Current Form 4 processing time?

[GyroF-16]

I’m contemplating picking up a SF suppressor at my LGS.
They have some kind of “Virtual ATF kiosk” where they can upload photo, fingerprints, etc, and tell me that it’s taking about a YEAR to get the process completed for new purchases.

Can this be right? I’m new to this suppressor stuff, so looking for the guys with experience to fill me in...

[Grey]

I’m contemplating picking up a SF suppressor at my LGS.
They have some kind of “Virtual ATF kiosk” where they can upload photo, fingerprints, etc, and tell me that it’s taking about a YEAR to get the process completed for new purchases.

Can this be right? I’m new to this suppressor stuff, so looking for the guys with experience to fill me in...

Unless there has been a massive uptick in suppressor sales I don't think its a year. I had mine done in about 6 months earlier this year. People have reported lower times than that. A year allows them to CYA in terms of expectations.

[rd62]

I have a buddy thats an ATF inspector. He said 9-12 months on avg. As he explained NFA items are reviewed after the regular firearm checks that need FBI background checks are completed and with the 300% increase in firearm sales there isn't much time left for NFA reviews, so they sit and wait.

[Chance]

Silencer Shop has some numbers (https://www.silencershop.com/atf-wait-times) that might be worth taking a look at.

[GyroF-16]

Thanks to all... Looks like 200-ish days or so...
And I appreciate the insight on resources being used for normal purchases, leaving less time for Form 4s, etc.

[HCM]

double tap

[HCM]

I have a buddy thats an ATF inspector. He said 9-12 months on avg. As he explained NFA items are reviewed after the regular firearm checks that need FBI background checks are completed and with the 300% increase in firearm sales there isn't much time left for NFA reviews, so they sit and wait.

Regular firearms checks are mostly automated and done by NICS which is part of the FBI.

I think you are talking about delays.

NFA applications are handled by NFA examiners who work for ATF.

I believe there is a dispute going on between agencies over who is responsible for adjudicating delayed NICS transactions. It’s possible ATF has tasked NFA examiners with filling the gap.

9-12 months is average and has been for sometime however I was pleasantly surprised my last form 4 (trust via silencer shop) took 5 months (Feb 2020 -July 2020)

[rd62]

Could be. I didn't ask for specifics on the process just what the current wait was running. He offered the additional insight amd I may have gotten a detail wrong repeating it. He said 9-12 months and FBI checks with the spike in gun sales were a contributing factor.

[psalms144.1]

My buddy just got his out of Form 4 purgatory. 161 days for him.

[GyroF-16]

My buddy just got his out of Form 4 purgatory. 161 days for him.

That’s encouraging!

[joshs]

Regular firearms checks are mostly automated and done by NICS which is part of the FBI.

I think you are talking about delays.

NFA applications are handled by NFA examiners who work for ATF.

I believe there is a dispute going on between agencies over who is responsible for adjudicating delayed NICS transactions. It’s possible ATF has tasked NFA examiners with filling the gap.

9-12 months is average and has been for sometime however I was pleasantly surprised my last form 4 (trust via silencer shop) took 5 months (Feb 2020 -July 2020)


I agree that he's likely talking about delays. A lot of transactions need very minimal human input to clear a delay (usually misidentification since NICS is name-based). For firearm purchases, the NICS Section tends to clear these quickly to avoid default proceeds after three days. Since there is no deadline in the case of NFA firearms (NFA firearms are technically exempt from NICS even though NICS is still used by ATF as the background check on all NFA transfers), the NICS Section isn't very timely in clearing these delays.

But, this isn't the real source of long wait times. The 40+ touchpoints that exist in the extremely antiquated NFA process are the real problem. NFA transfers could easily be instant or near instant with available technology, but we're still sending paper forms to a bank where they are batched and then sent back to ATF for processing.

[LHS]

I've got Form 4s in from Feb and May. I got my Feb form kicked back for documentation questions last week and sent in a clarification, which means they're actually looking at it at last. I'm hoping that means I'll get my can soon, and maybe if I'm lucky I'll get my new shawty-gauge for Christmas.

[TC215]

My suppressor Form 4 took about 8 months (got my stamp in July).

My eFiled Form 1 for my SBR took about 5 weeks.

[RancidSumo]

I went complete on 2 efiled Form 1s (trust) on 8/5 and I'm still waiting.

First experience with NFA and its driving me nuts. The suppressor wait starting later this month is going to kill me.

[Grey]

I went complete on 2 efiled Form 1s (trust) on 8/5 and I'm still waiting.

