Solvent Traps

[Barbarossa]

But I saw Larry potter field use a solvent trap on his commercial!

[edwardm]

Due to this thread, expect legislation in the next session specifically banning solvent traps.

Yes, the Legislature is that stupid.

[meaty-btz]

I just want to say again.. I really doubt it is the Hopes #9. While it is possible to be allergic to it.. it ranks as one of the more odd and unusual allergies.

Swelling and redness isn't solvent sensitive. Solvent sensitivity usually results in skin irriation, cracking, burning, but rarely swelling. If you were that sensitive you'd be breaking out over all kinds of petroleum based solvents.

[PM720]

I am pretty sure latex and solvent don't play well together. At least when I used to work on a solvent tank a lot the latex gloves would just fall apart after about 30 minutes. I always wear the nitrile ones when cleaning my guns and I can often reuse them several times if I want. Harbor Freight is a good source as well as Motion Pro if you do any motorcycle work.

Scott

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I have never heard of a solvent trap, but looked it up. What is the controversy? Having a threaded barrel when the adapter is on, or is it the potential to use it as a silencer?

Wouldn't a silencer need a hole all the way through, so it would be clear if you were using this oil filter as a trap or a silencer?

Is there any case law on this where somebody has been charged? Either federally or in CA?

Personally, I don't seem to have an issue with solvent running through the barrel and have never considered needing anything like this, so it is easy to avoid this controversy.

The issue is constructive possession of a suppressor. Since the device is what enables the attachment of an oil filter to a firearm, and a makeshift suppressor is constructed when one attaches a "solvent trap" AKA oil filter to the device and firing through it to create an exit port, possession of the attachment device alone is sufficient to compete the offense under both Federal and CA law. I haven't heard about any arrests, charges or convictions from it, but I haven't been looking at the news or reading newspaper since I retired to the wilds of Nevada.

This device falls under the same class as Mag Magnets... if you're dumb enough to buy one and get caught with it in the wrong place (although granted, any place is the wrong place with the "solvent trap"), you will find yourself in the "play stupid games, get stupid prize" category, no matter that folks sell the thing with apparent impunity.

[HKRick]

Yeah it sounds like there are better ways to deal with the problem.

[antiseen]

The 2 liter sounds like a good idea. If you really wanted to buy something, this looks nifty:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0074029HQ/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_4_5?colid=8099D4LK9YVA&coliid=I39IWJ7QVS1IR2

I'm thinking about getting something like that so I don't drip/spray oil all over when it comes out the muzzle. Only 10 bucks, so it's not like I'd be breaking the bank either.

[Gunsmith Dan]

Solvent Traps fall under the same "Lets be cute and make funny names for illegal things to confuse the Government" items and ideas floating around for awhile.

There has been many cases that while someone has no allergic reaction to something like latex, when combined with other irritants (solvents) your body can produce allergic like reaction to it over time. Switch to nitrile gloves (which are more resistant to petroleum based solvents) and see if the problem goes away. If not then switch to water based solvent cleaners like Slip 2000 725 Cleaner ( what I use at the shop) or MPro7 Cleaner.

If you are that concerned about spilling solvent out of your muzzle then clean your firearms over a bucket filled with kitty litter, otherwise you risk your freedom over stupid semantics thinking you will out smart the government ...... the Government is slow but ain't stupid.

[vintagearms]

Constructive possession would only apply if you had one IN ADDITION TO books, cds, internet searches, etc on constructing suppressors. They are perfectly legal in and of themselves.

[Gunsmith Dan]

If they are screwed onto the end of your barrel they are not legal by any means, so what good is the "solvent trap" if you never attach it?

[Wallabing]

Constructive possession would only apply if you had one IN ADDITION TO books, cds, internet searches, etc on constructing suppressors. They are perfectly legal in and of themselves.

How do we know for sure? Is there a determination letter? What is the ATF is slowly collecting all the sales data to make a massive raid in a few years?

[BrassCase]

This got me thinking, too, putting a trap over the muzzle actually prevents you from cleaning the barrel properly. Like many folks, I take the patch off of the cleaning rod once it emerges from the muzzle. Otherwise, you're just dragging back the dirt you just cleaned right back down the barrel.

Also, a trap is no solution for non-threaded barrels. Of course, I'm especially thinking of handguns here.

I don't get the need for them either. I do what you are doing, a one way trip for the patches and I have a couple of folded up paper towels to catch the drips.

I have seen oil filter solvent trap adaptor for using an automobile oil filter advertised in the back of SGN.

[Tommy C]

Every time I read a thread on an internet forum that talks about cleaning guns I am thoroughly amazed how some folks take something as simple as cleaning a mechanical device & turn it into a dog & pony show. Wash the damn thing with Simple Green, blow it off with compressed air, wipe the metal parts with CLP, put a couple drops of synthetic oil on the bolt or slide, & you're done. The marketing folks for gun specific chemicals have indoctrinated folks to think they have to use special products to clean & lubricate a firearm & you will ruin it if you don't. There is nothing special or voodoo about maintaining firearms or any other reason why it can't be treated as a mechanical device with relatively few moving parts.

[meaty-btz]

Every time I read a thread on an internet forum that talks about cleaning guns I am thoroughly amazed how some folks take something as simple as cleaning a mechanical device & turn it into a dog & pony show. Wash the damn thing with Simple Green, blow it off with compressed air, wipe the metal parts with CLP, put a couple drops of synthetic oil on the bolt or slide, & you're done. The marketing folks for gun specific chemicals have indoctrinated folks to think they have to use special products to clean & lubricate a firearm & you will ruin it if you don't. There is nothing special or voodoo about maintaining firearms or any other reason why it can't be treated as a mechanical device with relatively few moving parts.

Because simple green will not remove copper fouling that is pressure bonded to the bore. You need something a little stronger for that. Hopes #9 isn't snake oil.. it's been around a long time and is a good solvent for gun cleaning.

[sd_shooter]

If they are screwed onto the end of your barrel they are not legal by any means, so what good is the "solvent trap" if you never attach it?

Why not? It's just another set of threads, it's not a suppressor.

And why is this device not illegal by the same line of thinking? It accepts a suppressor.

Answer: it's not a suppressor