Silencers - Why?

[1948CJ2A]

If you bought a new firearm, and did paperwork, you're already on a list.

I assume you're referring to the 4473 form? That paperwork only exists on record with the dealer used for the transaction (20 years for completed transactions, 5 years for denied/cancelled transactions). It can be queried by LE in the instance of investigating a crime but otherwise falls under the Privacy Act of 1974.

Now, is it possible for the government to go to every FFL across the nation and request a copy of the forms? Sure I guess anything is possible... but not trying to dive into deep hypotheticals here.

On the other hand, applying for a C&R FFL requires you notifying local LE, maintaining a black book log of firearms that the ATF can come request to audit any time they want, amidst some other requirements. Does applying for an NFA/Class III stamp hold pretty much the same requirements as a C&R FFL? I understand there's going to be some differences but honestly curious. I slightly looked into it once but that was several years ago.

I had a co-worker some years back who had an FFL. He operated a gun business out of his house on the side. He told me the ATF came to his house one year on Christmas Eve to audit his records. No joke, Christmas Eve! He said he had family over and had to pretty much stop what he was doing and deal with 2 ATF agents at his front door.

 

[bearcreek]

I personally don't own a suppressor. I have no use for one. My home defense firearms are a 9mm subgun and a full-sized 40 S&W pistol. Hearing damage from either one if pressed into service is negligible.

Hearing damage would be significant, not negligible. Have you ever fired a handgun in a hallway or inside a small room?

 

[mavracer]

That does not seem a wise course of action, as far as long term hearing damage. At least for centerfire rifle.

That's painting with a pretty broad brush.
There's this strange disconnect that people who don't have much experience actually shooting suppressed have about Db at the muzzle vs Db at the ear vs Db of the supersonic crack.
Even the supersonic crack itself isn't a cut and dry thing the shape and diameter of the bullet and how much it breaks the barrier can make a huge difference. A 10mm flat point that just barely goes supersonic is more offensive than a pointy 22 at 3000 fps. And the crack isn't exactly at the shooters ear it's out. In front of the gun.
Also there's a significant difference in sound pressure in "centerfire rifles" a 24" barreled 223 isn't terrible with just some plugs wack 8" off and make it a 308 or something larger and I'm reaching for muffs to put over the plugs.
A suppressor is just another layer of protection.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned that I find an absolute fantastic help from a suppressor is training a child, with a 22 bolt and a good suppressor you can instruct in a normal voice without having to deal with muffs and plugs.

 

[marksman13]

That does not seem a wise course of action, as far as long term hearing damage. At least for centerfire rifle.

The OP never said anyone was making him buy one.

I’m not burning through hundreds of rounds on a range trip. Hearing safe is hearing safe, especially for the 20-30 rounds I’m pushing in a normal range trip or the 10-25 rounds I’m burning on a pig hunting trip. The one round I generally fire on a deer hunt certainly isn’t hurting my hearing when it is suppressed. Can’t say the same about an unsuppressed rifle.

 

[tallpaul]

Easier to own? While there is a tax before you take possession, owning a silencer is as easy as owning any other firearm.
You can easily find rimfire silencer for under $250. Or make your own.

well I would not consider filling out the nfa paperwork and getting photos-submitting it all and waiting moths the years and paying a 200.00 tax as easy as owning/buying any other firearm....

 

[tallpaul]

why own- because it is safer n more polite to the surrounding area and it is really no reason to be telling people a mile or two away that ya are shooting.... and they are fun.

 

[AK Hunter]

I like that other people like them but I would never buy one because from what I have heard from the others shooting with a suppressor on I would still need my hearing protection on. So what really is the use?
I have a muffler in my vehicles to quiet the exhaust noise to the point that ear protection in not needed. So until they can make a can that quiets full sized rifle gunfire shooting supers to the point I don't need ear protection, the suppressor is nothing more than a rich boys toy or bragging rights.

 

[trackskippy]

I like that other people like them but I would never buy one because from what I have heard from the others shooting with a suppressor on I would still need my hearing protection on. So what really is the use?
I have a muffler in my vehicles to quiet the exhaust noise to the point that ear protection in not needed. So until they can make a can that quiets full sized rifle gunfire shooting supers to the point I don't need ear protection, the suppressor is nothing more than a rich boys toy or bragging rights.

Spoken like someone who doenst have a clue.

And if you go back and read and educate yourself, they do quiet full sized rifle gunfire to the point you don't need ear protection.

