Firearms News Silencers 101
The Best .22 Suppressors
The .22LR is the most popular caliber firearm today. Everyone has one, or three, and suppressing them is quite fun. It is also very practical as it makes the experience more enjoyable for all, especially new shooters. How many people own a Ruger 10/22? The number is over 7 million! That's amazing for any firearm. And the 10/22, like other .22s, is a great one to be suppressed!
A .22 caliber suppressor is a great option if you’re a first-time suppressor buyer and you’re looking to get into the world of shooting quietly without spending a ton of money. Or perhaps you’ve already amassed quite a few tax stamps and you’re finally ready to do some super quiet pinking. Either way, you’ve definitely come to the right place! With so many different makes, models, and options to select from, choosing the .22 suppressor can be tricky.
HOW TO CHOOSE A .22 CALIBER SUPPRESSOR
Everyone has different needs for a rimfire suppressor. Every suppressor buyer is painfully aware of the $200 tax stamp that can effectively double the price of some .22 silencers, so even budget-minded buyers are looking for the most (or is it “least”?) bang for their buck.
Not all end users are the same, either. A person who is happy with a Ruger 10/22 that is equipped with an integrally suppressed barrel may not care about owning one silencer for interchangeable use on all their .22 caliber firearms. A pistol shooter may want a shorter, lighter silencer, while a rifle shooter may want something that is lightweight and performance-driven. A person with both .22 rifles and pistols would dearly love one silencer that can be quickly configured for pistol or rifle use – like the BANISH 22.
We asked our customers what they look for a .22 suppressor and they all suggested the following criteria:
- Cost
- Weight
- User serviceability
- Ease of cleaning
- Ability to use with magnum cartridges
- Durability
The Best .22 Suppressors
Not all silencers can be all things to all people. A person whose primary concern is cost will not be interested in a titanium silencer. Only you know your budget, and a look at in-stock suppressors will satisfy that point for you. But if you move beyond the price point, you have other things you can consider, all of which depend on the kind of gun you are using and what your end use is.
Target shooters want a quiet, light suppressor that is easily cleaned. Rimfire suppressors get filthy with powder fouling and lead, and when not cleaned, can clog up in as little as 500 rounds. Hunters also want a light suppressor, but they may be more tolerant of cleaning, as they probably aren’t firing as many rounds in a session. If you own many guns, you want a suppressor that can not only be readily used on a rifle or pistol but can handle things like different rimfire magnum cartridges and extended rates of fire, like the BANISH 22 or the Nosler SR-22 Ti.
BEST .22 SUPPRESSOR: BANISH 22
The BANISH 22 suppressor is designed for use with rimfire pistols and rifles chambered in .22 caliber and smaller. This includes .22 Hornet, .17HMR, and even 5.7×28. It’s even rated for full-auto!
The BANISH 22 is made of lightweight titanium, weighs just 4.1 oz, is 1” in diameter, and is only 5 ⅜” long. Because it’s so small and lightweight, you’ll be hard-pressed to even notice that it’s on the end of your pistol or rifle - except, of course, when you pull the trigger. Then you’ll know for sure that there’s a suppressor on there.
Independent testing proved something quite cool. The BANISH 22 is the quietest .22 suppressor on the market. The 2024 Silencer Summit tested every major brand and BANISH took the top spot.
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The BANISH 22 was designed specifically to maximize your time shooting and minimize your time cleaning. Inside the tube are eight baffles that are engineered for a precise fit to keep lead debris and carbon buildup at an absolute minimum. This prevents the debris and buildup from reaching the tube, which causes components to fuse together. When it comes time to clean, the BANISH 22 comes apart easily so that the baffles and the tube can be cleaned efficiently. Each baffle is marked on the outside so that you can align them properly and then put it all back together with equal ease to get you back to shooting.
If you’re looking for the perfect first-time silencer purchase, the BANISH 22 is a great option. It’s ideal for varmint shooting, small game hunting, target practice, and more.
BANISH 22 SPECS
- Caliber: .17HMR – 5.7×28
- Weight: 4.1 oz.
- Length: 5.375 in.
Price: $549
Best Non-BANISH Model: Dead Air Mask 22
Dead Air suppressors are very popular and with good reason. They are pretty sweet! For rimfire folks, the Mask 22 is a compact can delivering outstanding performance, solid construction, and remarkable versatility. Constructed with a titanium tube and stainless steel baffles, it's designed to handle a wide spectrum of calibers without barrel restrictions, from .22LR to 5.7x28.
Measuring just 5.1 inches in length, the Dead Air Mask combines optimal sound suppression with a full auto rating, eliminating the notorious first-round pop. The .22 caliber suppressor is user-serviceable allowing users to clean their suppressor with ease.
The Dead Air Mask 22 offers great performance, lasting build quality, and user-friendly features, all packed into a compact and versatile package.
The Dead Air Mask 22 ships to you with an end cap removal tool and an operator's manual.
Dead Air Catch 22 Specs:
- Caliber: .22
- Weight: 6.6 oz.
- Length: 5.1 in.
Price: $469
MOST VERSATILE: FN CATCH 22 TI
We have been very impressed with the new FN Catch 22 Ti. This suppressor is compatible with .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR.
The Catch 22 Ti is a lightweight, tough, and quiet rimfire suppressor. It reduces muzzle blast from all .22 LR firearms and is a perfect pair with the FN 502™ Tactical. It gives you reliable feed and extraction across most ammunition types. Our testing has shown it to maintain outstanding accuracy, cycling reliability, and the high durability you would expect from FN.
