Who here is going to admit that they use silencers primarily because they're 'cool'?

[Gunfixr]

While it is just plain cool, there are other factors.
Recoil is reduced in many instances. My 308 bolt gun has significantly less recoil suppressed. Mechanical accuracy is unaffected. Practical accuracy is increased, as there is less likelihood of flinch from less recoil.
Some guns, like ar sbrs, are so loud that a suppressor is needed to make it even tolerable. My ar pistol with 10.5" barrel is a pussycat suppressed.

 

[Sevens]

I live in a state where suppressors can be legally owned and used and have recently even been ruled lawful for hunting and they are getting popular in these parts.

I have almost no interest -- not zero interest, mind you, but close. I think the OP's point is pretty much it for me. Would be neat, fun and interesting but at this stage... of precious little tangible use to me.

Part of my soul shrivels up and dies at the very idea of sending THE MAN a couple hundred dollars for that obnoxious stamp, not to mention the associated hassles and annoyances. And for me, I don't have my own land to shoot on, so any place I ever have occasion to shoot typically has other shooters present... which makes a suppressor an almost completely moot point.

Would be fun to play with but the governmental red tape turns my stomach.

 

[SR420]

The Man collects a tax on just about everything we do & buy, don't
let a $200 tax stamp stand in your way of owning a sound suppressor.

 

[Sevens]

Sorry, very poor sell. Exercise your right to buy those stamps. I won't be taking part in it and I'll be happy to amend or retract this if I should ever change my mind.

 

[Tom Servo]

There are some really sweeping generalizations in going on here.

If anything, use of suppressors may actually increase hearing damage. The reason being that many people who use suppressors wrongly believe that if you use a suppressor, you do not need hearing protection

I really don't see that, and I deal with people who own and shoot with silencers all day. People who buy them tend to do a great deal of self-education on them. In terms of hearing protection, the perception is that they act as harm reduction, not harm elimination.

But if the ATF took them off the NFA list, I, and I suspect many others, would look at them and say...meh, everyone has one now.

While that mentality may exist to some extent, it's not what I'm seeing. To the contrary, many shooters would welcome the reduction in cost and hassle, which are the biggest bars to entry.

In such a situation (which is a fairy tale at this point anyway), existing owners might feel that they overpaid by buying earlier, but most of the ones I know would simply see it as an incentive to buy more.

 

[ttarp]

If your primary reason for buying a silencer is because it looks cool, they have fake cans out there that don't cost more than a tank of gas and don't involve paperwork. So while coolness is a factor, I hardly think its the main reason for most folks.

As for hearing damage? This was some eye opening discussion for me, I had been under the impression handgun calibers were hearing safe when suppressed, while rifle calibers should be shot with hearing protection, but now I know better. But that being said, unless you shoot hundreds of rounds a week, I seriously doubt the damage would be significant compared to all the other sounds we subject our unprotected ears to.

 

[zach_]

If and when I get a supressor, I will say why I jumped through the hoops to get it. As of today, I would rather spend $200.00 on a surf and turf for 2 over payment for a stamp.

 

[Skans]

I don't have one. But, if I were to buy a silencer it would strictly be for the cool factor and design/engineering curiosity.

In fact, 90% of my guns and gun stuff is purchased for the "cool factor" and/or interesting design features.

 

[Gunfixr]

Suppressors are legal for hunting here as well.
As for being on a list, it has always been my opinion that if you aren't on at least three lists, you aren't living right.
Personally, I think the whole nfa thing is just bs to try and control us through taxation. But, I am not in a position to change it, so it is what it is. Suppressor prices have come down some over the last few years due to the huge increase in competition, with many "economy" companies having started production.

 

[Gunfixr]

I've paid $200 for a meal also.
But, a day or two later, when I stand up and push the little lever, all that was left of the $200 goes away forever.
After washing up, I can go open the safe and get out the other $200 and head to the range, over and over again.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I am somewhat sensitive to sudden loud noise and don't like it. I have several buddies with suppressors who tell me how it makes their SBRs and .308s safe to shoot without hearing protection.

So a buddy of mine says you gotta try my suppressed .223 SBR. It is really quiet. One shot and my ears were ringing. I stopped and put on my muffs and he asked what I was doing. I said that it rang ears and he harumphed, saying it didn't ring his ears...and I realized he wasn't lying.

