Affordable Suppressors: Finding the Right Fit For Your Budget

Unless you’re Scrooge McDuck and you swim in your pool of gold coins nightly, there’s a very good chance that you’ve got a budget that you need to stick to when it comes to buying a suppressor.

Everyone’s budget is going to be different, so the definition of “affordable” is going to be different for everyone – and that’s perfectly OK. The suppressor market truly does have something for every budget.

It’s important that you find the right suppressor for the right money, but it’s equally important that you understand the importance of buying a quality suppressor from a reputable brand and dealer to avoid being disappointed down the line. Suppressors are an investment, so make sure you’re considering the long-term applications for the suppressor you choose.

This blog post will help you figure out what an affordable suppressor is to you and how to find the right one within your budget.

Here’s an outline of what we’re going to cover:

• Understanding Suppressor Pricing
• Is Suppressing Your Gun Worth the Cost?
• What to Look for in an Affordable Suppressor
• Top Affordable Suppressor Models
• Things to Consider When Buying a Suppressor
• Are Suppressor an NFA Item?
• The Silencer Central Buying Process
• Confidently Invest in a Suppressor with Silencer Central

Understanding Suppressor Pricing

When it comes to buying a suppressor, you need to understand all of the costs that come with it. Sure, there’s the cost of the suppressor itself, but there are other money matters you have to consider, too.

First, there’s the $200 Federal Tax Stamp. This is required for each and every suppressor you buy.

Next up is a threaded barrel. If your specific host gun or guns are already threaded, then you’re good to go. If not, you’ll need to buy either a drop-in replacement barrel or have your barrel threaded by a reputable service, like Barrel Threading Service we offer at Silencer Central. Either way, replacement barrels and barrel threading cost money.

Then there’s accessories. These can include things like suppressor wraps, thread adapters, pistons, barrel spacers, and other muzzle devices. All of these things add up.

Failing to factor all of these other things into the overall cost could blow your budget on what you previously thought was affordable.

Is Suppressing Your Gun Worth the Cost?

Suppressors aren’t inexpensive, but they do have some serious advantages that we think make them worth the cost. Here are some of our favorites:

• Enhanced Hearing Protection: You only get one pair of ears, and once your hearing is damaged, that lasts for life. Hearing aids over the cost of a lifetime can be expensive – much more expensive than a suppressor. Invest in a can today to prevent needing hearing aids later.
• Reduced Felt Recoil: A lifetime of shooting can lead to muscle damage. There are a number of shooters in their advanced years that need shoulder surgery or simply can’t shoot large calibers anymore because of the recoil. A suppressor can help mitigate that recoil and maybe even prevent costly surgery.
• Enhanced Shooting Experience: Shooting is a ton of fun, and it’s even more fun when suppressed. It cuts down on noise, recoil, and muzzle flash, making it perfect for introducing new shooters to our wonderful hobby. Giving someone the shooting bug for life is priceless.

What to Look for in an Affordable Suppressor

Again, it’s important to remember that affordable is relative when it comes to suppressors. Generally speaking, they’re not cheap to buy, but they last a long time and should be seen as an investment.

Be sure to consider the ability to use a specific suppressor on a variety of different host guns: pistols, carbines, rifles, etc. Also be sure to consider the ability to shoot multiple calibers through one can: 5.56/.223 through a .30 caliber can, 9mm through a .45 caliber can, etc.

The ability to use one suppressor on a variety of guns in multiple calibers helps ease the financial burden of needing more than one suppressor – and trust us, you’ll eventually own more than one. They’re just as addictive as potato chips!

Just remember that there are two sayings that are very applicable in the suppressor world: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” and “Buy once, cry once.”

So, let’s look at some suppressors that we think are worthy of being listed as the top affordable suppressor models.