First experience with NFA and its driving me nuts. The suppressor wait starting later this month is going to kill me.

You need to just forget about it and then when its ready its a nice surprise.

[CoGT3]

I went complete on 2 efiled Form 1s (trust) on 8/5 and I'm still waiting.

First experience with NFA and its driving me nuts. The suppressor wait starting later this month is going to kill me.

Just had an efile Form 1 on a trust come back in 16 days! I have used this trust before for 5 other items so that might have sped up,the process. Also just sent in 2 paper Form 4s, why can’t they get the Form 4s up on efile, so much more efficient than the 1” thick packet I just mailed.


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[MGW]

My paperwork for my can was submitted through Silencer Shop on May 1st. I used their kiosk to complete everything and did a trust through them also. My FFL called today to let me know my stamp was in. I'm pretty excited! I was anticipating a one year wait.

[GyroF-16]

My paperwork for my can was submitted through Silencer Shop on May 1st. I used their kiosk to complete everything and did a trust through them also. My FFL called today to let me know my stamp was in. I'm pretty excited! I was anticipating a one year wait.

That’s great news!
I expect to submit my paperwork this week, when my SF can arrives at the LGS. I can only hope for such a quick process.

[PearTree]

I submitted my form 4 May 15, got the call yesterday to come pick up my can. A little over 5 months wait has me pretty happy.

[TCinVA]

I submitted two first week of May. They came back October 9.

...now if only the shop I sent them to to be worked on while awaiting the stamp would complete them already so I could take possession.

[LHS]

I've got Form 4s in from Feb and May. I got my Feb form kicked back for documentation questions last week and sent in a clarification, which means they're actually looking at it at last. I'm hoping that means I'll get my can soon, and maybe if I'm lucky I'll get my new shawty-gauge for Christmas.

Ironically, I finally got the call that my stamp was in on 15 Oct. I picked up the can from the dealer, and the form 4 was approved on 9 Sep, mailed on 16 Sep... and the USPS took a month to get it there.

[LittleLebowski]

I submitted two first week of May. They came back October 9.

...now if only the shop I sent them to to be worked on while awaiting the stamp would complete them already so I could take possession.

For...cans...finally?!

[TCinVA]

Shotguns.

[LittleLebowski]

Shotguns.

I died a little inside :(

[WobblyPossum]

I’m hoping I get one of these lucky 5-month approvals. ATF cashed my check the second week of June. Fingers crossed for an approval in November. This will be my first NFA item and I went the individual route.

[Flamingo]

My check was cashed on 24 April... Still waiting.

[S Jenks]

Just mailed in my packet two days ago. Will update.

[LittleLebowski]

I died a little inside :(

Did I mention that TCinVA has an MP5 with no silencer?!

https://media2.giphy.com/media/vX9WcCiWwUF7G/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47dtqbvwa93g05r5llo6klvvnfi41n azf4qm3lzhyw&rid=giphy.gif

[RancidSumo]

I'm at 3 months on Form 1s and still waiting, so I'm expecting my in-process Form 4 to be one of the year-long examples.

[EricP]

I'm at 3 months on Form 1s and still waiting, so I'm expecting my in-process Form 4 to be one of the year-long examples.

E-form or paper? I submitted an E-form 1 on 7/6 and sent out the cover letter and print cards the next day. I haven’t heard anything. This was when form 1 stamps were coming back in a month or less.

[RancidSumo]

E-form or paper? I submitted an E-form 1 on 7/6 and sent out the cover letter and print cards the next day. I haven’t heard anything. This was when form 1 stamps were coming back in a month or less.


Same story here. E-filed in July. I used the "Ask the Experts" and was told the holdup is the FBI background check, but who knows how true that is.

[RancidSumo]

E-form or paper? I submitted an E-form 1 on 7/6 and sent out the cover letter and print cards the next day. I haven’t heard anything. This was when form 1 stamps were coming back in a month or less.

Mine were finally approved today. Submitted 7/28 and approved 10/29. Hopefully yours will follow close behind.

[Ed L]

I submitted an E-file form 1 on October 3 and got email notice that it was approved on October 24. The email came with a PDF of the approved form1. One of the things that I did do that may have helped is provided my SSN on the form. The form lists it as optional, but I figured I was already in their information system and submitting it might have sped things up--which it seemed to have. There is also a place where you can submit attach additional documents. I attached a scan of my DL and CCW.

Are they going to mail me a hard copy of the approved form 1?

