Buying a Suppressor Without Breaking the Bank

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If there’s one thing we can all agree on in the world of shooting sports, it’s that just about every product in it comes with a hefty price tag. Even products deemed “cheap” often run in the low-hundreds.

Of course, it doesn’t take much to convince a firearm enthusiast or hunter to purchase a high-ticket item because of the long-term value. For this, we like to use the word investing.

We’re not buying a .22 rifle, we’re investing in making memories plinking with our kids. We’re not purchasing a hunting pack, we’re investing in hunting gear that helps stock the freezer. We’re not shopping for a long-range rifle, we’re investing in a tool that takes down big game from hundreds of yards away and, when cared for properly, will last a lifetime.

See where we’re going with this?

The same thing can be said with buying a suppressor—or rather—investing in a suppressor.

Benefits of Owning Suppressors

Suppressors are far from cheap, they even require a $200 Federal Tax Stamp on top of the cost of the suppressor itself. However, by investing in them, you go beyond dampening the decibels of gun shots. For example, you get…

More Hearing Protection

What’s better than standard hearing protection? Hearing protection that’s built-into your gun, that’s what! If you’ve ever been to a gun show, shooting competition, or outdoor tradeshow, you’ve likely seen a few individuals sporting hearing aids or folks speaking louder than necessary. If you can stave off irreparable hearing damage with the help of a suppressor, then we say they’re worth every penny.

Reduced Recoil

I think I can speak for a lot of gun owners when I say a reduction in recoil is welcome—especially for shooters of a smaller stature or those who may be experiencing chronic pain.

Enhanced Target Acquisition

On top of lowering recoil, shooting suppressed helps lower muzzle flinch which allows shooters to better stay on target.

Hidden Costs of Investing in a Suppressor

This isn’t exactly fun to talk about, but it’s necessary. As we mentioned earlier, there’s an automatic $200 Federal Tax Stamp required for literally every single suppressor you buy. Mind you, this tax stamp was enacted in 1934 and was not adjusted for inflation. If it were, suppressors would cost $4,726.75 a pop in today’s money. For all you thrifty folks out there, know that this could have been way worse.

Tax stamps aside, let’s hope you have threaded barrels in your firearms. No threading? That’s a trip to the gunsmith and that’ll cost you.

Next, there are suppressor accessories. You’ll have to ask yourself if your setup requires items like thread adapters, pistons, wraps, and other suppressor-related products. These too add up at the register.

Tip for Buying a Suppressor: Go Multi-Caliber

If you’re looking to stretch your dollar with a suppressor, the best route is to invest in one that can be used on a variety of different firearms and calibers. For example, 5.56/.223 ammo can go through a .30 caliber suppressor. Think about it, just one purchase can cover several bases.

Meet the BANISH 46

The BANISH 46 from Silencer Central is a perfect example of a multi-caliber suppressor. It can fit any rifle or pistol from .380 ACP to .45-70 Government. While it’s not exactly inexpensive at an MSRP of $1,249 (remember we’re investing here!), you can use this suppressor on more than one firearm and in more than one caliber. It sure beats buying one suppressor for each caliber and you probably don’t want the headache of buying a suppressor for each and every one of your guns.

The BANISH 46 is made of titanium and Inconel which creates a durable and lightweight suppressor. The BANISH 46 weighs in at 16.3 oz in the short configuration of 7.9 inches, and 20.4 oz in its 10-inch model. Shooters can choose from different mounting options including direct thread, a quick-detach muzzle brake attachment, or a Nielsen Device. 

The BANISH 46 easily disassembles to reconfigure as well as for cleaning. The titanium construction allows owners to clean the baffles in a tumbler, ultrasonic cleaner, or by hand.

BANISH 22: Perfect for Rimfire Fanatics

Also from Silencer Central comes the BANISH 22 suppressor. It’s designed for use with rimfire pistols and rifles chambered in .22 caliber and smaller. This includes .22 Hornet, .17HMR, and even 5.7×28. Wanna go full-auto? The BANISH 22 has you covered! 

The BANISH 22 is made of lightweight titanium, weighs only 4.1 oz, is 1 inch in diameter, and is 5 ⅜ inches long. It has the power to bring noise levels down to about 120 decibels, which is just 10 decibels more than a BB gun. If you’re looking for a suppressor that makes the dainty “Hollywood pew-pew” sound, you’ve come to the right place.  Lastly, at just $499 MSRP, you’re looking at the cost of less than a pair of Costco hearing aids.

All in all, if you weigh the benefits of owning a suppressor over the price, the scale tips in favor of the benefits. We encourage you to do your homework when buying investing in a suppressor. Be on the lookout for versatility, quality materials, and innovative engineering. When in doubt, contact the experts at SilencerCentral.com, not only will they help you choose the right suppressor for you, but they’ll guide you through the ATF approval process as well.