Firearms Product Feature Articles
The Quietest .45 Suppressor: Top Picks and Buying Guide
Love it or hate it (and we love it), the .45 ACP cartridge is one of the most significant developments in firearms history. Developed by the legendary John Moses Browing in 1904 for use in his new semi-automatic Colt pistol, the .45 went on the be the standard American service pistol for decades. Critics bash on the .45 because it is a slow-moving bullet with an average muzzle velocity of between 830-950 fps. However, this sheer mass of the bullet gives the .45 some serious punch. Being subsonic by nature, the .45 begs to be suppressed. When looking for the quietest .45 suppressor, you need to take quality into account, too, as that plays a major role in taming the sound of the .45.
How We Chose These Suppressors
For starters, we looked at the average decibel reduction from each. That is a tricky thing to look at though, as it can differ not only by each firearm – and usually does – as well as ammunition. The biggest unknown factor is the firearm itself. With a .45, if you take a 1911 pistol, with a threaded barrel of course, for the most part you’ll see uniform decibel reduction simply because the design is pretty much the same between all the various manufacturers.
Now will a silencer give identical decibel reductions when compared between a 1911 and, say, a Smith & Wesson M&P .45? It is possible, but there will likely be slight deviations due to the design difference between the two pistols. The other variable is barrel length. If you examine data of decibel reduction levels between firearms of the same design, but with different barrel lengths, there is a very strong chance you’ll find a difference. When you add in carbine rifles, the differences are a bit more pronounced, too.
And don't forget, .45 suppressors work amazing well on 9mm pistols, too. Our current favorite is the Springfield Echelon. If you are looking for a 9mm to suppress, you should look into it!
Our Picks for the Quietest .45 suppressors
We sell just about every suppressor on the market and our team spends a lot of time with every model, simply because we must know what we are selling. Here are our picks for the quietest .45 suppressors and some info to help you decide which one is right for you.
BANISH 45 - Editor’s Choice
Now, of course we are partial to our own .45-caliber suppressor, but it is not entirely a biased pick. As we stated above, we sell just about every suppressor on the market (and the goal is to sell them all) so we’ve used these and then designed the BANISH to be the best of the best.
The BANISH 45 is a modular silencer that was specifically designed for handguns and pistol-caliber carbines. It works with .45 ACP down to rimfire and is a popular choice for 9mm shooters as well. Here’s what makes this our pick - Testing shows the BANISH 45 suppresses a pistol by an average of 36 decibels. That is a big number, and the competition has to play some catch up if they want to match the sound reduction levels the BANISH 45 is getting.
Can we make the BANISH 45 sound even more appealing? Why yes, we can. It’s a titanium suppressor that is modular, meaning you can configure it for two different lengths, either 6.7 inches, or 8.6 inches. Of course, making it longer makes it quieter, so if you’re looking to tone things down sound wise, you’d want it at the full length. Oh, and one more thing – It's full-auto rated, too.
- LENGTH - 6.7" OR 8.6”
- DIAMETER - 1.375”
- WEIGHT - 9.6 OR 11 OZ
- MATERIAL - TITANIUM
- SELF-SERVICE - YES
- COLOR - BLACK OR FDE
- SOUND REDUCTION - 36 DB
- MOUNT STYLE - DIRECT THREAD PISTON
Sig Sauer MODX-45 – Most Options
Sig took the modular suppressor concept to the extreme with the MODX-45. You can run it in any of nine length configurations, with the largest 9.25-inch version taming a Sig P220 in .45 ACP and a 230gr FMJ bullet down to 132.2dB. That’s pretty darn quiet! Running it in the shortest configuration at 3.25 inches gets you going at 149.6dB for comparison.
As you would expect, it’s a Sig, so craftsmanship is really good. It is a full titanium suppressor that weighs just 8.75 oz. fully assembled. We added this model to the list simply because it is quiet, but you have multiple options. And, if you’re a Sig shooter and want to stay with the brand, it’s a sweet way to go.
- LENGTH - 9.25"
- DIAMETER - 1.35"
- WEIGHT - 8.75 OZ
- MATERIAL - TITANIUM
- MOUNT STYLE - DIRECT THREAD PISTONS
- COLOR - BLACK
BANISH 46-V2 Most Versatile
Many of the top .45 suppressors are pistol-specific in that they top out at the .45 and are designed only to work with the .45ACP cartridge or lower, like a 9mm. But what if you want a can for your .45, and you want to be able to use it on your .45/70 lever rifle, or your 8.6 Blackout? That is where the BANISH 46-V2 comes in. It handles any cartridge from a .46 caliber on down, including all of the pistol calibers, as well as things like .44 mag, .450 bushmaster, etc. The versatility of the BANISH 46-V2 is simply outstanding, and yes, we are once again a little biased, but we have spent a lot of time developing this can. If you want one can that can silence them all, this one is it.
Made of titanium, the extremely durable BANISH 46-V2 is lightweight at just 15.3 oz. It is only 8 inches long and 1.59 inches in diameter, making it a very compact suppressor for big-caliber rifles. Don’t let the smaller size fool you, as the BANISH 46-V2 offers at least a 30-decibel reduction in sound output.
- LENGTH - 8"
- DIAMETER - 1.59"
- NUMBER OF BAFFLES - 12
- WEIGHT - 15.3 OZ
- MATERIAL - TITANIUM & 17-4 STAINLESS STEEL
- SELF-SERVICE - YES
- COLOR - BLACK
- FINISH - CERAKOTE
- SOUND REDUCTION - 30 DB
- MOUNT STYLE - DIRECT THREAD
Rugged Obsidian45 – Highest Rated
We love our customers, and we pride ourselves in how we listen to our customers’ feedback. One of the highest customer-rated .45 suppressors is the Rugged Obsidian45. The Obsidian45 is durable and has a lightweight, adaptable design. Rugged's ADAPT Module gives this can modularity, enabling you 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 just 10.7 ounces.
