Silencers 101
The 4 Best .22 Suppressors in 2024

The 4 Best .22 Suppressors in 2024

The 4 Best .22 Suppressors in 2024

So you’ve decided to purchase a .22 suppressor. Awesome!

A .22 caliber suppressor is a great option if you’re a first-time suppressor buyer and you’re looking to get into the world of shooting quietly without spending a ton of money. Or perhaps you’ve already amassed quite a few tax stamps and you’re finally ready to do some super quiet pinking. Either way, you’ve definitely come to the right place!

With so many different makes, models, and options to select from, choosing the .22 suppressor that’s best for you may seem intimidating at first. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be! That’s why we’ve put together this guide to make the decision-making process a little easier.

If, however, you’re in a hurry, the chart below will give you a quick-and-dirty, TL;DR version of what we’re going to cover.

TypeNameWeightLengthPrice
Best OverallBANISH 224.1 oz5.375"$499
Most VersatileSilencerCo Switchback 223.2 - 6.4 oz2.72" - 5.76"$539
Best BudgetSoLo 222.7 oz6"$345
Best Integrally SuppressedRuger SILENT-SR2 lb 10 oz16.12"$629

HOW TO CHOOSE A .22 CALIBER SUPPRESSOR

Everyone has different needs for a rimfire suppressor. Every suppressor buyer is painfully aware of the $200 tax stamp that can effectively double the price of some .22 silencers, so even budget-minded buyers are looking for the most (or is it “least”?) bang for their buck.

Not all end users are the same, either. A person who is happy with a Ruger 10/22 that is equipped with an integrally suppressed barrel may not care about owning one silencer for interchangeable use on all their .22 caliber firearms. A pistol shooter may want a shorter, lighter silencer, while a rifle shooter may want something that is lightweight and performance-driven. A person with both .22 rifles and pistols would dearly love one silencer that can be quickly configured for pistol or rifle use – like the BANISH 22 or the SilencerCo Switchback 22.

We have found when our customers look for a .22 suppressor, the following criteria most often come into play:

  • Cost
  • Weight
  • User serviceability
  • Ease of cleaning
  • Ability to use with magnum cartridges
  • Durability

Of course, not all silencers can be all things to all people. A person whose primary concern is cost will not be interested in a titanium silencer. Only you know your budget, and a look at in-stock suppressors will satisfy that point for you. But if you move beyond the price point, you have other things you can consider, all of which depend on the kind of gun you are using and what your end use is.

For target shooters, a quiet, light suppressor that is easily cleaned is a must-have. Rimfire suppressors get filthy with powder fouling and lead, and when not cleaned, can clog up in as little as 500 rounds.

Hunters also want a light suppressor, but they may be more tolerant of cleaning, as they probably aren’t firing as many rounds in a session.

If you own many guns, you want a suppressor that can not only be readily used on a rifle or pistol but can handle things like different rimfire magnum cartridges and extended rates of fire.

THE BEST OVERALL .22 SUPPRESSOR: BANISH 22

The BANISH 22 suppressor is designed for use with rimfire pistols and rifles chambered in .22 caliber and smaller. This includes .22 Hornet, .17HMR, and even 5.7×28. It’s even rated for full-auto!

The BANISH 22 is made of lightweight titanium, weighs just 4.1 oz, is 1” in diameter, and is only 5 ⅜” long. Because it’s so small and lightweight, you’ll be hard-pressed to even notice that it’s on the end of your pistol or rifle – except, of course, when you pull the trigger. Then you’ll know for sure that there’s a suppressor on there.

Rugar

Tests have shown that the BANISH 22 brings sound down to about 120 decibels, which is just 10 decibels more than a BB-gun. Essentially, this is as close to “Hollywood quiet” as you can get without employing your own special effects person to follow you around all the time.

The BANISH 22 was designed specifically to maximize your time shooting and minimize your time cleaning. Inside the tube are eight baffles that are engineered for a precise fit to keep lead debris and carbon buildup at an absolute minimum. This prevents the debris and buildup from reaching the tube, which causes components to fuse together. When it comes time to clean, the BANISH 22 comes apart easily so that the baffles and the tube can be cleaned efficiently. Each baffle is marked on the outside so that you can align them properly and then put it all back together with equal ease to get you back to shooting.

