How to Choose the Best Suppressor for Your Firearm

Make sure you stay quiet

A suppressor, often incorrectly referred to as a silencer, is a firearm accessory designed to reduce the noise, recoil, and muzzle flash produced when firing a gun. While Hollywood often portrays suppressors as making gunfire completely silent or emitting only a whisper, the reality is that they primarily lower the decibel level to safer, less damaging levels while improving accuracy and shooter comfort, but oftentimes shooters will still need ear protection.

However, not all suppressors are created equal, and choosing the right one requires careful consideration of factors such as material, caliber compatibility, mounting style, gas management, and legal requirements. In this guide, our team at Silent Armament Forge will cover everything you need to know about selecting the best suppressor for your firearm.

How to Choose the Best Suppressor

Now whether you are looking at equipping a suppressor on your rifle, one of your handguns, or even a shotgun, there are a few basic things to consider. These are not cheap accessories for your firearms, so you want to make the best decision.

1. Understand the Suppressor Materials

The material of a suppressor significantly impacts its durability, weight, and overall performance. Here’s a breakdown of the most common materials used in suppressors:

• Aluminum – Extremely lightweight and ideal for rimfire and pistol suppressors. However, it’s not as durable as other materials, making it unsuitable for high-pressure rifle rounds.

• Stainless Steel – Stronger and more durable than aluminum, making it a great choice for rifle suppressors that handle higher pressures and heat.

• Titanium – Offers the best combination of strength and weight, being both durable and lightweight. However, titanium suppressors tend to be more expensive.

• Inconel – A high-strength, heat-resistant alloy commonly used in suppressors for full-auto or high-pressure applications.

For most users, stainless steel or titanium suppressors provide the best balance of durability and weight, especially for centerfire rifles.

2. Choosing the Right Suppressor for Your Caliber

Suppressors come in caliber-specific and multi-caliber options. Choosing the right suppressor depends on the types of firearms you own and your intended use.

Dedicated Caliber Suppressors

These are designed for a specific round, providing maximum sound suppression and minimal weight. Examples include:

• .22LR Suppressors – Specifically designed for rimfire rounds, which are quieter but leave more lead buildup.

• .223/5.56 Suppressors – Perfect for AR-15 platforms, providing optimal noise reduction without excessive weight.

• .308 Suppressors – Made for full-power rifle cartridges and often compatible with similar calibers like 6.5 Creedmoor.

• 9mm and .45 ACP Suppressors – Designed for pistol calibers and can also be used on submachine guns.

Multi-Caliber Suppressors:

These offer more versatility by accommodating multiple calibers with the right adapters. A common example is a .30-cal suppressor that can work with:

• .308 Winchester

• 6.5 Creedmoor

• 5.56 NATO

Multi-caliber suppressors provide flexibility and cost savings, making them a great choice for users who own multiple firearms.

3. Mounting Options: Direct Thread vs. Quick Detach (QD)

How a suppressor attaches to your firearm affects convenience, alignment, and performance.

• Direct Thread Suppressors – These screw directly onto the barrel threads. They provide excellent alignment, making them ideal for precision shooting. However, they require threading for each firearm.

• Quick Detach (QD) Suppressors – These attach via a muzzle device, such as a brake or flash hider. QD suppressors are convenient for users who frequently switch between suppressed and unsuppressed shooting.

For precision shooters, direct thread suppressors are the best choice, while tactical and multi-firearm users may prefer a QD system for rapid attachment and removal.

4. Suppressor Length and Weight Considerations

Suppressors come in various sizes, affecting the length of the firearm, the weight, and sound suppression:

• Longer Suppressors (7-9 inches) – Offer superior noise reduction but add weight and length to the firearm, affecting maneuverability.

• Shorter Suppressors (4-6 inches) – More compact and lightweight, but they may not provide as much noise reduction.

Some manufacturers offer modular suppressors, which allow you to adjust the length based on your shooting needs. If you’re concerned about weight, titanium suppressors help keep things lighter without sacrificing durability.

