Suppressors - do they make sense? If they do, then when?

[chief38]

I always wondered why some would spend $1,000 or close to that to put a suppressor on any gun that is routinely shot at a public range with other shooters present. I have seen some shoot their suppressed pistols with a dozen other shooters using UNsuppressed guns at the same time. So...... everyone must still wear hearing protection - and so what is the point?? The only place a suppressed pistol makes sense is if you shoot on your own land, private range or are the only one present so you don't necessarily need hearing protection. Am I missing something here?

Between the expense, waiting times, weight, size and maintenance, the only scenario for a suppressor is when you have the wherewithal to shoot privately and can control what else is being shot at the same time. At least that is what makes sense to me.

 

[s&wchad]

If they're declassified, the price will eventually come down and I'm sure you'll see more gun manufacturers integrating them into their rifles and pistols. They're not that complicated and shouldn't cost anywhere near $1K.

Our club was founded in 1942. A number of homes have been built nearby and now the residents complain about noise. Don't like noise, don't build near a range, an airport or a major expressway. If more shooters start using suppressors, the number of complaints should decline.

Plus, they're fun! I'd love to have one for a .22's and one for a .45 ACP, but didn't want to jump through the hoops and form a trust.

 

[tlawler]

Chief, you’re absolutely right. I have .45 and .22 suppressors, and it’s rare when I’m completely alone at the range and get to really appreciate them. Though I can get to my gun club sometimes early on weekdays and be by myself for an hour or so.

I have set up a short range in my garage and put a couple hundred rounds of .22 LR a week through my FN 522 and it’s a great stress reliever.

In a few months, we will be moving out of Southwest Florida to some acreage up along the Florida Ridge near Frostproof. I’ll be able to set up a 30 yard range and plan on shooting mainly suppressed out of deference to my neighbors, since it’s not a huge piece of property.

I’m already doing some research on my next can, which will be a .30 cal so I can shoot .300 Blackout suppressed.

 

[petepeterson]

4:30 this morning up near my chicken coop.
Just being a good neighbor.

 

[ladder13]

It’s fun owning something reserved for assassins and criminals.

All kidding aside, I have a few. 22, 300BLK and 46. The only can I put on any handgun is the 22.

My range is all outdoors, deserted during the week, only busy on the weekends when I never go.

Wait times are down to hours or just a few days. First one, the 300 was 11 months.

 

[chief38]

Chief, you’re absolutely right. I have .45 and .22 suppressors, and it’s rare when I’m completely alone at the range and get to really appreciate them. Though I can get to my gun club sometimes early on weekdays and be by myself for an hour or so.

I have set up a short range in my garage and put a couple hundred rounds of .22 LR a week through my FN 522 and it’s a great stress reliever.

In a few months, we will be moving out of Southwest Florida to some acreage up along the Florida Ridge near Frostproof. I’ll be able to set up a 30 yard range and plan on shooting mainly suppressed out of deference to my neighbors, since it’s not a huge piece of property.

I’m already doing some research on my next can, which will be a .30 cal so I can shoot .300 Blackout suppressed.

And that Sir makes perfect sense. If I lived in a place that I could shoot in my garage or backyard, using a can would be the way to go! When I see guys regularly using cans at Clubs or on public ranges, I just scratch my head - lol.

Just looked up Frostproof - never heard of that area. Gonna be on one of the lakes? Looks nice!

 

[WardenRoss]

FWIW...

Some clubs now have suppressed and unsuppressed pistol ranges.

Makes a lot of sense.

,

 

[65-2x2]

While I appreciate the cool factor I am not willing to spend the money that the things cost.

 

[shell627]

Armadillo’s around my neighborhood hate mine. Lol

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have 2,...................A .22 cal Dead Air Mask.......And a Griffin Armament .30 cal that goes on my night hunting rifle....They MUCH FUN.......Using the Dead Air with subsonic .22 ammo.....My pistols sound like staple guns.........Expensive?......Yes..........But the fun factor makes those $$$$$ well spent.

 

[Chubbs103]

A number of states allow them for hunting. When I move back to one of those, I will happily pay for tax stamp.

 

[jakerudy]

I live on a farm and almost always have a suppressed rifle with me to dispatch unwanted vermin. They prevent further hearing damage for me and I don’t miss the vermin looking for ear protection. For sighting in I’ll use ear plugs even with a suppressor on a rifle or handgun. If I went to a range I would use ear protection anyway.

