Are suppressors over rated?

[Robert N]

My experience with a silencer was enough to build a dedicated hunting rifle just for that purpose.

Christensen Arms, Carbon Ridgeline in .308, 16.25" barrel topped with a Leupold VX3 3.5-10. Silencer is a Q ThunderChicken. It delivers a 165 gr AB at 2575 fps, a 150 at 2675.

The key on this set up is that it's actually the same overall length I started with when it had a 24" barrel. I shortened the barrel 8" and added an 8" can. It's light, it's handy, and that setup will deliver just about anywhere, anytime on just about everything in North America this side of the big bears.

Bottom line for me: the Silencer is absolutely a game changer.

 

[rjthehunter]

Not overrated at all.

Similar to many, I have hearing damage in my left ear. Which is unfortunate, because I shoot left handed. The sound ricocheted off of a nearby object and messed up my left ear (I blame the muzzle brake for throwing the sound back and obviously me being a dumbass). I have a suppressor now. I still put plugs on if I have time with the suppressor. Tinnitus sucks. Hunting or shooting with someone who doesn't have a suppressor also sucks!

 

[Cornbread]

I actually think, if I owned my local gun club, that I would require only suppressed firearms, or maybe just suppressed rifles. Yeah, you'd lose some members. On the other hand, youd eliminate all the yahoos that have an AR with a muzzle brake on an 18" barrel under a roof blowing everybody's ears out even with protection on.

 

[CPAjeff]

Like others have stated, I wish I would’ve purchased a suppressor sooner. They’re worth every penny, every day of wait time, and whatever actual or perceived hassle of getting one.