Is there a difference between a suppressor and a silencer

[cirelaw]

I got an email for both. I thought you had to have some kind of Federal permit or license?????

[Ron Wood]

No, and you do.

[cirelaw]

There goes that fantasy. THANKS Debbie will pay my bill!

[wlyon]

Can't imagine why you would need or want one. Bill

[cirelaw]

Neither Can I, Guns are loud for a purpose!!

[alanint]

Now hold on...I own a number of suppressors, (no knowledgable individual would call them silencers) and they do have their place. I shoot suppressed .22 pistols and .22 converted M16s in my own garage without disturbing the neighbors. They are great fo dispatching vermin in my yard without some soccer Mom with a cell phone alerting the SWAT team.
I also have an MP5 with a Gemtech Raptor can. With a recipe of Vihta Vuori 320 powder and 147 grain pills it is so quiet the sound of my brass hitting the ground is comparable to the gun's report. The entire science of sound suppression is as interesting and exciting as wildcat loading.

[cirelaw]

You Are My Hero!

[hgreer2]

All you really need are 22 short CB's, subsonic and snaping your fingers are louder.

Harry

[lew1]

Originally Posted by wlyon

Can't imagine why you would need or want one. Bill

So that I can shoot my pistol in my side yard withtout the neighbors complaining about the noise.


Or in the basement during the winter.

[jonnyc]

Can or no can, you still have to consider the legality of discharging a firearm in some areas and distances to dwellings.

[alanint]

Originally Posted by hgreer2

All you really need are 22 short CB's, subsonic and snaping your fingers are louder.

Harry

.22 shorts are fun, but do not provide the terminal velocity nor downrange stopping power needed for much of the things suppressed firearms are used for.
Nor do they feed and function in semi and fully automatic firearms, (which is half the fun!).
Also consider that suppressed weapons are as collectable as Lugers; There are the original Maxim suppressors, Delisle carbines, The High Standard Military and Colt Woodsman OSS and CIA pistols, The Welrod, (recently seen on "Persons of Interest"). The Vietnam era "Hush Puppy', The Original Powder Springs MAC SMG and their matched cans, etc.
I agree that local laws need to be adhered to. My garage has a rated .22 backstop and my property allows me to shoot without legal entanglements. There is just no sense in riling the neighbors.

Suppressors have been demonized here in the US by liberal politicians, yet they are available across the counter in much of gun restricted Europe. Some clubs in Europe will not let you shoot WITHOUT one!

[guns3545]

Originally Posted by jonnyc

Can or no can, you still have to consider the legality of discharging a firearm in some areas and distances to dwellings.

Until a few years ago, in the State of Florida, virtually all levels of government could pass ordinances controlling the possession and use of firearms..

For example, in Sarasota, it used to be illegal to discharge a firearm within 300 feet of a dwelling. The county said 300 yards.

Then because some authorities were passing overly restrictive laws, the NRA challenged their validity and won.

Thus today in Florida, the State reserves to itself the power to regulate and legislate on the acquisition, use, possession, etc. of firearms. Counties and municipalities cannot pass laws and all the laws they had passed were declared null and void.

The State basically prohibits the discharge of firearms in all public places, on and over rights of way, and over houses, etc. except when the shooter is defending his homestead or life, if he is away from his house.

The law also prohibits discharge of a firearm from a vehicle within 1000 feet of people.

This resulted a few years ago in the prosecution of a man in Bradenton who fired a shotgun toward the woods near his house to ward of an attacker who was beating up his neighbor. He was successful as the attacker ran off. But when the police came he was arrested because it was an illegal discharge because it was not aimed at the attacker and thus the person was not defending his property or saving the life of another.

So, beware. Even simple laws can be interpreted a lot of ways.

But, firing a weapon in your garage or basement appears to be okay as long as the projectiles to not leave it and enter "public places, right of ways, neighbors property, etc."

Bottom line: Know the laws in your state and more importantly how Law Enforcement and the Judicial authorities are interpreting them. Common sense is not all that Common.

John

The MAIN difference between a suppressor and a silencer IS Spelling.

alanint: You are correct in everything you say. Have you tried Aquila subsonic, 60gr, ammo? Carries quite a punch and as quiet as a mouse when used with "can" (AND that's the 3rd spelling used).

A suppressor/silencer/can IS OUR Right to own and use as long as we obey the law AND do NOT infringe on our neighbors rights, Unlike what the present "administration" does daily by circumventing the Constitution and Disobeying the rule of law.. Sorry about getting Political, but US is in trouble....

In TEXAS, we see things a little differently and Have the Right to Protect our life and property. We are also charged with responsibility of protecting anyone else's life and property If we see a crime being committed. It becomes much like the "Failure to stop and render aid" if one walks on by without assisting. Texas Law works for the betterment of ourselves and our fellow man.

[DavidJayUden]

In Europe I'm told that suppressors are much more accepted, presumably due to higher population density.
Here in the US they are regarded with suspicion. Thanks again Hollywood...
dju

[alanint]

alanint: You are correct in everything you say. Have you tried Aquila subsonic, 60gr, ammo? Carries quite a punch and as quiet as a mouse when used with "can" (AND that's the 3rd spelling used).

Yes, I use the "SSS" quite regularly, although some integral .22 pistol makers, (like AAC and AWC) won't warrant it. I have personally never had an issue and it does pack quite a punch down range. I even like the funky sweet smell the powder gives off!
I'm also a proud Florida resident where the "Castle Doctrine" is King! No need to back down here...

[cirelaw]

Boy The laws have certainly change since I got my Juris Doctortate in Law at Villanova! in 81.

[Steinar]

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

In Europe I'm told that suppressors are much more accepted, presumably due to higher population density.
Here in the US they are regarded with suspicion. Thanks again Hollywood...
dju

Yes.. and no
It's far from a dense population where I live, but silencers are sold freely without any restrictions.
It has become so common these last 10-20 years, that most hunters and shooters use them.

Silencers are great.. not just for the .22, but also for the larger calibers.

+ usually improve accuracy
+ saves the hearing (reduces about 2/3 of the sounds energy)
+ significantly reduces recoil (about 50%)
+ significantly reduces muzzle flash
+ gives a little more muzzle velocity
+ just unscrew it and attach a muzzle brake if preferred.
+ more easy to concentrate
+ less noise for the surroundings or the guy laying next to you at the shooting range.
+ with some ammunition/silencer combinations, you can hear the impact on the game and by that know whether it was a miss or not.

- affects balance (therefore it's common to reduce the barrel length)
- more easily problems with mirage when shooting rapidly
- expensive (but has become a lot cheaper recently, probably as the market is growing)
- there is no way around the fact that bigger silencers are better than the smaller ones. So usually one need to find a compromise.

I use it on several guns, here's two of them;



..and yeah.. it's not like in the movies But it does make it possible to shoot without hearing protection, but it's no "pchh". Unless loaded sub sonic..
Just for fun, I occasionally load some subsonic rifle ammunition in 223 (makes it basically a more expencive .22), 30.06, 30-30win and 6.5x55. I then use a small amount of pistol powder and the bullet seated pointing the wrong way.

[cirelaw]

Bad!!!!!!!!

[Steinar]

..that last one is actually a 1914 Amberg Mauser that has been fumbled a little with.

[Patronen]

Everything I have read about silencer possesion in the U.S. revolves around the NFA act of 1934 because game wardens were worried about poaching so that was why it was written in.