[andre3k]

I submitted an E-file form 1 on October 3 and got email notice that it was approved on October 24. The email came with a PDF of the approved form1. One of the things that I did do that may have helped is provided my SSN on the form. The form lists it as optional, but I figured I was already in their information system and submitting it might have sped things up--which it seemed to have. There is also a place where you can submit attach additional documents. I attached a scan of my DL and CCW.

Are they going to mail me a hard copy of the approved form 1?

No. You have to print the PDF. I've only done one e-form 1 and I never received a hard copy.

[ragnar_d]

My check was cashed on 24 April... Still waiting.

You probably still have a couple months. I submitted a Form 4 back in February. I just picked up my suppressor last week.

I think I’m gonna get a couple E-forms rolling for SBRs as a hedge against future shenanigans from F-Troop and then get a Sandman in order and that will be it for now unless the Hughes Amendment goes away.


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[757_Magnum]

I just took possession of a new can today, Nov 19, and the check was cashed June 22. My last batch took about the same time, but I have another that's up to 6 months and still hasn't been approved.

[rdtompki]

Submitted a Form 4 (suppressor) in April. Still waiting of course. Likely approval is out past Jan 20 which is a big concern

[Trigger]

March. Still waiting.

[GyroF-16]

March. Still waiting.

Ooof. That sucks. Seems like many have been quicker than that. It’ll help keep my expectations in check, though.
Submitted last month.

[Trigger]

Ooof. That sucks. Seems like many have been quicker than that. It’ll help keep my expectations in check, though.
Submitted last month.

I have a trust, and those seem to take longer. Individual form 4s and single shot trusts seem to go a bit quicker.

[Trigger]

March. Still waiting.

Heh! Santa arrived early with completed Form 4!! Baby gets to come home from jail. March - 23 November.

Due to work, won’t get to shoot it until December. :-(

[Flamingo]

Mine came in today. Purchased it in December, but it was back ordered and the check was not cashed until April.

[TGS]

One Form 4 for a suppressor came in Friday. Submitted April 7th.

I had bought a suppressor the month before, and they didn't do that one yet.

[LittleLebowski]

One Form 4 for a suppressor came in Friday. Submitted April 7th.

I had bought a suppressor the month before, and they didn't do that one yet.

OK...WHAT DID YOU GET?! :D

[TGS]

OK...WHAT DID YOU GET?! :D

AEM-5....still waitin' on the Turbo-K and GSL Phoenix.

[LittleLebowski]

AEM-5....still waitin' on the Turbo-K and GSL Phoenix.

Old school and new school, nice.

[rdtompki]

One Form 4 for a suppressor came in Friday. Submitted April 7th.

I had bought a suppressor the month before, and they didn't do that one yet.
Ditto: Filed mid-April for an Omega 9K received yesterday.

[GyroF-16]

Okay, so sounds like a reasonable ballpark timeline is about 9 months now.

[WobblyPossum]

I paid for a suppressor on an individual Form 4 at the end of May/start of June. The ATF cashed the check on June 11th. I received a phone call this morning that my tax stamp had arrived.

[RancidSumo]

Given how long my Form 1s took, I'm predicting a 12+ month wait on my Form 4s . . .

[EricP]

My E-Form 1 finally cleared after 5 months. Dan’s approval gives me hope that my Form 4, submitted about the same time, will clear before the March timeframe I had estimated.

[Wake27]

The weird thing about trying to predict ATF processing is it really doesn’t matter what people have gotten back recently since they don’t seem to process backlogs and new submissions at the same rate. I got my form 1SG back in 2-3 weeks while people who had them in a few weeks before me ended up waiting months.


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[Sero Sed Serio]

My FFL just received my stamp (dated 12/5) for a Form 4 submitted on 4/8/2020 for a Colt 6933 SBR. It probably would have been late October/early November, but there was a correction needed for the model number.

Now the wait for the KAC QDC that’s going to live on it...

[EricP]

Silencer Shop individual Form 4 - purchase 6/6/20
ATF check cashed - 7/10/20
Gun shop received stamp - 1/2/20

Shop doesn’t open back up until Monday!

[Vg247]

Surefire RC2 and CGS mod 9sk checks cashed 3/20 : status still waiting..
Omega 9k check cashed 4/20 : r’cd call from my FFL 1/2/21 that stamp came in ... strange this is ready for pickup considering it was cashed one month later than the two above

[LHS]

Submitted via Silencer Shop kiosk in May 8th 2020
SOT received approved Form 4 back on Feb 1st 2021

A full-house Vang 870 SBS, previously owned by the Phoenix police department Special Assignments Unit (i.e. SWAT)

67249
67250

[David S.]

6 months for E-file (trust) Form 4 suppressor.

