threaded barrels and muzzle devices

[dnepro-mike]

Can someone clarify current Federal and Mass laws in regards to threaded barrels and muzzle devices? I've heard a lot of talk but still not quite sure what/where/whom applies to.

I know it might be the question asked one time too many, but if anyone at least can refer to an existing thread...

thanks

 

[SheepDog_B]

I'd like to know for sure too. I think threaded barrels are OK... I've seen folks in MA with the P22's with threaded barrels. Muzzle devices? More specific. Silencers are a no no in MA I believe except for LEO's or FFL's not sure. I've read even states where you can have one, you need a license for it, register it like a firearm and pay a completely obscene amount for tax on it.
I'd love to get one!
http://www.silencerco.com/ Silencerco makes mint ones. I hate to drool over something that's completely unobtainable so I never looked into it too much.

 

[atmay]

In MA, threaded barrels and/or flash hiders count as an "evil feature" for the rifle portion of the AWB. Note that this applies ONLY to semi-automatic rifles. Manually operated (bolt, slide, lever, break, rolling block etc) rifles are NOT affected by the AWB.

It is also a pistol AWB feature, but most "normal" pistols will not have any other AWB features, so it's okay.

A threaded barrel/flash hider is NOT a shotgun AWB feature.




WRT semi-auto rifles, if your barrel has threads, a non-flash hiding muzzle device must be PERMANENTLY attached. This can be a thread cap, or a brake. Permanently attached means pinned and welded or soldered on with 1100* silver solder.



Silencers are illegal in MA with the exception of .gov agencies and manufacturers. If they were legal (or if you live in a state where they are), they are subject to NFA laws, and require an approved Form 1 or Form 4, and a $200 tax stamp.


ETA: This has, of course, been discussed a bunch of times. A perusal of the MA Law sub-forum might net what you're looking for.

 

[dnepro-mike]

I'd like to know for sure too. I think threaded barrels are OK... I've seen folks in MA with the P22's with threaded barrels. Muzzle devices? More specific. Silencers are a no no in MA I believe except for LEO's or FFL's not sure. I've read even states where you can have one, you need a license for it, register it like a firearm and pay a completely obscene amount for tax on it.
I'd love to get one!
http://www.silencerco.com/ Silencerco makes mint ones. I hate to drool over something that's completely unobtainable so I never looked into it too much.

'permanently attached' is it part of MA AWB or part federal NFA regulations?
I know there are people ou there with AKs and muzzle breaks that clearly can be unscrewed and definitely not permanently attached!!!??

 

[Mass-diver]

Silencers are illegal outright in MA while could be assembled elsewhere with $300 ATF fee.
But i'm more concerned with muzzle breaks on my AKs and AR's that aren't pre-ban.
Any attorneys out there that could draw nice clear picture?

For non-pre ban AR and AKs in their standard configuration (a pistol grip, a detach mag):

If it's a brake and welded in place it's OK. If it is a flash suppressor and/or not pinned/welded it's illegal.

If you are not sure if it's a brake or a FS you can post a picture, a model number, or the type of rifle it came with (assuming it's in it's factory config). Again, if it is not permanently attached it's illegal either way.

 

[Mass-diver]

'permanently attached' is it part of MA AWB or part federal NFA regulations?
I know there are people ou there with AKs and muzzle breaks that clearly can be unscrewed and definitely not permanently attached!!!??

It is part of the MA AWB, nothing to do with NFA. Preban rifles in MA are no problem, you only get into NFA stuff with short barrels.

BTW, you can't have a lug or collapsible stock either.

 

[abomb60]

In MA, threaded barrels and/or flash hiders count as an "evil feature" for the rifle portion of the AWB. Note that this applies ONLY to semi-automatic rifles. Manually operated (bolt, slide, lever, break, rolling block etc) rifles are NOT affected by the AWB.

It is also a pistol AWB feature, but most "normal" pistols will not have any other AWB features, so it's okay.

A threaded barrel/flash hider is NOT a shotgun AWB feature.




WRT semi-auto rifles, if your barrel has threads, a non-flash hiding muzzle device must be PERMANENTLY attached. This can be a thread cap, or a brake. Permanently attached means pinned and welded or soldered on with 1100* silver solder.



Silencers are illegal in MA with the exception of .gov agencies and manufacturers. If they were legal (or if you live in a state where they are), they are subject to NFA laws, and require an approved Form 1 or Form 4, and a $200 tax stamp.


ETA: This has, of course, been discussed a bunch of times. A perusal of the MA Law sub-forum might net what you're looking for.

Yup what he said.

Why does this keep coming up? Read the Federal AWB that MA adopted into law before it expired. It lists the "evil features" for rifles, semi-auto scatterguns & pistols. Don't have more than 2 "evil features" on the same firearm and you're good.

Can you have a flash suppressor in MA on a post-ban rifle? Yeah you can. Just make sure you remove the pistol grip or fix a low-capacity magazine in place.

For future reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban

 

[dnepro-mike]

Yup what he said.

Why does this keep coming up? Read the Federal AWB that MA adopted into law before it expired. It lists the "evil features" for rifles, semi-auto scatterguns & pistols. Don't have more than 2 "evil features" on the same firearm and you're good.

Can you have a flash suppressor in MA on a post-ban rifle? Yeah you can. Just make sure you remove the pistol grip or fix a low-capacity magazine in place.

For future reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban

I read the ban definition and it has no mention of need to permanently fix muzzle break, where is this coming from?

 

[atmay]

I read the ban definition and it has no mention of need to permanently fix muzzle break, where is this coming from?

During the federal ban, the ATF determined that a threaded barrel with a non-flash hiding muzzle device permanently attached was not considered, WRT the ban, to be a "threaded barrel".

