Suppressed .22 Ruger worth the expense?

B

Benton

New member
I'm thinking about getting a Ruger MKII with an integral suppressor in order to plink without annoying adjacent landowners. I've no experience with such pistols and was wondering if the cost (around $1000, including the $200 transfer tax) and 2-3 month wait are worth it.

I already have a Ruger with that I sometimes use the powderless Colibri ammunition in that makes for fairly quiet shooting. One must manually operate the action because of the low energy of the round, of course. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the suppressed pistols in contrast with what I've got now?

Thanks for any insight from your experiences.
 
I would say the advantages would be that you don't have to use special ammo, you can shoot the Wal Mart stuff still without disturbing your neighbors. I also believe that when using full power ammo, it would cycle the slide. Of course in order to get the maximum benefit from the suppressor you will want to use standard velocity ammo (sub sonic) but still, this is easier to find than the exotic stuff.
Whether or not it is worth it to you I can't answer. I have often thought about buying a suppressed 10/22 just because I think they are cool. I am not going to try and justify it further. I want one is reason enough.
 
Hello. Well, you get a bit more power and repeat shots at the press of a trigger than you have now. On the other hand, weapons fired with suppressors on them do get pretty dirty, pretty quickly, so more frequent cleaning will be on the agenda if you shoot much. You'll want to be sure that the "can" is properly aligned or accuracy will suffer a great deal.

Maintaining the suppressor will be determined by whether or not the one you buy can be taken apart for cleaning or if it's a sealed unit.

Best.
 
I don't think so...

I have filled out all the paperwork and been approved by BATF as have been several buddies. I'm friends with a fellow who legally manufactures suppressors, automatic arms and conversions.

Best.
 
There's quite a few companies that market integrally suppressed Ruger MKIIs. Mr. Camp is correct, one that disassembles is a good idea as .22 ammo tends to be quite dirty. Some manufacturers of sealed units will rebuild them if you ever stop it up with crud from firing it, but it will take many thousands of rounds to reach that point. I kind of like to be able to clean them thoroughly, so I prefer one I can disassemble. In no particular order, some companies that I can recommend are...

www.gem-tech.com (sealed)
www.tlguns.com (come apart for cleaning)
www.swrmfg.com (sealed)
www.dhmelton.com (not sure if sealed or not)

There are several others I've tried, but I like these four the best. Good people, good products, good warranties.

Suppressed .22s are a lot of fun, and IMHO worth every penny of the cost, and every minute of the hassle it takes to get one. Or two. YMMV.
 
I think, just speculating, that it would be worth the trouble to have one. It would make shooting safer, as you could hear more of whats going around you. ;)

I'm new to this kind of thing... What would it take to legally own a suppressors in Virgina? I have heard of a license, but what else. How much will it cost, and how long is it valid? Oh, and is it just for suppressors, or include other things as well? Here in Va a concealed carry permit is 5 bucks, with 10 bucks in clerks fees, and 35 in taxes. :rolleyes:
 
I have a Ruger 22/45 suppressed which I totally love. It was my first suppressed firearm and I wouldn't get rid of it for anything. Very fun to shoot. My unit was made by Gem-tech. I can't tell you how much fun it is to be able to shoot it in the backyard (yes I have an good backstop to shoot into). Lots of fun, ammo is cheap, and makes for a hell of a impression on your buddies who have never shot one.

So, if you can get one. You won't be disappointed.

Regards,

Highpower1
 
Thanks for the replies. You all made good points. ZipTieNinja's point about the safety of being better able to hear one's surroundings was one I hadn't thought of. The ability to use regular .22 ammo will be a money saver too, as some of you mentioned.

On your recommendation, Mr. Firewood, I checked the manufacturer websites and ended up calling SWR. They answered immediately and provided plenty of information on their product. I'll be paying them a visit tomorrow for a demonstration.

I think I'm fairly persuaded that it's worth the expense. In the end, Highpower1 and 444's points about the simple gee-whiz/neato/fun factor of these pistols will be the real reason for getting one.
 
