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Practical Uses for Solvent Trap Cups

Solvent trap cups are essential to keeping firearm maintenance neat, controlled, and safe. When stacked inside a solvent trap tube, they act as channels for cleaning fluid, allowing you to:

  • Contain solvent — prevents mess on benches, mats, or the ground.
  • Organize cleaning — cups create consistent spacing inside the tube for even distribution of solvent.
  • Reuse or dispose safely — captured cleaning fluid can be poured off and handled properly.
  • Extend tube lifespan — reduces corrosion and buildup inside the solvent trap tube.

Legal Status of Solvent Trap Cups

By design, solvent trap cups are 100% legal when used for their intended purpose: catching and containing cleaning solvent during bore maintenance.

Federal law (including the NFA) only applies if components are altered or combined in a way that reduces the report of a firearm. As manufactured and sold by Freedom Gear, cups are not suppressor parts and carry no NFA restrictions.

✅ Reminder: Do not modify cups or tubes for purposes outside of cleaning. Possession of altered parts with intent to create a suppressor without ATF approval can be unlawful.

Why Solvent Trap Cups Are Not Baffles

One of the most common misconceptions in the firearms community is that solvent trap cups are “baffles.” This is false. Here’s why:

  • Design Purpose: Cups are flat, open partitions for containing solvent — not engineered to redirect or reduce gas.
  • No sound reduction: Cups by themselves cannot reduce muzzle noise or act as suppressor baffles.
  • Material and tolerance: Cups are sized for cleaning fit, not tuned for acoustic suppression.
  • ATF clarification: Legally, cups are considered solvent trap cleaning components, not suppressor internals.

In short: solvent trap cups ≠ suppressor baffles. They are cleaning aids, nothing more. Used as intended, they keep your maintenance area safe, clean, and efficient.

For cleaning use only — do not modify. Freedom Gear cups thread to each other and are retained by a spring stack; they are not baffles or suppressor parts.

Safe Drain Adapter (No Drilling)

To evacuate captured solvent, use our purpose-built Drain Adapter or the solid end cap method. Avoid drilling cups — our cups thread to each other and a spring keeps them tightly stacked for containment.

  • Attaches to tube end for controlled pour-off
  • Preserves threaded cup stack and spring tension
  • Designed and documented for cleaning use only
Shop Drain Adapter
Drain adapter accessory for safe solvent pour-off

How to Drain Solvent Safely (Threaded Cups + Spring Stack)

  1. Wear gloves and eye protection in a well-ventilated area.
  2. Remove the tube from the firearm and keep the solid end cap on until you’re positioned over a collection container.
  3. If using a Drain Adapter, attach it to the tube’s open end and gently pour the captured solvent into your container. The adapter protects the threaded cup stack and spring.
  4. To inspect cups: compress the spring slightly and unthread the top cup(s) from each other — do not drill or alter any cup surfaces.
  5. Wipe cups and tube interior, reassemble the spring + threaded stack in the correct order, and secure the solid end cap.
  6. Dispose of solvent per local hazardous waste rules.
Do not drill or machine parts. Altering cups may change how parts interact with gas/pressure and can create legal and safety issues.

Thread-to-Thread Cups & Spring Stack — Why They Are Not Baffles

Freedom Gear cups are engineered to thread to each other and be retained by a spring that maintains compression and a tight stack. This mechanical design provides predictable containment without ports, wipe material, or acoustic geometry.

Thread-to-Thread Stack

Cups screw into each other so the stack remains aligned; a spring keeps tension for positive contact.

No Acoustic Geometry

Design does not redirect or tune gas flow. There are no baffle-like features or wipe chambers.

Preserves Intended Function

Maintaining the stock threaded + spring system ensures parts remain cleaning-only accessories.

FAQ — Threaded Cups & Spring Stack

How do your cups stay tight inside the tube?

Our cups thread to each other and are compressed by a spring. This stack holds cups tightly and consistently inside the tube without modifying parts.

Can I remove cups for cleaning?

Yes — compress the spring slightly and unthread the top cup(s) from the stack for inspection and cleaning. Reassemble in the same order and ensure the spring is seated to maintain tension.

Are threaded cups considered baffles?

No. Threaded cups are partitioning components held by a spring and have no baffle geometry or wipe elements. They are cleaning aids, not suppressor parts.

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