It started to dawn on me that all these guys that I know that tell me how quiet and safe the suppressors are and how their ears don't ring after shooting with them even with centerfire ammo are all guys who already have a goodly amount of hearing loss and tinnitus.

Don't get me wrong. It is great to bring down 165 db to to 140 db. That is a significant improvement, but is NOT reason to go without muffs or plugs.

 

[Husqvarna]

silencers are great for hunting, sure it is easy to wear hearing protection but they are bloody hard to get to stick to a dog

I hunt with a baying dog so I can be shooting pretty close to it (of course I call the dog to me but sometimes that is not an option)

it reduces recoil for a quicker follow up shot, I do some hunting for the local municipality so don't scare neighbours etc etc

not a cool thing for me, when I shot for fun I almost never use it, only with long range shooting because I don't like recoil when shooting prone or from a bench

 

[Deja vu]

I use mine for "Recreation and all other Lawful purposes"

I have 3 of them. My first was 45-70 and I have used it alot but it is a big heavy beast. My Second was 22LR/22mag and its fun for shooting small game. My Last is a Mystic X so it works well on 357 magnum.

May be some day ill get a 12ga one.

I still use hearing protection unless I am shooting subsonic ammo.

 

[SPEMack618]

I like them for hog and coyote hunting.

Also, there were times when I wish I could have had a KAC can like the Ranger BNs in the Sandbox. Been nice to come back with some hearing left.

 

[Machineguntony]

Funny that you guys mentioned $200 meals. For Valentines, I paid $200 for a meal, and at the end of the meal I thought, "I could have purchased a stamp".

Then came the over priced flowers, chocolate, giant teddy bear, and my thought was, "that's another stamp".

Of course, I didn't say any of this out loud.

Now, I see the flowers slowly dying and the teddy bear steadily collecting dust.

At least I am enjoying the chocolate!

 

[zach_]

The whole process reminds me of collecting an expense check from a former employer that went down the tubes. Like the $200.00 meal does.

 

[Machineguntony]

Here in Texas, which is the NFA Capitol because we allow everything from AOW to DD to machine guns, I am always surprised by how many people think that silencers are illegal to own. Whenever I take a silencer to the gun range, there is always someone who looks on in amazement or fear. Everyonce in a while, someone will ask me if they're illegal.

To those shooters, the silencer is the epitome of cool.

If you want to make someones' day and introduce them to the NFA world, let such a person take a shot of your pistol suppressor. You will see the biggest smile ever.

 

[SPEMack618]

Funny that you guys mentioned $200 meals. For Valentines, I paid $200 for a meal, and at the end of the meal I thought, "I could have purchased a stamp".

I wound up dipping into my M-1 Garand fund for Valentines Day. Damn Hallmark.

The fact that the U.S. government levied a $200 stamp on what at the time costed roughly $3 to $10 is, in my opinion one of the most heinous acts of legislative illegality in the 20th Century.

 

[Gunfixr]

Well, at the time, the idea was that it would be so expensive, no one would do it, since in 1934, $200 was a lot of money.
Texas may be the nfa capital, but Virginia has more machine guns than any other state.
True, to the uninitiated, getting to fire a suppressor that they thought illegal for the first time is truly epic for them, and pretty entertaining just to watch.
If said suppressor happens to be mounted on a machine gun, so much the better.

 

[dogtown tom]

Machineguntony Here in Texas, which is the NFA Capitol because we allow everything from AOW to DD to machine guns....

Before proclaiming Texas as the "NFA Capitol" you may want to read state law.

I am always surprised by how many people think that silencers are illegal to own.....

They are, read state law.

Texas Penal Code
Sec. 46.05. PROHIBITED WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells:
(1) an explosive weapon;
(2) a machine gun;
(3) a short-barrel firearm;
(4) a firearm silencer;
(5) a switchblade knife;
(6) knuckles;
(7) armor-piercing ammunition;
(8) a chemical dispensing device; or
(9) a zip gun.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor's conduct was incidental to the performance of official duty by the armed forces or national guard, a governmental law enforcement agency, or a correctional facility.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor's possession was pursuant to registration pursuant to the National Firearms Act, as amended.
...

Yes, it's nitpicky, but it's important to know that because NFA firearms are illegal under Texas law, a law enforcement officer CAN lawfully arrest you and can lawfully charge you with possession of a prohibited weapon. Quite likely he'll get chewed out by his supervisor or the DA and charges may be dropped quickly, but your afternoon will not go as planned.