Best handgun for a suppressor?

[Ebby]

Not trying to sound like a mall ninja, just curious. I was watching a movie with a friend last night and the subject came up. I have my hands full with other projects right now but I would like to own a suppressor somewhere down the road. I'm not interested in BATFE stuff, that's a long ways off. But what (centerfire) pistol would be the easiest or most effective to suppress, and why? And not to start a 9mm vs. .45 thread, but what caliber would be best suited for use with a suppressor?

[sammage]

The smaller the caliber, the more gases are trapped. With 9mm, 147 grn non +P ammo would help as well.
Edit: here's some more info from Dave.

When you're talking about the, "best" suppressed weapon, a lot of factors come into play.

No matter what caliber, you're fighting several factors:
-Velocity: supersonic or subsonic

-Bore Diameter: the larger the bore diameter, the harder it is to suppress since more gas will exit the bore (and not go into the can). Path of least resistance and all. This is why a good suppressed 9mm is invariably quieter than a .45ACP with a can of similar quality

-Rifle v. Pistol: Rifle rounds, in general, expel more gas than pistol rounds. This means you need a larger suppressor to capture the gas. This is also why a lot of subgun (FA rated) suppressors are twice the size of their semi-auto designed brethren.

-Action of the weapon itself: Blow-back firearms don't suppress very well, since the gas not only escapes from the bore but also from the action. I wish there were better options in .22lr (compare a suppressed 10/22 and a suppressed bolt action .22lr and you'll immediately hear the difference). Same goes for open-bolt guns. Course' I'll take the trade of slightly higher noise for a semi-auto in .22lr. Kalashnikov's don't suppress very well because of the very open gas system. You get gas blowing out of the gas block like crazy. Rapid expansion of gases in open air = more noise.

-Barrel length: A unsuppressed .22lr 6" pistol is louder than an unsuppressed .22lr 16" rifle because of the relative rates of gas expansion. Ergo, a shorter barrel = a louder suppressed gun.

and damn, we haven't even gotten into suppressor design yet

I'm gonna say: Far too many factors involved to say what configuration is, "best". Especially since what's important to me may not be important to you (hence why I'll take the blow-back .semi-auto 22lr system over a boltly, even though it's louder).

[Liff]

For center fire pistol, subsonic 9mm. I run cans on a G17, G21, HK MK23, G33, and G35 with a 357 SIG barrel. (Subsonic 9mm is subsonic 9mm whether it is fired out of a 357 sig or a 9mm luger.)

You live in Tempe, want to go shooting sometime in March on the north side of Phoenix when I have my next free weekend off and hear for yourself?

[sarky]

You have 3 different sounds coming from a semiauto.
1: the boom of the powder burning
2: the crack of a supersonic projectile
3: the mechanical sounds of the action working
That being said, The suppressor only takes care of the boom. If you use subsonic ammo, that takes care of the sonic crack. If you have a slide locking device, that takes care of the mechanical noise. The last item will be costly and turn you gun into a single shot whenever you use the slide lock.
The slower the round, the easier to suppress the sound.

[Caenus]

For center fire pistol, subsonic 9mm. I run cans on a G17, G21, HK MK23, G33, and G35 with a 357 SIG barrel. (Subsonic 9mm is subsonic 9mm whether it is fired out of a 357 sig or a 9mm luger.)

You live in Tempe, want to go shooting sometime in March on the north side of Phoenix when I have my next free weekend off and hear for yourself?

Yup. Oh, did you not invite the rest of the folks in Arizona?

[Dave_M]

Aside from what's already been posted (of which I agree with, especially sammage's post ), I have more to add:

Check out the size and weight of pistol suppressors. They're huge and heavy. Shooting suppressed pistols (with the exception of a .22lr) isn't really all that much fun. Now, for a pistol caliber carbine (like a 9mm AR, if you want to deal with that PITA) they make much more sense.

[Caenus]

What is the lifespan of a suppressor like? For some reason I have the impression they wear out quickly.

[nimdabew]

I plan on getting a .22lr supressor. I am probably going to get my Savage Mk2 threaded and stick a can on there. Bolt-action .22lr 16" barrel FTMFW. Shoot jack rabbits all day without them scrambling all over the place.

[Dave_M]

What is the lifespan of a suppressor like? For some reason I have the impression they wear out quickly.

You (and most people) won't shoot-out a quality can. Seriously.

[Ebby]

Liff, PM sent.

DavePAL: What would you define as a "quality" can? I don't know much about the subject and just started looking at some AAC models. And you're right, they certainly do look big, even on a Mk. 23.

I'm at minimum a year out from taking a serious look at buying one, but I'd like to start learning as much as I can.

[Dave_M]

Liff, PM sent.

DavePAL: What would you define as a "quality" can?

Name brand. Known quantity. Not some, 'mom & pop' company.

[Gastong]

If I could only have one, I would choose a Ruger MKII, packlite upper with a quality .22 can. Mine sounds like a stapler.