My dealer/dad is a class 3. If you are not a dealer and have the proper license/permits to own such a gun...go for it. But I can say first hand...be ready for yearly or bi-yearly visits from the BATF. They like to keep tabs on people of special weaponry.
If not anything else ...just to make sure you still have the gun.
Shoot well
 
Eric,

There are no inspections for those that own Class III firearms. They don't keep tabs on anyone. Only FFL license holders, dealers and builders are subject to inspections. And for individuals, it's a stamp and not a permit. All the stamp says is that the transfer tax is paid. For that is all the feds are interested in, the moneys.

Gabriel
 
Well, the Form 4 requires a CLEO signature so local law does enter the picture.

But note that we are talking about a suppressor, not a true silencer. In other words, the ones I have used all allowed some noise, a bit like a loud handclap. It doesn't sound like a gun, but in some neighborhoods even a repeated handclap could arouse curiosity or complaint. (A real silencer can be made - Maxim did it - but they are very expensive.)

ViLLain is correct. It is the same deal as a machinegun. The federal law requires payment of a transfer tax of $200. There is no permit, license, inspection, or yearly fee. If the transfer is across state lines, the receiver must be a Class 3 FFL holder. Transfer cannot be made to a collector FFL, since C&R does not apply to silencers. If the transfer is within a state, no dealer needs to be involved unless state law requires it, but the tax still must be paid.

Jim
 
Villian,
Thanks for the correction. The gentleman who I was speaking of was an ffl and did some of his own work..that may be the reason for the visits. He used to joke about the BATF dropping by for coffee when they were in the neighborhood. Unannounced.

Shoot well
 
Correctly, there are "moderators" that reduce excessive muzzle noise, i.e. the one that comes with 10" CAR-15s, and "suppressors" which quiet a further amount. No weapon is ever truly silent, and if it were to be, the device would still be a "supressor." The amount of suppression is listed in dB (decibels).

There are companies that build sealed versions that can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and never need further maintenance. I don't think he has a website, but call Jerry Gordon at G-Tec in Crown Point Indiana. He's done assymetrical supppressors for tilt-barrel .25s, and sealed units for Browning A-2 .50 cals (yes, you can AUTOFIRE through the damned thing! and it only loses 3% energy after the first 10 rounds of the burst. Quiet enough that no hearing protection is required), as is currently working on a suppressed 20mm.

Integrals are of limited use--you only have one weapon suppressed. With the can type, any weapon in that caliber can be outfitted. (and Jerry does some that slip on and pin around the sight, rather than needing threads.)
 
Converting MKII

I have a 5 inch bbl. MKII Ruger that sits in the safe too much. Wonder if it would be worth it to get it converted to a supressed weapon for the "cool factor?" not to mention the fun factor. Your guys that know all about this stuff, where is the BEST place to get this done, and what would I expect to pay? Can it be done for $300 and the $200 tax stamp? Looks like Serbu isn't taking orders.....
 
Serbu is swamped with production of his .50 cal rifles and the Shorty shotguns. It may be quite a while before he makes any more. His Siris was designed several years ago by Joe Gaddini of SWR, the ones SWR currently sells have refined internals and improved performance.

madmike, who makes suppressors that can be cleaned by a dishwasher? I've never seen one, is G-Tec the company that does it? I'd like to see more information on it, I can't picture how the dishwasher cleans the carbon and lead deposits from the baffles unless it comes apart for cleaning.

Benton, lemmee know how it goes with Joe and what you think of the can. I've got a 9mm suppressor from him, my .22 cans are from other makers. I'm thinking of having him do a MKII I never shoot anymore. I'd really appreciate hearing your impressions of his rimfire cans. I spoke with him by phone today, one of his sealed units has over 15,000 rounds through it, never cleaned, and still working fine.

Jhp147 - There may be a couple of manufacturers that come close to the price point you mention, but most are a little over that.
 
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"I have a 5 inch bbl. MKII Ruger that sits in the safe too much"

JHP147,
Buy some 22 LR and get reaquainted with it! MkII's are a blast.
 
My friend had one built by Johnathan Arthur Ciener of Cape Canaveral FL, Cost 500. plus 200 tax, is sealed never needs maintenance. Comes to you looking like an 8" bull barrel, with an extra serial # on the barrel. I think its worth the money, them MKII's are pretty loud without it...Impressivly quiet with it, he capped it out the side door into the ground and his wife didnt hear it in the other room watching tube...Wish I could afford one!
 
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