​Everything You Need To Know About Suppressors and How They Work

Introduction: What is a Suppressor and What Are Its Functions?

Many first-time shooting range visitors are caught off guard by how loud firearms actually are. Movies won’t tell you this, but many shooters who neglect hearing protection rules end up having major hearing problems or losing their hearing whatsoever. That’s why all shooting ranges require visitors to wear proper hearing protection. The sound of a gunshot can reach 140-170 decibels, which is well above the safe level of 85 decibels. Range staff will provide you with earplugs or earmuffs but is there anything else you can do to bring the noise level down? Mounting a  suppressor is that very thing.

A suppressor is a device that reduces the sound of a gunshot. It is also known as a silencer, sound suppressor or sound moderator. Suppressors are used for a wide variety of firearm-related activities like hunting and target shooting, and even in some military applications. They are used to protect the hearing of shooters and those around them and reduce noise pollution from firearms (majorly for those living or walking by shooting ranges). The noise-dampening capabilities of suppressors vary depending on the type and model, but generally, they reduce the sound of a gunshot by 20 to 35 decibels. They can also help reduce recoil from firing and improve accuracy by allowing shooters to focus on their target instead of worrying about noise levels.

How Does a Suppressor Reduce the Sound of a Gunshot?

Firearms make noise from three distinct sources when fired. These are muzzle blast, sonic boom, and mechanical noise. Muzzle blast is the sound created by the expanding gas that propels the bullet out of the barrel of a firearm. Sonic boom is created by the shockwave from a supersonic projectile breaking through the sound barrier. Finally, mechanical noise is generated from any moving parts in a firearm such as springs or bolts. A suppressor can only silence the noise generated by the muzzle blast which happens to be the loudest out of the three. It depends heavily on the amount of propellant stored in the cartridge. The more propellant a round holds, the bigger and more effective silencer you need.

How does a suppressor reduce the sound of a gunshot? By allowing the expanding gasses to be decelerated and cooled through a series of hollow chambers. These chambers are designed to trap the heated gas produced by the ignition of the propellant. This is achieved by using baffles and spacers, which absorb and disperse some of the energy from the gas as it passes through them. As a result, these gasses exit the suppressor over a longer period of time and at a decreased speed which reduces the noise produced by the gunshot. This is one of the main reasons why silencers are so popular among gun owners.

Early suppressors featured wipes, the inner dividers designed to touch the bullet on its way out of the barrel. They were made from rubber or foam and had a hole drilled in the center to facilitate the bullet’s passing. However, they were very short-lived and required replacement after a few firings. They were also blamed for messing with the bullet trajectory and thus affecting shooters’ accuracy. As a result, modern designs have moved away from this feature.

The Legalities Behind Owning a Suppressor in the United States

Owning a suppressor is legal in the majority of states. The eight exceptions are California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. However, acquiring a suppressor is not without its difficulties. Suppressors are regulated as NFA items and require registration with the ATF.

If you are looking to purchase a suppressor, you will need to file an ATF Form 4. It requires the buyer's name, address, and other personal information, including fingertips and a passport-style photo. In addition to that, you will also be required to pay the $200 transfer tax. Once the form is approved, you will receive your tax stamp and can legally own your suppressor. The process is usually very burdensome, but we did everything in our power to make it easier for you. On  this page, you can learn how to buy a suppressor from Gritr Sports (it’s less complicated than it may seem).

Suppressors are regulated as NFA items for the very thing they are designed to do. Due to their noise-reducing capabilities, they can potentially conceal firearm-related crimes. They were added to the list of Title II firearms During the Great Depression to prevent excessive poaching. The debates concerning the reason behind this deed are ongoing. Numbers have it that sound suppressors were used in crime quite rarely, and the NFA regulation didn’t change that.

What Types of Guns Can A Suppressor Be Used With?

All suppressors share a similar construction, but there is variety in their intended use. There are three main types of suppressors: rimfire suppressors, pistol suppressors and rifle suppressors. Rimfire suppressors are designed for use with rimfire ammunition such as .22LR and .17HMR. Since rimfire ammunition features low-pressure loads, rimfire suppressors tend to be smaller and lighter than other types. Pistol suppressors are built for more powerful calibers, and thus are longer and heavier than their rimfire brethren. Finally, there are rifle suppressors, designed for high-pressure loads of rifle calibers. They are the heaviest of the three because they need to absorb more energy. There are even shotgun suppressors, but those are hardly as popular as the one we’ve just mentioned.

Conclusion: The Benefits of Using a Suppressor

As you can see, suppressors are a great way to reduce the noise the firearm produces while shooting. In addition to that, they also decrease the felt recoil and reduce the muzzle flinch. All the benefits combined make shooting safer and more enjoyable not only for the shooter but also those around them. Suppressed shooting reduces the risk of hearing damage and makes it easier to hear the world around you. Though acquiring a suppressor is fraught with some difficulties, the result is totally worth it.