Thoughts on suppressors

[Jacks Grampa]

Thinking of trying one for my deer/elk rifles (30-06 and 7mm Rem Mag.

 

[ebb]

I think I would like to own one or more but the thought of having to beg a criminal organization like the ATF for permission makes me rethink the issue. Any time you wish to leave the state you live in (to hunt out of state) with the suppressor you will have to apply for permission from the ATF. Approval of request for permission to own one gives them the right to come and inspect it, anytime day or night at your home.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I've used a suppressor now since 2015 and absolutely love them. The biggest problem is they add length and they add weight. And every bit of it is hung at the end of your barrel.

It makes even a 22" barrel miserable to carry. I personally have gone to almost exclusively 16"-18" barrels to mitigate this.

This creates another problem, now I'm losing velocity. And it is significant. So keep this in mind when making your decision.

Mine comes in really handy when hunting pigs where I'm going to get multiple shots and hunting with a partner.

If you hunt alone and or have time to put ear plugs in, you're better off without a suppressor.
If you do get one, go as short and light as possible. Don't pay any attention to dB reduction. Your ear will not be able to tell the difference between one brand over the other.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

You won't regret it, I picked up a Dead Air Nomad Ti and it's just over 6" and weighs about 9 ounces but I can shoot just about any of my centerfire rifle without ear protection.

 

[acloco]

As info.....

Traveling With a Suppressor Throughout the US

Traveling with a suppressor throughout the US is legal and easy. Learn how to do it safely with these expert tips from Silencer Shop.

www.silencershop.com

 

[moondog]

I've got 4 TBAC cans I use on various calibers. I absolutely love being able to shoot with just foam plugs, or nothing at all.
I agree with C.E. in that it adds length and weight to your rig. So, shop for a small, lite 30 cal can. I disagree on the db reduction, Some cans are just plain loud. The wait time sucks for sure. I've got a 50% cert for a TBAC if your interested.

 

[Prairiedogger]

Get one and start the process for the next one.

 

[moondog]

Also, in 12 years of owning and shoot matches with suppressors, I've never once had anyone ask for my paperwork. Never heard of anyone being asked. I've been pulled over for speeding and never had anyone question them.

 

[Tesoro]

The balance and bulk aspect cancels them out for hunt field rifles. Or cut the bbl and lose velocity.
I like them for .22 pest elimination where you not supposed to be doing it.

 

[Prairiedogger]

There are not many people around that can "legally" ask to see your papers. Lot's of them want to see and know about it. Put them on everything.

 

[Sandstorm]

No one cares if you own a suppressor...they will never check your paperwork even for SBR's
in my experience over the last decade or more. my 2c
YMMV

 

[andym686]

As a friend said after shooting mine the first time: "Your neighbors ought to take up a collection and pay for it".
I do really enjoy shooting both the rimfire and centerfires with the suppressors.
I guess the tradeoffs are the money, the weight, and the "wait".

 

[spaniel]

A suppressor will not make a supersonic rifle hearing safe, you will still need plugs. But it really takes things down a notch ( I got in the habit of plugs/muffs without one). As for the length issue...not sure I would get in the habit of carrying a standard long range hunting rifle with a full size suppressor. It's stupid long. But I use them on my home range. Now that I have a suppressor and another a few months from approval, I am building a couple rifles specifically with short barrels. This includes a 20" 223AI and a 16.25" 458 SOCOM.

 

[acloco]

As spaniel mentioned, hearing damage definitely occurs when exposed to hypersonic or sounds not within the normal human hearing range. Muff up!!!

 

[msalm]

I wish more were offered with the over the barrel design that only lengthens the barrel 3-4”

 

[Tesoro]

I had a finnish military 22lr suppressor on a rifle. Very cool. The only sounds could hear was the firing pin spring going off and the buzz of the bullet spinning on exit... Until the bullet hit its (hard) target and the sound wave bouncing back was like a 22 air rifle report.

 

[acloco]

The balance and bulk aspect cancels them out for hunt field rifles. Or cut the bbl and lose velocity.
I like them for .22 pest elimination where you not supposed to be doing it.

Why do you say lose velocity? If the barrel length is shortened, but the overall barrel AND muffler length is approximately the same, many (not all), report no or little loss in velocity.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I think I would like to own one or more but the thought of having to beg a criminal organization like the ATF for permission makes me rethink the issue. Any time you wish to leave the state you live in (to hunt out of state) with the suppressor you will have to apply for permission from the ATF. Approval of request for permission to own one gives them the right to come and inspect it, anytime day or night at your home.

Just a couple of corrections here. You do not have to complete a Form 20 to travel with suppressors. You do for short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns.
The statement about the tax stamp giving the ATF the right to come to your home to inspect it, day or night, is also not true. They still have to have probable cause to conduct a search. A Form 1 or Form 4 isn't a waiver of your 4th Amendment rights.
Yes, it is somewhat of a pain in the ass to apply and get your stamp, but no more so than getting your CCW in most states. It just takes longer.

As for the "hearing safe" argument, most decent suppressors will make your rifle hearing safe for a single shot. For multiple shots at the range, hearing protection is still required. The common threshold for immediate hearing damage is 140db, which most decent suppressors will achieve. Multiple shots over 130db, however will cause damage.

 

[Tesoro]

Why do you say lose velocity? If the barrel length is shortened, but the overall barrel AND muffler length is approximately the same, many (not all), report no or little loss in velocity.

I have a hard time believing a 14in barrel + 8in suppressor will have the same significant vel as a 22in std barrel in a high power centerfire. But this is a guess. never gone there. Be interesting to see the numbers. if so i would consider one. Otherwise I will take a std 22in bbl for compactness and balance.

 

[STS]

Why do you say lose velocity? If the barrel length is shortened, but the overall barrel AND muffler length is approximately the same, many (not all), report no or little loss in velocity.

The reality of the matter is that if you shorten a 24 inch barrel to 20 inches you will loose the velocity that the 4 inches of barrel is worth. The 20 inch barrel shot with a 7 inch suppressor will never reach anything close to the same velocity of a 27 inch barrel. That 20 inch barrel shot with, and without, a suppressor will have a very slight increase in velocity with the can. You will usually see 10 to 20 fps more with the can than without.