Although suppressors are effective at protecting shooters' hearing and those nearby, the process of selling and purchasing them has always been complicated. Since these devices are regulated under the National Firearms Act, buyers have had to navigate extensive paperwork, bear long wait times and pay a $200 tax, above the cost of the suppressor.
But the situation has changed greatly in just the past few months, with Congress removing the tax on suppressors. Consequently, demand is likely to grow very quickly as gun owners who have never owned a suppressor start taking a more serious look.
That doesn’t mean, however, that suppressors will be an easy sell to any gun owner. The thing is, all gun owners should have a suppressor or two in their collection. Many who have never even considered owning one, just don’t realize it yet.
Getting Off the Fence
That makes it your job to help prospective suppressor buyers understand exactly what suppressors do, the protection they provide and why they need one. To do so, it’s important to understand and be able to explain why suppressor use is critical to hearing protection and range fun.
For those selling points, look no further than the American Suppressor Association (ASA), an advocacy group born out of the idea that all law-abiding citizens should be able to use suppressors to help protect their hearing. To make more suppressor sales during the coming increase in demand, share these four ASA “reasons for using a suppressor” with your customers.
Hearing Protection
Of course, hearing protection is first and foremost, and if you wonder why just ask avid shooters from my Baby Boomer generation. You won’t get an answer, though, because most have damaged hearing to the point you’ll have to repeat the question a time or two.
According to the ASA, suppressors reduce the noise of a gunshot by an average of 20 to 35 dB, which is roughly the same as earplugs or earmuffs. By decreasing the overall sound signature, suppressors help to preserve the hearing of recreational shooters, hunters and even hunting dogs that are often shot over. That’s why many countries, instead of tightly regulating suppressors, require them to be used.
Even the most effective suppressors, on the smallest and quietest calibers (.22 LR) reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to between 110 and 120 dB. To put that in perspective, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that is as loud as a jackhammer (110 dB) or an ambulance siren (120 dB). For normal caliber handguns and rifles, suppressed sound levels routinely exceed 130 dB, just shy of OSHA’s “hearing safe” threshold of 140 dB.
Safer Hunting
Hunters are likely to be a large portion of the increased demand, thanks to the $200 tax break recently afforded by Congress. Many are unaware that exposure to even a single unsuppressed gunshot can, and often does, lead to permanent hearing damage. Studies show that between 70 and 80% of hunters never wear earplugs or earmuffs for a variety of reasons. In fact, for every five years of hunting, hunters become 7% more likely to experience high-frequency hearing loss.
Traditional hearing protection devices (HPDs) like passive earplugs and earmuffs tremendously hinder users’ ability to hear their surroundings and localize sounds. Electronic hearing protection devices can help users detect sounds, but are limited in their ability to accurately localize noise sources. Consequently, a suppressor, either by itself or used with other hearing protection, can be a life changer.
Accuracy Considerations
Decreased accuracy caused by flinching in anticipation of the firearm discharge and recoil is one of the greatest killers of accurate shooting. Due to the way suppressors work — by containing the explosion of the gunpowder at the muzzle — suppressors reduce recoil. This helps decrease flinch and leads to improved accuracy, better shot placement and more humane hunts.
This also makes them great for introducing kids and new shooters to the shooting sports. A suppressor-equipped firearm is much easier to learn on without picking up any bad habits due to muzzle blast and recoil.
Noise Complaints
Last but not least, as urban development advances into rural areas, preexisting shooting ranges and hunting properties across the country are being threatened by noise complaints. State and local noise ordinances are also a tremendous hindrance to the development of new shooting facilities.
Ranges can reduce noise pollution by encouraging patrons to use suppressors in the 42 states where they are legal to own. Hunters in 40 states can do their part to moderate their sound footprint by suppressing their host firearm. The remaining states should enact pro-suppressor reforms to give hunters and recreational shooters the opportunity to become better neighbors and better stewards of the environment by giving them the right to use suppressors.
Five Good Cans
The Dead Air RXD30Ti combines the two-industry leading patented baffle technologies, Triskelion and Nomad, to deliver an ultralight suppressor that has integrated porting to drastically reduce felt recoil. The RXD30Ti was specifically designed for small to large game hunting and precision rifle shooting.
It ships with the new Direct Thread Brake Mount and RXD flash hiding front cap that helps reduce blast baffle erosion and muzzle flash, respectively. Overall length of the suppressor is 7.34 inches, diameter is 1.74 inches, weight is 12.4 ounces and caliber rating is 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win and up to 300 PRC. MSRP is $1,099.
HUXWRX’s Flow 9K Ti is made for pistols, pistol-caliber carbines (PCCs) and subguns. Exceptional performance in a compact design, the FLOW 9k Ti is lighter, quieter and more efficient than its predecessor, the RAD 9. Featuring hybridized Flow-Through technology, this superior 9mm suppressor is constructed entirely of Grade 5 titanium.
As HUXWRX's first fully 3D-printed pistol suppressor, the FLOW 9k Ti boasts exceptional durability and reliability and is optimal on PCC platforms. Weight is 4.8 ounces, length is 5.33 inches and diameter is 1.47 inches. The can ships with a 1/2x28 Booster Assembly and HUB Piston Adapter. MSRP is $849.
With its fully Mission Configurable design, advanced baffle geometry and HUB mount threads, the JK Armament 155 RPX .30cal. is ready to rock on all your favorite rifles and carbines. Super quiet and incredibly lightweight, the suppressor’s efficient baffles are bored to .36 caliber, so with just a quick end cap swap it can suppress 350 Legend, 338 ARC, 9mm pistols and carbines, and more.
In its micro configuration, this can is 3.3 inches long and weighs just 3.6 ounces. In its full configuration with all eight baffles, it’s still only 8.7 inches long and weighs just 11 ounces. MSRP is $849.
One for rimfire shooters seeking quieter time at the range or in the field, the SureFire SF RYDER 22-S is a lightweight, thread-on suppressor optimized for .17 HMR, .22LR and .22 Mag rimfire pistols and rifles. Built to exacting standards, it features a patented aluminum body with rounded ends and flutes for reduced weight without sacrificing strength
SureFire’s proprietary internal design reduces carbon buildup and keeps the suppressor clean longer. It’s also easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble when the need arises. This little suppressor weighs just over 5 ounces and measures only 5.4 inches long, MSRP is $529.
EOTECH has stepped into the suppressor market with the DCBL suppressor series in 5.56, 7.62, and 9mm PCC for professional users. Featuring a proprietary Breathable Technology, DCBL suppressors actively stabilize internal pressure while reducing blowback and minimizing back pressure to the weapon system. This translates to smoother cycling, reduced carbon buildup, and enhanced shooter control. Its monolithic, corrosion-resistant construction is built to withstand harsh operational environments, and the Cerakote finish in either Matte Black or Tan provides added durability.
The 5.56/7.62 cans come equipped with a hub and KFM flash hider, while the 9mm PCC will directly thread onto pistol caliber carbines. The patterned, exterior design provides increased surface area for heat dissipation as well as traction for attachment and removal. MSRP for the DCBL 556 and 762 is $1,099, and $999 for the DCBL 9PCC.
