Category: Guns and Game Shooting

We’re Living in the Golden Era of Using Silencers on Handguns, Rifles, and Shotguns

By Larry Case

Tell me you haven’t seen this in the movies or on TV a dozen times: We see the bad guy—usually a hit man—as he screws a long, tube-like attachment onto the barrel of his weapon, be it a rifle or handgun. Now he is free to do all sorts of nefarious deeds because the instrument, a “silencer,” allows him to shoot dozens of times without the slightest noise. This stigma about a simple muffling device to reduce the report of a firearm has caused much confusion and misconception about what a silencer is, what it can and cannot do, and its value to hunters and shooters.

Silencers, also known as—and maybe better described as—“suppressors,” have always been something of an enigma in the firearm world. The inventor of the silencer, Hiram Percy Maxim, also called it a “muffler” and it works in much the same way as an automobile exhaust system. I am told that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) currently doesn’t recognize the term “suppressor” for these items, only “silencer” and “muffler”. On one hand these relatively simple instruments are seen by some (like the above illustration), as an implement of evil, while many hunters and shooters know the suppressor to be a valuable tool with many advantages. Suppressors, like many things in the firearms arena, have been fighting a bad rap since day one. It is long past time for a change on this.

How A Suppresor Works

I’ll keep the science lesson short. When a gun is fired, the loud boom we hear is caused by gases from the ignition of the propellant (gunpowder) as they rush out the end of the barrel. The suppressor (attached to the end of the barrel), briefly captures these gases and through a series of baffles releases them at a slower rate. This greatly reduces the noise level, but it does not completely deaden the sound. The other sound factor here, is when most ammunition is fired the bullet breaks the sound barrier and you hear the sonic boom, which is more like a sonic crack, usually around 150 decibels (dB). Suppressors cannot and do not reduce this sound. Temperature and humidity also affect the speed at which the sound barrier is broken, but in general it is around 1,100 feet per second. Shooting “subsonic” ammo with a velocity of less than 1,100 fps will silence the sound barrier.

So how much does a suppressor reduce the sound of a gunshot? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports the level of noise from an impulse sound (gunshot) should not exceed 140 dB. Depending on the load and the firearm, the average level for a .308 caliber is about 160 dB. Most suppressors will reduce a .308 by at least 30 dB, giving a level below OSHA standards. Most shooters agree that using a suppressor allows them to shoot comfortably without hearing protection, and this is a big plus. Regardless of accepted safety standards and the habits of others, always ensure that YOU are comfortable with your own shooting. Hearing protection has also come a long way to make shooters feel comfortable while protecting their hearing, so if you feel safer using hearing protection even with a suppressor, go ahead and use it.

Now here is another benefit of using a suppressor on your firearm. Suppressors not only lessen the noise level of your firearm but they will also help with recoil. Recoil and noise are the two biggest hindrances for any new shooter. Old shooters (like me) try to mask how we react to recoil, but the truth is 99% of us do not enjoy getting pushed around by the felt recoil (the kick) of many firearms. Time and again, while instructing new shooters we have seen it. When handed the firearm, the first thing they ask is, “Will it kick?” Old and stubborn shooters (like me) act like it doesn’t bother them. Many of us have a life-long flinch (a jerking reaction right before the gun fires which destroys accuracy) to show for it. Suppressors can really help with this. The bottom line is the more comfortable the shooter is with their firearm, the better they will do.

Hunt With A Silencer and Live Better

If you think about it, there are no disadvantages to hunting with a suppressor. What are the advantages?

One of the basic premises of hunting is being quiet. It is one of the first things a young hunter must learn to do. Deer and other game usually hear us invading their woodland home long before they see us. The crashing boom of a gunshot is of no advantage to the hunter; indeed, it usually means you will leave that area after a shot is taken. The sound of the shot may keep game animals from visiting that area for some time. In short, the less noise you make, the more game you will see.

Hunting with a silencer is safer in that you are going to protect your hearing without hearing protection. Wait, what was that again? The trend lately has been to wear hearing protection while hunting. Personally, I have never enjoyed wearing hearing protection in the field. Wearing muffs or in-the-ear devices disconnects you somewhat from your surroundings. Without them you are more attuned to what is going on around you. You hear the birds, the slight breeze, and the twig that snaps forty yards to your left.

You are going to be more accurate with a silencer. Time and again, we see that when shooters are not worried about recoil and the “big boom” of a high-powered rifle or pistol, they will be more accurate. Accuracy is key to being a successful hunter. Clean, one-shot kills are what we all want to humanely dispatch animals. The suppressor not only lessens the sound of the shot but will also reduce recoil … who doesn’t want that?

The Best Time to Get a Silencer is Now

Many shooters are intimidated to own a silencer. Paperwork, background checks, and fingerprinting can seem scary. The fact is, it doesn’t have to be, and the process is now easier than it was just a year or so ago. With the advent of the ATF eForm 4, those interested may now go to a dealer to submit the necessary paperwork online (including fingerprints), complete the application process, pay the National Firearms Act Tax Stamp, and await delivery of their suppressor. When your application is approved, both you and your dealer will be notified by email. Delivery time for applicants has changed vastly and you may now get your silencer in as little as one week.

