A suppressor is held in high regard by many gun enthusiasts. If you’re a hunting aficionado that loves the quiet and calm provided by suppressors on your rifle, the right suppressor from Elevated Gunworks can make all the difference, giving you an enjoyable hunting experience. However, almost every gun owner knows the hassles involved in owning a suppressor. It involves a lot of paperwork and waiting time, sometimes up to a year. This is all thanks to bureaucracies of the National Firearms Act (NFA) and all other such processes in between.
All such processes come before you’ve even gotten to the business end of things; deciding on the type of suppressor you’d like to purchase. This guide will help you to identify what kind of suppressor is ideal for your weapon.
The main purpose of a suppressor is for minimizing noise or muzzle flash. As such, you’ll have to consider your needs as you go suppressor shopping. Below are the main tips to help guide your purchasing decision.
1)The Type of Firearm You Possess
Unlike in the movies, no one type of suppressor is considered universal; every firearm requires a suppressor of certain specifications. While some suppressors are compatible with several firearm models, those are the exceptions. Knowing this is crucial. The last thing you want is to screw whatever suppressor you come across on your rifle.
The volume of gas produced during the firing action of a firearm is one of several physical properties that determine what kind of suppressor will be ideal. A suppressor’s ability to handle the gas volume produced in the barrel during firing is key. For example, two rifles of different models could be able to utilize the same bullet size. However, their cartridges may produce markedly different gas volumes upon firing. The larger the firearm cartridge, the larger the ideal suppressor required. Similarly, a semi-automatic weapon that fires rapidly can also have specific suppressors designed to handle the high number of bullets fired within a short time.
2) Whether or Not Your Firearm is Suppressor-Ready
Not all weapons leave the manufacturer’s facility fully configured for suppressor attachment. This is something to keep in mind as you shop for a suppressor.
If your firearm is not already threaded for suppressor attachment, you’ll have to seek the services of a gunsmith. Of course, the length of the exposed barrel is a crucial factor. Handguns like pistols don’t have much of an exposed barrel. In such cases, you’ll simply have to go with the kind of suppressor the handgun’s manufacturer recommends.
If your firearm is a rifle with a long barrel, a gunsmith can help with the necessary threading to fit a suppressor of your choice, other factors like barrel gas volume notwithstanding.
3) Your Budget
Suppressors come in different sizes and specifications, meaning different prices. For a basic one, you can expect to part with about $200. If you want something more high-end, it can cost as high as $2000.
Your expectations also play a key role here. For example, do you favor sound reduction over being light or vice versa? Some high-end suppressors have remarkable sound reduction capabilities, muting the sound of a shot fired to almost infrasonic levels.
If you’re a gun aficionado that just wants to have fun on the gun range, you may not mind how heavy a suppressor is. However, someone that wants a suppressor for a hunting rifle will be very conscious of weight while being mindful of the degree of noise reduction too.
Suppressors that require an additional mount can fit on a range of rifles, making them more expensive than those that can fit on direct, thread-on models.
4) Where You’ll Buy the Suppressor From
Ironically, numerous gun shops aren’t authorized to sell suppressors. Dealing in suppressors requires a Class III Federal Firearms License.
There are now online shops that sell suppressors; you can purchase one there and have it shipped to a licensed dealer. Such a dealer will typically charge you a fee, given that the suppressor wasn’t part of their inventory. It’s always best to be aware of the local gun dealers in your area and whether or not they’re licensed to sell suppressors. This ensures that you’ll know if you have to get one from out of state.
These are the main tips to keep in mind when shopping for a suppressor. Some gunsmiths have mastered the art of making customized suppressors. Always ensure that such a gunsmith is licensed before dealing with them. This protects you legally. Of course, going through the paperwork and other processes of getting your suppressor can take long; you’ll have to be patient as all the legal requirements are met.