The Obsidian45 baffles are machined from 17-4 stainless steel, offering easy cleaning options and durability. And, should the need arise, it is belt-fed rated for pistol calibers up to 45ACP.
- LENGTH - FULL 8.6”, SHORT 6.7”
- DIAMETER - 1.37"
- NUMBER OF BAFFLES - FULL 12, SHORT 8
- WEIGHT - FULL 12.8 OZ, SHORT 10.7 OZ
- MATERIAL - BAFFLES: 17-4 STAINLESS STEEL TUBE: HARD COAT ANODIZED ALUMINUM
- THREAD PITCH - 578X28
- SELF-SERVICE - YES
- FINISH - HIGH-TEMP CERAKOTE
- MOUNT STYLE - DIRECT THREAD
- FULL-AUTO RATED - YES
CoAstal Gun Ultima 45ACP – Budget Pick
Proving that you don’t have to spend a ton to get the silence you need, the Costal Gun Ultima 45ACP is much less expensive than some of the competition. The Ultima is a high quality, highly advanced sound suppressor and is constructed of aircraft grade Aluminum and Stainless Steel. This is how Costal is able to cut some costs, by using less expensive materials than titanium. Sure it will be heavier and not as durable, but if you use it and care for it correctly, you should have no issues.
The Ultima utilizes Coastal’s Recoil Attenuation Device mount (R.A.D.). The R.A.D. is designed so the Ultima will function on semi auto pistols and reduce some of the felt recoil while still functioning as you expect it would. The finish is anodized matte black. The Ultima sound suppressor can be shot wet or dry and has a very high sound reduction. This unit is not sealed so you can disassemble it for cleaning, which we would recommend.
- LENGTH - 9.5"
- DIAMETER - 1.375"
- WEIGHT - 10.4 OZ
- MATERIAL - ALUMINUM & STAINLESS STEEL
- SELF-SERVICE - YES
- COLOR - BLACK
- FINISH - BLACK MATTE ANODIZE
Factors to Weigh When Choosing a .45 Suppressor
We’ve given you some ideas for your new .45 suppressor, but how do you pick the right one for you? There are some factors to consider. Since the .45 is already considered a subsonic round, adding a can makes for a cool shooting experience. You should consider sound reduction, especially if you’re looking for the quietest 45 suppressor. Size and weight are another concern, especially when looking at something to hold in a pistol suppressor. You should also look at value – to you, and how you intend to use the can.
Decibel Reduction
By now you already know that the way silencers are depicted in the movies is completely false. Suppressors don’t actually make the sound disappear from a gunshot. Even if you could make the initial report silent, for most calibers, the bullet is going to break the sound barrier and create a sonic boom that can be pretty loud. A .45 ACP, however, is already a subsonic caliber.
The average .45 fires the bullet with a muzzle velocity of around 900fps, well below the threshold for a sonic boom. So that leaves the sound of the initial report from the gun going off. Don’t get too excited here, as the .45 has some oomph behind it and a suppressor will lower that to where it won’t hurt your ears, but it will not be silent. Pick the can that deadens the sound as much as possible if this is the most important feature to you. Modular cans will offer a good amount of sound reduction, as will a versatile can, like the BANISH 46-V2.
Size and Weight
Like sound reduction, size and weight are considerations when looking at a pistol suppressor. The more weight you add onto the end of your pistol, the better the chances of you having accuracy issues due to hold problems. If you’ve got a metal-framed pistol, like a 1911, with a fully loaded magazine, adding additional weight with a less-expensive, steel-framed suppressor may be too much weight to make for a balanced pistol. We’re not saying it is, just bringing it to your attention for your consideration.
Value
Let’s discuss the elephant in the room – price. You will have noticed that there is a pretty big price jump from the bottom of this list to the top. While we could say that you should buy the top item on the list, that would be doing you a major disservice. Only you can set your budget. Balance what you can afford to spend on one with how well you expect it to perform. Look at what all you get for your money and make your choice. There’s no wrong choice.
Use Case
Like the other factors, how you use the .45 suppressor is entirely your decision. Pick the unit that best fits your needs. If it is something you don’t intend to use much, maybe just occasionally on the weekends, that might have an impact on what you are willing to spend. If you shoot a lot and want higher performance, that use will dictate a different model.
What Types of Suppressors Work Best for .45 Pistols?
If you’re looking for a suppressor for your .45ACP pistol, start your search by looking at cans made specifically for the .45 pistol. There are others that work well, like the BANISH 46-v2, but a dedicated pistol can, like the BANISH 45 is going to be better balanced and offer the right blend of suppression and fit than many other cans that are designed with rifles in mind first.
Get Help Finding the Right .45 Suppressor for You
Silencer Central is the number one silencer and silencer accessory retailer in the nation. We reached that status by being the best at taking care of our customers. We have a full staff of technical experts and top sales personnel that are all at your disposal. This means that should you need assistance in picking the right suppressor for your .45, we have the people you need to talk to. Then add in our award-winning customer service and a website full of helpful information and you've got the tools you need to get the suppressor you want. We help you through every step of the process, including all of the paperwork and government forms, walk you through the approval process and then the best part - We ship your suppressor right to your door!
