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If you’re like many other modern gun owners, you might see all the current news stories about suppressors and start to wonder what the big deal is with these muzzle devices. While they’ve been a topic of conversation for years, in recent days, suppressors have become even more popular because you no longer have to pay for a tax stamp for each one, with many people looking to get one for the first time. However, suppressors are a bit more complicated to shop for compared to other gun parts, as they are made for specific caliber ranges, which might not match exactly with the caliber of your firearm. Thankfully, with a little bit of help, you can understand all the basic info about suppressors so that you can make an informed decision on your next purchase. Here is everything you need to know about how suppressors work, how to pick the proper size and caliber, and more.
What Is a Suppressor?
Also commonly known as a silencer, a firearm suppressor is a muzzle device that aims to reduce the report of a firearm when you shoot a bullet. However, unlike the common name given to these devices, a suppressor does not “silence” your shots. Instead, it works by utilizing baffles inside the suppressor tube that trap the gases released when you fire a bullet, preventing them from being expelled from the end of the barrel all at once. This process can significantly reduce the overall report of your firearm, especially when you pair it with subsonic ammo, but it is still extremely loud, so you should still wear hearing protection whenever you’re shooting. But by reducing the noise of each shot, you get some other benefits that can’t be understated. For example, a suppressor is often most useful in tactical situations where maintaining subtlety and operational security is paramount, as it helps keep your position hidden for as long as possible. Owning a suppressor is also an excellent upgrade for civilian shooters, particularly when it comes to hunting and land management, as trying to clear out a group of predators or varmints is difficult when the first shot is so loud it spooks the rest of them. It's also beneficial for people who love to practice and shoot at the range. This is because the most annoying part of shooting firearms is how loud they are, and any reduction in the volume is beneficial for both you and everyone nearby. This is especially true for high-volume shooters, as regularly using a suppressor can help prevent tinnitus from developing.
How Do Suppressor Sizes Work?
Simply put, the caliber you see on a suppressor doesn’t usually match the exact caliber of your firearm, which can be confusing at first for people who have never purchased one before. This is due to the fact that suppressors use the bore size as their defining metric, allowing each suppressor to fit a range of calibers rather than a specific one. For example, you might see a suppressor listed as .30 caliber but not have any guns that are specifically chambered in .30 caliber. That doesn’t mean that the suppressor is useless to you; instead, it means that you can use that suppressor with any cartridge with a diameter at or below 0.308 inches. When you look at it like this, a .30 caliber suppressor is useful for a wide range of the most common rifle calibers, including .223 Remington, 7.62x39mm, 300 Blackout, and more. If most of your firearms are below the caliber size of your suppressor, then you can easily switch it between your guns for whichever one you are planning to shoot. However, one thing to keep in mind is that a suppressor that is made for a much larger caliber than what you are shooting will not be as effective because it doesn’t have as tight of a seal around the barrel, preventing it from properly trapping the gases. Trying to use a larger caliber than a suppressor is rated for results in a baffle strike, where the bullet hits the internal baffles and usually damages the device to the point where it no longer works.
There is one other consideration when it comes to suppressor ratings, and that has to do with the pressure each one is rated to withstand. Specifically, you should never use a suppressor that is designed for rimfire cartridges, such as .22 LR, on a firearm that shoots centerfire rounds. This is because centerfire cartridges have much more pressure than rimfire rounds, potentially causing a catastrophic failure of the suppressor. Thankfully, this isn’t as big of a concern as shooting the wrong size bullet through a suppressor, as there are relatively few rimfire cartridges compared to centerfire in modern ammo.
Here is a quick rundown on the most common suppressor bore sizes and the calibers or firearms they are designed to work with:
- .22 Rimfire: As mentioned above, suppressors designed for rimfire cartridges should only be used in this way. This size works for 22 LR, 22 WMR, and .17 HMR.
- 9mm: This is one of the rare cases where the bore size accurately matches the caliber you’re likely to use, as 9mm is so common in shooting. You can use this size suppressor for standard 9mm rounds, as well as smaller pistol rounds like .380 ACP and 38 Auto.
- 5.56 NATO/.223: These suppressors are often designed specifically for AR15s and can accept centerfire rifle rounds that are .22 caliber or below. Generally, this is limited to 5.56 NATO ammo and .223 Remington.
- .30 Caliber: This is the most broad category, as many of the most popular rifle calibers fall under this bore size. From 7.62 NATO rounds to 300 Blackout, 6.5 Creedmoor, and many more, this is often the best size to get as your first suppressor, as there is a higher chance you can use it on several firearms.
- .45 to .46 Caliber: This is the big bore of suppressors, and it is designed to take care of nearly everything that doesn’t work with a .30 caliber model. Some popular firearm calibers that are suitable for this bore size are .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 10mm, and .45-70 Government.
Is It Legal to Own a Suppressor?
This question is a bit more complicated, especially with the laws surrounding suppressors seemingly changing by the week. However, as of the time of writing this article, suppressors are legal to own in 42 states. That does not mean that the process of getting a suppressor is the same in all 42 states, and in fact, the process can vary greatly. For example, prior to 2026, you were required to pay for a tax stamp on all suppressors before you could own one. While this is no longer the case, it’s representative of the sweeping changes that are currently going on with regard to suppressors and the National Firearms Act (NFA) as a whole. Additionally, there are current court cases challenging whether a customer needs to file a Form 4 with the ATF before purchasing one. All of this is to say that it is generally legal to own a suppressor, but you must fully research your local and state laws before trying to purchase one. Some states require you to file a Form 4 and get ATF approval, some states only require a standard background check like purchasing a firearm, and still other states prohibit silencers entirely. If it is legal to own a suppressor where you live, check out our How to Order a Suppressor at OpticsPlanet guide to get started on your purchase immediately!
Suppress Your Firearm & Maximize Your Savings at OpticsPlanet!
When it comes to upgrading your favorite firearms, you can’t go wrong with shopping at OpticsPlanet! We strive to offer everything you need to turn an old favorite firearm into a updated, competition-ready gun that you can be proud of! Or, you can build a brand new platform from the ground up with our AR15 upper receivers, lower parts kits, and more. For suppressors, check out some of our most popular brands, including Whisperstrike and RR Weapons today!
