They may be compact, but they still pack a serious punch! SBRs are a very popular category of firearms used and enjoyed by enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The only thing better than shooting an SBR is shooting a suppressed SBR. What are the best suppressors for SBRs on the market right now? We’re glad you asked.
What Is An SBR?
A short-barreled rifle (SBR) is a legal definition for a firearm of a certain length created by the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). The law defines an SBR as a shoulder-fired, rifled firearm, made from a rifle, with a barrel length of less than 16 inches or overall length of less than 26 inches, or a handgun fitted with a buttstock and a barrel shorter than 16 inches in length.
An SBR is regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as a Title II weapon. Unless prohibited by local laws, a private citizen may own an SBR, provided it is registered with the ATF. A $200 tax is paid prior to taking possession of or creating the SBR.
NOTE: The $200 tax paid for the SBR is in addition to the $200 tax paid for a suppressor.
Advantages of Suppressors For SBRs
Just like any other firearm, there are a variety of benefits for using a suppressor with an SBR. That said, there are some extra benefits to using one with an SBR compared to a regular length rifle.
Sound Suppression
Because of their short barrel, SBRs tend to be louder than their longer counterparts. Rifles are already loud enough as it is to merit the use of a suppressor, so the fact that SBRs are even louder makes adding a suppressor a no-brainer.
Maneuverability
Many people choose to run an SBR because of its compact size. They’re easier to maneuver when clearing rooms, using for home defense, etc. than it is to use a carbine or rifle. Adding a suppressor to a carbine or rifle can make the gun unwieldy in these situations, but with an SBR already being shorter by nature, you can add a suppressor and have an overall length that’s not any longer than a carbine or rifle without a suppressor.
Flash Reduction
Firing an SBR is bright! The muzzle flash from an SBR is considerably brighter than the muzzle flash from a carbine or a rifle. While a suppressor isn’t specifically designed to act as a flash hider, it’s one of the extra benefits for using them. If you’re firing your SBR at night, you’ll be glad to have the extra flash reduction.
The Five Best SBR Suppressors
Here are our top five picks for the best SBR suppressors on the market in 2023.
Banish 223
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 when you touch off some .223 or 5.56 rounds.
The BANISH 223 is a direct-thread silencer that mounts on conventional 1/2×28 threads. Made of lightweight titanium, this 7” suppressor weighs a mere 9 ounces, so the added length and weight to an SBR is minimal.
Suppressor maintenance is important, and the Banish 223 is easily disassembled from both ends for cleaning and maintenance. Use a tumbler, ultrasonic cleaner, or a nylon brush; the method of cleaning is up to you. The seven baffles are designed to easily stack and index in any order, making reassembly a breeze.
Banish 223 Specs:
Weight: 9 oz
Length: 7″
Finish: GunKote
Materials: Titanium
MSRP: $849
YHM Turbo T3
YHM’s Turbo T3 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.
Coming in at just 6.5″ long with the Q.D. adapter attached, the Turbo T2 is the shortest option on this list, making it perfect for use on a compact gun like an SBR. On the front of the Turbo T2, you’ll notice the notched rim and tri-port muzzle on the end cap. These features add significant flash suppression, which is very beneficial on an AR pistol or SBR.
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.
Yankee Hill Machine Turbo T3Specs:
Weight: 12.8 oz
Length: 6.5″
Finish: Black
Materials: Stainless Steel and Inconel
MSRP: $649.95
Banish 30
If you’re going to a .300 Blackout SBR then you’ll need a .30 caliber suppressor. The Banish 30 is a direct-thread suppressor that mounts on conventional 5/8×24 threads and comes out of the box as a 9″ suppressor holding eight baffles.
If, however, you’ll be shooting suppressed in tighter, more confined spaces, then you’ll benefit greatly from this suppressor’s modularity. It can easily break down and assemble into a 7″ configuration with six baffles. Either way, you’ll still get great sound suppression with minimal added length on your SBR in either configuration.
