Frequently Asked Questions

Can I legally own a suppressor?

Absolutely – if it legal in your state!  Owners must have a Federal tax stamp, and pass the normal background check required to purchase a firearm.  The tax stamp process requires the preparation of a Federal form which includes the signature of a local police authority.  In some states the local police authorities refuse to sign these applications, in which case you would have to form a Revocable Trust or a corporation to transfer the NFA device.

Do I have to have a permit to own a silencer?

No!  However, because these are NFA devices, you do need a tax stamp from the Federal Government.  The cost of a tax stamp is currently $200.00.

What’s the difference between a silencer and a suppressor?

No device can make a gun “silent.”  What can be done is to substantially reduce – suppress – the discharge noise of the gun.  Coastal Gun suppressors have been tested against a number of commercially available suppressors and meet or exceed the discharge noise reduction experienced with the use of all tested.  If the gun is fired with a sonic round, you will still hear the sonic boom as the bullet passes the speed of sound.  Normally the quiet you hear with a Coastal Gun suppressor is the sound of the gun cycling and the impact of the round down range.

How do I buy a suppressor?

We will provide the necessary form for you to fill out, and transfer the suppressor to your Class III FFL dealer in your state.  You take your completed form to your local law enforcement agency and are finger-printed, and have the head of your local law enforcement agency sign the application.  The form is then submitted by your Class 3 dealer to the clearing house (currently located in Clarksburg, WV) along with your check for $200.00.  After the background check is complete, the tax stamp is returned to your Class 3 dealer, who then transfers the suppressor to you.

How do I select a good suppressor?

This is an important purchase decision.  You should consider construction materials, design of the suppressor, and ease of cleaning – there should be no wipes or parts that wear out.  Please see our separate note on what to look for in the suppressor purchase.

How do I clean my suppressor?

All Coastal Gun suppressors are easily cleaned.   This is especially important in .22 rimfire shooting since .22 rimfire cartridges are inherently dirty.  To clean the suppressor, remove the end cap and slide the baffles out of the suppressor.  Soak the baffles over-night in dishwasher detergent or WD40, rinse them and dry them.  Reinsert the baffles – in the same direction they were removed – into the suppressor tube and replace the end cap.

Will my suppressor wear out?

What Should I Look For When Buying A Suppressor?

1. Materials:
A well built silencer will be constructed from quality materials that can be expected to manage the heat and pressures of gun use.  Finishes should be provided to protect the body of the suppressor and enhance the aesthetics of the device.
What to Look For: High quality alloy construction for both the body and the internals.  Ask specifically what the materials and finishes are for both the body and the internals.
Coastal Gun Suppressors are built from high end alloys designed and selected specifically for the gun the suppressor is to be used with.  All suppressors are finished to protect the body during normal use.  Don’t accept anything less!

2. Design:
Some suppressor manufacturers weld their end caps to the suppressor body, preventing easy disassembly.  This will make cleaning very difficult.  Other manufacturers use “wipes” or packing material in their suppressors.  This makes reassembly difficult and messy (in some cases impossible) when the suppressor is disassembled for cleaning or the wipes wear out.
What to Look For: Quality suppressors are built with removable end caps and all baffle constructions.
Coastal Gun Suppressors are quality built with removable end caps and all baffle designs, making disassembly and reassembly a snap – there are no wipes or pads that wear out.  Don’t accept anything less!

3. Quality:
Design tolerances in a well built suppressor are tight.  Loose parts will impact the accuracy of your gun and impact the life-time of your suppressor.  Poorly built suppressors may be impossible to reassemble after cleaning. 
What to Look for: A quality suppressor will have internal parts that can easily be removed from the suppressor housing and at the same time fit snugly in the housing – no rattle or suppressor noise.
Coastal Gun Suppressors are built to exacting tolerances on CNC machines, and carefully inspected for fit and finish.  Don’t accept anything less!

4. Ease of Cleaning:
Some designs may look good, but they are hard to clean.  Welded end caps make disassembly impossible. 
What to Look For: An all machined baffle assembly with no packing or “wipes.”
Coastal Gun Suppressors have removable end caps and all machined baffle designs, making cleaning not only possible but easy.  Don’t accept anything less!