ATF Form 4 thread. Process and approvals!

Road_Clam said:
So how's the availability of 5.56 supressors ? Im seeing a ton of "backorder" status on Silencer Shop. Ive delt in the past with 2A Tactical in Brentwood NH and they are a SS dealer. I have 3 other cans but in need of a dedicated 556 .
Click to expand...
It’s all a little f***ed with everyone going nuts with the short turn around times.

If you’re looking for more info on which to pick I would strongly urge you to read up on the different testing Pew Science has put together.

https://pewscience.com/

Currently the Flow556 would be my recommendation followed by a Surefire RC2
Ymmv
 
Road_Clam said:
So how's the availability of 5.56 supressors ? Im seeing a ton of "backorder" status on Silencer Shop. Ive delt in the past with 2A Tactical in Brentwood NH and they are a SS dealer. I have 3 other cans but in need of a dedicated 556 .
Click to expand...
PMing you.
 
Road_Clam said:
So how's the availability of 5.56 supressors ? Im seeing a ton of "backorder" status on Silencer Shop. Ive delt in the past with 2A Tactical in Brentwood NH and they are a SS dealer. I have 3 other cans but in need of a dedicated 556 .
Click to expand...

mixed availability but with a backorder and short approval wait time. I’d still go for it. What 556 platform are you looking for a can for? Do you need/want a hard use can? I know OCL is making Polonium’s as fast as they can. Love my Polonium and Polonium K for “budget” cans that I just got. Love my RC2 as well just not as happy being married to their mounts.
 
Caveman said:
mixed availability but with a backorder and short approval wait time. I’d still go for it. What 556 platform are you looking for a can for? Do you need/want a hard use can? I know OCL is making Polonium’s as fast as they can. Love my Polonium and Polonium K for “budget” cans that I just got. Love my RC2 as well just not as happy being married to their mounts.
Click to expand...

Agreed, i dont want any proprietary mount systems . Just standardized threaded direct mount. So a pass on the Surefire. Im interested in that suggested Flow556 . That 3D metal printed technology is very interesting.
 
Road_Clam said:
Agreed, i dont want any proprietary mount systems . Just standardized threaded direct mount. So a pass on the Surefire. Im interested in that suggested Flow556 . That 3D metal printed technology is very interesting.
Click to expand...
fwiw the flow 556k is proprietary mount as well. depending on your use. I’d probably recommend a Polonium K.
 
Caveman said:
fwiw the flow 556k is proprietary mount as well. depending on your use. I’d probably recommend a Polonium K.
Click to expand...

Yea, after some research i found this out. I'll have a look at the Polonium , seems a solid choice ! Thanks for all the suggestions ive been out of the loop on cans for many years, technology has changed quite a bit.
 
Caveman said:
This is on an Individual? I’m chilling waiting on my latest on a trust. That’s only from April 19th though.
Click to expand...
Yes. Individual. I was just cracking a joke about how many lists we must be on these days. It is what it is.
 
I purchased a Radical Defense LS-5 through Silencer Shop.

Order via SilencerShop: June 13, 2024, 5:47am
ATF eForm 4 submission: June 25, 2024, 4:43pm
ATF eForm 4 approval: June 27, 2024, 3:04pm

The ATF is faster that SilencerShop. I went the individual route again.

Comparing purchase methods:
1. Local shop with their own link to the ATF eForm site. It took ~30min for the purchase, prints, photo and forms. ATF approval in two business days.
2. SilencerShop online purchase with local shop. 12 days for SilencerShop to local shop processes. ATF approval in two business days.

The only advantage to a SilencerShop from my perspective is that they have a larger inventory but you have to wait for the Form3 dealer transfer. Well, they list more on their web site but many are out of stock. They also do not accept eft fingerprint files. I had to make a special trip to a kiosk. They do, however, accept paper prints by snail mail that they'll scan. I really don't understand that one.I can use the eft files with other shops.

