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Quiet Rimfire Shooting Without a Suppressor, by M.B.
Many people have learned much of what they “know” about
firearms from the movies. This includes the devices commonly
known as “silencers.” Even the name is misleading. A sound
suppressor does not silence a firearm completely in most
cases. What it does do is reduce the noise level while greatly
reducing the muzzle blast and flash. Sound suppressors have
been in use for over 100 years. Until the National Firearms
Act of 1934, people in the United States could buy sound
suppressors in gun stores or even hardware stores. Sound
suppressors are now heavily regulated in the U.S. and in
many countries. Curiously, however, some nations place few
restrictions on sound suppressors or even require their use, in order to reduce the “noise pollution” associated
with target shooting and hunting.
Legal purchase of a sound suppressor in the United States is
administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives (BATFE). Before the purchase can be made, the person
must undergo the application process, which includes paying a $200
tax and undergoing a criminal background check. Some purchasers
are surprised to find that sound suppressors in the US are often
very expensive — in many cases exceeding the cost of the firearm
they are to be used with. In some states — including California,
Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and some others — sound
suppressors are completely banned for ordinary citizens. In states
that allow suppressors, there may be purchase requirements in
addition to those required by the federal government.
Purchasing a sound suppressor will be seen by some preppers
as a violation of OPSEC. Suppressors are also likely to draw
unwanted attention if used at a public range. Additionally,
they are bulky and add weight to a firearm, and their width can
block the view through the sights of some firearms. Adding a sound
suppressor to my favorite squirrel rifle would make it much
less fun to carry in the woods, even if it didn’t block the
sights.
SILENCE IS GOLDEN
On the other hand, the ability to shoot with less noise has
several advantages. In addition to allowing early-morning shooting at
urban or suburban ranges without disturbing nearby neighbors, a quiet
firearm is a wonderful tool for training. New shooters are often
intimidated by the loud noises associated with firearms, and this
can contribute to flinching.
If the suppression reduces the sound sufficiently, hearing protection
may be deemed unnecessary. This means greater comfort, especially
for those who complain of discomfort caused by ear plugs or other
hearing protection. A quieter range can also be a safer range, as range
master commands are more easily heard by shooters and spectators. Eye
protection, however, must always be worn whenever firearms are
in use. I have been struck by a ricocheting .22LR bullet that struck a
hard object and bounced straight back at me. It caused no injury, but it
drove home the need to always wear eye protection.
In the hunting camp, a quiet firearm may give the hunter the
ability to take small game near camp without alarming his or her
partners or spooking larger game animals that may be grazing in the
vicinity.
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