Suppressors

Suppressors, also known as silencers in popular culture, are devices attached to the muzzle of a firearm to reduce the noise and muzzle flash generated when firing. They do not make a gun completely silent; rather, they slow and diffuse the escaping propellant gases, lowering peak sound pressure and often reducing flash and recoil.

Operation and design: Most suppressors contain internal baffles or expansion chambers that guide and space out the gases as they exit the barrel. By delaying and cooling the gas, the device reduces the energy of the muzzle blast. Subsonic ammunition can further decrease noise by avoiding the sonic crack; with standard supersonic ammunition, some noise remains. Suppressors mount through direct threading, quick-detach systems, or other mounting arrangements, and vary in size and internal configuration.

Effectiveness and limitations: Noise reduction depends on caliber, ammunition, firearm design, and the specific suppressor. Rifle suppressors commonly achieve meaningful reductions, typically in the range of about 20 to 35 decibels under favorable conditions; pistol suppressors often yield smaller improvements. They do not eliminate hearing risk, so hearing protection is still advised. Suppressors can also reduce recoil and muzzle rise modestly, but they can affect cycling in some semi-automatic actions and may influence aiming stability if the sighting system is impacted by the device or its heat.

Legal status: Regulations vary widely by jurisdiction. In the United States, suppressors are regulated under the National Firearms Act and require a tax stamp and background check for acquisition. Other countries impose licensing, registration, or outright prohibitions.