I am going to try the Capital Armory process when something I want shows up in stock. They will ship to me. But, if filing as an individual, the in stock model at a non-chain LGS is the way to go. Two days from buy to shoot was awesome.

Away I go for my third trip to the local SS store for this purchase but at least this time, it is to pick up my can.
 
Last edited:
tbk5 said:
I purchased a Radical Defense LS-5 through Silencer Shop.

Order via SilencerShop: June 13, 2024, 5:47am
ATF eForm 4 submission: June 25, 2024, 4:43pm
ATF eForm 4 approval: June 27, 2024, 3:04pm

The ATF is faster that SilencerShop. I went the individual route again.

Comparing purchase methods:
1. Local shop with there own link to the ATF eForm site. It took ~30min for the purchase, prints, photo and forms. ATF approval in two business days.
2. SilencerShop online purchase with local shop. 12 days for SilencerShop to local shop processes. ATF approval in two business days.

The only advantage to a SilencerShop from my perspective is that they have a larger inventroy but you have to wait for the Form3 dealer transfer. Well, they list more on their web site but many are out of stock. They also do not accept eft fingerprint files. I had to make a special trip to a kiosk. They do, however, accept paper prints by snail mail that they'll scan. I really don't understand that one.

I am going to try the Capital Armory process when something I want shows in stock. They will ship to me. But, if filing as an individual, the in stock model at a non-chain LGS is the way to go.

Away I go for my third trip to the local SS store for this purchase but at least this time, it is to pick up my can.
Click to expand...
You could talk to Nate in Manchester. Assuming NH

Wojtek Weaponry
 
Still nothing from AFT, waiting since March so I called them the other day to make sure there weren’t any typos or issues on the form that were holding it up.

Nice lady on the phone but could only tell me that it’s been received and is in progress. Hold time for a human was approx 20mins.
 
tbk5 said:
I purchased a Radical Defense LS-5 through Silencer Shop.

Order via SilencerShop: June 13, 2024, 5:47am
ATF eForm 4 submission: June 25, 2024, 4:43pm
ATF eForm 4 approval: June 27, 2024, 3:04pm

The ATF is faster that SilencerShop. I went the individual route again.

Comparing purchase methods:
1. Local shop with their own link to the ATF eForm site. It took ~30min for the purchase, prints, photo and forms. ATF approval in two business days.
2. SilencerShop online purchase with local shop. 12 days for SilencerShop to local shop processes. ATF approval in two business days.

The only advantage to a SilencerShop from my perspective is that they have a larger inventory but you have to wait for the Form3 dealer transfer. Well, they list more on their web site but many are out of stock. They also do not accept eft fingerprint files. I had to make a special trip to a kiosk. They do, however, accept paper prints by snail mail that they'll scan. I really don't understand that one.I can use the eft files with other shops.

I am going to try the Capital Armory process when something I want shows up in stock. They will ship to me. But, if filing as an individual, the in stock model at a non-chain LGS is the way to go. Two days from buy to shoot was awesome.

Away I go for my third trip to the local SS store for this purchase but at least this time, it is to pick up my can.
Click to expand...
Same here lol

Went individual too (single shot trust took 6 months for my first).

Order via SS - 7/13
Ready to certify - 7/23
Certified/Submitted - 7/27 (Sat)
Approved - 8/1

4 business days lol for the ATF.
 
tbk5 said:
I purchased a Radical Defense LS-5 through Silencer Shop.

Order via SilencerShop: June 13, 2024, 5:47am
ATF eForm 4 submission: June 25, 2024, 4:43pm
ATF eForm 4 approval: June 27, 2024, 3:04pm

The ATF is faster that SilencerShop. I went the individual route again.

Comparing purchase methods:
1. Local shop with their own link to the ATF eForm site. It took ~30min for the purchase, prints, photo and forms. ATF approval in two business days.
2. SilencerShop online purchase with local shop. 12 days for SilencerShop to local shop processes. ATF approval in two business days.

