Choosing an M1 Carbine Suppressor: Everything You Need to Know
One of the often discussed, but seldom applied rifles adapted for suppressor use is the legendary M1 Carbine, the classic light infantry rifle designed for the military in the 1940s. We say discussed because this rifle is not as easily suppressed as others, which we’ll get into in a moment. Can it be done? Definitely, and we will point out the best options for doing so. Picking the right suppressor is the key here, as the M1 Carbine is a tricky platform to start with. Done right, however, can yield amazing results. Here is everything you need to know when choosing an M1 Carbine suppressor.
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M1 Carbine: a Brief History
The M1 Carbine rifle entered service with the U.S. military prior to World War II, and was used throughout the military into Vietnam. It was designed as a lighter alternative to the M1 Garand, with lighter ammunition, coming in at roughly 7.5 pounds. The initial idea came about in 1938 when the military expressed a need for a light rifle for infantry. The formal requirements were set in 1940 and Winchester took on the task of design. Ed Browning, John Browning’s half brother, served as the lead designer, coming up with the Winchester G30 rifle. David Marshall Williams completed the design by adding a short-stroke gas piston design he had developed with a rotating bolt design from the M1 Garand.
Winchester developed a new cartridge based on a 110-grain .30-caliber bullet. It is a straight-wall, rimless cartridge that would go through some trial and error before being completed, becoming known as the .30 Carbine. Effective range for the .30 Carbine is around 200 yards. Energy and velocity are close to that of the .357 Magnum. There are some newer load options for the .30 Carbine, but most have a similar performance due to the rifle’s low rate of twist (1:20). All of this adds up to a rifle platform that is tricky to suppress while not hurting performance.
During World War II, there was a developmental program at the Royal Small Arms Factory in Great Britain to develop a suppressed version of the M1 carbine for use by the US Office of Strategic Services and the British Special Operations Executive. While the guns never really got past the development phase, the fact that they exist is proof of concept that you can indeed suppress the M1 carbine today.
Modern Uses of the M1 Carbine
Today, most M1 carbines are vintage guns from the middle of the 20th century; they’re widely seen as collectibles and many see them as “off-limits” for modification to use with a suppressor. Thankfully, there are companies out there making brand new M1 carbines that are more affordable than the vintage ones and you don’t have to feel guilty about modifying them to suit your needs.
Modern M1 carbines are a ton of fun to shoot and people use them for competition, range plinking, sometimes in defensive capacities, and, where legal, even for hunting. Because of the wide range of applications, it’s easy to see why one might want to suppress an M1 carbine.
Choosing the Best M1 Carbine Suppressor
There are a lot of different factors that need to be considered when choosing the best suppressor for an M1 carbine. This includes things like sound reduction and decibel ratings, overall weight and length, durability of the construction materials, and price.
| Category | Suppressor | Caliber Rating | Weight | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | BANISH 45 | .45 | 9.6-11 oz. | 6.7-8.6 in. | $949 |
| Best Modular | Rugged Obsidian45 | .45 | 10.7-12.8 oz. | 6.7 -8.6 in. | $875 |
| Most Affordable | Yankee Hill Machine R45 | .45 | 13 oz. | 6.45 in. | $699.95 |
| Shortest | SilencerCo Omega 36M | .36 | 9.8-12.5 oz. | 4.9-6.85 in. | $1,169 |
| Best Multi-Caliber | BANISH 46 | .46 | 16.3-20.4 oz. | 7.9-10 in. | $1,249 |
Top Suppressor Models for the M1 Carbine
Taking all of the factors mentioned in the previous section into consideration, we came up with a list of the top suppressor models for the M1 carbine. You will need to have your M1 Carbine’s barrel threaded by a skilled gunsmith, but we can help there, too.
Best Overall: BANISH 45
The unique design of the BANISH 45 makes it the one suppressor to fit many guns. Simply swap out the pistons (sold separately) and you can attach this suppressor to any multitude of firearms in your collection. Silencers are a significant investment, so it’s a huge plus to be able to use one can on multiple different firearms.
Because of the BANISH 45’s modular design, you can run it with eight or 12 baffles, depending on your specific needs. The BANISH 45 will help protect the hearing of the shooter and others around them and reduce recoil for quicker second shot target acquisition.
