Silencers 101
Can You Put a Silencer on Any Gun?

Can You Put a Silencer on Any Gun?

Can You Put a Silencer on Any Gun?

You can put a silencer on almost any handheld or shoulder-fired gun and even large firearms like a .50 caliber rifle. However, first, you need to find a compatible suppressor. A compatible suppressor is one that fits your barrel type and supports your caliber.

While you can put a silencer on most guns, the efficacy of a suppressor will vary between firearms. For example, a revolver has gaps between the cylinder and barrel. These gaps allow expanding propellant gasses to escape from not just the muzzle, reducing a suppressor’s effectiveness.

In summary, the answer to whether or not you put a suppressor on any gun is mostly “yes.” However, several factors affect how you attach a suppressor and how well it will work. The biggest of these factors is the suppressor type.

Types of Suppressors

Several suppressor types are available, and most of these suppressors are either direct thread suppressors, quick detach suppressors, or integrated suppressors. Direct thread suppressors are silencers you can directly screw onto a barrel. Such suppressors are for firearms with threaded barrels because you cannot screw on the suppressor without the threading.

On the other hand, quick detach suppressors require a special muzzle device to attach the suppressor to a barrel. Then you have the integrated or integral suppressors, which are not detachable. These suppressors come built into a firearm’s barrel to muffle gunfire noise.

Besides the mounting system, you can classify suppressors according to use or firearm type. For example:

Shotgun

A shotgun suppressor works specifically with shotguns and reduces the gunshot noise of such firearms. Several brands offer shotgun suppressors, but one of the best products is the Salvo 12-gauge shotgun silencer. The aluminum suppressor works well with most 12-gauge shotguns, including pump-action, semi-automatics, and inertia-driven shotguns.

Rifle

Rifle suppressors are available for various rifle types, including bolt action, semi-automatic, and automatic rifles. Besides reducing gunshot noise, rifle suppressors improve shooting accuracy and comfort by minimizing felt recoil.

The right suppressor for your rifle will depend on the caliber you shoot. You can find silencers for various rifle calibers at Silencer Central, including .338, .308/7.62mm, .223/5.56mm, Ruger 10/22, and .22LR.

Pistol

A pistol suppressor does the same job as a rifle and shotgun suppressor. However, most pistol silencers are for lower-pressure handgun rounds. You can find options made from aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium for calibers like 9mm, .45 ACP, and .40.

You can also get pistol suppressors in various lengths to achieve your preferred firearm length and weight. However, remember that an overly long and heavy suppressor can make your pistol difficult to maneuver and aim.

Rimfire

Rimfire suppressors are for shooting rimfire ammo. Unlike typical centerfire rifle suppressors, rimfire suppressors are usually lighter because rimfire rounds are smaller and have lower pressure. Examples of such rounds include 22LR, 22Mag, and 5.7X28MM.

Rimfire suppressors also generally cost less than rifle and handgun suppressors. Due to its lighter build, we strongly advise against shooting centerfire rounds with a rimfire suppressor.

Choosing Your Suppressor

The answer to whether you can put a suppressor on any gun may be “yes,” but that does not mean you can put just any suppressor on any firearm. Picking the right suppressor for your firearm and shooting needs requires taking various factors into consideration. Below are some of the most important factors.

Material of the Suppressor

The material used to build a suppressor significantly affects its weight, efficiency, and durability. The three most popular materials are titanium, aluminum, and stainless steel. These three materials are good, but each has unique advantages that distinguish it from the competition. For instance, titanium suppressors are the most durable and weigh less than steel suppressors. They also cool faster.

Stainless steel suppressors typically cost less than their titanium counterparts but weigh more. On the other hand, aluminum silencers weigh and cost less. While an aluminum suppressor can be durable, it cannot be as resilient as titanium or steel products because it has a lower strength-to-weight ratio. Choose a suppressor with a material that best fits your long-term shooting requirements, expectations, and preferences.

Type of Gun

Naturally, you want a suppressor that fits your gun. For instance, a rifle or pistol suppressor cannot work with a shotgun, and a shotgun suppressor cannot work with other firearms. Also, you cannot use a rimfire suppressor for your centerfire rifle or a suppressor that does not match your caliber. Only a silencer designed for your firearm type can deliver a safe and enjoyable shooting experience.

Cost

Suppressors are available at various prices. Several factors, such as brand, build, and material, influence a suppressor’s price. For instance, titanium suppressors are typically the most expensive because the material is highly durable.

Since aluminum suppressors are less resilient, they typically cost less than titanium and steel silencers. However, an aluminum suppressor can still be a good buy if you do not frequently use your firearm and only shoot low-pressure rounds.

Performance

Pick the right silencer by first figuring out what you want the attachment to do. For example, do you want the lowest possible gunfire noise or a resilient suppressor that can handle automatic fire? Knowing what you want from a suppressor will simplify finding a suitable product.

How to Attach a Silencer

The first step to attaching a silencer is to check if you have a threaded barrel. If you do not have a threaded barrel, you can thread it yourself or let a professional handle it. Getting your barrel threaded by an expert is a safer option because you don’t have to invest in expensive equipment or worry about mistakes that might ruin your barrel.

At Silencer Central, we offer a special CNC barrel threading service. The service involves mailing us your barrel or stripped action for threading. You can request a standard thread pattern or something unique. After threading your barrel, we will mail it back to you, ready for your suppressor.

If you already have a threaded barrel, you can skip the threading process and attach your silencer with the steps below. For a more in-depth guide, head to our tutorial: how to attach a suppressor.

Unload Firearm

Unload your firearm and engage the safety. Taking these precautions eliminates the risk of an accidental discharge or other potentially costly mistakes. Once your firearm is safe, you can move to the next step.

Screw on Suppressor

Remove any debris on the threading before sitting the base of your suppressor over the tip of your muzzle. Screw on the suppressor tightly and confirm that it is on straight. An off-center or improperly attached suppressor can lead to inaccurate shots or exiting bullets damaging the silencer or barrel.

N.B: If your suppressor comes with other specific instructions for attaching it to a firearm, follow them.

Can I Use One Suppressor on Multiple Guns?

Legally, yes, you can use one suppressor on multiple guns you own. You can also get an NFA Gun Trust that allows you to share silencer ownership with other people. You and the others mentioned in the trust can use one silencer for the compatible weapons you all own.

What if you have different gun types? You can find suppressors that work with multiple gun types. For instance, you can use our Banish 22 on .22 caliber or smaller rimfire rifles and pistols. Our Banish 45 is also a multi-caliber suppressor. However, remember that you can only use a suppressor with a firearm that fits its mounting system.

Take the Leap – Buy a Silencer TODAY!

Now that you know you can put a silencer on almost any gun, which suppressor would you like to buy? Head to Silencer Central today to browse our rifle, pistol, shotgun, and big bore suppressors and find the best one for your gun and shooting needs. You can also take advantage of our mail-in barrel threading service to thread your gun to fit your selected suppressor.