So you want to buy a Silencer (suppressor) - and suppressor reviews

Disclaimer!!! I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, the following is not legal advice nor is it intended to be, I strive to have the most accurate information possible however if you want/need legal advice you should contact an attorney who is well versed in the 2A/NFA world.

So you're a firearm owner and you want to take the next step, you want to shoot without disturbing everything in a mile radius, you want a suppressor.

Suppressors are legal in 42 states *Check your local laws, check your laws for hunting as well.
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.

If you're in one of the 42 states you can proceed with the process.
First off you need to decide if you want to purchase as an individual or a trust.

If you purchase as an individual ONLY YOU CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE SUPPRESSOR, if you are not at home but your suppressor is your family members cannot know the code to the safe in which it is stored, and you cannot leave it "loose" in the house if other people will have access to it.
If you are close enough to "be in control" of the suppressor then other people can use the suppressor, such as at a range, or if it's on your home defense weapon and your wife uses it while you're next to her.

If you purchase via a trust you can list responsible persons other than yourself (listed as the Grantor/Trustee) who are allowed to have possession of the suppressor.
Most trusts allow you to easily add and remove trustees.
With a trust you can also appoint a successor so if you die and the other trustees are removed or die any items in the trust will legally go to the successor without having to pay additional transfer fees.

The buying process:

First you decide on your suppressor, decide who you're buying from, and then purchase.
When you purchase your suppressor you will have to submit Fingerprints, a passport size photo, and complete your information on a form, pay a $200 tax to the Feds, and then wait.
The ATF wait time varies, currently it is 7-8 months.

After the form comes back approved you will pick up your suppressor from the dealer, fill out a form 4473 (standard form when you buy from an FFL) and the transfer is complete.

Just so we're clear, there is no "class 3 license", you simply pay a $200 tax for EACH regulated item (I.E. Suppressor, Short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun).
And contrary to popular belief the ATF CANNOT simply force entry into your home without a warrant to check on your item.

 

https://youtu.be/tzK5f5HLB98


Choosing a suppressor.

First choosing a suppressor you must decide on what you want to suppress.
7.62 rifle (usually up to 300 Win Mag rated)
5.56 rifle
Rimfire (usually .22 Mag rated, can be rated up to 5.7x28, or in the case of the Griffin Micro Optimus, up to 5.56)
Pistol (usually rated for 9mm or .45)

7.62 rifle cans

Generally the second purchase as a suppressor (rimfire is generally the first) caliber ratings vary but generally at least .308 rated and usually rated up to 300 Win Mag, can be used on pretty much any caliber smaller than .30 cal, it gives great versatility for rifle use.
Generally they are between 7-10 inches in length, weigh between 15 and 22 ounces, and diameter can be from 1" to 1.7"
Most cans are full auto rated, manufacturers will state the rating/firing schedule on their site.
Typically cost 750-900

5.56 rifle cans

Smaller than 7.62 cans, the smallest surefire cans are as small as 3.?" in length but the standard size cans are 6-8" in length, and weigh 12-18 ounces, diameter is typically 1.2-1.5".
Generally rated for 5.56 MM and designed to be run on the AR platform, most of the cans over 15 Ounces will be full auto rated.
Typically cost 600-700

Rimfire cans

The smallest,lightest, and cheapest version of the addiction, typically 1" in diameter, 3" to 7" in length, typically direct thread attachment, as light as 3 ounces, but average weight is about 6 ounces. Typically user serviceable so they can be taken apart and cleaned by the user, important with use on .22 LR because it's a very dirty round.
Average cost 300-400.

Pistol cans

generally 9mm or .45, .45 cans will shoot 9mm, .40, and .45 as well as other pistol calibers smaller than .45. 9mm cans typically are rated for 9mm and subsonic 300 BLK, some 9mm cans are rated for 300 BLK supersonic as well as 9mm. length is typically 6-8", typically weigh 8-15 ounces.