Category	Name	Caliber	Weight	Length	Price
Best Overall	BANISH 46	.460	16.3 oz or 20.4 oz	7.9" or 10"	$1,249
Best Big Bore	Coastal Gun X Model 458	.458	29 oz	8.7"	$650
Best Rimfire	BANISH 22	Up to 5.7 x 28	4.1 oz	5.375"	$499
Best Multi-Caliber	Dead Air Wolfman	Multi	9.8 oz or 14.4 oz	5.13" or 7.5"	$899
Most Compact	Yankee Hill Machine TURBO T2	5.56	12.8 oz	6.5" w/ QD Adapter	$576

Top Affordable Suppressor Models

Choosing affordable suppressors for this list isn’t all about the cost of the can. We also factor in the build quality, caliber versatility, and gun compatibility.

Best Overall: BANISH 46

We admit that we’re probably a little biased, but we truly do believe that the BANISH 46 is the best overall suppressor when it comes to affordability. Modular in design, it can be used with a wide assortment of rifle calibers up to the mighty .45-70 Government. It’s not inexpensive, but the caliber compatibility for rifles and handguns is top-notch.

Made of titanium and Inconel, the Banish 46 provides the ultimate combination of durability and weight reduction. The BANISH 46 weighs only 16.3 oz in the short configuration of 7.9”, and 20.4 oz in its 10” configuration. It’s also got a variety of mounting options, including direct thread, a quick-detach muzzle brake attachment, or a Nielsen Device.

This user-serviceable suppressor can be easily disassembled for configuration changes and cleaning. Since it’s made of titanium, you can easily clean the baffles in a tumbler, ultrasonic cleaner, or by hand with a brush and solvent.

Advantages:

• Durable yet lightweight titanium construction
• Modular design for different lengths
• User-serviceable for easy cleaning

Drawbacks:

• Price may put it out of reach for some people

BANISH 46 Specs

• Caliber: .460
• Weight: 16.3 oz or 20.4 oz
• Length: 7.9″ or 10″
• Price: $1,249

Best Big Bore: Coastal Gun X Model 458

The X Model 458 from Coastal Gun is perfect for the budget-conscious big bore suppressor buyer. By taking a solid piece of aircraft-grade billet stainless steel and machining a silencer, it means that there’s no entrance cap – it is an integral part of the suppressor – and no spacers – they are machined into the suppressor body. Spiral flutes on the exterior aid in cooling, which is important when you’re shooting such large calibers. This suppressor is built like an absolute tank, so you can be sure that it will last a very long time no matter how many big bore rounds you put through it.

Advantages:

• Price point makes it very affordable even with the tax stamp cost
• It’s not sealed, which makes it user-serviceable
• Being made from one solid billet makes it very durable

Drawbacks:

• It’s heavy: 1.8 pounds

Coastal Gun Model X 458 Specs

• Caliber: .458
• Weight: 29 oz
• Length: 8.7″
• Price: $650

Best Rimfire: 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. Tests have shown that the BANISH 22 brings sound down to about 120 decibels, which is just 10 decibels more than a BB-gun. Essentially, this is as close to “Hollywood quiet” as you can get.

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.

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.

Advantages:

• Super easy to clean
• Exceptionally quiet with .22 LR ammo
• Caliber versatility isn’t limited to just .22 ammo

Drawbacks:

• If price is your sole affordability determining factor, there are cheaper rimfire suppressors on the market

BANISH 22 Specs

• Caliber: Up to 5.7×28
• Weight: 4.1 ounces
• Length: 5.375”
• Price: $499

Best Multi-Caliber: Dead Air Wolfman

The Wolfman is the next generation in suppression from Dead Air. Like its Wolf-9SD predecessor, the Wolfman from Dead Air is a modular, multi-caliber suppressor that specializes in sub-gun, light-duty rifle, and pistol use, which means it’ll be right at home on a variety of guns in an array of calibers you may own. Versatility helps with the value, which translates to overall affordability.

Because of its modularity, the Wolfman provides ultimate sound suppression in its full-length configuration while still providing exceptional performance when set up in the short configuration. As an added bonus, the front cap can contain a user-provided rubber wipe that can drop sound suppression levels even further.

Made of fully welded 17-4 PH stainless steel, this provides ultimate levels of strength and durability while still keeping the suppressor as light as possible. It’s the perfect balance of toughness and lightweight, which is very important when it comes to adding a suppressor to a pistol.

The Wolfman is designed for maximum muzzle suppression while also maximizing at-ear performance for the shooter by utilizing a large internal volume and generous blast chamber.

