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.

 

[Shedking]

I have no idea I have never owned one. I feel like I want one but always end up buying another rifle or more ammo instead.
I have shot a few guns with cans now and they seem pretty cool. Eventually I will end up getting one. The biggest reason I don’t own yet is most of my rifles are 24-26 barrels already so I don’t really want to add to that.
Also don’t want to have to rework up loads?

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I bought one 2 years ago. Now I have 5. If you can find a reason to talk yourself out of them, or make yourself think they’re overrated, don’t ever buy one. It’ll save you thousands of dollars.

 

[brockel]

I have no idea I have never owned one. I feel like I want one but always end up buying another rifle or more ammo instead.
I have shot a few guns with cans now and they seem pretty cool. Eventually I will end up getting one. The biggest reason I don’t own yet is most of my rifles are 24-26 barrels already so I don’t really want to add to that.
Also don’t want to have to rework up loads?

I’d sell guns that I have to fund a suppressor. I won’t shoot without one anymore. Neither will my kids. I wish I had one 20 years ago maybe my hearing wouldn’t be shot

 

[mtmuley]

I’d sell guns that I have to fund a suppressor. I won’t shoot without one anymore. Neither will my kids. I wish I had one 20 years ago maybe my hearing wouldn’t be shot

My hearing didn't go to shit from shooting firearms. Any repeated loud noises do it. I get the reduced noise of a suppressor. But they aren't for everyone. mtmuley

 

[brockel]

My hearing didn't go to shit from shooting firearms. Any repeated loud noises do it. I get the reduced noise of a suppressor. But they aren't for everyone. mtmuley

I promise you mine did. That’s why my left is WAY worse than my right

 

[mtmuley]

I promise you mine did. That’s why my left is WAY worse than my right

A framing gun shot almost 1000 times a day did it. I wore plugs shooting guns. Bad choice. mtmuley

 

[brymoore]

A framing gun shot almost 1000 times a day did it. I wore plugs shooting guns. Bad choice. mtmuley

Shooting didn’t help my hearing but neither did all the engine noises that started when I was young and have continued - chainsaws, splitters, tractors, weedeaters, lawnmowers, etc.

 

[mevertsen]

I'm not sure if they're overrated or not.

Problem is, the decible reduction doesnt make most supersonic guns truly hearing safe. I've shot with short barrels and supersonic. I didn’t feel it was a difference compared to muffs or plugs.

 

[brockel]

I'm not sure if they're overrated or not.

Problem is, the decible reduction doesnt make most supersonic guns truly hearing safe. I've shot with short barrels and supersonic. I didn’t feel it was a difference compared to muffs or plugs.

But are you remembering to put muffs or plugs in while hunting? I struggled with that part

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I never did much plinking with my hunting rifle - shot 300 mags for about 30 years. Shooting is way fun now. I have 3 suppressors on .22 rimfires, those are the ultimate fun. I shoot a lot more with centerfires as is so pleasant without the blast with each shot.

Suppresses rifles will just cost you money. Trust me. You’ll buy one for almost all your rifles and shoot quadruple what you used to. Don’t use them, save some money. Overrated.

 

[mevertsen]

But are you remembering to put muffs or plugs in while hunting? I struggled with that part

I've been doing it much more lately than in the past. E muffs are pretty cool.

Of course it helps if you don't kill much.

Haha.

 

[mtmuley]

I never did much plinking with my hunting rifle - shot 300 mags for about 30 years. Shooting is way fun now. I have 3 suppressors on .22 rimfires, those are the ultimate fun. I shoot a lot more with centerfires as is so pleasant without the blast with each shot.

Suppresses rides will just cost you money. Trust me. You’ll buy one for almost all your rifles and shoot quadruple what you used to. Don’t use them, save some money. Overrated.

My budget says ear plugs or muffs. mtmuley