9mm Suppressor Advice Request

[OutAtTheEdge]

I haven't had any serious interaction with suppressors in 40 years, but now it looks like I'm about to come into a modest windfall that my bride insists I spend on myself, so...

Here's what I want to do. I have a Ruger PC9 Charger that I SBRed a couple years ago and I'm looking at turning it into my go-to home defense gun, including a can. Being a blowback action, I assume that pretty much any suppressor will work as long as the gun itself is reliable, correct? I don't anticipate that it will see a high volume of fire. I would like to be able to use it with jacketed, plated and cast bullets. I'd like to be able to use it on a .22LR rifle as well. Decibel reduction rating is important, but not paramount. Price is also a consideration, and I'd like to keep it under $600-$700 before the stamp.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, including specific models and vendors. Thanks in advance.

 

[huntsman22]

My choice is outta your budget. But it's a mistake to run one on a 22 rimfire unless it can be broke down to clean. Best be to thinking one for each... These are pretty much lifetime investments, don't try to cheapskate your way into them. Buy a good one once, and you only have to cry once. Buy a el-cheapo and cry the whole time you have it

 

[ladder13]

You need two

One for the 9, one for the 22. Those 22 suppressor get dirty fast, and access to the internals is a must.

You may want to go bigger than the 9 in case you plan on, or just decide after, using a suppressor on 40 or 45 caliber.

 

[BrBa]

Get 2. I would also recommend getting a .45 can, even if you don't own anything larger than 9mm diameter, because they will work just fine with 9mm and everything in between except for [maybe] 10mm. I'm sure you can find one rated for that too.

I shoot .357 Mag through my Osprey 2.0 .45 using a 16" carbine. I checked with SilencerCo beforehand and they said no problem. All it needed was a fixed barrel spacer.

 

[dockmurgw]

Don't know enough about them to make a recommendation, but since you also asked about vendors...I just bought my first through Silencer Central. They set up the NFA Trust, handled all the details, mailed fingerprint cards and ink, submitted electronically to ATF...from start to delivery at my door only a few weeks. Took longer to mail the fingerprint cards back and forth than anything else. They make it a simple process and have an extensive inventory to choose from, and excellent customer support.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

Okay, I appreciate the replies so far. I was expecting advice that I should get a separate can for .22LR, but I do see specs for various models saying they're rated for rimfire as well as centerfire calibers. As long as the unit is user serviceable, why would I not want to go that route, assuming low-volume use?

 

[birdshooter]

Rugged Obsidian 9 will do what you want in your price range. You will only need to purchase a fixed barrel spacer for use on your carbine. It can be taken apart for cleaning so rimfire use is a go.

However, I also suggest you get a separate rimfire suppressor. They are more proportionate and so much fun!

 

[Timb1]

Check out Rugged Obsidian. Read their warranty. I have a 45 that I use on a 9mm and it is nearly as quiet on a 22lr as a dedicated 22lr can.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I bought my can in 1983. A MAC-10 9mm model, it is twice as long as any handgun can you see the days. MAC Used proprietary thread patterns (something to avoid!), but I had adapters made and use it for AR-15's in 223 and 300 Blackout. In 223 it is very quiet except for the supersonic crack, but only sounds like a High Velocity 22LR. With subsonic 300 BO you only hear the action noises.

Get something you can grow into.

Ivan

 

[bobsguns]

Okay, I appreciate the replies so far. I was expecting advice that I should get a separate can for .22LR, but I do see specs for various models saying they're rated for rimfire as well as centerfire calibers. As long as the unit is user serviceable, why would I not want to go that route, assuming low-volume use?

Inefficiency on the rimfire would put the kabosh on using it, IMO. Too much space between the can & the baffles to the .22 rd. IOW, it won't "seal" the noise like a .22 can would.

Silencerco makes an Osprey model that is oblong shaped, allowing the use of the gun's normal sights. Traditional cans will block the use of a gun's normal sights, which is a pain in the butt. My 9mm can is an Osprey & I use it on 3-4 different guns. Nice dB reduction rating as well.

On the .22 can, I went with a can rated for 5.7x28. Some folks use a 5.56 can, but it's more expensive. The 5.7 can will handle .22LR, .22WMR and (of course) 5.7x28 with equal ease. It was only a wee bit more than a good .22LR can, IIRC? Yes, it breaks down for cleaning. All my cans do so, FWIW.

Before you buy anything, do your homework. There're several web sites that list a bunch of cans' dB reduction rating. That helped me decide if Brand X was worth the extra $50 over Brand Y. Don't just go out & blindly buy a can just to have one, IMO.

My .o2

 

[bobsguns]

Okay, I appreciate the replies so far. I was expecting advice that I should get a separate can for .22LR, but I do see specs for various models saying they're rated for rimfire as well as centerfire calibers. As long as the unit is user serviceable, why would I not want to go that route, assuming low-volume use?

Any centerfire can will be rated for rimfire. Might be like putting a 4cyl motor in a Ford F350, but technically it will work.

With a can, you want the MOST dB reduction for your $$$. Using a .45acp can on a .22LR (for example) is like the old adage about rolling a hotdog down a bowling lane.

But your $$, your choice.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I bought my can in 1983. A MAC-10 9mm model, it is twice as long as any handgun can you see the days. MAC Used proprietary thread patterns (something to avoid!), but I had adapters made and use it for AR-15's in 223 and 300 Blackout. In 223 it is very quiet except for the supersonic crack, but only sounds like a High Velocity 22LR. With subsonic 300 BO you only hear the action noises.