And then we get to the "oddball" cans

Griffin Armament Optimus

Modular suppressor that is user serviceable, in the shortest configuration it is usable as a 9mm Pistol can, 9mm subgun (carbine) can, and usable on carbine length (16") 556.
Add a small spacer and it grows 1.3" and gains a baffle, this configuration is rated for use with .308 and down (no 9mm, the additional baffle is .30 caliber).
and then there's the full size, rated for use with 300 Win Mag on down, 9.4" in length.
It has many attachment methods as well.
Cost ~1K

Silencerco hybrid, I really don't know much about this can other than it's .46 caliber.
https://silencerco.com/silencers/hybrid/

And the silencerco Salvo 12
A 12 gauge shotgun suppressor, modular in the fact that you can shorten it from 12" to 6" by removing baffles. cost ~1K

 

Mounting Systems

Direct thread
The lightest and only method that is standardized across ALL manufacturers, generally used on budget or precision suppressors, it has a tendency to walk (loosen) with use.

Quick attach
There are several versions of this, most notably the AAC ratchet system which is riddled with issues, Griffin armament has a system that has a fork that drops behind a muzzle device, I haven't heard much about this system and it's been around for a while, so it must work decently well.

Taper mount
Not a true quick attach system, while it has a more aggressive thread pitch than direct thread it's still typically several full turns until the suppressor is mounted, it has a shoulder on the muzzle device and a corresponding taper inside the suppressor, it has very high repeatability for POI (point of impact) shift for suppressed/unsuppressed use, the only one I have experience with is from Griffin Armament and I like it, it's a solid system.

3 Lug

Typically used for fixed barrel 9mm's (I.E. 9mm carbine), MP5 clones, Griffin Armament also has a 3 lug system for .40/10mm as well as one for their .22 suppressor.

Piston/Neilson device

Used on most pistol cans, the piston assembly, also called the Neilson device, is necessary for use with browning tilt-barrel designs, it allows the suppressor to move forward as the gas behind the bullet expands, essentially making the suppressor weightless so it doesn't bind the system.

Fixed barrel spacer

A fixed barrel spacer is a ring that goes inside the piston assembly that allows use of a piston with a fixed barrel design, they're inexpensive (~$30) and are a great way to allow use of your pistol suppressor on a 9mm carbine without a lot of hassle.

 

What to expect with a suppressor

Pistol Calibers

9MM
I only have experience with 9mm but this was my impression.
With subsonic ammo, shooting the Griffin Optimus with both my M&P 40 (with a 9mm silencerco barrel) and Polymer 80 glock 19 build, absolutely hearing safe, shooting at a stump 20 yards away the action of the pistol and bullet impact are about as loud as a handclap.
We were shooting about 5 yards away from a house in which a 2 year old was napping, he was not disturbed, his mom inside the house could barely hear us shooting.

Supersonic is a god bit louder, I have only shot a few rounds of supersonic so I'm going to wait to post about that.

*Note, you will get a "sprong" sound from the spring in the booster when you drop the slide from the locked open position.

Rifle Calibers

.308

Shot out of a Savage FCP-SR (bolt gun, 20" barrel) with the full size Optimus configuration, 150 grain Remington Core Lokt ammo (definitely supersonic) shooting at dirt about 80 yards out, I would say it was about as loud as unsuppressed .22LR, I would still throw in ear plugs for plinking but for hunting it's comfortable.

6.8 SPC

16" barrel, AR platform, 90 grain soft point ammo, supersonic, full size Optimus configuration. It's a little bit quieter than the .308, but I would treat it the same (Ear plugs, fine for hunting, etcettera).

5.56

11.5" barrel
Wolf and reloads 55 grain, supersonic, full size Optimus configuration, .30 cal endcap. quieter than unsuppressed .22, more supersonic crack than anything else, I would still wear earplugs for a range day but I shot a 30 round mag without earplugs and had no discomfort.


Rimfire suppressors

.22LR
Subsonic's are stupid quiet out of my Griffin Checkmate QD, host weapon either a S&W Victory .22 or Marlin XT-22 (bolt gun) shooting a steel plate at 80 yards with the rifle you hear the trigger springs, the striker falling, and then the "ting" of the bullet hitting steel.
The pistol is slightly louder due to the shorter barrel as well as the semi-auto action (the action makes the most difference) but it is still very quiet, if you had an air compressor running you wouldn't hear either configuration fire.