The only advantage to a SilencerShop from my perspective is that they have a larger inventory but you have to wait for the Form3 dealer transfer. Well, they list more on their web site but many are out of stock. They also do not accept eft fingerprint files. I had to make a special trip to a kiosk. They do, however, accept paper prints by snail mail that they'll scan. I really don't understand that one.I can use the eft files with other shops.

I am going to try the Capital Armory process when something I want shows up in stock. They will ship to me. But, if filing as an individual, the in stock model at a non-chain LGS is the way to go. Two days from buy to shoot was awesome.

Away I go for my third trip to the local SS store for this purchase but at least this time, it is to pick up my can.
Click to expand...

I am actually faster and I don't hold your prints hostage. I actually don't even need you to show up once I have your info on file.

I will say that transferring on individual is generally a fool's errand and I discourage it.

ETA: Ah, you're in Alabama.
 
tbk5 said:
I purchased a Radical Defense LS-5 through Silencer Shop.

Order via SilencerShop: June 13, 2024, 5:47am
ATF eForm 4 submission: June 25, 2024, 4:43pm
ATF eForm 4 approval: June 27, 2024, 3:04pm

The ATF is faster that SilencerShop. I went the individual route again.

Comparing purchase methods:
1. Local shop with their own link to the ATF eForm site. It took ~30min for the purchase, prints, photo and forms. ATF approval in two business days.
2. SilencerShop online purchase with local shop. 12 days for SilencerShop to local shop processes. ATF approval in two business days.

The only advantage to a SilencerShop from my perspective is that they have a larger inventory but you have to wait for the Form3 dealer transfer. Well, they list more on their web site but many are out of stock. They also do not accept eft fingerprint files. I had to make a special trip to a kiosk. They do, however, accept paper prints by snail mail that they'll scan. I really don't understand that one.I can use the eft files with other shops.

I am going to try the Capital Armory process when something I want shows up in stock. They will ship to me. But, if filing as an individual, the in stock model at a non-chain LGS is the way to go. Two days from buy to shoot was awesome.

Away I go for my third trip to the local SS store for this purchase but at least this time, it is to pick up my can.
Click to expand...
I purchased a suppressor from Capital Armory.

Purchase Date: 7/17/2024
Received Date: 8/9/2024
ATF eForm4 Time: 5 days! (individual) Submitted 7/18 and approved 7/23

Capital Armory took the longest time in today's world of rapid ATF individual eForm4 approvals. I had other issues with my CA experience such that I will not order through them again. I did, however, smile, thinking about my ol' ma**h*** friends as UPS handed me the package at home. Get motivated to live free somewhere.

The rate limiting step these days is manufacturer production time/product availability.

I am having fun satisfying my suppressor cravings since escaping the iron curtain of the PRM. It took me a while but word of the fast ATF approvals got me off my butt. I am using the individual route because that is all I need. I am not sharing my cans. I have already pre-filled the tax exempt Form 5 transfer forms for my heirs and keep that paperwork with the will. I will stick to the local shop (SS or independent) for future purchases as long as the 2 day form4 approvals are a reality.

There is a hidden expense to all of this. I am on the hunt for a lathe. I have way too many non-threaded barrels in the stable.
 
Last edited:
Just got my eForm-4 approval notice for my very first suppressor (yay me)! Bought as a Trust using SilencerShop Single Shot Trust - total time from submission to approval is 2 months. Now to take possession of said item...
 

Similar threads

Form 5320 approval times?
Replies
2
Views
47
DW357
DW357
All of a sudden I need a FFL-07 and a Glock 44
Replies
3
Views
179
chris_1001
chris_1001
Scorpion Carbine to SBR - Cut and thread existing or replace barrel?
Replies
3
Views
337
MaroonedinMA
MaroonedinMA
Form 1 Question
Replies
5
Views
330
Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
Form 1 question on weapon type?
Replies
2
Views
347
MAJoe
M
Back
Top Bottom