The Suppressor Boom

[Talyn]

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) reported that through all of 2025 the ATF processed only 731,623 Form 4s. In just the first three months of 2026 the ATF has received 532,319 Form 4s for suppressors—or 72.8% of the 2025 volume.

The Suppressor Boom Has Arrived - The Outdoor Wire | The Outdoor Wire

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That doesn’t necessarily mean 532,319 suppressors sold. According to ASA Vice President Owen Miller, the tax stamp elimination changed the math.

“In years past, the number of Form 4s received for suppressors was a pretty accurate barometer of commercial sales as one Form 4 = one transfer to a non-licensee. This year we will see an increase in other types of transfers (used/secondary market, transfers of individually registered suppressors to consolidate collection into a trust, etc.”

“I think the total number will still be fairly accurate but not as accurate as it was,” he cautioned.

As of April 10, 2026, there are now 5,998,065 silencers registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). At the close of 2024 that number was 4,419,578.

 

[Shibadog]

I’ve thought about one, but I can buy a Bunch of ammo for what a can costs-thus far I’ve not seen the need. The boy has a .22 can and it ok, but as I told him, you could buy a lifetimes worth of .22 for those $$

 

[Lab4Us]

Is it just me, or does it just seem odd that if that many people were interested in a suppressor, $200 should not have prevented them from buying. After all, they’re still filling out the same form and ending up on one of the “lists”.

I could say the same of myself, but until I got a Kuna, I didn’t really have a gun that I wanted to use with a suppressor. And then the only reason I pressed ahead was because I found Silencer Shop who did all the work for me (after my LGS showed my how their Silencer Shop Kiosk worked) and took the mystery out of all the paperwork. The kiosk was great for fingerprinting and photo, LGS staff helping with both. So it was REALLY an idiot proof process in my case!

Just seems odd that 200,000 people didn’t want to spend that $200. I’ve taken much bigger losses on guns I traded or sold after only having them a short time (but long enough to know they weren’t for me).

 

[KillerFord1977]

Is it just me, or does it just seem odd that if that many people were interested in a suppressor, $200 should not have prevented them from buying. After all, they’re still filling out the same form and ending up on one of the “lists”.

I could say the same of myself, but until I got a Kuna, I didn’t really have a gun that I wanted to use with a suppressor. And then the only reason I pressed ahead was because I found Silencer Shop who did all the work for me (after my LGS showed my how their Silencer Shop Kiosk worked) and took the mystery out of all the paperwork. The kiosk was great for fingerprinting and photo, LGS staff helping with both. So it was REALLY an idiot proof process in my case!

Just seems odd that 200,000 people didn’t want to spend that $200. I’ve taken much bigger losses on guns I traded or sold after only having them a short time (but long enough to know they weren’t for me).

Folks pissed and moaned about $200 for a $600-800 firearm. Remember most firearms sold are below $900, so a lot complained about it being 20% approx of a budget.
Me, I built $200 into every budget

 

[HayesGreener]

I had and used suppressed weapons in my job years ago. Pretty cool and fun with some really serious application. I just don't see the need for one at this stage of my life. But, I will still probably end up with one. Keeping up with the Joneses and such.

 

[Lab4Us]

Folks pissed and moaned about $200 for a $600-800 firearm. Remember most firearms sold are below $900, so a lot complained about it being 20% approx of a budget.
Me, I built $200 into every budget

Ammo is WAY more of the percentage of the price of a gun I buy than $200 will ever be. I figure every time I hit the range I’m going through at least approx $100 in ammo - a lot more if shooting exotics like .32 H&R, .357 Sig (don’t have those two guns any longer), or if I also want to run a box or two of my defensive ammo (HST, Gold Dot, Ranger).

But I get it. I used to look at adding a quality optic the same way - until I got old enough that my old eyes, along with a lifelong astigmatism, made it almost impossible to get a decent sight picture with irons. Now I add $500 to any firearm I’m considering for an optic. I may not buy a $500 one, and usually don’t, but anything less is a bonus!

 

[KillerFord1977]

I had and used suppressed weapons in my job years ago. Pretty cool and fun with some really serious application. I just don't see the need for one at this stage of my life. But, I will still probably end up with one. Keeping up with the Joneses and such.

