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Bigger isn't always better, and short suppressors are proof of this.
Sometimes you don't want or need a long suppressor on the end of your barrel. For example, if you're running a CQB carbine setup, a long suppressor can be a hindrance to your maneuverability. Whatever the situation may be, there are a multitude of short suppressors to choose from depending on your needs, and we're going to cover the long and short of it all.
There's no definition of a short suppressor that's set in stone, but for our purposes here, we're going to define a short suppressor as one that is less than 6" in overall length.
If you're considering using a short suppressor, here are a few reasons that may tip you onto the right side of the fence.
Of course, there are also some shortcomings to short suppressors. Here are a few to consider.
Whether you're picking out a short suppressor or a long one, there are some important considerations that have to be made regardless of length. The main things to consider are sound reduction, recoil management, weight, etc.
For example, when choosing a short suppressor, you're going to have to make some trade-offs. You'll want to consider how many decibels you're willing to sacrifice to have a lighter suppressor.
| Category | Name | Caliber | Weight | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortest | BANISH Speed K | 5.56 | 14.1 oz | 4 in | $1,199 |
| Most Affordable | YHM Fat Cat | 17HMR - 5.56 | 10.6 oz | 4.25 in | $699.95 |
| Best for an AR-15 | SureFire SOCOM556 MINI2 | 5.56 | 15 oz | 5 in | $1,199 |
| Lightest | TBAC ULTRA 5 | Up to .300RUM | 15 oz | 5 in | $1,070 |
| Best in Low Light | HUXWRX Flow 556K | 17HMR - 5.56 | 12.9 oz | 5.5 in | $1,306 |
Here are our top five picks for the best short suppressors on the market for 2024:
At just 4" in length, the BANISH Speed K is the shortest of the short suppressor models on this list, but don't let the small size fool you. Made entirely out of Inconel, the Speed K is a 5.56 suppressor that's packed with features. Outfitted with a finned blast chamber, internal vents, a clipped wall baffle, and Easy Clean Technology, this short suppressor is both user-serviceable and rated for full-auto.
Designed and optimized in partnership with Federal Premium ammunition, the Speed K brings the sound level down to just 138.5 decibels when firing 55-grain FMJ ammo from a 10.5" barrel. That's considered hearing-safe even with such a short barrel, so this suppressor is right at home on rifles, carbines, and pistols.
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BANISH Speed K Specs:
Shop the Banish Speed K
The YHM Fat Cat suppressor us designed to deliver unparalleled performance and reliability and boasts advanced technology and rugged construction that guarantees exceptional noise reduction without compromising accuracy.
Crafted from high-quality stainless steel and Inconel, the Fat Cat is built to withstand the rigors of regular use, ensuring longevity and durability. It’s also full-auto rated, allowing you to enjoy its benefits in a variety of shooting scenarios. Backed by a lifetime warranty, the YHM Fat Cat Suppressor is a must-have addition to your firearm, promising superior performance and a quieter, more enjoyable shooting experience.
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YHM Fat Cat Specs:
Optimized for performance on barrels that are 14.5” or longer, the SOCOM MINI2 packs a ton of features into a 5” footprint. Weighing less than one pound and made of laser welded high-temp alloys and stainless steel, this QD suppressor offers sound suppression that averages 137-140 decibels, which is still hearing-safe.
When every extra inch counts against you, SureFire’s innovative internal baffling significantly decreases back pressure, cyclic rate, and gas blowback, making for a top-notch shooting experience that is physically cooler than the competition.
The SOCOM556 MINI2 is compatible with an array of SureFire’s flash hiders, compensators, and WARCOMPS.
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SureFire SOCOM556 MINI2 Specs:
The TBAC ULTRA 5 provides top-notch .30-caliber suppression in a super compact can. Tests show that full-power hot M118LR ammo meters just 133 decibels at the shooter’s ear. That’s super impressive from a 5” suppressor!
Made entirely of titanium and with the baffles joined directly to one another in a tubeless design, this material and construction combination provide a great strength to weight ratio. It’s even rated for limited full-auto fire, so go ahead and put it through the paces.
All of TBAC’s ULTRA series suppressors, including the ULTRA 5, have the flexibility to change from direct thread to CB mount and vice versa with a simple factory service operation in case your needs change.
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TBAC ULTRA 5 Specs:
Back pressure and gas in your face are two big problems with many suppressors, but not with the FLOW 556K. Made from 3D-printed stainless steel, HUXWRX has designed a compact suppressor that doesn’t sacrifice performance for size. It passed all of the US Government’s official tests with flying colors and is full-auto rated even on short barrels.
Their patented Flow-Through technology directs gas out the front, minimizing the gas that comes back to the shooter’s face from the bolt or the charging handle. The flash cap on the front also mitigates muzzle flash, making it an ideal choice in low-light situations.
At just 5.5” inches in length and 12.9 ounces in weight, the FLOW 556K is in a league of its own when it comes to design, durability, and performance.
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HUXWRX FLOW 556K Specs:
The short answer is yes, suppressor length matters. In fact, it's probably the most important aspect of suppressor dimensions. That's because the overall length of the suppressor has a direct correlation to its performance, including decibel reduction and decreased felt recoil.
The whole point of using a suppressor is to reduce the decibels that the shooter and those around them are exposed to each and every time the gun goes off. Just how much of a reduction is achieved is due in no small part to the length of the suppressor. A shorter suppressor has less internal volume for gases to expand in comparison to a longer suppressor. The less internal volume there is, the less decibel reduction will occur. So, quite simply, the shorter the suppressor, the less decibel reduction there will be.
While not the primary purpose of using a suppressor, most shooters experience a reduction in felt recoil when shooting suppressed compared to unsuppressed. Again, much of this has to do with the internal volume mentioned immediately above. As a result, the shorter the suppressor, the less felt recoil reduction there will be.
Size, weight, and length of a suppressor are all tied together in a variety of ways. Each one plays a role in how well the suppressor reduces the sound signature, how much felt recoil is reduced, how easy the gun is to maneuver in a given space, how much the overall setup weighs, and how the balance of the overall setup feels.
If you're ready to buy a suppressor, then you've come to the right place. Silencer Central is the nation's largest suppressor dealer, licensed to sell to customers in all 42 states where suppressors are legal.
With us, the process couldn't be simpler. We'll handle all of the paperwork for you and mail your suppressor right to your front door once it's been approved. Plus, we'll set you up with a free gun trust and even offer a no-interest payment plan.
Don't sell yourself short any longer. Buy a suppressor today!
