3d printed moderator?

[yeet]

I've got 5 free 22lr moderator slots on my FAC and I'd like to see if a light weight 3d printed mod would work on my 22lr and was wondering the legalities of this, I could add a serial number to the mod and record it on my FAC, just wondering the possibilities, obviously this wouldn't be for any financial interests and I'd be the only owner.

 

[IP freely]

Doesn’t it need to be proofed?

 

[splash]

Doesn’t need a serial number , in fact better without one

 

[8x57]

Doesn’t it need to be proofed?

For your own use there is no requirement for proof.

 

[yeet]

Doesn’t it need to be proofed?

Suppressors/moderators/silencers dont fall under the Gun Barrel Proof Act 1868 so need no proof but even if it did fall under that it'd only need to be proofed if I were to sell it, I think

 

[bowji john]

I think you would have to register each one 'printed' with the firearms unit, but I see no issue with serial number , nor proofing

If it failed under test, then I suspect you would need to reference that once again with your firearms unit (perhaps together with photo evidence of its destruction??)

That would be my (amateur) understanding of the rules

On second thoughts - check that there are no rules regarding acting as a gun smith - as that is essentially what you are doing - just a thought

 

[bfltd0]

Are you going to thread the barrel of your .22 to fit the moderator? If so, the rifle and moderator should be sent to a proof house.

And I would certainly keep your firearms department in the loop on your plans to manufacture Section 1 components.

 

[cjm1066]

If they are for airguns no need for them to be on your FAC or any issues with making them.

Only fit to FAC rifle with the appropiate slot on your ticket.,

 

[ashray]

if they are for a 22lr would 3d printed moderator be strong enough to take the pressure ?

 

[yeet]

if they are for a 22lr would 3d printed moderator be strong enough to take the pressure ?

I’ve seen people make them out of PLA which is fairly weak and they seem to work out ok, if I were to make one though I’d choose polycarbonate as it’s a lot stronger

 

[yeet]

Are you going to thread the barrel of your .22 to fit the moderator? If so, the rifle and moderator should be sent to a proof house.

And I would certainly keep your firearms department in the loop on your plans to manufacture Section 1 components.

I’m fairly sure it would only have to be sent away to a proof hosue if I planned on selling it

 

[8x57]

Are you going to thread the barrel of your .22 to fit the moderator? If so, the rifle and moderator should be sent to a proof house.

And I would certainly keep your firearms department in the loop on your plans to manufacture Section 1 components.

No need for proof of either if for your own use, and it's still debatable if either needs to go for proof if being offered for sale, though many RFDs will send it in order to keep their insurers happy.
No need to inform your firearms department of manufacture until you decide to fit it on a firearm as you could be making them for air rifles.

One local RFD used to make dozens of .22 moderators out of gas struts for car tailgates. Only a percentage were ever entered on to FACs as many went on to air rifles. He had a pretty good design too.
A friend has a .22 moderator made entirely of a nylon type material, I believe it was made in New Zealand and it worked well. So I can't see a reason why one shouldn't be 3D printed as long as a suitable material is used.

 

[Greenmist]

The rules may have changed but I'm sure someone got into trouble for making a moderator for a firearm when they weren't a RFD, daft as our laws are, a moderator is on ticket as a firearm, you wouldn't be able to make a rifle without upsetting the system

 

[reiver]

My first 22lr mod was made from plastic waste pipe and a old air gun spring wrapped in wire wool . It was push fitted over the barrel with insulation tape to make up the difference.never had any problem with it blowing up or off .

 

[8x57]

The rules may have changed but I'm sure someone got into trouble for making a moderator for a firearm when they weren't a RFD, daft as our laws are, a moderator is on ticket as a firearm, you wouldn't be able to make a rifle without upsetting the system

I don't think they have changed. I know a couple of guys who were engineers and who made their own guns from scratch, of course they obtained the necessary slots on their FACs before commencing work. The one made an 8 bore shotgun the other a .45 calibre muzzle loading pistol. Another club bought a Connecticut valley gun kit from the U.S., it was posted direct to his house. All three simply signed them on to their FACs when they completed them.

 

[ashray]

if you made them for an air rifle or rim fire you can sell the air rifle ones legally with no problem but if you say they are for a 22lr they need to be on an fac ! strange but its the law.

 

[bfltd0]

I've got 5 free 22lr moderator slots on my FAC and I'd like to see if a light weight 3d printed mod would work on my 22lr and was wondering the legalities of this, I could add a serial number to the mod and record it on my FAC, just wondering the possibilities, obviously this wouldn't be for any financial interests and I'd be the only owner.

The OP has made it clear this is for a firearm, not an airgun.

 

[Greenmist]

I don't think they have changed. I know a couple of guys who were engineers and who made their own guns from scratch, of course they obtained the necessary slots on their FACs before commencing work. The one made an 8 bore shotgun the other a .45 calibre muzzle loading pistol. Another club bought a Connecticut valley gun kit from the U.S., it was posted direct to his house. All three simply signed them on to their FACs when they completed them.

Someone definitely had a talking to regarding making mods, it was a few years back, I'll try and find more info

 

[Greenmist]

I don't think they have changed. I know a couple of guys who were engineers and who made their own guns from scratch, of course they obtained the necessary slots on their FACs before commencing work. The one made an 8 bore shotgun the other a .45 calibre muzzle loading pistol. Another club bought a Connecticut valley gun kit from the U.S., it was posted direct to his house. All three simply signed them on to their FACs when they completed them.

From another forum and dated 2010, person in question came under Derbyshire,

"
I have had another visit from 2 FEO's today regarding the moderator I designed and had manufactured. Bottom line is...

You can design your own mod.

Only an RFD can make, test, sell and enter on ticket.

Proof is now not required even on centerfire mods.

Basically I have got off lightly, as I have been able to keep my mod and I have been told that I can work on it or modify it myself, but I will not be allowed to sell it. EVER - PERIOD!

Also they stressed that if you buy a mod, you must have it entered on your cert, prior to use and the first time you use it, it shall always remain a section 1 mod, "NO" more of the olde style, I'll buy a couple to see what is the best and then inform them to enter that one........

Many thanks to all of you who have advised and helped me with this over the last couple of years, the bottom line is I get to keep it and use it....

"

 

[rarms]

You can make a moderator for an uncontrolled sub 12ft/lbs .22 air rifle. The moderator would be used on your .22 air rifle, and be a non controlled part.

I have previously added .22 air rifle un proofed moderators to my certificate myself (with a slot obviously), and informed the firearms licensing authority that I had done so. They had no issue with this.