The Truth About Suppressors

In the past several years, we have seen an explosion in the NFA marketplace. Thanks to comprehensive guides and excellent advice that is freely available on the internet, more people than ever are purchasing NFA-controlled firearms and suppressors. Though short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles have grown in popularity, suppressor ownership has outpaced these two by a respectable margin. According to the Wall Street Journal, as of April 2013, American citizens owned nearly 500,000 suppressors, a number which continues to grow. In terms of legislative progress, suppressor legalization is moving through the legislatures in both Vermont and Iowa, and several states have gone further to legalize suppressor use while hunting. Yet despite all this, the ATF has sought to also restrict legal suppressor ownership through its proposal, ATF 41P.

The suppressor (or silencer), as we know it, was invented in 1902 by Hiram Percy Maxim for use by civilian shooters. The design incorporated a series of baffles to slow down the hot gasses that follow the bullet as it exits the barrel. The explosion and expansion of these gases are the main sources of a firearm’s report, and Maxim’s suppressor design closely resembled his revolutionary automobile invention, the muffler. Unfortunately, under the premise that poachers could use suppressors to hunt game illegally, the devices were restricted by the National Firearms Act of 1934.

Today, designs and manufacturing techniques/materials for suppressors have come a long way since 1902, but the basic concept remains the same. Companies such as SilencerCo and Advanced Armament still utilize Maxim’s baffled design to slow gasses and reduce firearms’ report. Despite improvements, suppressors are still roundly misrepresented by the media. In games and movies, viewers are left with the impression that suppressors totally silence a firearm and that they make excellent tools for assassins, spies, and criminals. Unsurprisingly, reality does not support this portrayal.

The following video by Silencer Shop shows off one of the quietest .30 caliber suppressors. While it makes a noticeable difference, it doesn’t come close to the sort of quiet that we see in movies. Generally, 140 dB is considered the absolute maximum for hearing-safe performance.