What is a Solvent Trap?

A solvent trap has become an essential tool for firearm maintenance. It is usually made of aluminum, steel, or titanium tube attached to the end of the gun barrel to capture the cleaning solvent for proper disposal.  

Maybe you are wondering why a piece of equipment like this is needed for cleaning when you can do it traditionally. Although a gun that looks great is nice, if the inside isn’t cleaned and it malfunctions–it can actually become a ticking time bomb. More than the outside, you need to perform a regular care procedure that goes deep down. This is when a gun solvent trap comes in handy. 

Having owned a gun for some time now, you may already be aware of the things that can happen when you become negligent about gun maintenance. It can lead to damage and malfunction and might endanger others or your own.  

Solvent Trap Kit Overview—Parts and Functions

A solvent trap is a separate kit that requires minor assembly. Each of the solvent trap parts has a function: The solvent trap cups, which eventually become solvent trap baffles when you convert it to a suppressor, keep the fluid trapped inside. Some variations snap together while others are threaded. Most gun owners prefer the threaded type because the fluids are sealed in tight. They connect with a spring to keep the solvent trap cups in place.  
Meanwhile, all the solvent trap cups are held by an aluminum or titanium tube, which you will notice about most modern solvent trap kits.
It also comes with a firearm adapter, which helps keep the fluid from dripping back to the barrel. The end cap will do the same. 
Note that a gun solvent trap is considered an accessory that does not require any legal documentation. You can even purchase it online if you want. This changes though when you decide to convert your solvent trap into a suppressor or a silencer. 

Common Gun Malfunctions and Potential Damage

In most cases, manufacturer error is the least likely reason a gun fails to properly function. Why? Because firearms are built with heavy-duty materials to make them last. When damages leading to glitches occur, the usual suspect is negligence. 

Fouling

Fouling can be beneficial or detrimental to your gun. This occurs when lead metal traces from the bullets are left inside the gun’s barrel. Over time, these leftovers accumulate, causing erosion and rusting. Such an issue can affect your pistol’s reliability. When the gun’s reliability is affected, it’s almost useless unless you have it cleaned by a professional, which is often a pricey service.  

Insufficient Discharge a.k.a. Squib Load 

Incomplete discharge happens when there is not enough force to execute a round, causing it to lodge inside the gun barrel after firing it. This type of malfunction is dangerous as the gun may explode. What causes this is the residue buildup. 

Delayed Discharge 

Another malfunction that may cause the gun to explode is delayed discharge. In this case, the propellant’s ignition and the gun’s triggering action lag.  

Slamfire 

If some guns discharge late, some discharge prematurely even while still loading the chamber. This mechanical malfunction called a slamfire can be prevented with routine inspection and maintenance. 

Feed and Eject Failure 

Two things can also happen when a gun is not properly maintained: a round may fail to feed into the chamber after firing and/or a fired round may fail to clear the gun’s ejection point. Failure to feed and eject are serious issues often occurring in semi-automatics. This happens due to either mechanical malfunction or negligence. 

Performing Routine Gun Maintenance

Routine gun maintenance helps prevent malfunctions. Set a regular schedule for gun cleaning as this may take time. For this task, work in an area where there is plenty of space. You will also need to prepare the following: 

Cleaning rod 
Caliber specific bore brush 
Cleaning swab 
Utility brushes 
Gun and reel cloth 
Bore snake 
Cleaning solvents and lubricants 
There are caliber-specific cleaning kits available, which already includes the materials that you need. Often, they do not include a solvent trap. This can be purchased separately.  

You can use a disposable bin or drip pan to catch the cleaning chemicals, but using a solvent trap is less messy. Also, since most chemicals used for gun cleaning are expensive, the solvent trap can collect them to be re-used. This comes in handy if you do a lot of gun cleaning.    

The Solvent Trap You Use Matters, Too 

If you think gun solvent traps are a recent innovation, think again. They have been around for some time now, but with a different look. The current designs were developed to make them more stylish and flexible.  

Traditional Solvent Traps    

In the not-so-distant past, solvent traps are just a modified nut with an oil filter that can be attached to the end of the barrel to catch the fluid. You will still find them available on the market at very low prices. They are cheap not because they have bad quality but because their built are simple and straightforward.   

Actually, anything that can be attached to the barrel to catch the solvent can be classified as a solvent trap. You can DIY it or buy one from a gun shop. There are versions made of an oil rig that can also be converted into a suppressor. However, it was bulky, making aiming inconvenient. 

Modern Solvent Traps 

Remember that they are made for one purpose: to trap cleaning solvent residues so you can reuse them. Some are hybrid solvent traps, made of aluminum and titanium combined; some more expensive ones are all-titanium, and some are made of steel metal. The modern version of gun solvent traps, on the other hand, is styled differently and can offer more.  

For one, they are stylish. Some of them come in different colors as well. But what makes it more appealing to gun owners is that they can be converted into a suppressor conveniently. The size resembles an original silencer and can function as one after the makeover.   

Styling and Personalizing Your Solvent Trap 

Nowadays, you would find several gun solvent trap choices in the market. If none of the colors or designs you want are available, you can personalize yours.  

solventtrapshop, for example, has issued an engraved solvent trap tube, as well as solvent trap kits with carbon fiber sleeves. Yes, you can have the tube engraved. In modern terms, you can customize the skin. The company gives its customers aesthetic options so you can personalize your gun solvent trap kits and enjoy using and modifying them.  

Choosing a gun solvent trap depends on what style, colors, or material appeals to you the most. If you would like to use solvent traps as it is, you can go with a standard build. On another note, if you want to build a suppressor out of your gun solvent trap, there are products that make converting easier. 

Find the Solvent Trap that Works for You 

A gun solvent trap makes firearm maintenance hassle-free. For passionate gun owners, it makes for a versatile accessory. When you decide to get one, make sure to have what you need and what you want. 

If you own multiple gun types and perform a lot of maintenance tasks, you need something reliable and sturdy; something that will not wear out fast and is not damaged easily, causing you to buy a new one shortly after. If you are looking for an accessory that you can repurpose, you want a versatile gun solvent trap that allows for easy conversion.  

solventtrapshop offers you a gun solvent trap that every gun owner would need and want. We have a complete line of gun solvent traps, parts, and accessories to easily convert your solvent traps into a suppressor.  

We also provide online help for gun owners who want to make their own suppressors safely and legally. Let us know how we can help you! Visit our website and send us an email to contact us.