Suppressor review - Spectre 22 vs. AWC Amphibian

Finally got my tax stamp in for my Silencerco Specter 22 suppressor, taking just a tad under 6 months for a Form 4 on an individual. Both my recent stamps have been quick (that is a relative term - 6 months for a bureaucratic process is ridiculous, but that's the way it has been forever, and many times it is much, much longer than 6 months) and I happily picked it up the other weekend. I'm impressed with the quality of the product, nice finish, it feels well-built, the suppressor was packaged nicely with a handy pouch to carry the suppressor in, all in all it appears to be a well built product.

I went with the Spectre over the smaller and lighter Silencerco Sparrow because I liked the baffle design of the Spectre and it's absolute ease of maintenance. I don't think the extra weight or size will bother me at all. I also wanted a suppressor with as little "first round pop" as possible, and the Spectre is supposedly better than the Sparrow in that regard.

I've shot a hundred or so rounds through it already, and am very impressed. Just playing around, it is really quiet and true to advertising, it has virtually no first round pop. POI shifted slightly on my Ruger from attaching the suppressor, but since the Ruger is the designated host and probably will never be shot without it attached, I'll adjust the sights accordingly and leave it at that. The shift was vertical, shooting higher with the suppressor than without, so it's not a huge inconvenience like windage would be. The suppressor is very quiet and I'm pleased with the performance.

We compared my Silencerco Spectre mounted on my Ruger MK IV against my father's twenty year old AWC Amphibian built on a Ruger MK II, and the results were interesting. Overall, the AWC was slightly quieter with all ammo, but it did have significantly more "first round pop" that the Spectre. The Spectre has no or very, very little first round pop, but is slightly louder to the ear. Also nice to hear was that both have a good tone to them. Some suppressors I've been around are quiet, but have a different, pinging kind of sound to them that I don't care for. Both the Silencerco and the AWC have a nice, solid, low tone to them that is very satisfactory. If we weren't comparing them side by side, immediately after one another, one probably wouldn't notice the differences between the two in terms of levels of suppression. In both, CCI Standard was noticeably quieter than bulk ammo, and functioned in both guns. CCI Quiet was really quiet, but wouldn't cycle either pistol. I think my Silencerco will be getter a regular diet of CCI Standard, as that is mostly what I shoot anyway.

Size really isn't all that different. The Ruger Tactical with the largish Spectre 22 is only about an inch longer than the integrally suppressed AWC, but it is noticeably heavier and handling the combo does take a minute to get used to. This is probably the reason the Sparrow and other smaller cans are very popular. However, there is an aluminum version of the Spectre that is much lighter, and I think that would be the way to go if the balance is just unacceptable for someone. I don't think it is bad once you've handled it for a second.

I will say the AWC Amphibian makes for a great gun. I really like the integral suppressor as it allows for a much longer sight radius. Also, you can't deny the cool factor of anything that is integrally suppressed, they look so much cleaner and more discrete. For being as old as the AWC is, we were very curious as to how it compares to a more modern design, even if not integrally suppressed. It is definitely no slouch, and if it wasn't for the first round pop, it would be better in all areas. Of course, the flip side is that I can use the Silencerco on any host, whereas the integral is stuck on the Ruger. However, if I was going to do a dedicated pistol suppressor, I really think I would prefer the AWC over the Silencerco.

Good report!

I have a Liberty Essence that has served me well for several years. It's all titanium, so very light and strong.

Curl

I almost purchased a Spectre 22 a couple of weeks ago. But I wanted it now and not in the 5 month eta the shop gave me. I too choose the Spectre over Sparrow after the shops recommendation plus additional internet/youtube research.

The biggest issue I had with the purchase was the price. My LGS was charging me full retail and I had to pay for Spectre and $200 up front. I quick internet google shows the Spectre 22 selling for about $320. I never expect to get the best deal in the store but he was not willing to down. Normally I would just purchase online and ship to FFL but I am not sure if that process changes for suppressors. So would the LGS just have the suppressor sitting in their shop for 5 months until I can take it home?

I was also planing on purchasing a Ruger MK IV to use with the Spectre 22. I went to a few stores and I did not like the way it felt. Overall it felt too light for its size and the whole grip area had too much plastic. The Target model felt much better but they did not have threaded barrels. The Victory also felt nicer too, but I thought it looked uglier. To my surprise of all the threaded barrel 22's I could find, I like the M&P 22 Compact the most!

Hey forindooruseonly,
Do you mind if I ask how much you paid for your Spectre 22?

I bought mine from a local shop for $330 plus tax. Didn't seem out of line for what they were selling for elsewhere at the time, and my LGS does treat me pretty well.