Mounting to rimfire hosts is fast and repeatable with the direct-thread ½” x 28 mount. The user-serviceable blast baffle and baffle stack delivers a quiet and smooth shooting experience.
Coming in with a 1.1-in diameter, the Catch 22 Ti clears most suppressor-height sights. It uses a titanium tube that weighs just 5 oz. too. It is an easy-to-maintain design that breaks down quickly with the included tool and carries a limited lifetime warranty from FN.
FN Catch 22 Ti SPECS
- Caliber: .22
- Weight: 5.5 oz.
- Length: 5.25 in.
Price: $499
BEST BUDGET: YHM Phantom 22
For those looking to save a little cash, the Phantom .22 Suppressor by YHM is a pretty good option. This suppressor combines an optimized, interlocked baffle system from YHM for exceptional sound reduction on both pistols and rifles, all while being light, quiet, easy to maintain, and budget-friendly.
Despite its low weight at a mere 4 ounces, the Phantom can confidently handle rounds up to 5.7x28mm. The design of the Phantom 22 ensures you're always equipped for disassembly, as the rear of the blast chamber doubles as a convenient takedown tool for the muzzle cap.
The Phantom .22 features an interlocking baffle stack made from heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel, complete with indexing tabs for precise alignment and top-notch performance. Its external components consist of two parts: a 7075-T6 aluminum blast chamber and a 6061-T6 tube housing the baffle stack.
yhm phantom 22 SPECS
- Caliber: .22LR
- Weight: 4 oz.
- Length: 5.5 in.
Price: $419.95
Big Gun Capability: Nosler SR-22 ALTi
Nosler is well-known for their amazing bullets and outstanding rifles. They also make suppressors and, like you would expect, they put a lot of thought and design into the product. These silencers come with a thread pitch of 1/2X28 and are a direct thread mount. What is cool about the Nosler is the versatility it provides. You can use it on any rimfire from .22 Mag, down to a .17. It can also handle 5.56 rifles, so it works on ARs and more. Yes, it is pricier than the other models on this list, but it is not strictly a rimfire can. It comes in two color choices - black and a cool gray color. It is made from Titanium and uses 4 baffles.
We really like the versatility of the Nosler SR-22Ti and that is why it found its way onto this list. It is very versatile and is very well made.
Nosler SR-22Ti SPECS
- Caliber: .22 up to 5.56
- Weight: 9 oz.
- Length: 7.53 in.
Price: $759
WHAT’S THE BEST HOST FOR A .22 SUPPRESSOR?
Determining what is the best host for a .22 suppressor is a darn good question, but it’s not one that can be easily answered due to the amount of personal variables that come into play. There are a great many .22’s out there and they vary in how useful a suppressor platform they really are. First, we should consider what makes a bad suppressor host so we can weed that out and look for the best.
As a general rule, cheap (in terms of quality, not necessarily price) guns are not ideal suppressor hosts. Sure, there are people who have suppressed some really cheap guns just to say they did it. And the reality of .22 physics means if you can stick a suppressor on it, it probably will work well enough. (Except for revolvers, but that’s because revolvers aren’t a suitable silencer platform outside of a limited number of special models and types of ammunition.)
The best .22 pistol for a suppressor ideally is one that is not a cheap gun. That is, it isn’t something that will wear out and shoot itself loose in a few years. We like the Ruger Mk IV or older guns, the Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory, or any other quality .22 target pistol.
Manually operated guns like bolt actions always make ideal suppressor hosts because they are always going to be quieter when suppressed than a semi-auto. Granted, with a .22 using certain kinds of subsonic ammo, you pretty much only hear the sound of the action cycling, but a bolt action or other manually operated gun will always be quieter than a semi-auto because there are fewer moving parts when the gun is fired.
Many inexpensive vintage .22 bolt actions can even be turned into viable suppressor platforms. Because they tend to be chambered for .22 Short/Long/Long Rifle, they offer great benefits for choosing different types of subsonic rounds. Even if they don’t have a threaded barrel, they are easily fitted for a suppressor using our special mail-in barrel threading program.
Basically, if it’s a well-built .22, you’re fine. But if you want the best performance, buy the best gun for the type of shooting you are doing. Good target guns for target shooting, all-around guns like the 10/22 for general purpose use, or even a .22 upper for your AR for tactical fun!
GET THE BEST .22 SUPPRESSOR FOR YOUR NEEDS
There are a few ways to buy a suppressor. You could always go to a gun store, hope they have one or two in stock, pay for it, do the paperwork, come back with an NFA gun trust, wait for approval, go back to the store, and then pick it up.
Or you could do it the Silencer Central way - From the comfort of your own home.
We’ve revolutionized suppressor purchasing. We are the only company authorized by the ATF to do 100% mail order/online suppressor sales and we’re licensed to sell suppressors in all 42 states where they are legal to own.
How does this work? Simple! Choose the silencer you want – and if you need help, our expert staff with decades of industry experience will work with you to find the right suppressor for your needs. Then, put some or all of the money down (we offer a great payment program!) and pay for your tax stamp. We will then set you up with a Free NFA Gun Trust, send you fingerprint cards, and ask for a passport-style photo. Once we have all that back from you we will connect you to our eForm Specialist to get your application submitted to the ATF.
As soon as you are approved by the ATF we ship your silencer directly to your door! No more trips to a shop or reliance on somebody else’s business hours.
Ready to put a silencer on your favorite .22 suppressor?
