Rethinking Silencers

[PA PATRIOT]

Never really had a interest in owning silencers until last night after watching the Walking Dead show on AMC.

It appears that the writers wrote some basic tactics into the story for the lead characters to follow when encountering the walking dead. While these tactics are common sense to those who visit this forum I was reminded that noise management should be the up most priority when engaging hostile persons in a SHTF environment.

Some of the common rules they followed were not to POP off shots at single or small groups of zombies as most likely the sound of gunfire would draw more zombies.

They would not arm untrained and undisciplined persons in the group who would randomly fire at every bump they heard.

They also deployed Crossbows, impact weapons and machetes so to not alert other hostiles in the area.

These basic tactics should be deployed when defending the homestead but when your Sentries/back up maybe a children, young adults or the husband/wife how can we assure noise discipline within the family ranks?

So I started rethinking silencers on sentry weapons and on a precision rifle to handle solo or small group (1-3) threats as not to draw additional attention to my location.

Now of course all bets are off if the hostile fires a single shot but at least we will have the option of a silent strike and hopefully eliminate the threat before they can alert others.

[Ironman8]

I'm sure you know, but suppressors aren't really that quiet when used on a .223/5.56 weapon. However, I do see a role for them in any kind of SHTF situation. If nothing else, a suppressor will "mask" your shot (and muzzle flash) and make it sound like its coming from somewhere else...and from what I hear, is even more effective in an urban environment

I'm REALLY interested in the new AAC 22LR suppressed system that slows your bullet down to subsonic speeds. That would have a HUGE impact on noise discipline for such things as hunting small game for survival.

[wahoo95]

LOL....I was thinking about the same stuff while watching. It was one of those times when I truly felt my suppressed 9mm AR would truly come in handy, as would my suppressed CZ452 bolt action rifle which is stupid quiet!

[QuietShootr]

I'm sure you know, but suppressors aren't really that quiet when used on a .223/5.56 weapon. However, I do see a role for them in any kind of SHTF situation. If nothing else, a suppressor will "mask" your shot (and muzzle flash) and make it sound like its coming from somewhere else...and from what I hear, is even more effective in an urban environment

I'm REALLY interested in the new AAC 22LR suppressed system that slows your bullet down to subsonic speeds. That would have a HUGE impact on noise discipline for such things as hunting small game for survival.

AAC didn't invent that, dude. It's been around for a hundred years or better.


That said - suppressors are a force multiplier in almost every situation in a survival context. And even the centerfire weapons firing full-charge ammunition benefit greatly from a good can - you may not think so standing right there, but - I was firing a suppressed M240 yesterday afternoon about 200 yards from the neighbors who usually (read almost always) call the cops when we start shooting beltfeds. No response this time. If you were indoors 200 yards from an unsuppressed 240, you'd damn sure hear it.

That's a benefit in more ways than one.

[Ironman8]

AAC didn't invent that, dude. It's been around for a hundred years or better.


That said - suppressors are a force multiplier in almost every situation in a survival context. And even the centerfire weapons firing full-charge ammunition benefit greatly from a good can - you may not think so standing right there, but - I was firing a suppressed M240 yesterday afternoon about 200 yards from the neighbors who usually (read almost always) call the cops when we start shooting beltfeds. No response this time. If you were indoors 200 yards from an unsuppressed 240, you'd damn sure hear it.

That's a benefit in more ways than one.

Never said they "invented" it, dude.

[PA PATRIOT]

I was thinking two or three suppressors in 9mm for the Glocks and maybe a few in .22LR for the Ruger pistol and 10/22 rifle.

I'll consider ones for the AR's down the road.

Any recommendations?

Also how many can you buy on a single form?

[broylz]

ive been looking to add a suppressor to my .308 bolt action rifle but i am also going to reload subsonics to make full use of it. a 220gr subsonic would be great out to 200 yards maybe and would be similar to most pellet guns in noise.

[docsherm]

Another reason for a suppressor in a SHTF situation would be for hunting. Sometimes it would be nice not to let everyone know you got some game.

If i were to have just one I would have to say it would be a good 7.62 can that I could use on my bolt gun and I could also use on my M4s.

[sandsunsurf]

I have several silencers, and I can't say enough good things about them. I really think once you start shooting with a can, you'll never want to go back to shooting un-suppressed.

I am currently waiting for an AAC 7.62SDN-6 to be transferred to my shop for me to purchase and add to my collection, and if I only had one can, I think this would be it. Pistol caliber cans are really cool as far as having a pistol that is as quiet as (or quieter than) an airsoft gun, but they add a lot of length, making it difficult to holster a suppressed pistol. This negates the value of a pistol- the fact that a pistol is small and convenient is why it's useful. So as a second or third can, I say do it, but otherwise look at a centerfire rifle can or a .22 can for small game or other stealth activities.

I love shooting my bolt guns with cans. Both of mine showed a marked increase in accuracy, but that doesn't always happen.

RE: 220 subsonics in a .308, it may be tough to stabilize that long of a projectile at a low velocity in a typical .308 barrel. I've had good luck with 180 grain soft points over 10 grains of Trail Boss in my 1 in 12 barrel (standard disclaimers - do your own research before duplicating my load!) There is no expansion, but I killed quite a few jackrabbits a few weeks back. It just punches a hole right through them, and it's quieter than a pellet gun for sure.

[rero360]

As weird as it sounds, I recall reading somewhere where the writer discovered that he got better accuracy with the heavy subsonic loadings by loading the bullet in the case backwards. I can't recall what type of bullet it was exactly, but apparently it works.