Why Are Suppressors So Popular?

jmorris said:

The rise in popularity is because they are easier to get now than they used to be.

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Right. They seem to have become semi-respectable, unlike other NFA and NFA avoidance products.

Noise reduction. Given the growing popularity, I'd really like to see them be deregulated. I have exactly one, and it was both a hassle and expensive. To be honest, I bought it as much to learn about the process as to actually own and use it. If suppressors were deregulated, the prices would fall dramatically, as they are not difficult to make. I would like to have a few more, but I probably won't go through the hassle again ... but never say never.

theotherwaldo said:

Shooting a rifle without a suppressor is like driving a Harley without a muffler.
Why does our government force us to go without mufflers?

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The other side of he coin... Why does the government allow Harleys? (and other loud motorcycles)

Noise. And rights. And frustration.

Noise brings attention. And shooting makes a lot of noise. With a suppressor shooting makes a lot less noise and brings about a whole lot less attention. That attention often comes in the form of complaints to local law enforcement via reports of noisy shooting interrupting sleep, or interrupting the price is right, or that people are shooting and the caller is scared to leave the home. Then the cops show up and tell you that even though what your doing may be legal that you have to stop because princess whiny next door has complained. Whether there is a noise ordnance or not, they can tell you to stop and you have to make a decision to stop and appease or keep shooting and know that your going to be hit with frustrating visits by the cops, possibly fighting a legal case, or in general being the target of the neighbor who can make your life more difficult. So, you like to shoot and do so safely. Your options are to either quit, spend money on a range membership, or buy a suppressor so that they don’t hear you anymore and you avoid the hassle, the frustration, and expense of finding a new place to shoot, and the cops don’t come anymore. Personal noise exposure abatement is a nice side effect.

Most people enjoy having functional ears. Are there other solutions? Sure.

^This. I've homebrewed all 3 of mine.

The hassle isn't much, compared to what happens when you get caught without paper.

Most don't realize having Title 2 stuff isn't like having a FFL: No inspections by ATF. Not without a warrant. No annual fees, either.

Conelrad

If you've ever shot a firearm with one on it, you'd know the answer. For military use, it makes shooting inside buildings much less deafening, and outdoors, changes the sound dynamics so as to confuse the enemy. If unsurprssed fire is occuring, that pretty well covers it up, allowing the surpressed shooter to Charlie Mike. (Continue the Mission) This would be very beneficial for a DM, (Designated Marskman) who's job it is to take out Communications, heavy weapons, snipers if encountered, and on-site command, in that order. These are the uses I am used to .

For civilian use, they do reduce sound to the point that with some guns, no hearing protection is needed. (or less, anyway) Where legal for hunting, they don't scare game as much, (as witnessed by some of Double Naught Spy's hog hunting videos) and yes, it adds a bit of exotic allure for those who haven't used them professionally. Try one, you'll like it. My next project gun, after the current AR build, will be a .22 with a can on it.

deadin said:

The other side of he coin... Why does the government allow Harleys? (and other loud motorcycles)

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Loud pipes save lives.

Everyone like to shoot muzzle devices it seems. Brakes make things really loud. A suppressor is a brake and a noise reduction device.

Win win for that crowd.

I prefer no muzzle device at all.

earlthegoat2 said:

Everyone like to shoot muzzle devices it seems. Brakes make things really loud. A suppressor is a brake and a noise reduction device.

Win win for that crowd.

I prefer no muzzle device at all.

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And there's nothing wrong with that at all. There are some firearms that putting a can on it would ruin the esthetics.

My first can is in jail awaiting release. My reasons for buying it a combination of those you mentioned in your post:

• Cool factor, for sure. They're just plain fun.

• I have hearing damage, and wish to retain what I've got. I already double up on plugs/muffs, and welcome additional mitigation where I can get it.

• I'll decide once I get my hands on it and see how it shoots in terms of POA/POI and reliability, but I may use it for home defense to reduce potential hearing loss if I were forced to defend myself in my home.

I have 7 suppressors.
1 22 cal, Rugged Occulus
1 556 cal Specwar 556
2 30 cal, Omega and Specwar 762
2 46 cal, Hybrids
1 45 cal pistol can, Rugged Obsidian 45, used on 9mm and 45acp
I own suppressors so I can shoot anything I want, whenever I want, at my home range, without disturbing the family, the neighbors, or the dogs.