If you’re looking for the perfect first-time silencer purchase, the BANISH 22 is a great option. It’s ideal for varmint shooting, small game hunting, target practice, and more.

BANISH 22 SPECS

  • Caliber: .17HMR – 5.7×28
  • Weight: 4.1 ounces
  • Length: 5.375”
  • Price: $535

THE MOST VERSATILE .22 SUPPRESSOR: SILENCERCO SWITCHBACK 22

The SilencerCo Switchback 22 is the most versatile rimfire suppressor on the market. Modular and lightweight, it provides three distinct lengths and is compatible with .22 LR, .22 WMR, .22 Hornet, .17 HMR, .17 WSM, and 5.7x28mm.

The Switchback 22 is constructed of two titanium tubes that interface through the use of a connecting stainless steel baffle. It features stainless steel baffles internally, which utilize SilencerCo’s Click Together Assembly (CTA) design, which ensures that you’ll never put the baffles together incorrectly and will always get the best performance in terms of sound suppression.

This suppressor’s design and combination of high-strength materials ensure its longevity and durability even under hard use or full-auto rates of fire for its designated calibers.

Not only is this suppressor user-configurable in terms of different lengths, it has also been designed for optimum performance on rifles and pistols instead of adopting a “one size fits all” performance mentality. Inspired by the technology used in rocket and jet propulsion, the directionality in which you assemble the suppressor will determine how it performs on shorter or longer barrels, i. e. pistols or rifles. When oriented in one direction, the front section of the suppressor exhibits the most competitive sound reduction on the market for pistols, but when the front section’s orientation is flipped, the result is an unprecedented sound reduction on rifles.

SILENCERCO SWITCHBACK 22 SPECS

  • Caliber: .17 to .300 RUM
  • Weight: 3.2-6.4 ounces depending on configuration
  • Length: 2.72-5.76” depending on configuration
  • Price: $539

THE BEST BUDGET .22 SUPPRESSOR: SOLO 22

With inflation and rising costs of, well, everything these days, few people have the luxury of buying something without first considering the price. If money is your primary concern when buying a suppressor, you shouldn’t be forced to pick from products that are less than optimal. After all, it’s your hard-earned money on the line.

If this sounds like you, then let us introduce you to the SoLo 22. The cost of the SoLo 22 and the required $200 tax stamp costs no more than $50 more than the BANISH 22 and Switchback 22 without the required $200 tax stamp. So essentially, for the same money, you can be ready to shoot suppressed for less and have more cash left over for ammo. Now that’s a win-win!

The SoLo 22 is a high-quality .22 LR sound suppressor constructed entirely of aircraft-grade aluminum, meaning that it’s incredibly lightweight. In fact, it barely tips the scales at all with a weight of just 2.7 ounces! That makes it the lightest suppressor on this list.

If you’re looking to squeeze out a few more decibels and make your shooting experience even quieter, the SoLo 22 can also be shot wet. Cleaning and servicing the SoLo 22 couldn’t be any easier, as this silencer can be disassembled for cleaning with a standard 7mm hex key wrench. Once you’re done, it goes back together just as easily as it came apart.

SOLO 22 SPECS

  • Caliber: .22LR
  • Weight: 2.7 ounces
  • Length: 6”
  • Price: $345

THE BEST INTEGRALLY SUPPRESSED .22 SUPPRESSOR: RUGER SILENT-SR

Without a doubt, one of the best .22 rifles of all time is the Ruger 10/22. By sheer sales numbers alone, it’s not something that’s really up for debate. Many 10/22 models are available with threaded barrels so that you can use a suppressor, but what if you want to make the barrel the suppressor? Well, now you can with the Ruger SILENT-SR integrally suppressed barrel!

Why might you want to have an integrally suppressed barrel? For starters, they’re just plain cool. From a more practical standpoint, they allow you to shoot a rifle suppressed without adding any extra length to the barrel. This makes it easier to maneuver and handle.