Weight is just as important as the overall length in this situation. The Banish 30 is made from a strong titanium alloy for unmatched durability at an extremely light weight. In the full configuration, it weighs 13 ounces; in the short configuration, it weighs just 10 ounces. You’ll be hard-pressed to even feel it on an SBR!
When it comes time for cleaning, the Banish 30 easily comes apart from both ends and is ready to be tossed in a tumbler, ultrasonic cleaner, or cleaned manually. Reassembly is a breeze due to the baffles being keyed and indexed for exact alignment.
Banish 30 Specs:
Weight: 10 oz or 13 oz
Length: 7″ or 9″
Finish: GunKote and DLC
Materials: Titanium
MSRP: $979
Dead Air Sandman-S
Dead Air’s Sandman suppressors have great reputations and with good reason. The Sandman-S is the “little brother” to the Sandman-L, and while it may be smaller, it still retains all of the performance.
With no barrel length restrictions, the Sandman-S is a perfect low-profile addition to fit your suppressor needs on an SBR. Featuring a low blowback design, the Sandman-S is touted for not only its compact construction but also for its impressive noise reduction at the ear.
The Dead Air Sandman-S features a Q.D. mounting system that incorporates an index pattern for ease of mounting and removal. It’s also outfitted with a removable front-end cap, making the Sandman-S extremely user-serviceable, allowing for quick disassembly, cleaning, and fast reassembly.
Dead Air Sandman-S Specs:
Weight: 17.7 oz
Length: 6.8″
Finish: Cerakote
Materials: Stainless Steel and Stellite
MSRP: $1,049
TBAC ULTRA 7 Gen2
The ULTRA 7 Gen2 is approximately 20% lighter than the previous version.
The ULTRA 7 Gen2 is TBAC’s highly efficient compact precision rifle suppressor when compared to their longer ULTRA 9 Gen2. It is best for applications where a compact form factor is important but excellent suppression is still required.
When compared to the Gen1 version, the TBAC ULTRA 7 Gen2 is 2 decibels quieter at the muzzle and the ear and is 1.7 ounces lighter. It may not sound like much, but after an extended period of use, that little less weight and a few more reduced decibels add up and makes a big difference.
TBAC ULTRA 7 Gen2 Specs:
Weight: 8 oz
Length: 7″
Finish: Cerakote
Materials: Titanium
MSRP: $1,045
What Makes a Good Suppressor For A Short Barrel Rifle?
There are a number of factors to consider when determining what makes a good suppressor for an SBR, but here are three things we think are most important.
Decibel Reduction
Picking a suppressor that has a good decibel reduction is of the utmost importance for any firearm, but it becomes even more important because of an SBR’s considerably shorter barrel. Firing an SBR is a lot louder than firing a carbine or a rifle, so you’ll want to pay extra close attention to the decibel reduction rating of a given suppressor when you’re considering adding it to your SBR.
Length
Perhaps the biggest benefit to using an SBR is its size, or rather, its lack of size. SBRs are practical in certain applications because of their short length. You’ll want to consider the length of the suppressor and how much it will add to the overall length of your SBR. If you’re running a very short SBR, say 10″ or less, then you can get away with running a longer suppressor than if you were using a 14.5″ SBR.
Weight
Since SBRs are shorter, they’re also lighter. Suppressors are usually made out of lightweight materials like titanium, but weight is still weight, even if it’s just a matter of ounces. You’ll want to consider those ounces into your setup to ensure that your SBR-suppressor combo doesn’t tip the scales too much.
Silence Your SBR Today at Silencer Central
Whether you’re a long-time owner of an SBR or you’re a recent convert to the concept, you know that they’re a ton of fun. Really, the only way to improve upon one is to quiet it down.
If you’re ready to suppress your SBR, let us know. We’ve been in this business for more than 15 years and our top-notch staff can help you pick the right can for your needs. We’ll walk you through the super-easy ordering process of any of the picks on this list – or a different one altogether if that’s what you want – and even set you up on an interest-free payment plan. Even if you don’t see the suppressor you want on our site, we’ll help you get it. Plus, once your stamp is approved, we’ll mail your new suppressor right to your door!
Banish 223
