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Designed for rimfire rifles and pistols, .22 caliber and smaller. The BANISH RF 22 T…
$549.00
Designed for your hunt. Built for your budget. The BANISH HNT 30 SS is a welded, sta…
$499.00
Rated for calibers up to the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM), the BANISH HNT Backc…
$1,099.00
There is no denying the growing popularity of AR-15 platform rifles in America. These highly customizable rifles have a near-endless supply of accessories to both personalize the rifle and add performance to your shooting experience. There are a lot of choices for suppressors, and luckily you're already on the website for the nation's leader in suppressor development and sales. Want to know what are the best AR-15 suppressors? Here is a hint - keep reading.
The fun thing about an AR-15 is how many options you have with all of the various parts, accessories and more, that are all available to you. This includes a terrific selection of silencers.
There are many factors that go into choosing an AR-15 suppressor. Although they would seem to be similar on the surface, the true answers are mostly user-driven. There is a difference between what a varmint hunter needs on an AR-15 for a prairie dog hunt and what a SWAT officer needs on a CQB rifle.
For most hunters, weight and length are critical factors, especially if they are covering long distances on foot. For a CQB type suppressor, length and durability are more critical. Someone who has an assortment of rifles that can share a suppressor may have to evaluate whether it is easier to go with a quick-detach or direct thread method for mounting. Some shooters want the quietest suppressor they can find while others just want enough of the edge taken off so that they can shoot without hearing protection or be able to communicate with their team members.
It is important to evaluate your needs and goals before you go into this and to even consider future needs and goals, as these do tend to change over time. You may have only one AR-15 in 5.56 for which you will need a suppressor at this time. That may change in six months or even 3 years from now should you add a .308 caliber rifle to your collection or maybe an SBR or braced AR-15 pistol.
| Category | Name | Caliber | Weight | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall AR-15 Suppressor | BANISH 223 | .223 | 9 oz | 7 in | $849 |
| Best Multi-Caliber Suppressor | BANISH 30 | .30 | 9 oz or 13 oz | 7 in or 9 in | $978 |
| Shortest AR-15 Suppressor | BANISH Speed K | 5.56 | 14.1 oz | 4 in | $1,199 |
| Best .223 Suppressor | 223 XDS Coastal Guns | .223 | 28 oz | 8.5 in | $550 |
| Best Value | Turbo T3 | .223 | 12.8 oz | 5.59 in | $649.95 |
| Best Premium Suppressor | BANISH 30 Gold | .30 | 13 oz | 8.2 in | $1,699 |
There’s no denying that the AR-15 is one of the most popular rifle platforms on the market, and the BANISH 223 suppressor is optimized to run on that platform as well, not just traditional bolt-action hunting and target rifles. As an added perk, it’s even rated for limited full-auto fire if you’re one of the lucky people who possess a registered M16 or full-auto sear pack.
It may seem as if we are playing favorites because this is one of our own suppressors, but we really do think the BANISH 223 is the best overall suppressor for use on an AR-15. It uses a direct thread mounting system and will attach to any rifle with a ½ x28 thread pitch.
With a lightweight rifle like the AR-15, you want to keep length and weight down on the suppressor. The BANISH 223 accomplishes both of these with its 7” length and 9 ounce weight. This is a good one for shorter length AR-15 carbines and braced pistols.
Coming in with a sound reduction of 38 decibels, the reduced report provided by the BANISH 223’s expansion tube and seven baffles will not only protect your hearing but also the hearing of anyone shooting around you, and it will help keep the sound from spooking other animals if you’re one of the growing number of people who chooses to hunt with their AR-15.
Like all BANISH suppressors the BANISH 223 is completely user serviceable.
What our customers say:
"First of all Silencer Central is great. They made my paperwork and the whole process easy and fast. I was approved in 4 days over a weekend. My Banish 223 works great on my AR-15 no more having to use hearing protection. I also put it on my .22 pistol and it's so quiet to plink with. So much fun I wish I would have bought one sooner. Definitely buying more. Thanks Silencer Central." - Jonathan C.
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Price $849
Many shooters want to make their investments go the extra mile and to be able to use their AR-15 suppressor on as many different hosts as they possibly can. Their goal is to find the ultimate multi-caliber suppressor, and that makes sense on so many levels, not the least of which is that the AR platform can play host to a variety of different calibers. In most instances whenever one tool attempts to fill numerous roles, the end result is a tool that does a lot, but nothing really well. Fortunately this is not the case when it comes to a multi-caliber suppressor like the BANISH 30.