Second choice would be a Beretta 92f with a Gemtech or AAC can. The 92's barrel doesn't move up and down that much. It makes for a very reliable platform.

[Noven]

I guess getting a can for my FNP-45 would kinda suck eh Dave?

[SMoAF]

What would you define as a "quality" can? I don't know much about the subject and just started looking at some AAC models. And you're right, they certainly do look big, even on a Mk. 23.

Gemtech. Gemtech. Gemtech. Gemtech. Early (when "John" still worked there) John's Guns .22lr. AWC (not "AAC", there's a difference). Gemtech.

Did I mention Gemtech?

Seriously. It's really hard to go wrong with Gemtech. I say this as a former 01/03 FFL/SOT. Since I gave up my license and started having to pay transfer taxes on cans again, EVERY can I've bought has been a Gemtech. When I was selling professionally, I was NOT a stocking Gemtech dealer. I should have been.

If you see a company offering to give you a free can if you get a tattoo of their logo, you might want to pass. It's not that they're lying to you. It's that lots of serious people who see said tattoo will think you're an idiot.

Hope this helps.

[Yaivenov]

I'm gonna be a smartass and say a revolver is the best handgun for a supressor.

[Liff]

Yup. Oh, did you not invite the rest of the folks in Arizona?

Didn't know we had a chapter going.

Well then, lets take us all to the best place for us all then. I'll start a thread over there.

Another Gemtech plug. It seems the old guys like Gemtech better because they were around and making the best suppressor way back before the internet happened. It seems the younger guys like AAC. I have Gemtech cans (mostly). Everyone is good.

[sammage]

Aside from what's already been posted (of which I agree with, especially sammage's post ), I have more to add:

Check out the size and weight of pistol suppressors. They're huge and heavy. Shooting suppressed pistols (with the exception of a .22lr) isn't really all that much fun. Now, for a pistol caliber carbine (like a 9mm AR, if you want to deal with that PITA) they make much more sense.

It was either post that, or say the USP 45 since it works for me in Call of Duty.

[nimdabew]

Aside from what's already been posted (of which I agree with, especially sammage's post ), I have more to add:

Check out the size and weight of pistol suppressors. They're huge and heavy. Shooting suppressed pistols (with the exception of a .22lr) isn't really all that much fun. Now, for a pistol caliber carbine (like a 9mm AR, if you want to deal with that PITA) they make much more sense.

It was either post that, or say the USP 45 since it works for me in Call of Duty.

Nah. Best supressed weapon is an AA-12 with a supressor and extended mags, or just extended mags and scavenger pro. People get so pissed when you run around with a shotgun. That is why I do it lmao.

[DCIdevil]

I personally prefer this one (I'm biased though)

[Noven]

Honestly though, I would really like to see how effective my FNP-45 would perform with a can since most 45 ACP is subsonic anyhoo.

[HK45Tac]

I vote for my HK45Tac with SWR HEMSII can. Sounds like a nail gun.

[Redeker_Plan]

Not trying to sound like a mall ninja, just curious. I was watching a movie with a friend last night and the subject came up. I have my hands full with other projects right now but I would like to own a suppressor somewhere down the road. I'm not interested in BATFE stuff, that's a long ways off. But what (centerfire) pistol would be the easiest or most effective to suppress, and why? And not to start a 9mm vs. .45 thread, but what caliber would be best suited for use with a suppressor?

Aftermarket threaded barrels can be purchased for just about any pistol.

To my knowledge only 3 companies sell pistols with factory threaded barrels: H&K, Sig, and FN.

FN offers just one in .45.
H&K offers several in .45 and one in .40.
Sig offers several in 9mm and .45 and one in .22.

[ChatWithaNinja]

Now correct me if I am wrong (like I needed to say that on this forum ) but isn't a floating barrel a bad thing for a suppressor? I thought a fixed barrel was necessary because the action on the handgun when shot would cause the barrel to angle back slightly. Because the suppressor is attached to the barrel, it will also tilt upwards.

Now, is this just a misconception of mine that a super fast action causing the barrel to tilt upwards could cause a collision of the bullet to the suppressor? Or does the bullet exit the barrel and the suppressor way to quickly for that to be a factor unless you've got a foot long suppressor?

[SMoAF]

Now correct me if I am wrong (like I needed to say that on this forum ) but isn't a floating barrel a bad thing for a suppressor? I thought a fixed barrel was necessary because the action on the handgun when shot would cause the barrel to angle back slightly. Because the suppressor is attached to the barrel, it will also tilt upwards.

Now, is this just a misconception of mine that a super fast action causing the barrel to tilt upwards could cause a collision of the bullet to the suppressor? Or does the bullet exit the barrel and the suppressor way to quickly for that to be a factor unless you've got a foot long suppressor?

Well, I've got a suppressed Glock 21, and never had a baffle strike with it. I HAVE had a baffle strike on a FA M11/9mm smg, which has a fixed barrel.