Supersonic
With supersonics you hear the supersonic crack and that's about it, I would still consider it quiet, I would shoot all day without hearing protection with supersonics.


Shotgun suppressors

I have no experience with shotgun suppressors.



Side effects of suppressors.

Heat: the suppressor will heat up pretty quickly, particularly rifle calibers.

Carbon: particularly with .22LR and also the AR platform
With .22 you will have a lot of carbon blown back into the recoil assembly (on semi-autos) and you will need to clean your pistol/rifle every 500-700 rounds to keep it functioning reliably.
On the AR platform you will have blowback around the charging handle, with a mag dump you will have some gas in your eyes, also the top of your magazines will be black from carbon dropping into them.

Backpressure: your semi-autos will most likely need a slightly heavier buffer or adjustable gas block to keep from damaging brass on extraction and ejection.



FAQ

Q. If I want to buy a permanently attached suppressor do I still need to file the form 4 and pay the tax stamp?

A. Yes, any device that makes a firearm quieter is considered a suppressor and must have an approved form 4 (to buy from a manufacturer) or form 1 (application to build one yourself).

Q. If I permanently attach a suppressor to a rifle with a barrel length of less than 16" is it still considered a short barrel rifle?

A. With the suppressor permanently attached is the length from the face of the bolt (measured with the bolt closed) to the muzzle of the suppressor less than 16"? If so, yes, it is still an SBR and you would need a tax stamp for the suppressor and one for the SBR.

Q. I'm a machinist and can build my own suppressor, is it legal to do so?

A. Yes, it is legal to manufacture a suppressor for yourself as long as you file a form 1 with the ATF, submit photograph and fingerprints, and pay the tax stamp, once you receive the approved form 1 (with tax stamp) then you may start building your suppressor.

Transporting your suppressors/SBRs/SBSs/ Destructive devices.

I pulled this info from Esilencers.com
https://www.esilencers.com/process-transporting-nfa-item-across-state-lines/

 

Griffin Armament Optimus review

Caliber: 9mm/.30 cal
Mount: Taper mount and Piston assembly included, 3 lug and direct thread options available.
Caliber rating: 300 Win mag in full configuration, .308 in mid configuration, and 556 and 9mm in the pistol configuration
Length: 9.4/ 7.9/6.6
Weight: 17.6/15.7/13.5
Full length^ ^Minimalist blast shield and the last is pistol configuration

Price: $990

The Optimus is my first (and currently only) centerfire can, I bought it after researching very heavily. I was looking for a .30 cal can as I have .308, 6.8 SPC, and 5.56 rifles. I was also looking into Griffin Armaments cans as I already have one of their rimfire cans (more on that later) and their options were the Alpha, the Recce 7, and the Optimus.
I was drawn to the fact that it can be used for .22LR up to 300 Win Mag, as well as 9mm.

I picked up the suppressor after the paperwork came back and mounted it on my 11.5" 556 AR, while the full size configuration is a little long (11.5"+9.4"=20.9") it's manageable and comfortably quiet.


I also put it on my .308 bolt gun, I'm very pleased with it on there, it makes a very good prone hunting/bench setup.


Here's a video of it on the .308


I also shot it on my M&P9, initially not as quiet as I was expecting, but after shooting unsuppressed and other guns suppressed I'm pretty happy with the noise level.

Overall thoughts:
I'm happy with my purchase, it's a jack of all trades, master of none, but I like the versatility.
My next suppressor will be a dedicated 556 can simply because I want the shorter length, the weight doesn't bother me but it will be nice to have a shorter and lighter suppressor.

I'm excited to hear my AR-9 with the suppressor, I need to either get a 1/2-36 piston and fixed barrel spacer, or get the 3 lug adapter and put a 3 lug on the gun.


Rimfire can Review!!!!

