.22 Barrel Length for Suppressor

[lions]

I am trying to find the ideal setup for me to suppress a .22 pistol. I am going to get a Ruger 22/45 MKIII but need to decide on either a 4" or 5.5" bbl. Subsonic ammo is really hard for me to find where I live so I would like to know about using either standard velocity ammo or possibly high velocity ammo.

My thinking is that even though the ammo may not be called subsonic it might still end up being subsonic because of the shorter barrels.
1. Will standard velocity ammo be subsonic out of a 4" bbl? What about 5.5"?
2. Will high velocity ammo be subsonic out of a 4" bbl? What about 5.5"?
3. Is there any other reason to go with one over the other?

90% of the ammo around me is high velocity and so is 100% of my stockpile. (Federal 550 Value Pack 36gr copper plated HP High Velocity) If I can use that ammo with good results I would prefer to do so. I can occasionally find standard velocity. I know I can buy whatever on the internet but would prefer not to.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Prince Yamato]

4.5" is the maximum you want for standard or high velocity ammo to not go subsonic out of your barrel. I have two .22 pistols running on an AAC Pilot. A Browning Buck Mark with a 4" Tac Sol barrel and a Walther p22 with the 3.5inch barrel. I can shoot standard or high velocity ammo out of either and with the can on, it's still quiet. IOW, the Walmart 500 packs are all subsonic out of a 4.5" or less barrel.

Subsonic ammo will still be a little quieter out of your can, but I don't think it makes THAT much of a difference. The quietest you can shoot is the Aquila Colibri, which is primer only with no powder. It won't cycle your slide, but it will sound quieter than a pellet gun.

 

[lions]

Thank you very much, it looks like I will go with the 4" barrel.

 

[pak29]

It sounds like you got some help on the ammo question. As far as gun setups, you might be interested in this review of a commercial package for a Buckmark.

 

[lions]

Thanks pak29. At this point I'm pretty well sold on the Ruger but I can assure you that my brother will find that very interesting when he gets jealous of my suppressed Ruger.