Frequently Asked Questions About Rimfire Suppressors
December 12, 2025
A Rimfire suppressor is a great tool for helping you shoot more. They are great for cutting down the sound output from common rimfire calibers. They are also terrific tools for getting new shooters started out with the proper fundamentals without dealing with the issues that can arise from someone new shooting a gun for the first time and being afraid of the report. Let’s go through some of the commonly asked questions about rimfire suppressors and get you shooting suppressed.
What is a rimfire caliber?
Rimfire cartridges, such as .22 Long Rifle, .22 Magnum, and .17 HMR, differ from centerfire cartridges in that the primer is located around the rim rather than in the center of the case. This fundamental difference influences the design and use of suppressors tailored specifically for rimfire ammunition. Dedicated rimfire suppressors outperform centerfire suppressors when used with rimfire cartridges. The biggest reason is mostly due to bore size, as well as weight, size, and serviceability.
The Rugged Oculus 22 is a popular rimfire suppressor that is made from stainless steel, making it capable of taking on high fire rates for fun at the range. Photo by Ryan Grant.
Why does the bore size make a difference?
A rimfire suppressor typically has a smaller bore diameter (around .224) compared to the larger .30 caliber bore of most centerfire suppressors. This allows for better sound suppression. A tighter fit is always going to have better suppression than a loose bore. Rimfire suppressors are also much lighter and more compact, making them easier to handle.
Are rimfire suppressors easier to clean?
Due to rimfire ammunition producing more fouling, most rimfire suppressors are designed to be easily serviceable and easier to clean. We suggest cleaning a rimfire can every 300 to 500 rounds, depending on ammo type and usage frequency. Even if your rimfire can isn't serviceable, cleaning it should still take place. Here is a blog that takes you through cleaning steps for those types of suppressors.
How quiet are rimfire suppressors?
One of the key benefits of rimfire suppressors is the exceptional quietness—especially when combined with subsonic .22 Long Rifle rounds—making them ideal for stealthy shooting experiences. This is as close as you can get to “movie quiet” suppression. If you want to learn who makes the quietest rimfire suppressors, check out the results from the 2025 TBAC Sound Summit.
The Off-Grid Scorpius 22 was the quietest rimfire suppressor tested at the TBAC Sound Summit. Photo by Ryan Grant.
Are rimfire suppressors cheaper?
Yes, rimfire suppressors are more economical to shoot. They are also quite suitable for varmint hunting, and excellent tools for introducing new shooters to firearms since they reduce recoil noise, a common deterrent for beginners. Additionally, many rimfire suppressors are built to handle higher-pressure cartridges beyond the .22 Long Rifle, such as .17 HMR, .22 Magnum, and even some small centerfire rounds like the 5.7x28 FN.
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.
