Monocore Solvent Trap Questions
So what does this have to do with a monocore solvent trap?
Monocore solvent traps came into the spotlight after solvent trap manufacturers saw an opportunity to meet demand. Many registered suppressors sold by Class III Dealers are designed with a monocore baffle, which is a single baffle as opposed to a multi-baffle or modular-baffle setup. Thus, the issue is that these items resemble NFA items so closely and those interested in purchasing a solvent trap cleaning device should definitely steer clear of them!
Many low cost, poor quality options started popping up on foreign websites disguised as ‘car cleaning parts’ for trapping solvent during car repairs. One major problem with ordering monocore solvent traps from Chinese suppliers is that you are very likely purchasing a product with questionable quality and diluted metals. Think about it…unless you have machining tools that allow for the testing of metals or are a chemist, would you really know if you received T6 6061 vs 7075 Aircraft Grade Aluminum? Not to mention, many Chinese vendors claim Type III Hard Coat Anodizing but the actual product is painted with matte or paints one would buy at a hobby store. You never want to put a low quality parts on the end of your gun, regardless, just don’t take the chance. Honestly, you are lucky if the product purchased from a Chinese seller even arrives at your doorstep, considering the high seizure and loss rates. Not to mention, if seizure occurs by ICE, you may have another problem on your hands.
Another problem with ordering monocore solvent traps off of places like Aliexpress is that you can easily place the order, but many don’t know that you may actually be importing an unregistered suppressor.
The Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division (FATD) of the NFA has strict rules and regulations when it comes to what they deem a suppressor. The problem is, the NFA is notorious for having extremely vague and illogical rules that have limited information published publicly, when it comes to the specifics. For instance, there are many solvent trap manufacturers in the United States that produce cups with center markings.
You may be wondering what Center Markings are… Center markings help those that will Form 1 their solvent trap know where to drill the holes. Center markings are viewed as showing “Constructive Intent” in the eyes of the ATF, because the center markings are intended for drilling and thus the ATF views these markings or dimples as ‘already drilled’ from a constructive intent point of view. This one is obvious to some industry veterans, but new solvent trap startups don’t stand a chance. Even many veteran producers or resellers of solvent traps have no clue they are in violation!
Regulators of the firearms industry go after all types of items, using “Constructive Intent” as the legal tool. In the eyes of the NFA/BATFE, certain features are considered to show some form of intent, including metadata and how products are marketed, but again this is a topic with limited to no reliable and publicly available information. It also depends on express intent, from a supplier or solvent trap vendor point of view. If there are no signs of constructive intent on a solvent trap kit, but the company selling them advertises them as Form 1 Kits or do it yourself suppressors, then the express intent of the sale is for them to be converted. Many companies are selling items under the name ‘Solvent Traps’, but have an intent shown in their item(s) construction and public and/or direct communications, that attempts to circumvent the legal system, this is what makes Armory Den different! We know the importance of cleaning firearms and keeping firearms clean for reliability and safety, this is what we stand for!
Are Solvent Trap Center Marks Legal?
Monocore solvent traps have a single baffle and most of them have a hole bored through the entire baffle. Many believe that because the end cap is still sealed that they are in the clear to own a monocore prior to receiving an approval on their Form 1. The NFA/ATF may view this differently because in theory if a monocore solvent trap is placed at the end of a pistol or rifle and that firearm is discharged, it’s very probable that the round will travel through the center of the monocore baffle and exit through the end cap, or blast the end cap right off the tube.
It becomes even riskier when ordering monocore solvent traps from Chinese companies, as it is rumored that they come with open end caps that can be swapped out for sealed end caps. These end caps look like a ring and replace the sealed end cap and essentially convert the solvent trap into a full blown suppressor. Ordering from overseas means they are imported, so now you are not only purchasing an unregistered suppressor, but you are importing one too.
Adaptive Solvent Traps And Solvent Trap Tube Kits Are Great For Cleaning, Storage And More!
We offer modular solvent traps and tube kit solvent traps for the most efficient cleaning there is and we provide guides on how to use them on our product pages. Our Adaptive Solvent Trap have a unique modular design, and they can and Tube Kit solvent traps, but this design is so new that it is no surprise.
Besides being an extremely high quality and versatile solvent trap, it comes with everything you need to adapt to the most popular items that the industry offers. For those that want to direct thread to calibers ranging from 9mm, .22LR, to 6.5 Creedmoor or 30 Cal barrels, we’ve provided both of the most popular threaded end cap adapters. Other’s may want to use a muzzle extension device, muzzle break or QD adapter and that is why we have included the 1-3/16×24” end cap adapter.
Armory Den’s 1.57” 7075 Type III Anodized Billet Aluminum Modular Solvent Trap is a good example of a versatile solvent trap, and like all of Armory Den’s other solvent traps, it does not have any dimples as it is a solvent trap cleaning system only.
When you order a 1.57” 7075 Billet Aluminum Modular Solvent Trap Kit from Armory Den, you will receive a legal solvent trap kit with a 1/2×28” and 5/8×24” threaded end cap, a 1.1875-24 TPI end cap adapter, a 3” base tube, modular (adaptive) cups and an ‘unmarked’ sealed end cap. This modular kit Is under 12 oz. in its maximum configuration of 8.25”. One of the best things about this solvent trap is that cups |dividers can be removed for a variety of length configurations.
Besides being an extremely high quality and versatile solvent trap, it comes with everything you need to adapt to the most popular items that the industry offers. For those that want to direct thread to calibers ranging from 9mm, .22LR, to 6.5 Creedmoor or 30 Cal barrels during cleaning sessions, we’ve provided both of the most popular threaded end cap adapters. Other’s may want to use a muzzle extension device muzzle break or QD adapter and that is why we also offer the 1-1.375-24 TPI (Male) to 1.1875-24 TPI (Female) adapter.
When it comes to deciding on whether to take the grey area and purchase an inferior monocore or to take the legal route for the intended use of cleaning and purchase a superior Adaptive Solvent Trap with a modular design, that will allow you to improve routine bore cleaning processes, efficiency, safety, reliability, and overall performance of your firearm.
If you want to know more, there are 5 Things you Need to Know About Solvent Traps.