Noise Suppressors for Target Shooting or Hunting

October 27, 2011

Question:Is it legal to use noise suppressors (mistakenly called silencers) on rifles and handguns? I know that porting, venting, flash collars and muzzle brakes are OK to use at target ranges and while legally hunting in California. Can a noise suppressor that is attached to the front end of the barrel, or that slides over the front end of the barrel, be lawfully used at a target range or while legally hunting anywhere in California? (Tony N., Sr.)

Answer: No, stay completely away from silencers. It is a felony for any person, firm or corporation within the state to possess a silencer (California Penal Code, section 12520). Upon conviction, punishment includes imprisonment in the state prison or a fine not to exceed $10,000, or both. A silencer is defined as “… any device or attachment of any kind designed, used or intended for use in silencing, diminishing or muffling the report of a firearm.” This definition and law also applies to any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a silencer (California Penal Code, section 12500).

Use a potato

Big plastic coke bottle stuffed with rags.

oil filter threaded onto the end of the barrel. Amazon used to sell them for about $20 up until a few months ago.  They thread onto the end of a rifle barrel and have the other end threaded to attach an oil filter from a car.  First bullet punches the hole through, following bullets follow this new hole.  Very quiet.  They were sold under the presumption that the oil filter was capturing the solvent used in cleaning a barrel, not as silencers. 
That's their story and they're sticking to it! 

****EDIT****
Looks like they are still on Amazon under a different name.  Now called a solvent trap adapter;
http://www.amazon.com/2-28-16-16-filter-thread-adapter/dp/B00KJNYEZU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405190910&sr=8-2&keywords=solvent+trap+adapter



Thread the barrel for the Internal Thread: 1/2-28 tpi
and screw on a Chevy oil filter to the outside thread

This one works for a Ruger 10/22 without messing up the front blade site;
http://www.amazon.com/4-16-filter-thread-adapter-screw/dp/B00KJRKGZ8/ref=pd_sim_auto_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1G6JK44NZR07HCRPZVCZ

Looks like this;
Slips over the end of the barrel and tighten down with a set screw.  Then thread on a car oil filter and viola! 


The problem with these is; the oil filter will interfere with using the rifle sights.  Probably a scope as well unless it's a skinny filter and a scope with tall rings.
Remember; it's only illegal if you get caught shooting though it.  Otherwise, it's a solvent trap.

Big plastic coke bottle stuffed with rags.

You watch too much TV!

Big plastic coke bottle stuffed with rags.

You watch too much TV!

You've had too much KP duty.

Big plastic coke bottle stuffed with rags.

You watch too much TV!

You've had too much KP duty.

I know I had. Pots & pan man reporting (late as usual). 

Shit I got duty in an hour!! Lol

Shit I got duty in an hour!! Lol

Call of Duty?