For example, a number of .30 caliber or 5.56 suppressors and even pistol silencers can effectively suppress the sound of rimfire rounds. The trouble is that rimfire rounds are notoriously dirty and will quickly foul these suppressors. The only recourse is to hopefully burn the carbon and lead by firing higher pressure rifle rounds in an attempt to burn them clean. The BANISH 30 makes this process easier as it is one of the few rifle suppressors that is completely user serviceable and it can be easily taken apart for service and cleaning and goes back together with no difficulty.
You can remove the individual baffles, clean them and the tube, and then put it all back together quickly so that you spend less time cleaning and more time shooting.
The modularity factor also allows the shooter to run the BANISH 30 in a short 7” length for ease of portability and maneuverability if you’ll be using it on your AR-15 for home defense or in closer quarters or the 9” length for a much quieter level in sound reduction for extended range sessions or in hunting situations.
There is a newer version of the BANISH 30 that came out. It is lighter, shorter and quieter, and uses a HUB mount. However, for now, the original BANISH 30 is available at a lower price, and you can get it in sweet color variations. Need a HUB mount version? You can get an adapter kit to retrofit the original to a HUB mount.
What customers say:
"This is my first one and I’m DEFINITELY not disappointed. This suppressor drastically reduced the recoil and noise level of my AR-15 pistol. I got a lot of compliments on the range when I used it as well. Game changer! Highly recommended." - Sammy D.
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Price $899
At just 4" in length, the Speed K is the perfect choice when maneuverability and speed are vital to success in whatever you're doing. The compact design allows for quick and precise movements in tight spaces. Creating a suppressor short in length was a primary focus when designing and building the Speed K, along with minimal blowback and extreme durability.
With clipped-wall baffles and a finned blast chamber, the Speed K ensures maximum sound reduction while maintaining optimal performance. Featuring controlled flow technology and a vented 4th baffle, this duty suppressor minimizes blowback for a better shooting experience.
The silencer is constructed with 100% Inconel for durability and lower heat retention. Passing seven rounds of SOCOM testing, the Speed K is extremely durable and won’t fail when it matters most. One round of SOCOM testing puts 1,440 rounds through the suppressor in a short period. Many suppressors don’t pass one round of SOCOM testing, let alone seven rounds!
What our customers say:
"Loved the end to end process, easy. 300 rounds of 5. 56 77gr and 62gr, zero issues. Fired from a BCA 11. 5 Wylde upper, PSA EPT lower, Aero H3 buffer. Love the low short can and really can't feel the added weight. Don't forget a cover to mitigate the mirage!" - Johnny B.
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Price $999
When it comes to a suppressor made for the .223 Remington cartridge as opposed to the 5.56 NATO cartridge, we think mostly of the sporting rifles chambered specifically in that caliber, and it just so happens that they tend to be bolt-action hunting rifles. For those reasons, a direct-thread suppressor is one of the better options. A bolt-action will always be quieter by nature than any semi-automatic rifle due to the completely closed action. There is no gas vented through the ejection port and absolutely no noise created by the cycling of the bolt. For shooters who hang on decibel numbers, those variables will generate false readings when a suppressor is metered for sound.
Why, then, are we talking about bolt-action rifles in an article about suppressors for AR-15s? The answer is simple: Most AR-15s can fire both 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington with ease. That’s why we took a look at the 223 XDS Coastal Guns suppressor and chose it for this category. It’s right at home on an AR or a bolt gun.
This is a heavy duty suppressor with regard to performance and physical size. It tips the scales at 28 ounces and, while that may not be what you want on a lightweight short barreled entry carbine, it is perfect for a hunter or shooter who primarily shoots from a supported position at long range using an AR-15 or bolt action rifle. Plenty of precision shots can be taken at long distances with an AR, and this suppressor would fit the bill perfectly for those situations.
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Price $550
A full-feature suppressor built on a budget is what YHM had in mind with the Turbo T3, and that’s exactly what they delivered. In a world where most suppressor accessories cost extra, YHM ships the Turbo T3 with a QD flash hider and a Phantom QD adapter so that you can switch between suppressed and unsuppressed shooting right out of the box with no extra cost.
