allowable for a manufacturer to sell a suppressor with a supply of spare parts so that the user can replace them without having to go through the NFA paperwork again?
The BATFE FAQ on suppressors says "Persons other than qualified manufacturers may repair silencers, but replacement parts are “silencers” as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(24) that must be registered and transferred in accordance with the NFA and GCA."
So can a supply of "replacement parts" be made part of the original suppressor sale and NFA approval process? And how does one "register" an unmarked baffle stack or end-cap? Do they require their own individual serial numbers and other information in order to be properly registered? If that's the case, could one make (hypothetically) a set of five baffle stacks with integral end-caps in differing calibers, all with the same serial number as the tube and lawfully have them as a single NFA registered item?
