SILENCER SATURDAY #19: Suppressor Buyer's Guide Part I
Good evening shooters. Thanks for joining us for episode #19 of TFB’s Silencer Saturday, where even your mother prefers to shoot suppressed. Today we will kick off the Suppressor Buyer’s Guide Part 1 with some basic information that may be a bit bland to our veteran silencer owners. So, if you have more than handful of NFA Stamps, I invite you to join in and offer advice for those in the market for a new silencer – or take a seat and watch for a quick refresher.
Suppressor Buyer’s Guide Part 1
In Episode #9 we demystified the NFA buying process, so I won’t rehash the administrive and procedural parts of buying a new suppressor. Although, don’t forget to check on all the local, state and federal laws and regulations for your official residence. But instead of rules and regulations, let’s focus paon the the basics that even the most seasoned buyer can overlook.
I. Know Your Needs
Having a basic plan for suppressing your weapon(s) will save you time and money in the long run. Are you outfitting a bolt action hunting rifle? An AR15 for home defense? An AK for range blasting? A pistol caliber carbine? Do you need full auto capability? All of these factors will (should) effect your decision making process.
II. Know Your Budget
You’ve been doing some window shopping and pricing out a suppressor that works for you, but don’t forget the add-ons. Obviously each silencer requires a $200 NFA transfer tax, but don’t forget about mounting systems and muzzle devices – these can both add up quickly. You may also want to make your host(s) Short Barreled Rifles to avoid waiving a flagpole around the range. Barrel threading services can run up to $150, especially if you pick a reputable gunsmith.
III. Avoid One-Size-Fits-All Solutions (Mostly)
As someone who is looking to avoid NFA wait times and extra tax bills, you might be looking for a one-and-done suppressor solution. Having attempted this technique myself, I can almost assure you that the silencer you buy for your 7.62×39 AK will not be a good fit for your 10/22. Besides, I’d be willing to bet that if you follow the steps to buying a quality silencer, you wont stop at just one.
IV. Talk To Current Owners
Real world experience trumps internet lore almost every time. Find a reputable dealer that sells a solid amount of suppressors and ask what they shoot or talk about any customer feedback they have noted about specific manufacturers. But there are excellent resources available online for those that live way out in the sticks. My regular haunt is the AR15.com Silencer forum. There are a lot of really smart (sometimes geeky) shooters in that forum alongside some very experienced owners. Many manufacturers are well represented on a regular basis: AAC, Griffin Armament, Dead Air and others regularly stop in to offer advice and guidance.
V. Research
Read (and understand) as much as you can about the silencers you are interested in buying. For the uninitiated, reading a product page once will not give you enough information to make an informed decision. Check out warranty coverage, length and weight specifications, mounting options to get an idea of what it would be like to own a particular silencer. Because most likely, you’ll own this one item for the rest of your life.
To help you kick off the search for your new suppressor, I’ve included a comprehensive list of all the manufacturers available in the U.S. No doubt I probably left one or two off, so feel free to send me an email and I will make any changes and additions.
In the case of Q’s Trash Panda (a nickname for raccoon) and Thunder Chicken (a nickname for turkey, this is the full-size QD option), the Cherry Bomb Compensator uses traditional threads — it takes five revolutions of the suppressor from off to tight — behind a taper mount. Instead of a square shoulder, the taper increases surface area and better aligns the suppressor. Far less torque is required to enable a complete seal and a suppressor that absolutely will not walk loose. – Jeremy S. TTAG
Suppressed Nation – Published on May 10, 2018
Having a little fun on the range burning up bricks of Cci standards through the CGS Hydra. This suppressor draws crowds with it stunning heat treated tube. Not only is it pleasant to the eyes but to your ears as well!! Hansohn Brothers broke out the B&K 2209 to capture the dB readings.
Silencers - Science Pete@thefirearmblog.com
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"...but don’t forget about mounting systems and muzzle devices – these can both add up quickly"
^That. Right there. It gets real spendy, real quick if you like to swap between a bunch of different applications.
I’m interested in 1-size-fits-all silencer comparison. I know it’s not ideal, but I know a lot of people who for 1 reason or another can’t buy 1 per firearm. I understand there will be inevitable trade offs in performance & weight, but if you’re getting only 1 then you have to live with that.
The most common combo is 22LR/9mm/5.56 because they are immensely popular rounds and have common thread size. What’s your opinion on best can for all 3?