My theory is that suppressors are popular, at least in part, precisely because they are regulated by the NFA. Part of this is the allure of the "forbidden fruit," and part the attraction of belonging to a select fraternity of "super gun owners." On their merits (in terms of actually muffling sound), they're not all that impressive. They don't silence in the way that Hollywood movies portray them.

I would very much like to have several for the "cool" factor and actual noise suppression
But then I need to buy thread barrels and the actually suppression, To much many for very little gain.

It is amazing that here in Florida, week whackers, leaf blowers, giant lawn mowers can wake the dead at 7 am, but that is OK.??

No need to register and pay for those??

Has the amount of Mob hits increased of the years?

I've never had any interest in them, ear plugs are a lot cheaper. Can use the money for more guns or ammo, when it's available

You can't deny the cool factor. Suppressors are sexy. Who doesn't daydream of being James Bond?

And the noise reduction factor plays a part - you don't annoy the neighbors. This is particularly true if you own a machine gun...a suppressed subgun avoids a lot of unwanted attention.

Big_Al said:

I've never had any interest in them, ear plugs are a lot cheaper. Can use the money for more guns or ammo, when it's available

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On the big center fire rifles is so much more than just making it quieter. The reduction in recoil and muzzle blast is IMHO a far bigger benefit than any reduction is the audible volume.

And on weapons with subsonic ammo its just a joy to shoot without any ear pro.

AlexanderA said:

My theory is that suppressors are popular, at least in part, precisely because they are regulated by the NFA. Part of this is the allure of the "forbidden fruit," and part the attraction of belonging to a select fraternity of "super gun owners." On their merits (in terms of actually muffling sound), they're not all that impressive. The don't silence in the way that Hollywood movies portray them.

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Good grief, again with this silliness?
Every part of your "theory" was shot to pieces in the this thread: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/wannabe-stamp-collector.876880/

WisBorn said:

Why have you bought one (or more)?

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Actually, I haven't bought one yet because of the hassle and expense. But I've been thinking about getting one for some of the same reasons rb288 stated:

rb288 said:

I own suppressors so I can shoot anything I want, whenever I want, at my home range, without disturbing the family, the neighbors, or the dogs.

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We can safely and legally shoot off our rear deck here. There are no buildings or houses behind us for a couple of miles, and the back of our property is a hill. However, every time we do shoot off our deck, whether we shoot at a target or a starling in the currant bushes behind the garden, the neighbors that are only a hundred yards to the side of us come out on their rear deck to see what we're shooting at. It's not like they mind or anything. It's just that they're curious, and we do the same thing when we hear them shoot.
Nevertheless, because I don't like disturbing our neighbors is the reason I'm considering a suppressor for my wife's new Ruger "American Rimfire" .22. The barrel's already threaded anyway.

Odd Job said:

I have 14 suppressors for .22LR ranging in price from £30 to £240 brand new. I also have a 12 gauge suppressor which was given to me by A-TEC and which would have cost around £450.

Yes, we got one thing good in the UK which is a positive attitude towards suppressors (or sound moderators as they are called here)

Plenty advantages:

1) less noise from a shooting range in a residential area
2) less hearing damage for shooters
3) reduced perceived recoil
4) in some cases better groups

You also have to be mindful of two negatives:

1) increased fouling of the action
2) greater likelihood of inhaling lead particles at the shooting position

Oh one other thing: it feels great, shooting suppressed!

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I am glad that you posted. I was waiting for one of our overseas members to pipe up on their experiences on buying and owning suppressors or as you call them sound moderators.

Quite a few people mention hearing protection is required or they are not hollywood quiet.

I would have to argue tose points.

my 300 bo pistol is hearing safe with correct ammo.


My sons trailboss loads out of his 308 RPR are almost silent, of course the bullet is only moving 800 fps but is pretty accurate at 100 yard.

^

I agree, a lot of it will depend on the can and ammunition but I have some that make less noise than they do in movies.

A 7# 338 win mag or a 8.5# 338RUM both braked get really old REALLY FAST.

A case full of h1000 in a braked 338 win mag is an attention getter. The 338RUM even more so.

Went from clearing light-ish materials off of adjoining benches and doing a fair imitation of artillery to a pussycat with both.

Law enforcement is beginning to use them heavily now and from what I'm being told it's more to do with a hearing safety issue than anything else. They help reduce the sound but they aren't silent and depending on what you're shooting you might still want to use hearing protection.