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 May 14 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.

[MEGASTAR]

On 5/15/2025 at 7:33 PM, MEGASTAR said:

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.

This is a good beginner can that will do a lot of different things. Its a superior. 22LR thru magnum can, plus 5.7 rated to full auto. It's the size of a .22 can. Takes the BITE out of 5.56mm but not superior due to volume, as i stated. Easy disassemble using a quarter for the end cap. Priced about 500 bucks

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by MEGASTAR

[MEGASTAR]

If you wanna send me a PM and aren't too far away we can try out all my cans and maybe you'll hear something you like. 

I've always championed versatility. If we get the HPA can sales are gonna go nuts. And prices will plummet.

Edited 20 hours ago by MEGASTAR

[deerslayer]

7 hours ago, MEGASTAR said:

If we get the HPA can sales are gonna go nuts. And prices will plummet.

I'm not sure I agree.  Sales will definitely go nuts.  Maybe inventory is stacked deep, but I fear prices may also go nuts if manufacturing doesn't increase to meet the new demand.   

[RED333]

2 minutes ago, deerslayer said:

I'm not sure I agree.  Sales will definitely go nuts.  Maybe inventory is stacked deep, but I fear prices may also go nuts if manufacturing doesn't increase to meet the new demand.   

At that point, we will be able to make our own, screw a bunch of sales

[deerslayer]

2 minutes ago, RED333 said:

At that point, we will be able to make our own, screw a bunch of sales

But I think a 4473 will still be a requirement.  

[RED333]

4 minutes ago, deerslayer said:

But I think a 4473 will still be a requirement.  

Well poop

[deerslayer]

5 minutes ago, RED333 said:

Well poop

I may be wrong, but I think I read that.  Hell the HPA business changes every day.  

Edited 12 hours ago by deerslayer

[Garufa]

8 hours ago, MEGASTAR said:

If we get the HPA can sales are gonna go nuts. And prices will plummet.

If any type of HPA ever passes the cost of suppressors will go up $199 overnight.

Edited 12 hours ago by Garufa

[Chucktshoes]

1 hour ago, deerslayer said:

But I think a 4473 will still be a requirement.  

As it is currently written into the BBB, the HPA will remove cans from the NFA and treat them as a regular firearm. So 4473 for a commercial sale, but that would mean home made cans would be just as legal an endeavor as home made guns.
 

I got it wrong. Here is the text of the amendment. 
 

https://amendments-rules.house.gov/amendments/Cloud_Amendment - SHUSH Act250520203539893.pdf

Edited 11 hours ago by Chucktshoes

[deerslayer]

1 hour ago, Chucktshoes said:

As it is currently written into the BBB, the HPA will remove cans from the NFA and treat them as a regular firearm. So 4473 for a commercial sale, but that would mean home made cans would be just as legal an endeavor as home made guns.
 

I got it wrong. Here is the text of the amendment. 
 

https://amendments-rules.house.gov/amendments/Cloud_Amendment - SHUSH Act250520203539893.pdf

I am slow tonight.  What is the significance of October 22, 2015? 

[Chucktshoes]

36 minutes ago, deerslayer said:

I am slow tonight.  What is the significance of October 22, 2015? 

I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly sure.