DeadAir Mask or Silenerco Switchback

[Texasgrillchef]

i have a 22lr rifle 22” barrel.
This suppressor would only be used on that gun.

Maybe just maybe it might be used on a 22 mag semi auto rifle in the future.

Which suppressor would you choose and why?

My local store has both for $399 each.

 

[Spats McGee]

I have zero experience with the Silencerco Switchback. Nothing, nada, neverevenheldone. I have a Dead Air Mask, though, and it rocks! When I load my Ruger American Rimfire with subsonic ammo and run it through the Mask, it's quieter than my pellet gun. No joke.

Here's a video that I like:

 

[Gtscotty]

The Mask is pretty widely acknowledged as the rimfire can to beat as long as you aren't going for ultra-light or modular.

The Switchback has 4 different configuration options, which is kind of interesting. The mid length configuration is surprisingly quiet on a rifle, given its length and weight. The only bad I've heard about the Switchback is mumurs of accuracy issues when set up in it's super quiet "rifle optimized" configuration.

I already have a Sparrow SS, which does very well on rifles (some FRP on pistols). It's hard for me to justify a Mask since it won't be any quieter on rifles and that's most of what I shoot, but I have been looking at the Rugged Oculus 22 lately. The Oculus has a short configuration that I think would be handy on a hunting rifle, and even though it's all 17-4PH SS, it's not too heavy at 6.9 oz full length and 4.3 oz short length. The Oculus also meters right with the Mask and is supposed to have low FRP on pistols

https://ruggedsuppressors.com/product/oculus-22/



Supressed Nation also has some rimfire metering videos you might be interested in:

 

[Theohazard]

The Switchback seems cool, but I’d never use the modularity because of the lead build-up. Rimfire silencers get really dirty with lead, and when you take them apart that lead gets everywhere. I have young children, so I never take apart my Mask except every once in a while under extremely controlled conditions. If I had a Switchback I’d almost never use the modularity feature because I wouldn’t want to get lead everywhere.

 

[greyling22]

I'm with theohazzard, I'd never take the switchback down to a shorter configuration. I never feel the length or weight of the mask I have on the end of my guns, so why sacrifice performance for no tangible benefit to me. Now, if it outperforms the other 2 by a large margin, I wouldn't mind dealing with it.

That said, I've watched the disassembly videos for the switchback and rugged oculus, and there are a lot of screw together pieces. After having my mask for a couple years, I'm of the opinion that the fewer threaded portions the better. They get crudded up, get stuck, are hard to clean, I just tend to look at modularity in a 22 as more a bug than a feature. YMMV. In fact, the standoffs on the mask make a compelling argument for it over the oculus. I don't think you can really go wrond with any of them, but if I was buying today, I think i'd still go with the mask due to having zero complaints about performance, ease of maintenance, and honestly, I like the looks of it better than the ruggend and switchback. They're pretty busy.

I do highly recommned the gemtech QD mount for whatever can you get. I'm cheap, but I cannot recommend it enough. I finally sprung for it after I got my mask stuck on the 10/22 pretty early on and I have no regrets. It adds about an inch and an ounce or 2, but I don't feel it. But I switch 22 hosts a lot. You may not have that issue. (a suppressed 22 pistol is stupid fun. stupid stupid fun.......)

 

[waterhouse]

I have both. Like others have mentioned, I don’t use the “modularity” of the switchback, I just leave it in the “rifle optimized” setting.

I don’t have a sound meter. The switchback sounds slightly quieter on a rifle, mask sounds slightly better on a pistol.

I’d be happy with either. Honestly I think the mask looks better, so if I was only buying one it would be the mask just based on appearance. Sound wise they are close enough to not really notice.

To throw a wrench in your gears, the TBAC take down is also very nice if your dealer has them.

 

[Englishmn]

I have a mask and like it.