[GyroF-16]

6 months for E-file (trust) Form 4 suppressor.

That’s good news for me, since I filed the same about 5 months ago.

[RancidSumo]

Form 4 Trust - 181 days from filing (via Silencer Shop) to approval. 168 from the date the check was cashed.

[GyroF-16]

Filed a Form 4 (Trust) in late Oct. Check cashed in early Nov 2020. Got the call today that the process is complete. So less than 6 months.
I was prepared for closer to a year, so I’m very pleased.

[S Jenks]

Just mailed in my packet two days ago. Will update.

Just picked up my Obsidian 9, so a bit under seven months.

[David S.]

6 months for E-file (trust) Form 4 suppressor.

Right at 7 months for the second suppressor.

[CleverNickname]

Does anyone know what the status is on the ATF starting eForm 4's again? I think it's been a couple years since I've heard anything about it.

[HCM]

So… secondary effect of the Gun buying panic of 2020.

May of 2020 I bought/submitted a stamp for a Gemtech Lunar9 (form 4/trust). As you know, the tax stamps on form 4s go to the dealer. So my form 4 was approved in October 2020. So Dealer got the stamp in October 2020 but never notified me. In May 2021 I’m in there to follow up on a lay away and the employee who went in back to get the gun asks if I’m waiting on any cans…..

TLDR 5 month ATF wait, 7 month wait for the dealer to get around to letting me know the damn stamp came in.

[LittleLebowski]

So… secondary effect of the Gun buying panic of 2020.

May of 2020 I bought/submitted a stamp for a Gemtech Lunar9 (form 4/trust). As you know, the tax stamps on form 4s go to the dealer. So my form 4 was approved in October 2020. So Dealer got the stamp in October 2020 but never notified me. In May 2021 I’m in there to follow up on a lay away and the employee who went in back to get the gun asks if I’m waiting on any cans…..

TLDR 5 month ATF wait, 7 month wait for the dealer to get around to letting me know the damn stamp came in.

I’d be pretty hot about that.

[CleverNickname]

Yeah the dealer dropped the ball, but it's not difficult to figure out about how long the ATF should take to process the forms, and then give either the dealer or the the NFA branch or both a call, if your transfer is taking more time than that.

[HCM]

Yeah the dealer dropped the ball, but it's not difficult to figure out about how long the ATF should take to process the forms, and then give either the dealer or the the NFA branch or both a call, if your transfer is taking more time than that.

My last rifle can via another dealer took 5 months so I asked about this can in January.

[WDR]

Does anyone know what the status is on the ATF starting eForm 4's again? I think it's been a couple years since I've heard anything about it.

I heard rumors of this fall... but don't hold your breath.

[KeeFus]

I finally decided to get on the suppressor band wagon and did the prints, photo, etc last week. So, 7 months(ish) on the paperwork/stamp?

[CleverNickname]

I finally decided to get on the suppressor band wagon and did the prints, photo, etc last week. So, 7 months(ish) on the paperwork/stamp?

That's what both the ATF and a crowdsourced site are saying.

https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/current-processing-times
https://www.nfatracker.com/

[Doc_Glock]

I bought a can on 10/20/21. Just came in for 9 months 9 days or 282 days.

Haven’t yet picked it up. One down and a few to go.

[Gray Ghost]

I have a form 4 pending for a GemTech Tracker. My check was cashed on February 24, 2021. I am hoping to get it in September. We'll see.

74998

[Borderland]

Yeah the dealer dropped the ball, but it's not difficult to figure out about how long the ATF should take to process the forms, and then give either the dealer or the the NFA branch or both a call, if your transfer is taking more time than that.

I ordered a rifle from a dealer and called 2 months later to check on it. They didn't have any record that I ordered anything. Out of business now.

[RancidSumo]

YHM Turbo K bought in a trust through Silencer Shop (well, transferred to them for the paperwork). Check cashed 12/24 and picked it up today. 219 days.

Last one was 168. Hope the trend doesn’t continue for the one I bought in May . . .

[Doc_Glock]

So I got three cans in in a week if you include the one above. Strange.

#2: 273 days (9 months)
#3: 320 days (10 months 17 days)

Crazy that all three come in in a 5 day period.

[KeeFus]

Finally signed the Form 4 today and gave them my money. The Countdown begins… guess that means June 2022 I will have my can.

[GyroF-16]

I’m currently at 11 months for my 2nd suppressor. It was a paper Form 4 (eForms hadn’t dropped yet). The current mean response for paper Form 4s is 13 months. It’s an absurd wait, but I’m glad that it’s probably almost over.