User-serviceable from both ends, this suppressor can be easily and quickly disassembled for configuration changes and cleaning. You can easily clean the baffles by hand with a brush and your favorite solvent. Reassembly is just as easy, thanks to the keyed and indexed baffles. This guarantees that each one will be lined up perfectly for optimum performance.
Advantages:
- Compatible with a lot of different calibers
- Titanium construction makes it solid yet lightweight
- Completely user-serviceable from both ends
Drawbacks:
- Direct thread attachment option only
BANISH 45 Specs:
- Caliber: .45
- Weight: 9.6 oz. or 11 oz.
- Diameter: 1-3/8″
- Length: 6.7″ or 7.6″
- Mount Type: Direct Thread
- Material: Titanium and Aluminum
- User-Serviceable: Yes
- Full-Auto Rated: Yes
- Price: $949
Best Modular: Rugged Obsidian45
The Obsidian45 strikes a perfect balance between durability and lightweight design. Rugged’s ADAPT Module introduces modularity, enabling users to select between the full configuration, measuring 8.6 inches and weighing 12.8 ounces, and the compact configuration, measuring 6.7 inches and weighing 10.7 ounces.
Obsidian45 baffles are machined from 17-4 stainless steel, offering easy cleaning options and heightened durability. In addition, it’s belt-fed rated for pistol calibers up to 45ACP, which means that it can easily handle the .30-caliber M1 carbine. Perhaps best of all, the non-slotted piston design, which establishes a gas seal to significantly reduce gas blowback.
Advantages:
- Stainless steel baffles are very durable
- Modular design to fit different needs on different guns
- Piston design greatly reduces gas blowback
Drawbacks:
- Outer tube is made from aluminum, which is less durable than other metals
Rugged Obsidian45 Specs:
- Caliber: .45
- Weight: 10.7 oz. or 12.8 oz.
- Diameter: 1.37″
- Length: 6.7″ or 8.6″
- Mount Type: Direct Thread
- Material: Stainless Steel and Aluminum
- User-Serviceable: Yes
- Full-Auto Rated: Yes
- Price: $875
Most Affordable: Yankee Hill Machine R45
At just $699.95, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better suppressor for this amount of money. The R45 was designed with a focus on providing shooting enthusiasts with a lightweight, quiet, and cost-effective solution.
Distinguished by its notched rim and tri-port muzzle on the end cap, the R45 sets itself apart in the realm of .45 caliber suppressors. The R45 employs a tubeless design constructed from heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel, ensuring durability and longevity. Included with the R45 are 2 wrenches and a 5/8″-24 Direct Thread HUB Adapter, enhancing its adaptability.
YHM’s innovative approach extends beyond conventional use, allowing the R45 to excel on pistol-caliber carbines and sub-guns while remaining budget-friendly, which makes it perfect for the M1 carbine.
Advantages:
- Can’t beat the quality for the price
- Tubeless design from stainless steel is very durable
- Even rated for limited full-auto rates of fire
Drawbacks:
- Not user-serviceable
Yankee Hill Machine R45 Specs:
- Caliber: .45
- Weight: 13 oz
- Diameter: 1.563″
- Length: 6.45″
- Mount Type: Direct Thread
- Material: Stainless Steel
- User-Serviceable: No
- Full-Auto Rated: Limited
- Price: $699.95
Shortest: SilencerCo Omega 36M
The SilencerCo Omega 36M is short, even in its long configuration. With the front section removed, the Omega 36M short configuration measures 4.90” and weighs just 9.8 ounces. The long configuration is 6.85” and weighs 12.5 ounces.
This versatile suppressor allows you to switch up different configurations for optimum performance while managing length, weight, and mounting options. The Omega 36M can do this because it has a two-piece modular design that allows for the removal of the front section. This provides the shooter with a shorter and lighter suppressor that still offers impressive sound performance on a .30-caliber firearm like the M1 carbine.
Made of stainless steel, titanium, and Cobalt 6, both long and short configurations of the Omega 36M are full-auto rated. Cross-platform compatibility means that the Omega 36M can be used with a variety of other SilencerCo pistons, Charlie, ASR, and 3-Lug accessories.