The generous internal volume of the Turbo T3 offers a size-to-suppression ratio that is hard to beat in 5.56 suppressors of similar size. As a result, you can shoot quieter, smoother, and cleaner than ever before. The inclusion of an Inconel blast baffle further reduces blowback compared to the previous Turbo T2, and it's even rated for full-auto fire
What our customers say:
"Very very happy with the whole process, silencer central helped and kept me informed in every step from the day my ordered was placed, I had the suppressor in my hands in 5 weeks . Got exactly what I wanted the Turbo T3 fits great on my AR-15 and is feels lighter than I was expecting." - Donald M.
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Price: $559
When looking at all the choices and scouting for suppressors that are worthy of being placed in the top tier, it comes down to versatility. That means versatility in terms of caliber, configuration, mounting options, and more.
We found one suppressor in the top tier, premium category that can handle everything from 22 rimfire up to 300 Remington Ultra Magnum (300 RUM) in the BANISH 30 Gold.
Like its other brothers in the BANISH family, the BANISH-30 Gold can be disassembled for service and cleaning and it goes back together with no difficulty. Unlike the BANISH 30 it uses a quick detach muzzle brake. As mentioned previously, this is a desirable feature because it puts the brunt of the muzzle blast on the brake as opposed to the baffles.
If you are looking for a can you can use on your AR-10 as well, this is the can to use.
What our customers say:
"Supersonic 30–06 sounds like a 22. Subsonic 300 blackout sounds like a BB gun. Dramatic sound suppression as promised totally satisfied would buy again would recommend my friend by Customer service. Excellent I received my suppressor one month after submission." - Shawn O.
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Price $1,299
As we stated earlier, the best AR-15 suppressor can mean a lot of different things based on the shooter’s needs and the rifle’s specifications. Always remember, it’s your rifle and your needs that will dictate which AR-15 suppressor is the best for you. A longer barreled AR-15 (20”-24”) will always be quieter than a shorter barreled rifle (10.5” to 16”). Every shooter needs to assess what is more important based on their own equipment.
If you own a lot of firearms besides an AR-15, you will want a suppressor that can not only be readily used on a full-sized AR-15 or braced pistol, but one that can handle different rounds from rimfire magnum cartridges possibly up to .300 Blackout or even .30 caliber Magnum rounds like .300 Winchester Magnum or .300 RUM. In those cases a dedicated .223 caliber suppressor will not be up to the task, nor will a unit that is completely sealed if you are a high volume rimfire shooter with that kind of suppressor.
Aside from your specific needs, versatility with regard to mounting and calibers is important in the suppressed realm of shooting. Tax stamp cost aside, who wants to wait for multiple suppressors when one can handle most of your needs? The double edged sword there can come down to proprietary mounting systems. One suppressor at $600 and a $200 tax stamp can seem cheap at first, but not if you need 11 different mounts at $150 apiece to make it truly versatile.
Suppressing the AR-15
Anytime you can bring the decibel level down below hearing safe limits, it is worth it to suppress any firearm. AR-15s are great suppressed, especially if shooting in enclosed spaces, or under a roof as a range. Plus specialized suppressors, like the BANISH Speed K reduce blowback, making shooting it more enjoyable.
Without a silencer, an AR-15 is roughly 160-170 decibels. With a proper suppressor, an AR-15 will be around 130-135 decibels when fired, well below the hearing safe threshold of 140 decibels. Click here to learn more about hearing safety.
The short answer is no, a suppressor does not have a significant, if any, impact on the speed of a bullet as it is fired.
Before a suppressor is used, there is air trapped within the suppressor. After you fire the first round, that air is pushed out, causing an extra pop, making the first shot louder than all following shots.
Yes, it is legal to suppress an AR-15 in all 42 states where suppressor ownership is legal. Those few states that do not allow suppressor ownership should seriously consider reversing their laws to protect the hearing of those within the state, but until they do...
There are a lot of excellent suppressors available these days, and it may be hard to pick a favorite and place the order. Luckily for you, there's some easy help available, with expert advice that can help you pull the trigger on the best AR-15 silencer for your specific needs and uses. All it takes is a call or email to Silencer Central's customer service team, and you're on the way.
