Which scenario would you start with

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greyling22

greyling22

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So, I've got an AR-15, a bull barrel ruger mkii, and a standard contour ruger 10/22. I will probably end up silencing all 3, but I can't swing the $$ right now. Which route do you think would be most entertaining/gratifying to go first:

1) suppress the ar-15. supposedly it turns it into 22LR noise levels.
2) thread and suppress the 22's.

by the time I thread the 22's it's about the same money either way I go.
 
Definitely the 22. A suppressed 223 is still loud. As long as you use subsonic 22lr ammo or the barrel is short enough to keep it subsonic the 22lr will be about as quiet as it gets.

Have you heard a suppressed gun before? See if you can hear some demos before you buy.

Also, don't cheap out on a suppressor. Buy quality the first time, it's a lifetime purchase.


Not mine but here are some examples. The AR-15 is still pretty loud due to the sonic crack, not hearing safe in my opinion.

AR-15
10/22
 
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There are a few .223 suppressors that break down for cleaning, and thus are approved for use on a .22lr. Perhaps consider one of those. That way, one tax stamp satisfies all your applications that you mentioned. Additionally, the AR and the .22's should all be 1/2x28 thread, further facilitating your use of one suppressor for all 3.
 
While that's an option you would most likely have a very heavy 22lr suppressor and a mediocre 5.56 suppressor. There are suppressors that work on multiple calibers but not usually shared between a pistol and rifle calibers.

The OP will need to decide on his priorities (sound suppression, weight, length, quick detach, etc.). Personally I would rather get what I want the first time then have to go through the nfa process a second time. There's not really a used market for suppressors so you can't recoup the costs if it's not something you want.
 
Hmm. My first can was for my AR-15, but in retrospect, I should have done one of the .22LRs first. The AR is still pretty loud to shoot without hearing protection, and you have to deal with the gas blowback - in other words, it's not all that much fun to shoot. The .22LR, rifle or pistol, will probably see a lot more use.

-C
 
I was always of the assumption that the AR-15 firing a .223 round was loud even with a suppressor because of the sonic boom, but I've seen enough in action with suppressors to say that there definitely is a big difference. I think they are worth the purchase, it does quiet it quite a bit, but it is still loud. I don't know how to explain it any better. Probably like less than half the noise. It doesn't spook game or prairie dogs nearly as much. It's kind of like an unsilenced .22lr rifle firing Stingers or some other hot .22lr round, maybe like a .22mag rifle, it's been several years since I heard them.
 
Thanks for the opinions guys. I agree with you that doing it right the first time and trying to hear them before buying anything is the way to go. I'm trying to get in touch with a guy I kind of know who has both to hear them in person. I figured that even suppressed, the AR needs to be shot with ears. It's just so blasted loud right now I'd never consider taking it hog hunting where I might have to shoot without ears, and even with the ears the muzzle blast makes me flinchy.

So it sounds like the 22 is the way to go then. That said, if I'm going to run one on 2 guns, is a QD mount needed? I don't mind threaded the thing on an off unless I'm going to ruin it doing so.
 
Regular 1/2x28 threads will be fine for a .22 can. I've got .22 and .223 cans. The .22 definitely gets used more - it's quieter and ammo is cheaper.
 
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