- They allow quicker follow up shots by reducing recoil.
They're supposed to act like a muzzle brake. I've never really noticed that, though. However, I mainly use mine with low recoil ammunition, like 22LR, 17 HMR and 223.
- They improve accuracy in some applications.
I've experienced this, primarily with .22 LR subsonics. Found an increase in accuracy that extends range. Standing, I'm able to easily hit golf balls and eggs at 100 yards with a suppressed .22. A golf ball is 1.68" in diameter and eggs are 1.75" or so. This is not benched, this is practical field conditions. The flip side is a rainbow trajectory, so you need a scope with an elevation knob that you've marked for range or some other method of compensation. Part of this accuracy increase is simply from the bullet not crossing the transonic barrier at approximately 70 to 80 yards or so, depending on ammo. The bullets goes through a lot of buffeting. Either keep it supersonic, or keep it subsonic, but not both. A suppressor also helps strip off gasses that affect the bullet as it exits the muzzle.
- Can allow you to shoot multiple pests without the instant scattering of animals from the first shot.
I have found this to be a major benefit when varmint and even coyote hunting. Even with supersonic ammo like the 17 HMR that makes a loud crack as a missed bullet passes by the critter, they hesitate, because they can't pinpoint where the sound came from. This hesitation is usually just long enough to get a second shot off.
- Shooting without wearing hearing protection is a freeing experience.
I think this is a very important factor. I do not wear ear protection when hunting, except where I am in a private field in one position shooting in an area where I can see any human activity all around me. I want to be able to hear vehicles, people, and of course critters. Electronic muffs work for a while, but are a pain to wear for more than a few minutes. I have bad tinnitus, so suppressors are very important to me.
- They make shooting less publically anti-social. Ok quite often its fun to make a lot of noise, but other times it isn't.
I often shoot at my mother in law's ranch. But I try to limit myself because of noise to other neighbors. And there are times when we do not want loud reports, like when new cattle come in. Until they get used to the property and also become acclimated to gunfire, we don't need them trampling the fences and escaping onto BLM land. It's not fun rounding them up.
- They upset stupid people who think putting one on a gun makes the gun more evil/the shooter an assassin.
There will always be ignorant, bigoted people with closed minds.
Some other benefits.
Invites for pest control around farm and ranch houses where the owner does not want a lot of noise. My Savage Mark II FVSR with a Bowers USS suppressor and subsonic ammo sounds like a Daisy Red Ryder. 10-22s, MP15-22s, etc are a bit noisier because of bolt clack.
With a very quiet .22, it makes training kids easier because they do not need to wear hearing protection and can hear what you are saying and explaining. I see that as another safety factor.
And, BTW, note that suppressors are only truly effective with subsonic ammunition. Some examples...
If you shoot, say, a 10-22 with supersonic ammunition and a suppressor, there will be no real decrease in overall noise. This is because while the suppressor has eliminated most of the muzzle blast, it does absolutely nothing for the bullet crack, which is a miniature sonic boom. This bullet crack is about as loud as the muzzle report of an unsuppressed .22 Mini-Mag.
Ditto for the 17 HMR and .223. The muzzle blast is eliminated or greatly decreased, but the bullet still makes a crack as it travels. So the quietest a gun shooting supersonic ammunition can possibly get is that of a .22 LR. This is unlike the movies where they routinely show high power firearms sounding like a BB gun.