Can: Griffin Armament Checkmate QD
Weight: 5.3 Oz
Length: 5.95"
Diameter: 1"
Attachment: 3 lug, direct thread adapter available
Caliber rating: 17HMR, 22WMR, 22 LR
Materials: 6061 T6 aluminum (tube) with 17-4 stainless mono core baffle stack

This is my first (and currently only) rimfire can, I chose the checkmate QD because of the QD design, it was the only QD rimfire can that I was aware of at the time, I believe there are one or two other QD cans and somebody (I can't remember who) makes a QD attachment system so you can retrofit other cans.
It's not super lightweight or tiny but it work well on both rifles and pistols, while it's not heavy by any means there are manufacturers who are making cans that are lighter, the length of just under 6" is a little long, especially on pistols however the suppression is very effective.
I have used this can on both the S&W Victory and a Marlin XT-22 (bolt) rifle and I'm very pleased with it, with CCI standard velocity ammo it's stupid quiet on the rifle, the trigger assembly/striker is louder than the shot, I can consistently hit a 4" steel AR500 target at 80 yards and the smack of the lead on steel is louder than the rifle.
It is also very quiet on the pistol however it's not as quiet as the bolt rifle (unsurprisingly) it functions well with CCI standard and CCI suppressor, however if you attempt to use CCI Quiet .22 it will not cycle, with the quiet .22 ammo it is about as quiet as a mouse fart.

Here's a video of it on my Marlin XT22, excuse the trash pump running in the background.

 

Excellent thread. You’ve answered a few questions I had.

 

Thanks, don't hesitate to ask any questions you have, if I can't answer them I'm sure somebody can, we have several people knowledgeable about suppressors on the forum.

 

I’m a big fan of quick mount muzzle devices. I have a 7.62 can and flash hiders threaded in 1/2x28 and 5/8x24 on six different rifles and five different calibers. It’s nice to just swap between them depending on what/where I’m shooting.

 

Which system do you have?

 

Granted that a .30 suppressor will cover a multitude of rounds, are they tied to one particular firearm?

If I purchase a firearm with a factory pinned suppressor, do I need to jump through the legal hoops to be legal?

 

Great write up! I waited about 13 months on my last one, but this latest is likely the most fun. A 22 bolt is a BLAST.

 

YHM LT 30

 

Suppressors are not tied to a particular firearm, suppressors of themselves are considered firearms.
If you have a permanently attached suppressor if you remove the suppressor most likely you will then have a SBR and a suppressor, the SBR will require a separate tax stamp.

Any muzzle device that makes the firearm quieter is considered a suppressor, doesn't matter if it's pinned or not, it could even be an item not designed to suppress the noise but if it makes it quieter then it's a suppressor.

I have a Griffin Checkmate QD and that can on a Marlin xt-22 bolt gun with Geco .22 bolt ammo (standard velocity) is stupid quiet, all you hear is the striker in the bolt moving and the trigger springs.
What can did you get?

I don't have any experience with YHM cans but the YHM turbo looks like a great direct thread budget option.

 

I have a YHM Phantom 30 cal LTA on my AR and a Sparrow on my CZ 455

 

I almost got a sparrow, great cans, I'm a little jealous of the CZ.
Does your PD allow the suppressed rifle for duty use?

 

I'm semi-retired now but we had a similar set up to mine for street lights. But SWAT/SERT/etc have them but its not a carry item for duty outside of ops

 

The Dept I'm applying to issues M&P 15 rifles to everyone buy motor unit but if you have your own you want to use the Chief will approve most rifles, I haven't check about suppressors though.

 

Back in the Army we were sneaky; a lot has changed in the few years since I've stepped out. I'd use mine at the range and a handful of ops to kill lights, cameras but most of the time we wanted everyone to know we were there to play. Good luck on your application. If you need any help or have questions let me know.

 

Sounds like fun.
Thanks, will do.

 

This is true & a good way to start but you'll likely want one for each caliber (better performance & smaller/lighter) and maybe even each host eventually. Just keep that in mind when you're initially shopping & you'll be fine in the future.

That depends, is the barrel over 16.1" w/o the pinned muzzle device or is it a 14.5" barrel with a pinned muzzle device to avoid being SBR'd? If the latter you'll need a QD muzzle device (if the suppressor is QD) that can be pinned & meet the minimum length requirements, pin the suppressor (I wouldn't recommend this) or SBR the rifle.