5. Sound Reduction: How Quiet Can a Suppressor Be?

Suppressors are rated by how much they reduce noise in decibels (dB). A good suppressor can reduce gunfire by 20-35 dB, depending on caliber and suppressor design.

• Subsonic Ammo + Suppressor = Maximum Quiet – Since subsonic rounds don’t break the sound barrier, they are much quieter than standard rounds when used with a suppressor.

• Supersonic Ammo + Suppressor = Reduced But Audible – While the suppressor reduces muzzle blast, the sonic boom of the bullet traveling faster than sound still creates noise.

If ultimate quietness is your goal, pairing a suppressor with subsonic ammunition is the best approach.

6. Managing Blowback and Gas Issues

Suppressors can increase backpressure, causing more gas and carbon buildup in the firearm. This can lead to increased wear, dirtier operation, and even gas blowback into the shooter’s face.

• Flow-Through Suppressors – Designed to reduce backpressure by directing gases forward instead of back into the firearm.

• Adjustable Gas Systems – Some rifles, especially AR-15s, benefit from an adjustable gas block to fine-tune performance with a suppressor.

If you’re running a suppressor on a semi-auto firearm, look for models with good gas management features to reduce excess blowback.

Understanding Legal Considerations and the ATF Process

Now you can’t just walk into your local gun store, pick a suppressor up off of the shelf, then pay and leave. Suppressors are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and in order to purchase one they require:

• A $200 tax stamp per suppressor.

• Registration through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

• An ATF Form 4 application, which can take several months to approve.

• Suppressors are legal in 42 states, but some states and local jurisdictions prohibit them.

It’s important to check your state laws before purchasing a suppressor.

Where to Buy a High-Quality Suppressor

If you’re looking for a reputable place to buy a suppressor, SilentAF is a top choice. We take pride in every single suppressor that is made, and strive to craft cans that perform better than the rest. A few things we offer include:

✔ Good Selection – There are a few different options of suppressor models to choose from, such as the Vigilantis and the FNG.
✔ Multi-Caliber and Dedicated Suppressors – Options for several firearm types.
✔ ATF Compliance– Helping you navigate the legal process.
✔ Competitive Pricing – Affordable suppressor options without sacrificing quality.

SilentAF makes buying a suppressor easier by shipping right to your local FFL, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free purchasing experience.

SilentAF’s Options

Let’s take a look at Silent Armament Forge’s suppressor options, their sizes, and some quick tips. SilentAF offers two suppressor sizes in the Vigilantis and the FNG Day1.

Vigilantis – 0.27: The Vigilantis was designed to be just oversized to shoot 6.5 caliber bullets and lower. Suppressors should be oversized for the bullet that is passing through. A good common rule is 0.004-0.006” over sized for each side of the bullet

For example:

• 0.35” Caliber is for 30 caliber bullets and lower. This allows for the tolerances as above. They can only shoot 30 caliber bullets. A 350 legend is not a 30 caliber bullet. A 338 Lapua is not a 30 caliber bullet

 FNG – 0.281: The FNG is sized for a 6.5 caliber and lower.

• 0.396 is sized for a 30 caliber and up to a 9mm bullet. These can not handle anything larger than a 30 caliber rifle round even though they are sized larger. They are sized this way for tolerances only and not for the size of the bullet.

Final Thoughts: Picking the Best Suppressor for Your Needs

Choosing the right suppressor requires considering material, caliber compatibility, mounting style, length, gas management, and legal requirements. Whether you need a compact suppressor for a concealed carry pistol, a durable option for a high-caliber rifle, or a multi-caliber suppressor for maximum versatility, there’s a perfect option out there.

If you're ready to buy a suppressor, SilentAF provides an excellent selection, competitive pricing, and expert assistance in navigating the legal process. Check out SilentAF today and find the best suppressor for your firearm!

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