[CleverNickname]

My eForm 4 from early February just beat my paper form 4's from last July to the finish line. Sounds like the paper form 4's should be approved any time now though.

[S Jenks]

I had the payment for a Form 4 process one year ago this week. So hopefully “soon.”

[Nephrology]

I submitted 2 eForm4s on 2/17; one of them was approved back on June 8. Other still pending.

:confused:

[dontshakepandas]

My check was cashed for my Sandman K on 4/3/21 and I still don't have the thing. Starting to get pissed. I've had 2 form 1 SBRs approved (both took less than 2 weeks) since then. Of course they are no help when I call.

[Not HighSpeed]

I submitted 2 eForm4s on 2/17; one of them was approved back on June 8. Other still pending.

:confused:

That’s odd, but I guess par for the course for NFA stuff, recently it’s like rolling dice. I just had my E-filed form 4 approved on Friday that was submitted on 17 Feb as well. Hopefully your second turns up shortly.

[ccmdfd]

Things do seem to be slowing down for me at least. Today is day number 110 for one form 4 and 90 for another and still counting with both.

[HeavyDuty]

Things do seem to be slowing down for me at least. Today is day number 110 for one form 4 and 90 for another and still counting with both.

Waiting for a black helicopter resource time slot is causing delays.

[Nephrology]

Things do seem to be slowing down for me at least. Today is day number 110 for one form 4 and 90 for another and still counting with both.

I'm pushing 170 days on my oldest outstanding.

[ccmdfd]

I'm pushing 170 days on my oldest outstanding.

Damn! My most recent approval took only 75 days. I knew when that happened that I was going to be jinxed for the next one.

To think that you've been waiting an extra hundred days past that, crazy.

[Nephrology]

Damn! My most recent approval took only 75 days. I knew when that happened that I was going to be jinxed for the next one.

To think that you've been waiting an extra hundred days past that, crazy.

I think the <90 day approval was more normal for anything submitted before february. I think ATF is struggling to keep up with volume. I saw someone quoted 32k eForm 4s per week sometime recently. I stalk the Reddit eForm 4 approvals thread and they are averaging 160-170 days lately.

[ccmdfd]

I think the <90 day approval was more normal for anything submitted before february. I think ATF is struggling to keep up with volume. I saw someone quoted 32k eForm 4s per week sometime recently. I stalk the Reddit eForm 4 approvals thread and they are averaging 160-170 days lately.

Interesting.

My 75 day approval was submitted April 10. My current 110+ was submitted 3 days later.

[dontshakepandas]

Damn! My most recent approval took only 75 days. I knew when that happened that I was going to be jinxed for the next one.

To think that you've been waiting an extra hundred days past that, crazy.

Today is day 487 for me, so an extra 400 days. I contacted my Senator about it earlier today, but I doubt that will do much good.

[Paul Blackburn]

I did the paper file in January and still waiting. Pretty much what I expected though.

[MK11]

10 months so far for me and sounds like there's still a ways to go. It's crazy that creating a person takes less time than this.

[HeavyDuty]

It's crazy that creating a person takes less time than this.

Well, the pursuit stage can take months before the bio stage…

[S Jenks]

I had the payment for a Form 4 process one year ago this week. So hopefully “soon.”

Just picked it up yesterday. So about one year from payment processing.

[KeeFus]

I finally decided to get on the suppressor band wagon and did the prints, photo, etc last week. So, 7 months(ish) on the paperwork/stamp?

Got a text about 30 minutes ago. Tax stamp has returned…1 year and two days after cashing my check. Will pick up Tuesday.

[marcin]

My LGS called me today to let me know that the ATF approved my tax stamp for a paper form 4 from last year. The check was cashed 11/17/21, approval was granted 8/19/22. Only nine months. I was not expecting the thing for at least another 3-5 months, so this is a very pleasant surprise.

Unfortunately, no batch approval, as my two older form 4s from October of last year are still pending.

[marcin]

Unfortunately, no batch approval, as my two older form 4s from October of last year are still pending.

My LGS called me again today that two other tax stamp approvals came in today. Looks like all three Form 4s were done on the same day by the same examiner, so it was a batch approval after all. All three took less than a year.

[GyroF-16]

Okay- just got the call that my Form 4 (paper) for a suppressor on a Single Shot Trust is finally complete.
It took just over 13 months (over twice as long as the previous one).

[CleverNickname]

Yeah I just had two 13-month paper form 4's complete last week too.

[Paul Blackburn]

e-Form 1's seem to be taking longer also.