 

[GnarlsR2]

One man's fun is another man's folly.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

One man's fun is another man's folly.

Don't knock it tlll ya tried it.........

 

[squidsix]

They make a lot of sense on a home defense rifle. If you have an 11 inch or so AR-15, and add a decent suppressor, you can at least expect to be able to hear yourself think or use the phone if you ever have to fire it.
I have them on rifles. I have hunted with them. I have had many rifle barrels threaded for them. Three ARs, two bolt guns, a single shot. There is no reason NOT to have them if you have the means. I have found that I shoot a lot more, and shoot a lot better without the huge blast.
I have a couple of pistol cans, but really only use the .22 and a 9mm on a Beretta 92 (the world's best centerfire suppressor host)
The 422/622/2206 pistols are AWESOME suppressor hosts, needing no changes apart from a thread adapter. The bore is so low even a huge can does not block the sights.

 

[BE Mike]

I can imagine that suppressor owners want to test their suppressed guns at a range to check for functionality and accuracy. After that, the practical applications are hunting, home defense, varmint control or anywhere people might be disturbed or your ears need protection from the report. Everyone who I let shoot my suppressed firearms end up with a smile on their face.

 

[22hipower]

A 300 BLK pistol is a very noisy beast, with a suppressor, much more tame. Most of my night pig hunting is with that suppressed 300 BLK and the suppressor means I don't have to worry about ear plugs. And for mine, adding the suppressor helps with accuracy, which is reliably about 1 MOA. A suppressor does change the POI so that may be why folks at the range are using them.

 

[ken158]

Once I got my first suppressor I was hooked… many have already provided credible reasons to own a suppressor so I will not parrot those responses. Just another way for “gun guys” to enjoy their hobby but a public range still requires headgear at times, but I have seen more and more suppressors being used. My last wait time was 16 days, so the extended waiting period is no longer an excuse to not enjoy the experience. I prairie dog hunt/shoot a week a year and in the wide open spaces my varmint rifle sounds like a pellet gun. I also groundhog hunt in areas where the sound of a centerfire would be frowned upon but suppressed is no problem.

 

[Law-dog]

Suppressors are literally the best money you can spend on anything to make shooting better, more accurate, less recoil, less muzzle blast, and less noise. Your comment is that you do not understand why. Simple deal, if you were with me, you would be convinced in 10 minutes of the value on and off a range.

I became a CCW instructor in 1996, the suppressor and laser are the 2 most important tools for teaching people to shoot very well, it gets the new ones going, and it provides for veteran shooters to improve their very best shooting, it is that simple.

Start with a 22 semi auto, I use many, whether a Glock 44, same size as the Glock 19,23, or the same size as a 1911, or a Walther or any other carry gun. Buy one in 22 and suppress it, and your ability to shoot the carry gun well goes up dramatically.

Of course it is great if you have your own range. I am rural. I have killed dozens and dozens of snakes, gophers, rats, and so on with the suppressed 22. Over 20 years, I have asked my neighbors, two of which are cops, if they had ever heard me shoot? No, why? That is because a suppressed 22 pistol cannot be heard very far at all. Now centerfire are still pretty noisy but not the 22.

I shoot all of the AR/AK type guns suppressed and many of my hunting guns. I thread my own barrels, it is pretty simple, even a lawyer can do it. I really enjoy shooting the 17 MR, 17 WSM and 22 mag suppressed. They are still noisy unless you buy the specific subsonic ammo for them, but with normal ammo they are hearing safe and you need nothing on your ears. They sound about like a 22 short from a long barrel 22. These suppressors just screw on and off pistols or rifles in less than a minute. I have 2 of the rimfire. The centerfire are all noisy on handguns or rifles, but they do lessen the hearing damage you get and make them hearing safe in most cases.

Simple deal, go shoot some in rimfire, centerfire handgun and rifle. Your opinion about them will change. If they take them off of the controlled list, everyone will buy them, period. Hopefully that is coming. It will safe the hearing of millions. I am rated at 50% hearing loss by the VA, I want to keep what I have left.

If you ever try just one rimfire, you will want one. If nothing else, just to teach family to shoot and enjoy shooting. They are a game changer. In fact, if you buy a rimfire suppressor, your purchase of 22 ammo will go up ten fold. Just a matter of how life works on the flat planet.

 

[Jimbo41]

A .22 can is a gateway drug.