I’ve been trying to read through the forums to learn how to make an educated choice on a new suppressor but I’m in way over my head.
Seems like most of the conversations on the NFA forum are from people who know what they’re talking about and it’s not dumbed down for the likes of me.
I’m looking for two things. A place where I can do some research about what models might be best and maybe some recommendations from you guys where to start.
What I think I need is something small and light weight that suppresses fairly well. I’m pretty sure I want something user serviceable.
What I know I need is something that I can use for 556/300bo and my future dreams of a LMT MWS.
I plan on buying in the near future but need to pin a 14.5 barrel soon and would like to get the right muzzle device for this particular rifle now.
User serviceable and rifle cans don’t really go together. Most rifle cans are sealed and basically you never clean them.
For .22 and pistol cans though you ensure that you get a serviceable one.
I would look at the Dead Air cans and SilencerCo Omega. I personally went with the Omega but Dead Air has a better mounting system (you can get the KeyMo for the Omega).
I like buying .30 caliber cans and running them on the smaller calibers so you can run many different guns on the same can.
Pretty much any of the big name manufactures of suppressors will work.
Don’t expect user serviceability for a centerfire rifle suppressor (not needed anyway).
You can get a .30 can and mount it on a 5.56 rifle as well as, of course, a .30 rifle (exact cartridge compatibility should be listed by manufacturer, but tons of choices for .308WIN out of typical barrel lengths that you can also use on 5.56 and of course .300 blackout).
Size and weight are generally related to noise reduction in a linear fashion. In other words, larger and heavier suppresses better than smaller and lighter. Nobody would buy anything hefty if this were not the case. A full size rifle can rated for .308 with good sound reduction won’t be small or light, and a small/light version won’t reduce sound as much as its bigger brother.
You could start by searching/Google searching (____ site:www.m4carbine.net) for particular manufacturers and models of suppressors you are interested in. Even if stuff goes over your head at times, just keep powering through and you’ll pick things up continuously and become more informed.
I admittedly don’t know that much about suppressors. Back when I looked into this I landed on an AAC 7.62 SDN-6 and in my overall limited use, it’s been good and I haven’t regretted the decision. I bought it for the same uses/reasons you listed. I’d like a Mini version sometime too (maybe a 5.56 only mini), but that’s more money ,more waiting, and more noise (lighter though)
I used this place years ago & was happy with the .22LR serviceable can, G5 & Evo9 I bought years ago.
However, I think shooting them & checking them out is really the best. That usually requires some travel to a BIG class 3 place, but I think it’s worth the trip for the investment of a year of wait time & usually $600-$1100 depending on your choice.
ETA: Silencer Talk was also helpful—sorry I forgot to add it
And if I had multiple hosts, i’d Just get a .30 cal can for .308 & .30 Blackout
Here’s my suggestion. Go somewhere you can shoot some cans. Some of the most disappointed people in the world are those that buy a can for a 5.56 and have never shot one before.
That being said, you’re listed as being in Charlotte. Assuming that’s NC, we’re neighbors…and I happen to own a few cans. Just need to find a time and place to get together.
And you’re local to one of the best suppressor dealers you’ll find…Tar Heel State Firearms. One stop shop for cans, fingerprints, photos, etc.
I think one of the best things you can do is find a stocking dealer that you trust. That was what I did, and it paid off very well.
Everyone should have a good air conditioning guy, a good mechanic, a good dentist and doctor that they trust, right?
It’s not so different with NFA. It’s a legal and financial decision, in addition to the shooting bits. If you are in Charlotte NC you might ask some of the members that are local to you who they have had repeat business with, and been pleased.
The only cans I clean are my .22 Spectre II, the blast chamber of my integral .22 LR can and the Nielson device chamber of the Evo9 can.
The research I did years ago in talking to Doug Melton of SRT, guys at Gemtech & AAC said sealed cans, in general, give better suppression & are usually lighter, but you know that generalizations are just that… Centerfire cans don’t typically need to be cleaned, but many folks I know soak them in brake cleaner every 1000 or so rounds. Or, ycan use hydrogen peroxide & vinegar in steel, non-aluminum cans to dissolve lead, but the lead acetate is toxic waste & cannot be legally dumped, FWIW.
In general, smaller calibers & subsonic are quieter than supersonic rounds. And all else equal, Shooting 5.56 in a .30 can also theoretically isn’t as quiet as 5.56 in a 5.56 can, due to the larger hole, but my ear can’t tell the difference in 5.56 thru a .30 can. But the .300 Blackout i’ve heard shot at the range was scary quiet, while 5.56 sounded like unsuppressed .22 LR or magnum.