Currently, 42 states allow you to buy and possess a silencer, and in 41 of those states you can legally hunt with one. California, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, and Hawaii still prohibit the sale and possession of suppressors. Florida and Ohio were the most recent states to make them legal. So, what are you waiting for?

Shopping For a Suppressor?

Now, you only need to choose which suppressor is best for you. There are a LOT of choices, here are a few top selections.

Silencer Central “Banish 12”

With easily one of the biggest breakthroughs in the wingshooting world in recent times, Silencer Central’s Banish 12 shotgun suppressor is likely going to steal the show this season. This first-of-its-kind suppressor reduces shotgun blasts up to an ear-saving 21 decibels, protecting shooters—and their dogs—from troublesome hearing loss and tinnitus. Made of strong yet lightweight titanium and weighing only 17.6 oz., its low-profile design does not disrupt your sight picture. Attaching directly to your shotgun with a specialized choke-compatible mount, this suppressor works seamlessly with your shotgun and its interchangeable choke tubes (IC, Mod, and Full). The Banish 12 is offered in black or tan for select 12-gauges, and extra mounts are available to easily swap your suppressor between shotguns. With its lifetime warranty and sound-saving and recoil-reducing technology, what are you waiting for? Get started at silencercentral.com

Dead Air Silencers “Nomad Ti XC”

Dead Air Silencers “Nomad Ti XC” rifle suppressor. [Photo courtesy of Dead Air Silencers]

The Nomad Ti XC is the next chapter in the Dead Air Nomad Ti silencers. This .30 cal silencer is crafted entirely from Grade 5 titanium and is designed to deliver premium performance in a lightweight, easy-to-use package. The Ti XC is extremely durable while keeping the weight to a low 11.8 ounces. It features advanced baffle technology that maximizes sound suppression while maintaining consistent point-of-impact shift. Designed with modularity in mind, the Nomad Ti XC is compatible with the KeyMo mounting system, offering secure attachment and flexibility to match your setup. Its lightweight build reduces fatigue, and the all-titanium construction is both heat- and corrosion-resistant for long-term reliability. See more at deadairsilencers.com

Silencer Central “Banish 30”

The Banish 30 works with your rimfire and rifle calibers from .17 to .300 Weatherby, and can be configured in two different lengths. Internal testing shows the Banish 30 reduces the report of a .308 by a whopping 34 dB at a minimum. It comes as a 9-inch suppressor holding eight baffles, but if you’ll be shooting suppressed in tighter, confined spaces or hunting blinds, it can easily break down and assemble into a 7-inch configuration with six baffles. This suppressor also weighs considerably less than others of similar size. This is because the Banish 30 is made from a strong titanium alloy for durability at an extremely light weight. In the full configuration, this suppressor weighs 14 ounces and in the short configuration it weighs just 11 ounces. Check it out at silencercentral.com

SilencerCo “Velos LBP” Series

SilencerCo’s new low back-pressure suppressor, the Velos LBP, offers exceptional sound performance for calibers in .223, 5.56, up to .300 WM with minimized back pressure resulting in shooters experiencing less gas blowback in their face. This hard-use suppressor is constructed through a unique manufacturing process utilizing a 3D printed inconel 625 core that is fully welded to 17-4 stainless steel front and rear modules. This is SilencerCo’s most durable suppressor yet, partially due to the inclusion of their patented Hoplon Blast Baffle. The Hoplon baffle deflects debris, increasing the lifespan of the suppressor on short-barreled and full-auto firearms. The Velos LBP is finished with a V-Series Cerakote to withstand extremely high temperatures that come with high rates of fire. It also ships with SilencerCo’s new Internal Charlie Flash Hider Front Cap to minimize flash while maintaining a flat, front-cap look. The Velos LBP is covered by SilencerCo’s lifetime warranty. Learn more at silencerco.com

Silencer Central “Banish 22”

The Banish 22 silencer is made for rimfire pistols and rifles chambered in .22 caliber and smaller, including .22 Hornet, .17HMR, and 5.7×28. It’s also rated for full auto. Using 1/2×28” threads for direct attachment, the Banish 22 is made of lightweight titanium, weighs just 4.1 oz, is 1” in diameter, and only 5 ⅜” long. This means you’ll barely notice it is on the end of your gun—except when it comes to sound reduction. Tests have shown the Banish 22 brings sound down to about 120 dB, which is just 10 dB more than a BB gun. Essentially, this is as close to “Hollywood Quiet” as you can get. The Banish 22 was designed to maximize your time shooting and minimize your time cleaning. Inside the tube are eight baffles engineered for a precise fit to keep lead debris and carbon buildup to a minimum. Check it out at silencercentral.com