And whos rich and bragging? Im on a fixed income at this point, and over the years, have never made the money a lot of people I know or knew made, in fact, I was the poorest fella in the crowd of shooters I used to run around with, but I always figured out a way to have things like machineguns, suppressors, any of the guns I was really interested in, and buy all the ammo to feed all of them every week. If you want to do something, you figure out a way to get it done.

Or you whine about how others are special or better off than you, and stay where you're at, wishing and bitchin.

As I said before, there is a way (or so we are told anyway) that we can stop all this government interference with our rights and buy what we want, at real, as opposed to artificially inflated prices, and do what we please, but its going to take more than whining, wishing, and complaining. And from what Ive seen all these years, most arent willing to do anything but that.

 

[AK Hunter]

And if you go back and read and educate yourself, they do quiet full sized rifle gunfire to the point you don't need ear protection.

Like I said before I belong to a large club gun range with a lot of shooters using suppressors none of the shooters using them are quiet enough to go without hearing protection, if they were that quiet I would think someone would own one. Just the fact that supers will make a noise even after going through a suppressor loud enough to have the need for ear protection. The only exception to this is the .22lr shooters & there is no way I would spend that much to use a can on a .22.
I'm sorry but I would have to say BS to this one.

 

[trackskippy]

I shoot both 10" and 16" AR's out of my carport with a suppressor (AAC M4-2000) on the guns with no hearing protection. I cant shoot a single 22 lr unsuppressed in the same spot without going deaf for a couple of days. My ears are shot as it is, and the suppressed 5.56 doesn't bother me at all, or even begin to be noticeable, at least until I start shooting 50+ rounds out of the gun. And even then, its not your typical deafness feeling, but just more of an ache and slightly deadened hearing.

AAC claims 95% reduction in "muzzle blast" with that suppressor, and I don't think they are too far off. There is basically no muzzle blast. I assume most of the others arent too far off that rating either, if you're using the propper can for the caliber.

If I use my sons 30 caliber equivalent of the M4-2000 on one of my 5.56's, its even quieter than the 5.56 specific can.

All that said, I do still wear hearing protection most of the time when Im shooting in practice, simply because I already have a lot of hearing loss, wear hearing aids on both ears, and want to keep what hearing I have left for as long as I can.

 

[BreechFace]

I'll pop a few rounds off in a suppressed 5.56 when NOT under cover without muffs. Any more than that and muffs go on. Shooting 5.56 suppressed is not hearing safe, is it better than without, of course.

Hence, the reason "silencer" is a stupid name for a suppressor, especially on the patent of the first.

 

[Nature Boy]

I don’t understand the derision heaped on doing something because it’s cool. What’s wrong with that? I own quite a few things because I think they’re cool. If there’s a practical advantage, plus a cool factor, all the better.

It’s a hobby folks.

 

[mavracer]

Just the fact that supers will make a noise even after going through a suppressor loud enough to have the need for ear protection.

Perception is a funny thing much like hearing a gunshot 1/2 mile away your brain says omg that's loud but the actual sound pressure at the ear is safe.
The crack of the bullet is in the low 130 Db range but you'd need to be down range close to the path of the bullet to be at that level.
I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears (pun absolutely intended) but watch a couple videos showing a bolt or other manual action where they have multiple metering locations and note the difference between "at the ear" and "to the side" measurement.

 

[Justin]

Lingo...it always be a changin.

How about:
Unloudener
Quieturrrrrr
ShushTube
Decibal Inhibitor

Whisper Pickle.

 

[Trey Veston]

Hearing damage would be significant, not negligible. Have you ever fired a handgun in a hallway or inside a small room?

Yes I have. With ear protection.

Going through the expense and hassle of equipping all of my firearms that could possibly be used in self-defense in the home due to possible hearing damage is akin to driving around with a helmet on inside of my truck. Or wearing a life jacket every time it rains.

The odds of actually having to use a firearm in the home, and that use leading to permanent hearing damage, are pretty much infinitesimal.

 

[Justin]

Just the fact that supers will make a noise even after going through a suppressor loud enough to have the need for ear protection.

The bullet is still supersonic after leaving the barrel/suppressor. The suppressor can't dampen the noise generated by the bullet breaking the sound barrier after it's left the barrel.

If you don't want the sonic crack, you'll have to shoot subsonic bullets.

 

[dogtown tom]

well I would not consider filling out the nfa paperwork and getting photos-submitting it all and waiting moths the years and paying a 200.00 tax as easy as owning/buying any other firearm....

