#Silencers

This past weekend was the first ever Stone Mountain Machine Gun shoot. It is run by Shooter’s Gauntlet. It was held in North Eastern Pennsylvania in Monroeton. It was a 4.5 hour drive from Pittsburgh. I had heard about this event from 2nd Amendment Lawyer Joshua Prince back at the Great American Outdoor Show last February.

Down at Big 3 East, last March, IWI USA VP Mike Kassnar, set aside fifty X95s for the writers in attendance. I eagerly jumped at the opportunity to get my hands on the X95 for review. I have only had a little trigger time behind the older Tavor SAR. I recall one of my earliest experiences was with an 18″ FDE Tavor that someone got and he put a QD Gemtech suppressor on it. It had a Mepro sight and we were hitting steel off hand at 200 yards with ease. However when it was suppressed, there was a significant amount of gas to the face. I was perplexed. The Tavor has a long stroke gas piston operation. I was under the impression that was one of the benefits of shooting a piston operated gun as there would be less gas returning into the chamber and thus less gas to the face. I was wrong. There are a few companies that make gaskets to further block the gas escaping from the factory blocked left side ejection port. Such as Manticore Arms’ Port Cover and Gear Head Works FLEx Swivel.

Down at Big 3 East I got a chance to check out AMTAC Suppressors. They make an over the barrel suppressor. Similar in basic concept as the OSS suppressors only the AMTAC cans have a traditional baffle system. Over the barrel suppressors allow the user to maintain their rifle length barrels without adding significant weight to the end of the muzzle. Their suppressors only extend 3.5″ past the muzzle. The majority of the weight is kept near or behind the muzzle. Allowing for better balance of a weapon system without needing to chop down a barrel. They only make suppressors for 5.56 and 7.62 calibers. They are working on a 9mm suppressor. They have different lengths that go over the barrel. They have a 6″ or 4″ can. That means the can sits back either 6″ or 4″ behind the muzzle. The length is determined by your rifle setup. So if you have enough barrel then go with the 6″ version.

In part one and part two of the beginner’s series we walked you through the process of researching, buying and finally transferring a new suppressor from a dealer. We even gave you assignments along the way, like getting barrels threaded, buying a booster or picking out muzzle devices. So, let’s fast forward four to six (six to nine?) months when your paperwork comes back approved and start talking about the fun stuff: suppressor ownership and shooting suppressed weapons. Chances are that once you experience the world of suppressors, you won’t be able to go back to your old (loud) ways.

We are living in a Golden Age of suppressors. The market is flush with caliber ratings, high-tech materials, new mounting options and a host of accessories. If you have ever thought about owning a suppressor, or even if you haven’t, let’s walk you through your first purchase from start to finish. Believe me, you want one. Ok, more than one.

Silencers in the last 5 years have gained significant popularity with what is now 42 of 50 states having them legalized for purchase. The most common pathway people are taking to buy them is with a trust. If you want to buy a silencer, you must simply submit a copy of your trust along with 2 background checks (Form 4s). The alternative is to buy a silencer as an “individual” which involves a lot more paperwork, signatures and time.

Silencer Shop sent me a Surefire Socom 2 RC2 5.56 suppressor and a Bowers USS 22 suppressor to test on my CMR-30. I wanted to see how well they could suppress a common .22 magnum round and how those silencers compared to my SilencerCo SpectreII.

American Suppressor Association has a one step form to contact your legislators. It is really simple. You fill in the required information and when you click submit, the form is sent to your state legislator. Click here to go to the link.

The National Firearms Act was enacted into law in 1934. As the story goes the act was the result of the many mafia-perpetrated crimes during Prohibition and there was also, of course, the assassination attempt made on then-President Roosevelt in 1933. Although it may have seemed like a good idea, or at least somewhat justifiable common sense, to many Americans at the time, it’s become a point of serious contention for gun owners today. Not to say it’s a new debate, just that it’s definitely ramped up lately.

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) has been working with Congressman Rep. Matt Salmon and the NRA. Last week, they have introduced a piece of legislation called the Hearing Protection Act (HPA). ASA, NRA, and Salmon are trying to remove suppressors from the purview of the NFA and replacing it with a standard NICS check and eliminate the $200 tax stamp. By having suppressors ownership go thru a NICS background check, only lawful citizens can purchase them. This will only apply to the states where suppressors are legal. Sorry California, NY, and all the other states that do not allow suppressors. But it is good news for the rest of us.

Now before all of you get worked up over “silencer” in the title, its the title of the video of which (much to their credit), How Stuff Works corrects the viewer that our beloved cans are called “suppressors”. Its a fun video meant for entertainment purposes but if any of our readers have been under a rock, the video does explain suppressors broken-down Barney-style.

SIG Sauer is determined to market the best suppressors money can buy. You may say well that sure is a confident statement. I guess it is but when the team leader, Kevin Brittingham, the former owner of AAC is running the show you can afford to be confident in your team. The man knows what he’s doing!

SilencerCo’s Omega silencer is new for 2015, and it’s designed to embody everything good about each of the company’s previous .30 cal centerfire rifle silencers. Perhaps its greatest feature is the one its meant for – its superior silence – but it’s also shorter and lighter than previous models at 7.09″ long and 14 ounces. Trying a variety of the company’s silencers today at 2015 Industry Day at the Range proved the hope behind the Omega is true, because it really does perform quite well. Its lighter weight helps to balance out the rifle and it is impressively quiet.

SIG Sauer has been in the firearms business since 1985, but they can actually trace their roots all the way back to 1853, to the Swiss Wagon Factory. When the Swiss Wagon Factory won a competition hosted by the Switzerland Federal Ministry of Defense the prize was a contract for the production of 30,000 muskets, and the firearms legend was born. SIG has a longer history than most firearms owners realize, and today they’re releasing a new line of silencers.

Good news for hunters who want to stay quiet and don’t want to handload. SilencerCo, who achieved e-fame with the “Wizard Staff”, “Johnny Dronehunter”, and “The Silencing” promotional videos (and who also make silencers) have announced their own line of subsonic hunting ammunition, called simply “Harvester”. From the press release: