Are suppressors over rated?

[Adam in Ohio]

I hope they aren't overrated. I just had not from Silencer Central delivered earlier today.

 

[kodiakisland]

Didn't read many of the responses, but no, in my opinion they are not over rated. They are also not overrated by anyone who has shot mine, as they have all, 100% gone out and bought their own, including two guys in their 70s. One of those guys even had his pre 64 270 threaded.
Much better for the shooter to not lose hearing. Believe me, tinnitus sucks. Effect on game? Yeah, I've seen deer go right back to feeding when their buddy just got shot right next to them. Maybe not that affective all the time, but definitely has affect on how deer perceive the threat. Hunt or shoot in a more urban environment, then yeah, much less noise complaints.

I suppose if all you've ever seen is someone using something at a range, you form a certain opinion. Those opinions might change once you have actual experience with something outside of a range full of whatever goes on at a range.

I don't have all my guns threaded, and have no desire to. Some guns just shouldn't be. For those that are, the value in the use is real.

 

[Richard22]

I guess I'm in the minority here as I think they are a bit overrated. The only gun I actually appreciate one on is my 300 blackout shooting subsonic.

Imo they don't reduce the noise on a hunting rifle enough that I won't use hearing protection. I don't see a difference in recoil. The concussion is reduced and that is about the only benefit I see for the most part. I also hate the large pipe hanging off the end of the barrel.

Like I said I'm in the minority and I know this.

No reason to apologize. While it's easier to find new rifles with threaded barrels these days, manufacturers continue to produce plenty of rifle models with traditional barrels. Still, I suspect that hasn't stopped some from butchering a target crown to add a suppressor.

 

[El Jason]

Still, I suspect that hasn't stopped some from butchering a target crown to add a suppressor.

Who cares that much about a target crown?

 

[mtmuley]

Who cares that much about a target crown?

Well. I have a target crown barrel on my RUM. In addition to being a laser in the first place, the target crown assures one hole accuracy at all ranges. Plus, telling other hunters and shooters about my target crown impresses the crap out of them. mtmuley

 

[El Jason]

Well. I have a target crown barrel on my RUM. In addition to being a laser in the first place, the target crown assures one hole accuracy at all ranges. Plus, telling other hunters and shooters about my target crown impresses the crap out of them. mtmuley

Richard22 will certainly be pleased to learn you hold your factory cut target crown with the appropriate level of reverence. Alas, if only other shooters were as keenly aware of the supreme degree of accuracy such a target crown offers.

 

[mtmuley]

Richard22 will certainly be pleased to learn you hold your factory cut target crown with the appropriate level of reverence. Alas, if only other shooters were as keenly aware of the supreme degree of accuracy such a target crown offers.

Exactly. And a suppressor would hide the fact that I am sporting a target crown. Gotta rock the crown. mtmuley

 

[schmalts]

Tinnitus sucks

 

[mtmuley]

Tinnitus sucks

I know. mtmuley

 

[nrpate05]

People fret far too much about the loss in velocity with cutting a few inches of barrel off. There are a few over the barrel models on the market now that only add about 4" of length to the barrel. That is definitely the route I would go if I was looking to get into the suppressor game

I'd be interested in one of those. Any recommendations?

 

[Fire_9]

I'd be interested in one of those. Any recommendations?

AB Raptor and Unknown Suppressors OG

 

[Alpine01]

You are correct, they don't make a gun Hollywood quiet, what they do is make it hearing safe for 1 or 2 shots (ie no permanent ear damage). Most suppressors also reduce recoil at least to some degree. Honestly I hemmed and hawed for a long time before finally getting one and now that I've used one I don't ever want to fire a rifle without it again

Same for me.

 

[WVmike]

You’re overthinking suppressors. After using one for a few years, all my rifles going forward will be suppressed.

Noise reduction is only part of the equation. Yes, it’s reduced to a much lower level. No hearing protection needed. There is a difference in shooting at animals suppressed. Animals will stand not knowing what happened at the shot. There is a difference.

I’ve never had an issue with the added length.

You’re missing the biggest component to suppressors - recoil reduction. My 280ai shoots very mild with a suppressor without the explosion of a brake. Accuracy improved and so did muzzle velocity. I’ve seen flinchers shoot my rifle well once they realized the recoil was lighter. Shooting a suppressed rifle will make most people better shots.

Friend of mine got one for his .300 prc and it reduces the recoil level to that of maybe a .308 instead of what is actually is chambered in. Makes it much more enjoyable to shoot and also like previously mentioned it at times will throw off the animal you're attempting to harvest in regards to locating where the shot came from, which if we are making good, accurate shots the animal should have been hit anyways but that's not what this discussion is about. That being said I have a 7mm Rem Mag Seekins PH2 with a brake on it currently. I don't currently have any plans of buying one simply due to the fact that I don't want to drop the amount it costs for a suppressor when I'm trying to go hunting out west every year/every other year. I'd rather save the money to be able to go hunt consistently and also I use ear pro when shooting and with the brake on the 7mm I have to anyways. The brake also reduces the recoil to the point where it feels like I'm shooting my AR or .308. So for me maybe in the future I'll get one when I have the extra cash but for now, no.

 

[DesertMoose]

I won't shoot or hunt without a suppressor.

 

[abarn]

After shooting and hunting with an AB Raptor on my 300wm I won't go back to unsuppressed. There are too many upsides for me that outweigh any weight penalty

 

[HeavyMetalGunner]

The whole thing with suppressors is that they are totally subjective to your wants/needs. They are absolutely essential to some and mean nothing to others. I love suppressors wouldn't wanna shoot without mine. But if you don't shoot much or don't care to shoot more than one animal at a time. Maybe you don't need one. I usually shoot a lot of hogs and when I use my suppressed rifles I usually average 5+ hogs per group on a good day where before I was lucky to get 3. They sometimes end up running toward me after my first shot, because they don't know where the sound came from which is great for my purpose. Not to mention i shoot outside 90% of the time so suppressors do a much better job in the wide open. The fact that they reduce recoil, sound, and flash is a no brainer for me and all the things I shoot personally.

 

[Ericbender]

After running one on my 6.5 Grendel I’m looking to thread all my barrels for one.

 

[jpc01101]

In Africa our PH had a .30-06 with a 10” suppressor on it and it tamed that gun down to about a 6mm equivalent. My 8 year old shot it and actually mentioned how little recoil it had. I was already a suppressor guy but that sold me even more. Helped my Dad take the barrel off of an old Sako .338 WM he had to send to be threaded just last night. A can will take the edge off of that gun nicely I’m guessing. He will use it to shoot a Cape Buffalo in 2 years!

 

[Nwernig]

The only problem I have with suppressors is That I didn't by some earlier.
They really help with younger shooters byt taming the noise some and reducing recoil. My son does not prefer to shoot without one

 

[Gr8bawana]

Going deafs manly to boomers. Noted.