Basically, permanently attaching something to the threads takes the threads off the barrel as far as the law is concerned.

 

[atmay]

Yup what he said.

Why does this keep coming up? Read the Federal AWB that MA adopted into law before it expired. It lists the "evil features" for rifles, semi-auto scatterguns & pistols. Don't have more than 2 "evil features" on the same firearm and you're good.

Can you have a flash suppressor in MA on a post-ban rifle? Yeah you can. Just make sure you remove the pistol grip or fix a low-capacity magazine in place.

For future reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban

Point of correction here -- any semiautomatic rifle, shotgun or pistol having TWO OR MORE 'evil' features is an "assault weapon". Ergo, you can have up to ONE and only ONE and not be an "assault weapon".

 

[dnepro-mike]

Point of correction here -- any semiautomatic rifle, shotgun or pistol having TWO OR MORE 'evil' features is an "assault weapon". Ergo, you can have up to ONE and only ONE and not be an "assault weapon".

so WRT to the ban, if you have muzzle break attached to a barrel by means other than threads that would make it non-evil feature?
Am I getting this right?
Example:
-Let's sy i have an AK that came with no muzzle break.
-I fashion an adapter that has threads to receive muzzle break.
-Then i weld break to the adapter.
-Then i attach adapter-break combo onto the barrel by means of pins.
What do you think?

 

[atmay]

so WRT to the ban, if you have muzzle break attached to a barrel by means other than threads that would make it non-evil feature?
Am I getting this right?
Example:
-Let's sy i have an AK that came with no muzzle break.
-I fashion an adapter that has threads to receive muzzle break.
-Then i weld break to the adapter.
-Then i attach adapter-break combo onto the barrel by means of pins.
What do you think?

I am not a member of the ATF Tech Branch, nor do they even do AWB compliance letters anymore, nor am I involved in anyway in enforcing the MA AWB.

However, a non flash-hiding muzzlebrake affixed to a barrel by some means other than threads (ie...there are slip-on brakes with set screws) SHOULD be in compliance with the ban.

 

[Supermoto]

Bushmaster sold Carbon 15s with a quick detach brake, It used a ball and detent to lock into a machined barrel. The sell an adapter so you could use different brakes. Kind of a cool idea

 

[dnepro-mike]

Bushmaster sold Carbon 15s with a quick detach brake, It used a ball and detent to lock into a machined barrel. The sell an adapter so you could use different brakes. Kind of a cool idea

interesting idea, if i could only figure out how exactly it snapped onto barrel and what sort of special machining required for that barrel to accommodate it

 

[Supermoto]

The machining is pretty basic. I'll see if I can get a pic if you want it.

 

[Jbarila]

10-22 with a threaded barrel and a compensator has only one of the evils therefore ok.
does not have pistol grip or lug.

 

[atmay]

10-22 with a threaded barrel and a compensator has only one of the evils therefore ok.
does not have pistol grip or lug.

same with a stock Mini-14 or -30, or M1A

Although I don't quite know why anyone would put a flash hider or compensator on a 10/22, if it's what suits you....

 

[dnepro-mike]

The machining is pretty basic. I'll see if I can get a pic if you want it.

that would be helpful. I'd appreciated, man.
Thank you

 

[drgrant]

I'd like to know for sure too. I think threaded barrels are OK... I've seen folks in MA with the P22's with threaded barrels. Muzzle devices? More specific. Silencers are a no no in MA I believe except for LEO's or FFL's not sure. I've read even states where you can have one, you need a license for it, register it like a firearm and pay a completely obscene amount for tax on it.
I'd love to get one!

In MA you need to be a federally licensed manufacturer to own/possess a can, plus the usual ATF stuff.

In free states its a ONE TIME $200 tax to the ATF, and there is no registration except with them at the time of transfer. The paperwork is a one time deal, as there is no legal requirement to file a 5320 on a suppressor move, either, provided of course you are transporting the can to somewhere where it is legal to possess. (although some people do it for the hell of it, which I'll never understand, but that's another story... )

Generally speaking, free states, do not "license" suppressors or their use. The only requirements are usually federal in nature.

-Mike

 

[Supermoto]

that would be helpful. I'd appreciated, man.
Thank you

here you go

 

[abomb60]

I read the ban definition and it has no mention of need to permanently fix muzzle break, where is this coming from?

"Flash suppressor, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one" is how the law was written. I guess the ATF made a ruling at some point that a muzzle break pinned & welded to a threaded barrel is legal.

 

[abomb60]

Point of correction here -- any semiautomatic rifle, shotgun or pistol having TWO OR MORE 'evil' features is an "assault weapon". Ergo, you can have up to ONE and only ONE and not be an "assault weapon".

Well technically for semiauto rifles & pistols they must accept detachable magazines AND not have two or more evil features.

 

[atmay]

"Flash suppressor, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one" is how the law was written. I guess the ATF made a ruling at some point that a muzzle break pinned & welded to a threaded barrel is legal.

Yep. Like I said before, permanently attaching something to the threads more or less makes the threads disappear WRT the law.

Well technically for semiauto rifles & pistols they must accept detachable magazines AND not have two or more evil features.

Hey, it was late, alright? Gimme a break

 

[abomb60]

Yep. Like I said before, permanently attaching something to the threads more or less makes the threads disappear WRT the law.


Hey, it was late, alright? Gimme a break

Just giving you a hard time

Also i'm pondering that a quick attach mechanism of sorts on a barrel wouldn't count as a threaded muzzle. I'm specifially thinking of a HK-style tri-lug mount. Of course adding a flash suppressor to this type of muzzle mount would be an evil feature of it's own. Maybe this is how they got away with it on the Carbon-15? In that case the C-15 would only have one evil feature (magazine outside the pistol grip) in its pistol configuration.