So, we finally got a good local FFL handling class 3 stuff. And he’s been demoing his selection of suppressors for us and this has definitely piqued my interest, so I’m looking to acquire a .22LR suppressor in the near future. I understand the paperwork/wait/tax hassle, but I don’t know much about the suppressors themselves…
I’ve gotten to experience his Gemtech Alpine. While it’s nice and light, I think I’d rather have something with a steel body and steel baffles for durability purposes (considering it’s a lifetime investment for me). I’m leaning towards the SWR Spectre since it’s good for the other rimfire calibers and even 5.7. Has there been any noted problems with this model? How is SWR’s customer service? I know little to nothing about the suppressor industry…
I’m also figuring out how to mount it to my guns. I’ve got a Ruger 22/45 Mk III and a CZ 452 Trainer that will be my primary hosts, and I’m looking at getting a S&W M&P 15-22.
Is a thread mount suppressor the only option for a .22LR suppressor? I wouldn’t mind having a dedicated QD flashider mount or whatever on the pistols or the rifles. I’m planning on sending the 22/45 upper and the CZ in to Tornado Tech for threading. Or is there any one else who would be a good bet to do this kind of work?
Another one to consider would be the Silencerco Sparrow. I have no first hand knowledge but it seems to get some good reviews along with the AAC prodigy.
Also, I have been tossing around the idea of getting one myself, and from what I have read I personally would only consider 22 cans that can be taken apart so that they can be cleaned. There’s lots of great info on silencer talk in the rimfire sections.
I have zero experience with anything but a SWR Spectre but I would only recommend you buy it! If not it, than another quality suppressor. It’s my first suppressor and I can’t rant enough about how freaking fun it is. Fits on anything 1/2x28, so it goes on all my ARs, plus my Buckmark w/TacSol barrel as well as my soon-to-get Savage Mark II after it’s threaded.
SO much fun, I just wish I had land to shoot it on. Public ranges rarely afford the luxury of shooting without ear pro.
It just so happens that someone else recently asked me this question. Here’s the advice I offered him:
I have an AAC Pilot on my TacSol barreled Buckmark. http://www.advanced-armament.com/product.aspx?pid=47 It’s a very nice can for a pistol. It has good suppression levels in a small, light package. If you’re going to leave it on a pistol, I’d say it’s a top choice. It’s only 5.25" long and 3.4oz with a 36 dB rating, which makes it one of the smaller and lighter cans available.
However, it does have 2 drawbacks. It’s a sealed can so you can’t disassemble it for cleaning. It’s not full auto rated either. Since I have the M16 full auto .22 upper, I’m wishing I’d gone a different route. Now I’m looking at buying another .22 can, and that’s expensive.
I had it narrowed it down to two suppressors:
The SWR Spectre, which has an industry leading 44dB sound reduction and it’s only 6" long. http://www.swrmfg.com/ProductDetails.asp?ID=22 It can be disassembled for cleaning and it’s full auto rated. However, at 8.5oz it’s more than double the weight of my Pilot. I think with the Pilot for pistols AND the Spectre for rifles and full auto, I’d be very happy. But I’m not sure I’d be happy if the Spectre was my only .22 can.
The other one is from a relative newcomer on the market. It’s the Silencerco Sparrow. http://www.silencerco.com/Silencerco/#/22sparrow/ It’s a little longer than the other two at 6.125" and a little larger diameter at 1.062" (The Pilot and Spectre are 1" O.D.), so it may occlude the sights a little more on small guns such as the Walther P-22. At 40 dB rated, it’s right in between the Pilot and Spectre for sound levels. It’s weight however is only 4.7 oz, which is much closer to the Pilot and it’s full auto rated. It’s primary appeal is the use of interior “half tubes” which allow easy disassembly even when the suppressor is heavily fouled. Other cans designed for disassembly can be difficult to disassemble if you go too long between cleanings because the lead fouling tends to seal the can together. I’ve shot this can and taken it apart. I thought is was a very clever design.
The Element is the most expensive .22 can at $595 MSRP, but I’m thinking it would be the first, last and only .22 can you’d ever have to buy. AAC is a huge name in the business and they recently got bought out by Remington’s military division, so they’ll be around forever for after the sale service. But the Silencerco Sparrow is $150 cheaper and offers nearly the same performance and envelope with a neat system for disassembly.
Since I already have the Pilot for the small, light setup, I’ll probably go with the Spectre for superior performance. If I didn’t have it, I’d either go with the Element or the Sparrow.
DO NOT, I say again DO NOT buy a .22 can that cannot be assembled for cleaning. Steel vs. aluminum vs. titanium is way down on your list of concerns after this. I speak from experience. I have filled two sealed .22 cans past the point of use (to the place where they had to be cut up and replaced) even with regular soaking in solvents. Don’t believe the bullshit about how you can clean them without opening them up: if you shoot 500 rounds a year, maybe, but if you shoot a LOT you will be buying a new can in two years or less because yours will be full of lead.
You have been warned…now go ahead and do what you want.
ETA: One of the manufacturers mentioned in a previous post (one that is known to be…um…litigious, so don’t bother trying to get the name out of me, I don’t feel like dealing with their childish legal horseshit) WILL NOT clean and fix your sealed .22 can. As far as they’re concerned, per what they told me on the phone, it’s a disposable can. Stay away from sealed cans, and if you can figure out who I’m talking about here, I’d stay away from their cans as well.
The only issue I have with my Spectre is that it’s too heavy to work with a P22. The weight of the can on the barrel of the P22 causes the slide to hang up and not return to battery.
I said screw it and went with a MarkIII and a tactical solutions threaded barrel. I have about 12K through my Spectre and love the take apart aspect of the can.
I don’t have and never will buy a P22…I’ve got a 22/45 Mk III and will be getting a Buckmark and a .22 conversion kit for the M&P (if it’s ever released!)
ETA: One of the manufacturers mentioned in a previous post (one that is known to be…um…litigious, so don’t bother trying to get the name out of me, I don’t feel like dealing with their childish legal horseshit) WILL NOT clean and fix your sealed .22 can. As far as they’re concerned, per what they told me on the phone, it’s a disposable can. Stay away from sealed cans, and if you can figure out who I’m talking about here, I’d stay away from their cans as well.
I was surely not going to go with a sealed can (after shooting and cleaning enough .22 firearms…I know how absolutely filthy they get)
I think I know which manufacturer you’re talking about…wasn’t planning on going with their stuff anyway simply because of their attitude…
Roger that! I can go to the company farm or the family farm but I wish I could step out the back door and shoot!
The Spectre with Tac Sol barrel is only about 4 oz heavier than the Buckmark Camper was from the factory. The Tac Sol barrel is much lighter than factory and really offsets the 8 oz can.
