modifying a suppressor

[KurtM]

I have a .22 suppressor that I would like to change out the threaded section so I can use it on more than one .22. Is this allowed as long as I use the orriginal tube that has the orriginal serial number on it? Also I would like to change the dissassembly cap out to aluminum to save weight.

All this work would would need cutting the tube off and reinstalling the back plate and machining a new front cap. Thanks KurtM

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

I have a .22 suppressor that I would like to change out the threaded section so I can use it on more than one .22. Is this allowed as long as I use the orriginal tube that has the orriginal serial number on it? Also I would like to change the dissassembly cap out to aluminum to save weight.

All this work would would need cutting the tube off and reinstalling the back plate and machining a new front cap. Thanks KurtM

In my humble opinion, I would say that you (a non-manufacturer) cannot do this legally, but a licensed maunfacturer could. Here is some info on the subject from ATF. Pay attention to the part I highlighted in red.

Q2: May a Federal firearms licensee repair a silencer by replacing worn or damaged components?
A: A person who is licensed under the Gun Control Act (GCA) to manufacture firearms and who has paid the special (occupational) tax to manufacture National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms may replace a component part or parts of a silencer. Repairs may not be done if they result in removal, obliteration, or alteration of the serial number, as this would violate 18 U.S.C. § 922(k). If a silencer part bearing the serial number, other than the outer tube, must be replaced, the new part must be marked with the same serial number as the replacement part. The term "repair" does not include replacement of the outer tube of the silencer. The outer tube is the largest single part of the silencer, the main structural component of the silencer, and is the part to which all other component parts are attached. The replacement of the outer tube is so significant an event that it amounts to the "making" of a new silencer. As such, the new silencer must be marked, registered and transferred in accordance with the NFA and GCA. In the event that identical replacement parts for a silencer are not available, new and different component parts may be used as long as the silencer retains the same dimensions and caliber. In addition, the repair may result in a minimal reduction in the length of the outer tube due to rethreading, but repair may not increase the length of the outer tube. Increasing the length of the outer tube significantly affects the performance of the silencer and results in the "making" of a new silencer. As stated above, a new silencer must be marked, registered and transferred in accordance with the NFA and GCA. Reducing the length of the tube by a minimal amount in order to repair a silencer is often necessary to replace damaged end caps, as the tube must be rethreaded. Such minimal reduction of the length of the tube uses all of the original parts, does not sign ficantly affect performance of the silencer, and may be done as part of a repair process without making a new silencer. 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.​

Source: http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5320-8/atf-p-5320-8-appendix-b.pdf

 

[338Shooter]

Not without filing a form 1 on the new end cap. It is lame, but it is the law. Silencer parts are considered new silencers. I would look up David Saylors from Liberty Suppressors. He does stuff like that and it takes no paperwork that way. He makes improvements to older cans by fitting them with his monolithic cores.

 

[mr ed]

I was thinking about doing the same with an old suppressor that had threads for a mac11 but decided it was more work than the suppressor was worth.
I looked on gunbroker and found a guy selling adapters for 1/2x28 to 3/4x10
for like $20 and went that route. maybe someone on there sells one for your thread pattern to 1/2 x 28 which seems to be sort of a standard.