Why You Should Not Purchase a Fuel Filter Instead of a Reputable Solvent Trap
If you’re a firearm owner, you know that proper maintenance is key to keeping your weapon in good working order. One important step in maintaining your firearm is ensuring that all the debris and contaminants are removed from the barrel after each use.
Many people think they can accomplish this by purchasing a fuel filter instead of investing in a reputable solvent trap. But what they may not realize is that using a fuel filter can actually do more harm than good, especially when the fuel filter is designed in a questionable way that is deemed illegal by the ATF.
Today, we will discuss why you should not purchase a fuel filter as an alternative to a solvent trap. But first, let’s take a look at both accessories and their functionalities to a firearm owner.
What is a fuel filter, and what does it do?
As the name suggests, a fuel filter is an automobile accessory usually made from aluminum material to trap debris and other contaminants that might cause damage to the engine.
They work by providing an intricate filtering system that helps filter the fuel supplied to the engine, thereby keeping the engine clean and running smoothly. It’s important to note that this device was not designed as a firearm accessory and, therefore, should not be used as such in any capacity.
What is a solvent trap, and how does it work compared to a fuel filter?
A solvent trap is a firearm accessory, that is placed over the firearm’s muzzle to catch dirt, debris, and other contaminants that might be present in the firearm cleaning solvent. The device is usually made from aluminum, steel, or titanium material, depending on the firearm, and is designed with an intricate system of baffles that enables it to trap contaminants properly.
For those new to the world of firearms or unfamiliar with the accessory, this device is necessary for two reasons. First, firearm cleaning solvents are very expensive. It would be a shame to see such an expensive solvent go to waste just after one round of cleaning.
Secondly, firearm cleaning and maintenance operations can be quite messy, especially with the various intricate parts that need meticulous cleaning. Solvent traps help prevent the user from making a mess of the cleaning operation by trapping any solvent that might be spilled in the environment.
Moreover, by trapping cleaning solvents, they also help protect the environment from the harmful effect of the chemicals in the cleaning solvent. That being said, many firearm owners have been going the alternate route of using fuel filters to perform their cleaning operation instead of going for reputable solvent traps.
And while that might look like a feasible option, it has many downsides to it, as we will be seeing in the following sections.
Why should you purchase a reputable solvent trap instead of a fuel filter for your firearm?
There are so many reasons why you should not purchase fuel filters instead of reputable solvent traps, but here are a few of them.
1- It’s ineffective: First, as we mentioned before, fuel filters are not designed to be used with firearms. This means that they are not as effective at capturing debris and contaminants that might be present in the firearm cleaning solvent.
Moreover, fuel filters are made from aluminum materials which might be as resistant to corrosion as their titanium solvent trap counterparts. Unfortunately, this means that you stand the risk of purchasing and replacing your fuel filter every few weeks due to corrosion.
2- It’s a waste of money: We mentioned earlier that fuel filters might need to be replaced every few weeks due to corrosion. Apart from that, fuel filters are not designed to be cleaned after each use. They are usually just replaced once they get clogged with dirt and debris.
This means that a fuel filter will need to be replaced after each cleaning, which can become quite costly over time. On the other hand, solvent traps can be cleaned and reused multiple times, which makes them a much more economical option in the long run.
3- It’s illegal: Apart from being a waste of money and ineffective, buying a fuel filter is illegal. The ATF has regulations that stipulate that any device that can be used or intended to reduce sound from a firearm is illegal.
As such, any device that falls under this category should be registered and engraved with a serial number as directed by federal and state laws. This category of devices includes fuel filters and should not be confused with solvent traps.
Armory Den provides reputable and quality solvent traps that are legal and intended for cleaning firearms only. On the other hand, purchasing a fuel filter device would require you to register it according to ATF regulations, which would involve you paying a $200 stamp charge for a device that poorly imitates the work of a quality solvent trap.
Furthermore, state laws regarding fuel filters differ in various states. You might be committing a felony just by purchasing these devices from the internet. Regardless of your intent for the devices, ATF regulations clearly frown upon firearm enthusiasts that purchase fuel filters as a firearm accessory.
So, rather than having the ATF knocking on your door or even shooting your dog, we recommend you stick to quality solvent trap filters that are properly designed as a firearm accessory for catching debris and trapping solvent.
4- It can damage your device: If the fuel filter is not designed properly, it can actually cause damage to your firearm. This is because the filter can catch on the chamber or barrel of the gun and cause scratching or other damage.
5- It’s dangerous: Because fuel filters are not designed to withstand the high temperatures created when a gun is fired, they can actually melt and cause injury if they come into contact with skin.
Furthermore, fuel filters are not airtight. This means that hot gases and debris will escape from the barrel and come into contact with the fuel filter when you fire your weapon. Over time, this can cause the fuel filter to degrade and eventually break.
In addition, firearm enthusiasts that use fuel filters as homemade devices for sound reduction stand the risk of blowback from the weapon. While these devices can accommodate rounds like the 9mm rounds, 22 and maybe even subsonic 300 black.
The 5.56 and .223 can damage the device and even cause damage to both the weapon and the user. So, unless you wish to spend a day in the emergency ward, we strongly advise that you avoid purchasing or using fuel filters in any capacity relating to your firearm, whether for cleaning or otherwise.
Armory Den provides quality and reputable solvent traps that are legal and designed to properly trap expensive cleaning solvents that might otherwise go to waste if used with a fuel filter.
Solvent Traps remain legal to purchase as long as you don’t fall prey to purchasing a fuel filter or solvent trap with characteristics that would be deemed illegal.
Armory Den is confident that Congress, through the recent CRA submitted by Senator Cruz and 21 of his colleagues challenging rule 2021R-05F will force the overly-general solvent trap rule portion to be changed or thrown out. As a result, it is now more important than ever to ensure you only buy reputable solutions for firearm cleaning, such as those offered at Armory Den.
