K Cans vs Full-Size: Choosing the Right Suppressor For Your Firearm
August 25, 2025Posted by Ryan Grant
Mini suppressors, also known as K cans, have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. But are they worth considering? At the end of the day, it comes down to the host firearm, use case, and especially user preference.
WHat ARE Kurz SUPPRESSORS?
So, what exactly is a K can? The “K” stands for “Kurz” or “Kurtz," the German word for "short". It’s fitting, considering a K suppressor must be 6 inches or shorter to be considered one. Most manufactured today, however, are in the range of 4.5 - 5.5 inches. The popularity of K cans has grown so much in recent years, many companies are now creating K variants of their favorite full-length suppressors to fit the ever-evolving needs of their customers. But why are K cans so popular? Are they just a trend, or do they have genuine applications?
Why Should I Choose A KURZ Suppressor?
The first reason is weight.
Weight is a critical variable when building or accessorizing a rifle. Unless you're building a heavy precision rifle with an HBAR rifle, reducing weight should always be front of mind — especially on the business end. Less front-end weight means less muscle fatigue when repeatedly shouldering, glassing, or presenting the firearm. It means less weighing your body down when rucking, especially when you add in the ounces of extra kit attached to your body for hunting or tactical applications, like chest rigs, plate carriers or backpacks. So, when it comes to shaving off weight, a K suppressor can help.
Another consideration is barrel length. It’s fairly common knowledge that the shorter a rifle’s barrel is, the louder it is. For some people, they want a full-length suppressor to counteract the increased decibels. For others, maximizing maneuverability and keeping weight as low as possible is more important. This means going with a K can over a full-size — especially if running something like a gas-operated SBR or AR pistol in the 7.5” - 11.5” territory, or a bolt-action rifle with a 20 - 22” barrel. Choosing a K suppressor for these types of guns makes them lighter and more maneuverable, but the trade off is slightly increased decibels and even flash. Sometimes, it just boils down to personal preference.
The Otter Creek Labs Polonium K is a popular K suppressor. It has an internal and external flash hider to help reduce muzzle flash. Photo by the author.
Law Enforcement, Sport SHOOTING & HUNTing
If you're still on the fence about whether you should choose a K can or a more traditional-length one for your firearm, here are 3 examples for context:
Take a hunter who hikes for miles a day over mountainous terrain. He’s carrying a bolt-action rifle with a large LPVO, a 26” barrel, and a bipod. Adding another 7 - 9 inches to this rifle's length with a full-size suppressor would make it unwieldy and heavier. With that extra length, it could snag on trees and brush while he’s walking through the woods, and the extra weight could fatigue him more quickly. For this hunter, he or she may benefit from a Kurz suppressor.
Here’s another example. Take members of a SWAT team who have the role of entering and clearing buildings. In this case, they’d likely be using short-barreled, gas-operated carbines. Maneuverability takes precedence here, since SWAT teams navigate urban environments and tight, indoor spaces with the potential to see close quarters combat. In this case, K cans would suit their firearms well. With a K can, they are better able to enter rooms and circumvent corners, while still having it reduce concussive force, flash and noise from their muzzles — in turn, this allows them to communicate more effectively over comms and stay focused.
One last example is a casual shooter, like you or I, who's building a pistol caliber carbine for fun at the range. They want it to be as small and as light as possible. They start by accessorizing it with an optic like a Trijicon RMR Type 2 or an Aimpoint ACRO P2 — as small of a red dot as possible. Then they add a folding or retractable stock so it’s able to fit into a smaller bag or backpack for transport, or fit nicely into a section inside their car. A Kurz suppressor compliments this type of firearm well.
So, whether you’re building a sporting, hunting or fighting rifle, a Kurz can may suit your needs. It’s ultimately up to you and your use case.
The BANISH Speed K, a Kurz can designed for hard use. Photo by the author.
THE BANISH SPEED K
One of Silencer Central’s most impressive suppressors is the BANISH Speed K, a 4" long Kurz suppressor. One detail that makes the Speed K so incredible is its vented, 4th baffle that only permits a 5.8% increase in gas blowback. One lesser-known benefit to K cans is their reduced gas blowback, and the Speed K excels in this area compared to others in its class. This translates to a softer recoil impulse from the host firearm, and less gas to the face. It also means less wear and tear on the bolt carrier group over time, since the action isn't traveling back and forth as aggressively.
The Speed K was built with durability and longevity in mind. Its 3D-printed, solid Inconel construction makes it capable of withstanding hundreds of rounds of fire during a single schedule. In fact, the BANISH Speed K is so robust, it passed more than six rounds of the SOCOM Suppressor Test.
There are six total cycles to the SOCOM Suppressor Test. In each, there are eight 30-round magazines of ammunition rapid-fired at varying rates. The rifle and suppressor are allowed to cool briefly between each cycle, but by the end, the test puts 1,440 rounds through a suppressor in a brief amount of time. Tested suppressors must survive this without it affecting their structural integrity. Many end up cracking, failing, breaking or warping. But the Speed K triumphed, surmounting the threshold of required cycles.
The BANISH Speed K has a complex interior geometry only achievable through additive manufacturing, also known as 3D-printing. Photo by the author.
For hard-use, gas-operated firearms, look no further than Silencer Central’s BANISH Speed K. Or if you prefer a lighter, titanium variant, you can always choose the Speed K Ti.
Most models of K suppressors don't reduce sound and flash quite as well as full-size suppressors.
The benefits of a K can over a full-size can are less front end weight on the rifle, more maneuverability, and less gas blowback.
It stands for "Kurz" or "Kurtz", the German word for short.
K cans are often preferred for short-barreled rifles, PDWs and SMGs because they keep them compact and maneuverable. However, some people like to put a full-length suppressor on a short-barreled host because the muzzle report is much louder on a shorter barrel.
K cans are popular because of their reduced weight and maneuverability, while still keeping the host firearm relatively quiet.
Is a K can right for you?
Overall, Kurz suppressors are an interesting alternative to full-size suppressors. They may be worth considering for your next rifle and how you accessorize it. If it comes down to compactness, maneuverability and lightness — while still being able to reduce flash and decibels effectively — a K can may be the right pick for you.
While many suppressors can be used on several different caliber firearms, we have some specific models that can make your shooting more enjoyable. Pick the caliber that you have in mind. If you don’t see your caliber, pick one close to it to see our recommendations.