Lightweight for balance and portability, once the SILENT-SR is installed on the firearm, the center of gravity is close to the receiver, making it easy to maneuver and shoot. Oh, and it’s definitely quiet: the SILENT-SR reduces sound levels of .22 LR to an average of 113.2 dB with standard velocity ammunition.

The sleeve surrounding the 17-4 stainless baffles is matched to the forend for a clean but distinctive appearance. All of the internal components seal together to keep the byproducts of combustion away from the tube. A single screw retains the baffles and cap within the sleeve and doubles as a removal tool. The included 5/32″ hex key tool allows the integrally suppressed barrel to be completely disassembled for cleaning.

Essentially, this all adds up to one streamline design that allows you to clean faster, shoot longer, and maneuver more easily. If you want the ultimate setup in a suppressed Ruger 10/22, then the SILENT-SR is exactly what you need.

RUGER SILENT-SR SPECS

  • Caliber: 22.LR
  • Weight: 2 pounds 10 ounces
  • Length: 16.12”
  • Price: $629

WHAT’S THE BEST HOST FOR A .22 SUPPRESSOR?

Determining what is the best host for a .22 suppressor is a darn good question, but it’s not one that can be easily answered due to the amount of personal variables that come into play. There are a great many .22’s out there and they vary in how useful a suppressor platform they really are. First, we should consider what makes a bad suppressor host so we can weed that out and look for the best.

As a general rule, cheap (in terms of quality, not necessarily price) guns are not ideal suppressor hosts. Sure, there are people who have suppressed some really cheap guns just to say they did it. And the reality of .22 physics means if you can stick a suppressor on it, it probably will work well enough. (Except for revolvers, but that’s because revolvers aren’t a suitable silencer platform outside of a limited number of special models and types of ammunition.)

The best .22 pistol for a suppressor ideally is one that is not a cheap gun. That is, it isn’t something that will wear out and shoot itself loose in a few years. We like the Ruger Mk IV or older guns, the Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory, or any other quality .22 target pistol.

Manually operated guns like bolt actions always make ideal suppressor hosts because they are always going to be quieter when suppressed than a semi-auto. Granted, with a .22 using certain kinds of subsonic ammo, you pretty much only hear the sound of the action cycling, but a bolt action or other manually operated gun will always be quieter than a semi-auto because there are fewer moving parts when the gun is fired.

Many inexpensive vintage .22 bolt actions can even be turned into viable suppressor platforms. Because they tend to be chambered for .22 Short/Long/Long Rifle, they offer great benefits for choosing different types of subsonic rounds. Even if they don’t have a threaded barrel, they are easily fitted for a suppressor using our special mail-in barrel threading program.

Basically, if it’s a well-built .22, you’re fine. But if you want the best performance, buy the best gun for the type of shooting you are doing. Good target guns for target shooting, all-around guns like the 10/22 for general purpose use, or even a .22 upper for your AR for tactical fun!

GET THE BEST .22 SUPPRESSOR FOR YOUR NEEDS

There are a few ways to buy a suppressor. You could always go to a gun store, hope they have one or two in stock, pay for it, do the paperwork, come back with an NFA gun trust, wait for approval, go back to the store, and then pick it up.

Or you could do it the Silencer Central way from the comfort of your own home.

We’ve revolutionized suppressor purchasing. We are the only company authorized by the ATF to do 100% mail order / online suppressor sales and we’re licensed to sell suppressors in all 42 states where they are legal to own. In fact, most of our customers have never set foot in any of our locations! How does this work?

Simple! Choose the silencer you want – and if you need help, our expert staff with decades of industry experience will work with you to find the right suppressor for your needs. Then, put some or all of the money down (we offer a great layaway program!) and pay for your tax stamp. We will then set you up with a Free NFA Gun Trust, send you fingerprint cards, and ask for a passport-style photo. Once we have all that back from you we will connect you to our eForm Specialist to get your application submitted to the ATF.

As soon as you are approved by the ATF we mail your silencer directly to your door! No more trips to a shop or reliance on somebody else’s business hours.

Ready to put a silencer on your favorite .22? Visit our online store and choose from the best .22 suppressors on the market!