Get something you can grow into.

Ivan

Interestingly enough, these cans were the last I had. I had a Class 3 dealership in the 80s. At one point SWD offered a closeout deal selling MAC10 and -11 SMGs for $175 each (IIRC) in batches of 6, and suppressors for $75 each in batches of 6. Of course, I bought 6 of each. However, being a dealer, I sold them all.

As for "growing into" a can, I really have no intention of buying any more firearms that would benefit from silencing. My well-considered plan at this point is as I described initially; I want to suppress my 9mm SBR, and perhaps screw it onto a bolt-action .22LR occasionally.

Again, thanks to all for your input, and by all means keep it coming. At this point I'm leaning toward the Rugged Obsidian9.

 

[Rodan]

As others have suggested, a centerfire can on a .22 is not ideal, but it can work.

I also have a Rugged Obsidian 9 and it is an excellent can. I use it with a 3 lug adapter on a lever action and HK MP clone, and with the piston mount on 9mm handguns. A fixed thread mount in 1/2x28 is available that will allow you to mount it on most .22s. Mine is very quiet with 9mm subsonic. The Obsidian in the short configuration is not very quiet.

My recommendation is that you skip the 9mm can for now, and buy a .22 can. The odds of using the PC charger in a home defense situation are pretty remote, and 9mm isn't as hazardous to hearing as a 5.56 if you have to shoot it without ear pro. Just run it without a suppressor. You will get far more enjoyment out of a .22 can because you will likely shoot with it a lot more. Buy the 9mm can down the road.

Size comparison, Obsidian 9 vs. Dead Air Mask .22:

 

[zeke]

Okay, I appreciate the replies so far. I was expecting advice that I should get a separate can for .22LR, but I do see specs for various models saying they're rated for rimfire as well as centerfire calibers. As long as the unit is user serviceable, why would I not want to go that route, assuming low-volume use?

The size of 22LR silencers are considerably smaller diameter/lighter than most, if not all, 9mm cans. You can get pretty short 9mm cans now, but they appear to be wider. Can see the sights on Ruger Mark IV over a Silencerco Sparrow.

Am also of the opinion to get a specific 22 lr and 45 can. This significantly increases your possible options.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

As others have suggested, a centerfire can on a .22 is not ideal, but it can work.

I also have a Rugged Obsidian 9 and it is an excellent can. I use it with a 3 lug adapter on a lever action and HK MP clone, and with the piston mount on 9mm handguns. A fixed thread mount in 1/2x28 is available that will allow you to mount it on most .22s. Mine is very quiet with 9mm subsonic. The Obsidian in the short configuration is not very quiet.

My recommendation is that you skip the 9mm can for now, and buy a .22 can. The odds of using the PC charger in a home defense situation are pretty remote, and 9mm isn't as hazardous to hearing as a 5.56 if you have to shoot it without ear pro. Just run it without a suppressor. You will get far more enjoyment out of a .22 can because you will likely shoot with it a lot more. Buy the 9mm can down the road.

Size comparison, Obsidian 9 vs. Dead Air Mask .22:

I appreciate the input, Rodan. However, as I mentioned, the use on a .22 would be entirely secondary - pretty much just a "bonus" benefit - to my primary goal of suppressing the 9mm SBR. If I wasn't going to suppress the 9mm, I wouldn't bother buying one for the .22 rifle.

 

[ken158]

I have owned suppressors for many years and have real life experience with them. First - a 9mm suppressor will do fine on a 22 rimfire. Be sure to get one that can be disassembled for cleaning. Also, the threads will be 1/2x28 which are compatible with a 22 rimfire or a 17 HMR. Don’t get hung up on decibel ratings because of different ammo types and terrain where you shoot will have an effect on sound. Of course, velocity and bullet weight will come into play. A 9mm is not as quiet as a 45, etc. Do your research and as noted, getting a rimfire suppressor is the best deal yet and some companies like Silencer Central run specials where you can buy one and get a free rimfire suppressor. Wait times are very quick now as compared to years passed.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

I like my Griffin Bushwhacker 36. Rated for full auto 9mm. A 22 caliber cap can be added for 22 rimfire or center fire, if you want. Easily disassembles for cleaning. No matter what one you choose, do yourself a big favor and buy the Breakthrough Technologies suppressor cleaner. This stuff is magic for getting the carbon off the baffles.

 

[Farmer17]

I bought a Spectre II silencer for my 4" Ruger 22/45 and it's a hoot! I paid about $250 for it 5 or 6 years ago and it's very quiet and easy to clean about every 700 rounds. I was looking for a 9mm pistol and carbine suppressor but kept hearing so darn much about the 300 Blackout I went that route and am sure glad I did! It's so much fun and quiet with subsonic ammo but the high velocity rounds are still pretty quiet with my YKH suppressor, I shoot my two suppressed guns more than any of my other guns.

 

[reddog81]

I use my 9mm AAC Illusion on a variety of 22 pistols and rifles. It works well. For me the biggest drawback is the size. If I bought a dedicated 22 suppressor, it would be much smaller. The nice thing about 9mm is that it generally has the same thread pitch as .22.

 

[huntsman22]

OCL Lithium...