Why do I need a suppressor?

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  • calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    I don’t remember using hearing protection training in the marines in our combat cities but then again, they we used blanks and they had open windows. I do have hearing loss though so there’s that.

    This is a great point, even with hearing protection, a 16" barrel AR (esp. with a muzzle brake) is LOUD. If you are using an AR braced pistol or SBR, then it's even LOUDER. The can really takes the edge off and it's a much more pleasant experience.

    I have tinnitus, and it's because I neglected over the years to wear hearing protection when operating yard equipment, loud music, etc. Over time all of this takes it's toll. We are one of the few countries that forces our hunters to risk hearing loss. Even the socialist countries allow their hunters to obtain a sound suppressor. It just makes sense.
     

    sleepingdino

    Active Member
    Mar 13, 2013
    607
    People's Republic of Mont Co
    With all due respect, statements like this grind my gears to no end. I'll file this with the "just wait until they hear the sound of me racking my shotgun" types...

    5.56 suppressed is by no means quiet. I've tested my set up without ear pro in an open field and it still hurt my ears, but was manageable.

    You should care about your hearing. And if you have a decent gun collection, chances are you can afford a suppressor in your lineup.

    I could continue to comment on other things you said but frankly this is hurting my brain.

    Can't agree more.

    I use a can on my HD AR because:

    A can will decrease flash.
    A can will decrease recoil and help with follow up shots.
    You still need to listen for other threats after shooting at the first one. If your ears are ringing, you will be at a disadvantage if the perp came with friends.

    There are other peripheral benefits such as not giving your family hearing loss and scaring your family. Your rounds will also get a modest boost in velocity (which may be helpful with a short barreled AR).
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,810
    Do ya need a suppressor for a 5.56 home defense rifle?...Nope
    What does a suppressor add to your life?...Comfort

    Get a suppressor. Whether you shoot at an indoor range or if you make a day of it out doors it is always nice to have for long periods of continuous shooting.

    As for home defense...how many rounds do you intend on letting off inside your home? Enough to end the threat...30 round dump...reloads? One never knows but the more that go off the more damage to property and potential damage to loved ones. I think your ears are going to be the last of your concern.

    Home defense for me...unsuppressed with a light. I want that BANG to let everyone in the house and all my neighbors to know that there is a problem and that they need to react. Additionally I want that BANG to scare off, stun or freeze a threat long enough for me to get a better continuing shot on target. Keep in mind if it is a 5.56 "Rifle", that extra length may impede your movement in your home.

    IMHO...Get a suppressor, take it for a ride and have fun with it, do a few dry fire exercises in your house and decide what is best for you.
    I've suffered two blown eardrums(one on each side). One was from sustained fire indoors. The other was from ONE shot too close to my head(I was just forward of the shooter's muzzle).
    Maybe I have wussy eardrums...
     

    calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    But if I am blasting things in to the air with the muzzle blast that’s too close to something, also probably distracting me and making it hard to see.

    If you have to call 911, ain't no way you are going to ear them on the phone. Maybe on speaker phone with the volume jacked up all the way.
     

    Mightydog

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    .
     

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    calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    I know I am just repeating myself; but I just can say enough about how much fun can be had with BOTH an SBR and a can. The only thing better would be a can and full auto.
     

    Skipjacks

    Ultimate Member
    I know I am just repeating myself; but I just can say enough about how much fun can be had with BOTH an SBR and a can. The only thing better would be a can and full auto.

    Full auto is over rated

    I much prefer single shot and I have have done plenty of both

    Full auto has its place for suppression fire but how often does that need come up?

    Now a turret mounted 7.62 full auto....that is fun because it is full auto with surgical precision. You can put 10 rounds through the same hole in 1 second.
     

    Dogabutila

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 21, 2010
    2,359
    Because you want to be able to communicate with family members. You might have been able to throw earpro on, but they probably didn't.
     

    Tungsten

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 1, 2012
    7,230
    Elkridge, Leftistan
    Because you want to be able to communicate with family members. You might have been able to throw earpro on, but they probably didn't.

    Once the shooting starts, are you really needing to communicate all that much other than "stay the F down and stay where you are"? I don't think I'm sending the wife and 4 yr old on a flanking maneuver.
     

    spoon059

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 1, 2018
    5,333
    Once the shooting starts, are you really needing to communicate all that much other than "stay the F down and stay where you are"? I don't think I'm sending the wife and 4 yr old on a flanking maneuver.
    How about if you can't hear your 8 year old daughter trying to tell you that there is someone in their room...?

    Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    How about if you can't hear your 8 year old daughter trying to tell you that there is someone in their room...?

    YOU have ear pro on, so you would hear that.

    At least if you are smart enough to have electronic ear pro. With passive ear pro, you might not be able to hear that anyway.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,810
    YOU have ear pro on, so you would hear that.

    At least if you are smart enough to have electronic ear pro. With passive ear pro, you might not be able to hear that anyway.
    Something goes 'bump' in the night and you're going to come out of REM sleep and the first thing you grab is your cans? Not me brother. I'm grabbing my suppressed 9mm SBR. ;)


    ETA: And keep in mind, the rest of your family will need to be able to hear your voice as well...
     

    spoon059

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 1, 2018
    5,333
    YOU have ear pro on, so you would hear that.

    At least if you are smart enough to have electronic ear pro. With passive ear pro, you might not be able to hear that anyway.

    I don't have ear protection in my bedside table. If you have enough time to grab them, seat them correctly, turn them on and ensure the batteries are good AND grab your gun and address a threat, you have a lot more time than most. Also, you have to do all of this very quietly so you don't telegraph your location to any potential intruder. And, while you are using your fine motor skills to do all this, you have to maintain complete focus on the threat at the exact same time.

    Or, you have a suppressed gun and simply deploy that. I bought a solvent trap, a Form 1 stamp and cobalt drill bit for less than some of these more expensive electronic ear muffs. I'm smart enough to realize that time, fine motor skills and reaction space are finite enough to not worry about ancillary tasks while I am preparing to deploy deadly force to protect myself or others. That's also why I don't carry electronic ear pro on duty either...
     

    grimnar15

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 21, 2019
    1,645
    I posted this before —- but try witt machine SME — it’s impressive - I love mine for HD — projects the concussion, crack and gasses towards the enemy.

    When using a 5.56 rifle for home defense you’ll be dealing with deafening sounds and blinding flashes in confined spaces. A suppressor mitigates the effects of both keeping you in the fight at peak performance.

    An excellent alternative (one I can personally vouch for) is the Witt Machine SME- Sound Mitigation Equipment , a non class iii sound / flash suppression device.

    https://www.wittmachine.net/sme-soun...ine-non-class/

    https://youtu.be/mdUIvTmvzww

    -
    __________________
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    1) If you don't have ear pro on your nightstand, that is YOUR problem.

    2) If ear pro batteries are dead, you are an idiot. Did you remember the load the firearm?

    3) You grab firearm FIRST, then ear pro.

    4) A suppressor takes a rifle from 160 dBA range to 130 dBA range. In an enclosed space, that is still going to be LOUD. Unless you are shooting suppressed, subsonic, it will be a bit quieter.

    5) Family in other rooms will not be exposed to the level of sound that you are. And if the bad guys are shooting, will they be shooting suppressed. But a novel idea, provide them with ear pro. And HAVE A PLAN. Family members duck into cover, and put on ear pro, and STAY there.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,810
    1) If you don't have ear pro on your nightstand, that is YOUR problem.

    2) If ear pro batteries are dead, you are an idiot. Did you remember the load the firearm?

    3) You grab firearm FIRST, then ear pro.

    4) A suppressor takes a rifle from 160 dBA range to 130 dBA range. In an enclosed space, that is still going to be LOUD. Unless you are shooting suppressed, subsonic, it will be a bit quieter.

    5) Family in other rooms will not be exposed to the level of sound that you are. And if the bad guys are shooting, will they be shooting suppressed. But a novel idea, provide them with ear pro. And HAVE A PLAN. Family members duck into cover, and put on ear pro, and STAY there.
    1) No need to fumble around with ear pro and turning it on.

    2) See #1

    3) You grab your gun first.

    4) My suppressed 9mm will disagree.

    5) Family will not be woken by loud muzzle blasts and ensuing disturbance that will surely follow including multiple voices in-distinguishable as to who is whom and what they are saying as adrenaline shoots through their bodies. Family will awaken, but hopefully not in such a state of shock.

    "Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face"

    KISS-Keep It Simple Stupid
     

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