It is normal to pay all up front and the dealer sits on it until approved. It goes back in their safe with your name on it, then when the paperwork comes in, you can go pick it up. That the nature of the game with NFA items. Also, if your shop is quoting 5 months, you should know that it may take much, much longer. I have friends right now that are sitting at 9 months. I have personally waited over a year. Buy it, forget about it. It will come in when it gets in, and nothing you can do will change that time frame. Best to not worry about it.

If you order one and have it shipped to your dealer, be aware that there is another transfer involved, and while there is no tax, there is extra wait time to go from dealer to dealer. Additionally, your dealer will probably charge a transfer fee since he is not the seller, and transfer fees for NFA items are typically higher - $50 or more. That will probably wipe out whatever you save from ordering it. I'd find another in state dealer that has one in stock, if I was you and not happy with your LGS.

As far as Rugers go, check out the straight MK IV Tactical version I have, which is basically a target model with a shortened and threaded barrel, not the 22/45 that has the plastic frame. I also do not like the plastic framed 22/45s which are much more common with the threaded barrels. My frame is metal, which I prefer.

forindooruseonly said:

I bought mine from a local shop for $330 plus tax. Didn't seem out of line for what they were selling for elsewhere at the time, and my LGS does treat me pretty well.

It is normal to pay all up front and the dealer sits on it until approved. It goes back in their safe with your name on it, then when the paperwork comes in, you can go pick it up. That the nature of the game with NFA items. Also, if your shop is quoting 5 months, you should know that it may take much, much longer. I have friends right now that are sitting at 9 months. I have personally waited over a year. Buy it, forget about it. It will come in when it gets in, and nothing you can do will change that time frame. Best to not worry about it.

If you order one and have it shipped to your dealer, be aware that there is another transfer involved, and while there is no tax, there is extra wait time to go from dealer to dealer.

As far as Rugers go, check out the straight MK IV Tactical version I have, which is basically a target model with a shortened and threaded barrel, not the 22/45 that has the plastic frame. I also do not like the plastic framed 22/45s which are much more common with the threaded barrels. My frame is metal, which I prefer.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. For $330 I would have bought it that day!

Nice....

I have five threaded pistols to use with my two .22 suppressors; Ruger MKIII 22/45 LITE, Ruger MKIV 22/45 LITE, Ruger SR22, Walther P22, and S&W Victory. Suppressors are Surefire Ryder 22-A and a HTA Guardian SS Micro.

All five pistols function just fine with the suppressors, but the MKIII and S&W Victory are excellent shooters suppressed. Very accurate and very reliable with CCI sub-sonic or CCI suppressor ammo, and after shooting both of them suppressed extensively I'd have to say the Victory edges out the MKIII by a slight margin on accuracy, but only slightly. I've taken a good number of varmints and small game with both of them.

The Ruger SR22 shoots just fine suppressed and is actually a lot of fun. It's accurate enough for plinking and close in shots and seems to work fine with a broad range of ammo even suppressed. The Walther P22 does okay but seems to be a little ammo sensitive even without an appendage on the end of the barrel.

Disappointingly, the pistol that I had such high hopes for performs the worst, my new Ruger MKIV 22/45 LITE. Because the MKIII performs so well, I was anticipating that the MKIV would too, but such is not the case. Unlike my MKIII and several MKII's, the MKIV performs just okay in the accuracy department without a suppressor, but add either of my suppressors (which work just fine on the other four pistols) and you can't cover a pattern with your hand at 25 feet. I'm really, really wanting to like my MKIV but it's not working out for me right now.

No doubt about it that the Victory is my favorite pistol to shoot suppressed of the ones I own.

Warning: Thread drift....
Does anyone have any experience with the Ruger suppressors?????

OP here, drift allowed, especially since I'd really like to try the take-down 10/22 suppressor myself... There is one sitting in my LGS that I've eyed, but it's still kinda pricey there.

Anyone?

No input regarding Ruger suppressors, just a quick note.

Thanks for the detailed review.

Faulkner's concern about the Mark IV will make me go test mine more rigorously.

I really enjoy my Dead Air Mask. It's very quiet, especially on my Tactical Solutions X-Ring rifle. Of course, using subsonic ammo. (Aquila).

Merry Christmas, everybody!

I haven't gotten a 22 rimfire suppressor (yet) but I have been really happy with AAC cyclone for about 2 years now ,I use it on a couple of 308 caliber rifles and a 300 blkout .i have a friend who let me try it out on his threaded 5.56 and was actually surprised that it did a good job as it is designed for 30 cal rifles. I really enjoyed your report and will have to take a look at the silecerco products .Maybe as silences get more popular and become more of a mainstream accessory the wait times will get shorter .