Wading into the NFA pond

[spurge]

I've been putting off getting into NFA for one reason or another. I think my excuses have about run out. Happy to have my kids all graduated and starting to launch on their own. I think think what surprised me the most was my wife's reaction...indifferrence. She said you have your "gun money" to pay for it, go for it. 

Now I feel like I am walking into a huge world with so many options. I know I want a 22 supressor and something for 9mm and more. NFA vets, how do you pick from all the options out there?

[Alleycat72]

So much to say.....lol

1. The 9mm suppressor will gel the least amount of use. 

2. 22 lr suppressors are awesome. Get a model you can take apart to clean. 

3. Get a good 30 cal can.

4. Get a good 5.56 can.

[RED333]

Will 5.56 can work on a 22 LR?

Edited Wednesday at 11:21 PM by RED333
Because I can

[Garufa]

19 minutes ago, RED333 said:

Will 5.56 can work on a 22 LR?

Essentially the same caliber.

[Johnny Rotten]

32 minutes ago, RED333 said:

Will 5.56 can work on a 22 LR?

Yes, at its sounds like crap, I gave up even using sub ammo, sold my 22cal rifle to.

[TNMTBik3r]

33 minutes ago, RED333 said:

Will 5.56 can work on a 22 LR?

 

13 minutes ago, Garufa said:

Essentially the same caliber.

 

Yes, however most 5.56 cans are sealed. 22LR is dirty and you want to be able to clean the suppressor after so many rounds to remove lead.

Most dedicated rimfire cans are user serviceable (can be taken apart) for cleaning. A sealed can could be cleaned with some of the newer liquid solutions (have read a couple threads elsewhere on it) but you have to decide if that is suitable.


OP - decide for sure what calibers and even hosts (pistols/rifles) you want to start with. Pick a mounting solution (direct thread or various adapters), then start to narrow down on rimfire vs 5.56 vs .30cal vs 9mm vs "universal" (works for most calibers but not best suppression on most).

[TNMTBik3r]

More things to consider - rank what you are looking for: price, suppression (decibels), weight are usually the top concerns but durability (full auto rated, barrel length restrictions for caliber) could be important to you.

 

A lot of people reference PewScience testing, but Thunderbeast Arms has hosted a big test summit a couple of times and has good date. These links will show comparisons with a limited number of host firearms but gives you some pretty direct numbers on sound.

https://pewscience.com/rankings
 

https://thunderbeastarms.com/sound/summit2024/

[MEGASTAR]

I have a bunch of cans and if you're looking for tiny. The Bowers Bitty is about as small as it gets. 

I run CCI std vel and out of the tx22 is super quiet, also have one mounted to a Romanian M69 .22 trainer, and a ruger LCP II. 

Oddly enough we got a lot of ejection port noise with the Bitty out of the Ruger Mk4 22/45 lite and put an SWR warlock on instead. 

 

[MEGASTAR]

I advise against a 5.56 can for ..22. With the exception of the OPTIMUS micro which is disassembleable but doesn't suppress 5.56mm like cans with much more volume do.

[Johnny Rotten]

And where do you shoot around Tullahoma?

[MEGASTAR]

5 hours ago, Johnny Rotten said:

And where do you shoot around Tullahoma?

Out in the back yard. cause...Suppressors!

[hillbillyfab]

I’ve got a couple rimfire cans, a .30 cal can and a .46 cal can. The rimfire cans are by far our most favorite. The .30 cal gets the most use come hunting season in the fall. The .46 gets used, but not near as much as I thought. I’ve said for the last few years I was going to get a dedicated 9mm can, but haven’t. I’ve shoot several suppressed 9mm pistols, it’s just not for me. Stick one on the end of a AR9 and you have my attention, not so much with pistols at the moment.