Read what I wrote....it wasn't about BUYING, but OWNING.
Some people have the misconception that you pay that $200 tax every year.

Again, OWNING a silencer is exactly like any other firearm.

 

[dogtown tom]

Mine cost almost that with the $200.00 tax included. Silencer Central. Kind if a waste of money for me. I have a home range so no Neighbor complaints. If I'm shooting .22 Quiet in a rifle it's the same as suppressed. .22 pistols are pretty quiet firing CCI suppressor ammunition bit standard velocity or high velocity give a good crack! I wouldn't buy it again.View attachment 1196899

What rimfire silencer is that?
If you paid more than $500.........you should of bought elsewhere. I don't think I;ve ever sold or transferred a rimfire silencer that cost $500.

 

[1948CJ2A]

Again, OWNING a silencer is exactly like any other firearm.

Can you sell a firearm with a silencer in a FTF transfer?

 

[dogtown tom]

I think 95% it’s the “cool factor.”

Only to those who don't own one.
You justify YOUR lack of a silencer by belittling others.

Summed up as “hey, I paid hundreds of dollars for this and want to use it. Also I’m in the elite club of those who own NFA stuff. Also I have this thing prominently featured in video games and movies attached to my gun.”

"Elite club"?
You need to get out more. There is nothing more "unelite" than NFA firearms, with the exception of transferrable machine guns.
Silencer are soooooooooo elite......like more than 3,000,000 as of last year. Yup, pretty exclusive club right there.

The other 5% are thinking “if I don’t practice with my exact setup I can’t condition myself for success.” Or “I need to make sure my POA doesn’t shift.” Or “Realistically I will probably reduce my decibel exposure by a percentage, if I use my own suppressor even if most others aren’t using theirs, and hearing is good so I will do my bit for my health and that of my neighbors.”

Sure.

 

[dogtown tom]

If you bought a new firearm, and did paperwork, you're already on a list.

If you have a Social Security Number. you are on a list.

 

[dogtown tom]

I asked the same question on another forum and was met with mostly insults and circular logic.

Asking "Silencer-Why?" isn't a genuine question, its trolling. If the reason for purchasing a silencer isn't readily apparent, it takes under a minute to Google the "Why?".

It's a silly as "Guns- Why?", "High capacity magazines- Why" or "Comcealed Carry- Why?"

Some folks have legitimate reasons for using suppressors.

No sir. EVERONE has a legitimate reason for using silencers. It's called freedom.
While that use may not meet your strict criteria for "legitimate" it sure as heck meets mine.

I don't shoot black powder, Bond Arms derringers, Hi Point guns, or .454 Casull SA revolvers. I also don't judge those that do as "legitimate" users.

I'd say that 80% of suppressors are the result of owners wanting to look cool, or impress their friends. No rational reason for the cost and physical negatives of adding so much bulk and length to a firearm for most users.

Based on my silencer sales over the last decade I would say thats one of the most ignorant comments Ive read on THR.

I personally don't own a suppressor. I have no use for one. My home defense firearms are a 9mm subgun and a full-sized 40 S&W pistol. Hearing damage from either one if pressed into service is negligible.

You need to read up on what causes hearing loss.

I also own my own private outdoor range. No neighbors for half a mile.

You don't hunt? I do. I don't hunt squirrels with a silencer because it might disturb the neighbors, but because it lets me shoot more squirrels. Dang, I thought everyone knew that.

I suspect that most folks are just fine with no suppressor and some quality hearing protection for 99% of their shooting.

For sure, but squirrels, feral hogs, prairie dogs and coons absolutely hate wearing any kind of "quality hearing protection". The squirrels keep pulling them out and burying them.

 

[dogtown tom]

The trade off in weight and length on a hunting rifle just isn’t worth it. For A dedicated range rifle, sure I can get on board with it. It seems like the same crowd who demand that a short action rifle cartridge is the only way to go, are tho first ones to grab a full length action Tikka chambered in a short action cartridge and screw on 5-7” of suppressor. With that logic, it just may be about being part of the Kuiu club.

Try hunting feral hogs with a Tikka without silencer.......you'll get one.
Try hunting feral hogs with a silencer equipped AR15 and you'll get a dozen before they scatter.....some will run toward you because a silencer also helps disguise the location of the shooter.

 

[NeverEnoughFDE]

Why aren't silencers now made eccentric so you can see regular sights?

I have an Odessa 9 in jail for that reason. Should be able to use standard height sights with it

 

[irishlad]

They make me smile every time I use them. My ears appreciate them too.