Sound suppressors might be one of the most misunderstood firearms accessories on the market. Everything from their application, functionality, and even legality are questioned and often answered with incorrect information. With the amount of misinformation floating around, it is understandable why it can be a confusing topic. We admit that we have a few questions about suppressors ourselves. That's why we approached the best in the business to help answer some of the business to help answer some of the most frequestly asked questions about sound suppressors. RECOIL brought together a panel of experts from Advanced Armament Corporation, Gemtech, Knight's Armament Company, Silencerco, Spike's Tactical, SureFire, and Yankee Hill Machine Company to help provide definitive answers to the most popular, sound suppressor-related questions.

SUPPRESSOR OR SILENCER?

Let's clarify the terms sound suppressor and silencer. These interchangeable terms are used for devices that reduce the report of or disguise the sound of a gunshot. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) calls these devices silencers. Therefore, the language in the National Firearms Act (NFA) refers to such devices as silencers. Perhaps, this is because in the early 1900s, Hiram Percy Maxim, the inventor of the first commercially available device called them just that, the Maxim Silencer. Because these devices generally don't actually silence a gunshot but suppress its sound, it is agreed among many that the more technically accurate term is sound suppressor. In general, both terms are used interchangeably.

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