Selecting a suppressor

[krisw]

What factors are important to you? Decibel reduction? They seem to be around the same amount.
Price? Availability? Weight/length? Some other factor that I'm not really aware of? Interchangeability?

[Je3749]

Weight is a big one if you plan on doing alot of stalking with it.

[kcnatural]

X2 weight is a big deal there is a big felt difference when you are putting 10-24 ounces on the very end of your gun. Just as important to me is accuracy. It really depends on what type of gun you are putting it on.

[txpitdog]

Kinda trying to sort through this myself, but only as it relates to the Specwar 762. Seems a little big and heavy for a 300BO SBR, but I may end up using it on more than one rifle. I mainly want quiet and cleanable.

I'd really like to see some actual db measurements on the Griffin Optimus other than "yep that's quiet". Seems like the Optimus is a great concept.

[Mike D]

I just try to find the right mix of weight and suppression.

If you are only shooting on short or heavy barrels, weight is not as much of a factor.

Serviceable on a rifle caliber suppressor is not even a consideration for me. If I feel like it's dirty I can just throw it in the ultrasonic cleaner for a few minutes and it's done.

Pistol cans and especially rimfire cans should be serviceable because they are much dirtier than rifles unless you are shooting junk steel case Russian Ammo through them.

[krisw]

As of right now, the plan is to eventually get one for a .45acp, one for an sbr, a bolt rifle, a rimfire, maybe one for an ar. Two will most likely be fairly permanent.

[hoythitman]

It all depends on what you application is. If you just have one or two rifles with the same thread vs having 10 rifles with 3 different thread patterns. Also if you have semi auto or all bolt guns, mag caliber, all of those things play in.

Me personally I prefer titanium, quick detach, mag rated. I shopped a lot and went with SilencerCo Omega. Interchangeable end caps make it good for shooting .223 and 30 cal without the 223 being a lot louder than a designated 223 can would be. Length was another big part of my decision, I have a short rifle and don't want a 10" can on it. Its all going to be narrowing down what your needs are.

[acwirz]

I went with AAC on my first go around. The Ti30 cal. I've been very pleased with it.

[Dejashoot]

There are several newer suppressors that are shorter and lighter than what was available just a couple years ago. A .30 cal can will cover most rifle applications.

[stxhunter]

Everyone has their own reasons for buying a specific can.

My FIRST can was supposed to be my only rifle suppressor I purchased. At the time I hadn't done a whole lot of research, but knew I wanted something accurate and light weight. I didn't want a QD can because supposedly direct thread cans were the best for accuracy. Fortunately I made a good decision and settled on an SAS Arbiter titanium can. I thought to myself this will be the only rifle can I'll ever need for anything under a 300 win mag.

As time went on I decided I wanted a pistol can and knew I would probably only want one of those so I purchased a Octane 45HD. Which was another good choice and I don't really have complaints about it.

I also added 2 22lr cans and went with the spectre II due to it's reputation, sound suppression and durability.

As time went on several companies were making QD mounts that were much sturdier than previous offerings and accuracy was just as good with a QD mount as it was with a direct thread. I decided I wanted a QD suppressor and something that could handle any "abuse" I might throw at it that had excellent suppression. I settled on the Specwar 7.62. The suppression from the can is great and I really like the QD mount, but that sucker is VERY heavy compared to my Arbiter TI can.

SAS has now come out with a TOMB (thread over muzzle break) similar to TBAC and the ASR muzzle brake that I really like. This has me thinking I NEED one more can to complete my collection. Word has it that SAS is actually introducing a new can that's supposed to be quieter than their original Arbiter which really has me intrigued.

Each of the cans I've purchased has had an intended use in mind. However, after having purchased them and used them for a while my wants tend to change and a new niche needs to be filled by a different can.

It's always been "just one more suppressor" and the next one is always the last! Suppressors are VERY addicting, once you start shooting with them you really don't want to shoot without them!

[Avezorak]

My first can was a SAS Reaper Ti with T.O.M.B.
I got it because it was light and rated to 300 WM. My next will be Surefire.

[Horitexan]

For me, minimal POI shift and reputation for precision shooting was a big factor. The Precision Rifle Blog has done a survey for the past few years asking the top 100 precision shooters (in real-world, sniper/LR hunting style competition) what suppressor they run. Last year Thunderbeast was the most popular and this year Silencerco edged into the top spot with the Omega. Although the Thunderbeast Ultra came in at a very close 2nd.

Do you need a can that's full auto rated?? If you're going to do mag-dumps you will want full auto rating. The Omega IS full-auto rated and I think that may be the reason it overtook the TBAC Ultra.

As others have said, determine your needs and wants and start from there. Post them here and people can give you specific recommendations that will fit your needs. All the advice given so far has been spot-on.

[krisw]

For me, minimal POI shift and reputation for precision shooting was a big factor. The Precision Rifle Blog has done a survey for the past few years asking the top 100 precision shooters (in real-world, sniper/LR hunting style competition) what suppressor they run. Last year Thunderbeast was the most popular and this year Silencerco edged into the top spot with the Omega. Although the Thunderbeast Ultra came in at a very close 2nd.

Do you need a can that's full auto rated?? If you're going to do mag-dumps you will want full auto rating. The Omega IS full-auto rated and I think that may be the reason it overtook the TBAC Ultra.

As others have said, determine your needs and wants and start from there. Post them here and people can give you specific recommendations that will fit your needs. All the advice given so far has been spot-on.

The poi shift probably won't be a huge factor as long as the gun remains consistent with the suppressor on. Assuming, of course, we are talking about the the same thing. I really don't plan on shooting without one after I get them.

Do you have a link for the survey you mentioned?