If that’s the case, you are a bakers dozen behind the Jones’

 

[HayesGreener]

If that’s the case, you are a bakers dozen behind the Jones’

Janis Joplin comes to mind. I must make amends!

 

[PieterCoetzee]

They are game changers for hunting. Especially Hogs over bait. Typically youd get one shot per day (certainly only one shot for hours). We shot a pig and it dropped DRT; but they others fled. In the past that was a good day; but 15 minutes later they were back and we shot one sniffing the dead one.

Maybe you need one maybe you dont, its up to you.

My bedside Glock has a suppressor mounted on it, right next to NVGs.... because not all animals have four legs; but some do squeal when they are hit

 

[Lo-Profile]

Between the $0 tax stamp and less than a year wait times .... Cans are nice too have on a HD gun indoors. They're not Hollywood quiet, but they'll save your hearing

 

[PieterCoetzee]

Between the $0 tax stamp and less than a year wait times .... Cans are nice too have on a HD gun indoors. They're not Hollywood quiet, but they'll save your hearing

and perhaps of a tactical edge...

 

[Shibadog]

and perhaps of a tactical edge...

I’d think the only tactical edge would be if you were “Hollywood” quiet. The only thing I’ve seen close to that are some .22’s. I’ve shot suppressed 9’s and while certainly quietER there was no doubt a firearm had been fired-and that was outdoors. Indoors? I would think it would be even more noticable. Even outdoors the suppressed 9’s I was around were throwing 110db on a sound level meter (better than the 130-140 db unsuppressed but still about 20 db above the PEL where hearing protection is required). When shooting I use plugs & muffs which combined will reduce db to the ear by more than a suppressor. Long story short, even shooting suppressed hearing protection should be used if you wish to protect your hearing.

 

[Lab4Us]

I’d think the only tactical edge would be if you were “Hollywood” quiet. The only thing I’ve seen close to that are some .22’s. I’ve shot suppressed 9’s and while certainly quietER there was no doubt a firearm had been fired-and that was outdoors. Indoors? I would think it would be even more noticable. Even outdoors the suppressed 9’s I was around were throwing 110db on a sound level meter (better than the 130-140 db unsuppressed but still about 20 db above the PEL where hearing protection is required). When shooting I use plugs & muffs which combined will reduce db to the ear by more than a suppressor. Long story short, even shooting suppressed hearing protection should be used if you wish to protect your hearing.

Remember, grain weight affects decibels as well. My understanding is that the more you are below 1000 fps (and thus subsonic), the quieter the report will be when suppressed. I’ve only fired 147g 9mm suppressed out of a Kuna, but it was MUCH quieter than 124g 9mm unsuppressed. I had both foam plug in, as well as wearing a headset (indoor range), but could clearly tell the difference.

I won’t speculate as to how close to Hollywood quiet (pffft, pffft) unless I have the opportunity to try outdoors suppressed sans hearing protection - which is probably unlikely since indoor and outdoor range around here require hearing/eye protection.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

I have no actual db numbers to counter (but then every brand seems to have its own method of testing), will say that I have found my MK23 (45acp) with the Knights suppressor to be very quiet, The M-10 with the Sionics Suppressor and a new wipe was surprisingly quiet for an open bolt SMG. My integrally suppressed Sterling L34 firing 147 ammo is quiet too. OH and before someone mentions it the MP5SD is supposed to be the quietest but I dont have any time on a SD

Anything super sonic when it leave the suppressor is still gonna crack. Thats what makes 45acp and 300BO such great quiet options

So theres quiet and then theres quiet... Yep only some 22s and maybe some 3oo Blackouts, come close to Hollywood quiet but while the guy in the living room might hear when you shoot the guy in your bedroom, chances are he may only hear the thump if you do a lights out head shot

 

[Hertervillian]

I’m liking my cans. One thing I will tell people is that a lot of the utility is lost at a range if everyone else is not suppressed.

Generally speaking I don’t have that problem, but I certainly have ear pro available on every range trip. But, if you never find yourself alone, there are better places to drop $1000.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

I’m liking my cans. One thing I will tell people is that a lot of the utility is lost at a range if everyone else is not suppressed.

I guess it depends on the range. Ive shot at some where you could be far enough away to make a difference

Plus there are plenty of sub $1000 suppressors. Witt Machine sells cans in the sub $300 range