The Wolfman ships with a 1/2×28 direct thread mount and features a wipe-compatible front cap (tool included). Wipes are user-replaceable with commonly available rubber washer sizes.

Advantages:

• Wipes make it extra quiet
• Welded stainless steel is super durable
• Not too heavy for use on handguns or long guns alike

Drawbacks:

• There are some limitations for rifle calibers

Dead Air Wolfman Specs:

• Caliber: multi
• Weight: 9.8 oz or 14.4 oz
• Length: 5.13″ or 7.5″
• Price: $899

Most Compact: Yankee Hill Machine TURBO T2 5.56

Coming in at less than $600, just 6.5″ long with the Q.D. adapter attached, and weighing only 12.8 ounces, the YHM TURBO T2 provides a lot of bang for your buck in a compact little package.

YHM’s Turbo T2 was created to supply the modern suppressor community with a full-featured suppressor at an affordable price. YHM accomplishes this by providing a Q.D. Muzzle Brake, a Phantom Q.D. Adapter, and two suppressor wrenches with each unit instead of making them separate purchases. As an added cost-savings bonus, if you already have some YHM products, the Turbo T2 will fit all YHM-5M2 and YHM-3102 mounts.

Unlike other suppressors that have individual baffles inside of an outer tube, the Turbo T2 utilizes a tubeless design made from heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel along with a heat-treated 718 Inconel blast baffle.

YHM TURBO T2 5.56 Specs:

• Caliber: 5.56
• Weight: 12.8 oz
• Length: 6.5″ w/ QD Adapter
• MSRP: $576

Things to Consider When Buying a Suppressor

Buying a suppressor isn’t like buying a box of ammo or even like buying a gun.

Unlike ammo, you can’t just walk into a store, grab a box off the shelf, pay for it, and walk out. Unlike a gun, you can’t just walk into a store, pay for it, fill out a 4473, undergo a background check (and maybe a state-specific waiting period of a few days), and walk out.

Instead, buying a suppressor is a lot more time consuming. There are specific laws and processes that have to be followed for buying a suppressor – but don’t let that deter you from getting one! We’ll explain more on both below.

Are Suppressors an NFA Item?

Suppressors fall under the regulations set out in the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934. This makes them NFA items, which lumps them in the same category as short-barrel rifles, short-barrel shotguns, and machine guns.

The Silencer Central Buying Process

Buying a suppressor through Silencer Central couldn’t be more easy because we walk you through the whole process and handle all the paperwork for you. Here’s a brief overview of the process:

1. Find out whether silencers are legal to own in your state.

As of 2023, suppressors are legal in 42 of the 50 states. The eight that do not are California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island – and the District of Columbia.

2. Select the affordable suppressor that’s right for you.

Variety is the spice of life, and suppressor life is spicy! Thankfully, Silencer Central has a top-notch team who know suppressors forwards and backward to help you pick the right affordable suppressor.

3. Buy your silencer and tax stamp.

When you buy your suppressor, you’ll also buy a tax stamp. If you buy more than one suppressor, either at the same time or in the future, then you’ll need another stamp.

4. Let us handle the paperwork.

We will email you your application pre-filled with your information to review and digitally sign. After you sign your documents, we will send your application to the ATF. Once your background check is finished and the ATF issues your tax stamp, we can mail your new silencer directly to your front door.

5. eZ-Pay: Pay while you wait.

Buying a silencer has never been easier than it is right now with Silencer Central! We let you start your ATF paperwork and pay your silencer off over three months while your application processes. Just pay 25 percent down, and 25 percent a month for the next three months, and pay your silencer off while you wait for ATF approval.

Confidently Invest in a Suppressor with Silencer Central

The market for suppressors is plentiful, and narrowing it down to the right one for you and your budget can be confusing. Thankfully, our staff has been shooting and selling suppressors for more than 15 years. Suffice it to say that we’ve got a pretty good handle on which silencers make for a good investment when you’re trying to keep within a budget. If you’re having trouble deciding, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll happily talk you through the options and then, when you’re ready, get you on your way to silencer ownership and suppressed shooting in the most affordable way possible!