Advantages:
- Long configuration length is on par with others’ short configuration
- Build materials are incredibly durable yet still lightweight
- Tons of accessory mounting options
Drawbacks:
- The sheer amount of mounting options could become confusing
SilencerCo Omega 36M Specs:
- Caliber: .36
- Weight: 9.8 oz or 12.5 oz
- Diameter: 1.57″
- Length: 4.9″ or 6.85″
- Mount Type: ASR Mount
- Material: Cobalt, Titanium, and Stainless Steel
- User-Serviceable: No
- Full-Auto Rated: Yes
- Price: $1,169
Best Multi-Caliber: BANISH 46
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 10in. configuration.
The unique design of the BANISH 46 makes it the one suppressor to fit any gun – rifle or pistol. It’s never been easier or more convenient to use one suppressor for smaller pistol and rifle calibers like .380ACP and .223/5.56 as well as larger pistol and rifle calibers like .45ACP and .45-70 Government. Silencers are a significant investment, so it’s a huge plus to be able to use one can on multiple different firearms in a wide variety of calibers. The BANISH 46 will work great on your M1 carbine as well as a bunch of other rifles, carbines, and pistols that you may own in a variety of different calibers.
Advantages:
- Titanium and Inconel construction is incredibly durable
- Can handle calibers all the way up to .45-70 GOVT
- Modular construction allows user-configurability based on needs
Drawbacks:
- It’s heavy, weighing just more than a pound in the short configuration
BANISH 46 Specs:
- Caliber: .46
- Weight: 16.3 oz or 20.4 oz
- Diameter: 1.73″
- Length: 7.9″ or 10″
- Mount Type: Direct Thread or Muzzle Brake
- Material: Titanium and Inconel
- User-Serviceable: Yes
- Full-Auto Rated: Yes
- Price: $1,249
Benefits of Suppressing the M1 Carbine
If you really want to shoot your M1 carbine and do so more quietly than normal, the only way to achieve that is by adding a suppressor to it. Shooting suppressed is a unique experience, and a suppressed M1 carbine is definitely high on the list of unique suppressed experiences.
Obviously, this would be better suited to a modern production gun than a vintage one both for the historic value and the build quality. You’ll need to have the barrel threaded to accept a suppressor, and we offer that service in-house, too.
If you need a couple more reasons why you’d want to suppress an M1 carbine, we have you covered.
Decibel Reduction
Suppressors cut down the sound of gunshots on all guns, including an M1 carbine. It won’t be silent, but it will be quieter. Whether you’re shooting on an indoor range or just having a day full of fun, it’s always better when you can do it more quietly and not have to worry about damaging your hearing or the hearing of those around you. A well-built suppressor will help knock down those decibels and protect your ears.
Decreased Felt Recoil
Less felt recoil is a bonus feature of suppressors. While the M1 carbine’s .30-caliber cartridge isn’t known for its heavy recoil, it’s nice to know that you can still cut down on the recoil if you’re going to be shooting a high volume number of rounds or if you’re introducing someone new to the gun or shooting in general. Less felt recoil makes for a more pleasant shooting experience.
Less felt recoil also translates into less muzzle rise. When combined, a decrease in felt recoil and less muzzle rise can lead to more accurate shooting and faster target reacquisition for additional shots. All of which adds up to good things.
Invest in a Quality Suppressor Today!
The M1 Carbine is part of the history of the United States, as well as firearms in general. These rifles are fun to shoot and have a place alongside other modern rifles. When paired with the right suppressor, the M1 Carbine makes for a really fun and usable suppressed rifle. Yes, it’s tricky to adapt to a suppressor, but that’s why we’re here to help.
The M1 carbine has been around a long time, and while we’re not as old as that gun, Silencer Central has been around for almost 20 years. That makes us pretty experienced when it comes to knowing all of the ins and outs of quality suppressors and the buying process. We’re the only dealer licensed to sell to customers in all 42 states where suppressors are legal. Plus, we’ll handle all of the paperwork for you and mail your suppressor right to your door once it’s been approved.
Don’t wait any longer, let Silencer Central help you start the process of buying a quality suppressor today!