What some previous posts hinted at or implied without explicitly stating outright…supersonic rounds still CRACK even with a suppressor, and suppressed 5.56x45/.223 Rem in particular is still loud, just less ridiculously so. You will still want/need hearing protection for everything you listed other than sub-sonic .300 blackout out of a good full size suppressor. You probably already know that, but, in case you don’t (or anybody randomly reading), yeah, suppressed 5.56 is still loud and there’s no way to change that. I mean, you could load sub sonic 5.56 that wont’ cycle a semi auto action but then it’s just an expensive .22lr equivalent more or less lol better off just using your Ruger 10/22 or Smith M&P 22 for that
BigWaylon I just might take you up on that. I’ve actually never fired a rifle with a suppressor before and I’ve hardly handled any. I can’t believe I haven’t heard of that place before, are they a newer shop in the area?
Thanks for all the leads guys. I’m glad I’m not the only clueless person who decided to get into NFA.
I saw someone say people are disappointed the first time they fire a suppressed 5.56, why is that?
Not sure how long he’s been around. He works out of his house, so no store to go visit. But, he as a tom of stuff in stock and you’re free to call him and stop by to check out some options. I’ve been buying cans from him for 3-4 years, and have even worked the gun shows in Charlotte for him for a couple years. He does a ton of laser engraving for people on this site as well.
Because it’s loud. If your entire suppressor experience is what you’ve seen in the movies, you’ll be very disappointed when shooting supersonic ammo through a can.
Just let me know. I have rimfire cans, pistol cans, and rifle cans. Mainly Silencerco, but also a couple YHM and half dozen I built myself.
I think it’s surprisingly loud for those who have never shot a rifle caliber, supersonic, through a suppressor. Perhaps the Hollywood perception is quiet as an archery release when in fact the physics of a supersonic crack is loud. Just compare the same caliber/ammo unsuppressed vs suppressed and you will get a good feel for the reality of the sound. A great starting point is to get a .22 suppressor first. Shooting subsonic .22 is quiet and fun! Good luck!
Because it is so totally unlike the movies/TV/uninformed would have you believe. Read my post above. Suppressed 5.56 is still loud. Unsuppressed it’s really ****ing loud, even suppressed it’s still pretty loud (it could be up to ~140 decibels suppressed, depending on variables), you’re still going to want hearing protection for every shot (unless not practical for some self defense or duty requirements, etc). Don’t get me wrong it’s a lot better, especially over concrete, under a canopy, indoors, etc, and you if you were inclined to double up plugs/muffs with the straight rifle you should be comfortable with just one or the other suppressed even indoors etc, and I couldn’t imagine a 5.56 home defense SBR without a suppressor…and .300 blackout is great to pair with a suppressor particularly the sub sonic
Oh yea I know its not movie quiet but I’d like it to take the punch out of it at least. I figure it might be better for when I get my son and wife shooting.
There are generally three sounds when you pull the trigger on a firearm:
The mechanical sound of the firearm itself
The “gunshot” sound of the hot gas expanding and leaving the muzzle
The sonic crack of the projectile as it travels though the air
#1 happens regardless of ammo or suppressor. It’s while a bolt gun is quieter than a semi-auto. #2 is what a suppressor deals with #3 can only be controlled with ammo selection
I’ve posted this multiple times, but it helps give people an idea of how the suppressor/ammo combination works. It’s a 7" 9mm AR. The mag is loaded with a rotation of 115/124/147 grain ammo. Only the 147 is subsonic. I fire two “sets” of three shots without a can. They’ll sound similar because noises 1 & 2 are present for all shots, and #2 is more noticeable than #3 without the can. You will notice the subsonic ammo burns a little differently (streaky instead of a blast).
Then, I attach an Osprey 45 and keep shooting. In this case, noise #2 is gone. Noise #3 is there for the 115 and 124, but gone for the 147. You’ll hear boom, boom, click. All you get with the 147gr is the noise of the firearm itself. The issue with 5.56/.223 is you’ll always have noise #3…and indoors it’s even worse.
You can’t trust YouTube audio and/or an iPhone mic…but it’ll give you a pretty decent idea of why “Hollywood quiet” is not the norm…
No doubt that reducing a 165dB sound to 140dB is a massive reduction. It lets me go from plugs and muffs to just one or the other. It’s much more pleasant outside either way.
It tames the punch down quite a bit. It doesn’t just SLAM into you, to where you can feel it in your teeth as if you were hit by a rubber mallet, the way a brake’d or indoor/over concrete under a roof wide open 5.56 might.
I purchased a Silencerco Omega for my first can because of its relatively lighter weight, shorter length, versatility and mounting method. These, in no particular order, were my priorities for a suppressor. It will effectively suppress anything from 5.56 to my .300 Weatherby without issue.
User serviceability is only necessary for rimfire cans. With centerfire rounds, you should never have to worry about cleaning. I’ve only heard good things about the Deadman series.
People covered most everything. I would not go chasing after decibles. Mounting system is important. After that it just becomes a balancing act of size, weight, robustness, capabilities.
I went with the shaker 7.62. It is on the heavy side but built like a tank. Different mounting options…rated up to 300 rum.
I also have a revolution 9. It can go from a full size 9mm can to a shorter one. I have found the extra baffles give almost no advantage on my end and just run it in the “k” configuration (short).
