Having looked at some of the test results on silencerresearch.com, many of the cans for a given caliber perform very similarly by the numbers.

Test results are helpful, but I am more interested in finding out about how the different manufacturers differ in their approach to designing, building, testing, etc.

I prefer to buy cans from a company whose cans perform well in real world conditions, as opposed to a company whose cans are quieter in a lab, but fragile in harse, real world conditions.

Performance and durability to me result from a company's engineering design philosophy.

In order to help me separate performance from hype, those of you who know, could you please comment on the engineering design philosophy of the major can manufacturers?

I am especially interested in .22LR, 9mm, and .308 cans made by SWR, Gemtech, AAC, and Tactical Innovations.

Customer service experience/reputation is also a consideration.

I'm not mining for any trade secrets--I'm just trying to figure out which company's engineering approaches best match my own opinions.

Any of the manufacturers you listed will hold up a long time, some of them are not known for thier customer service.

Me personally, I would be happy with any Tactical Innovations, SWR or Gem Tech product. The SWR's are high quality suppressors, gut they don't offer the quick detach options that Gem Tech do. I would also look at Yankee Hill's offerings. They have strong suppressors, quick detach and reasonable cost.

Suppressor manufacturing isn't all that high tech. They all have baffels, they may play around with the designs to get the best FRP and over all suppression numbers. But the biggest thing is the materials that they use. This would matter more so for someone that is going to use it in full auto. Most are all using stainless tube and titanium and inconel baffels for the centerfire suppressors. For a 22's, unless yoy have a FA, find the one that works for your budget and you are satisifed with it's preformance.

I'm not an AAC fan, I would elaborate, but I'd rather not be sued.

SWR does offer quick detach silencers. The warlock can be had with quick detach and the trident has a 3 lug coupler as one of the available mounts. great customer service.

Not a huge fan of AAC either although their 762 SD is a good can but who knows when you might get one. Pretty much all rifle cans are pretty close to the same in performance if you ask me.

I prefer SWR, but the M4-2000 is a great suppressor no matter what you feelings are on AAC. A note on AAC, what they are doing may in fact be how companies react to what they feel are untrue claims about their products or services.

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Originally posted by JeepDriver:
Suppressor manufacturing isn't all that high tech. They all have baffels, they may play around with the designs to get the best FRP and over all suppression numbers.

I will kindly disagree. Having used many suppressors over the years, different companies designs for the can and baffles can have a distinct difference. Just putting simple washers does not make a good suppressor. Their is actual physics involved, along with various other sciences.

quote:

But the biggest thing is the materials that they use. This would matter more so for someone that is going to use it in full auto.

Full auto cans require using materials that are not always used in a standard semi-automatic use. Saying that, if I was shooting .308 or .50BMG, I would still want the can that used the same materials that a full-auto can does. I want the can to last.

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I'm not an AAC fan, I would elaborate, but I'd rather not be sued.

SWR, AAC, Gemtech, etc. all make very good cans. I have had good luck with AAC and lesser so on ones that I did not mention. I have an SWR can that I have run FA .223 using 6.5" barrel many times and it has withstood the FA effects. Gemtech makes good stuff also, along with a bunch of smaller manufacturers.

Buy what fits your budget. Price, customer service and warranty are things I look at. I also like to get a "feel" for return on investment.

A simple calculation of

$CostOfCan / DBNoiseReduction = $CostPerDB.

Not everybody will give you good DB figures, but look around and use the commonly found numbers, but compare as best as possible, apples to apples or the above calculation is useless.

Buy what you have touched and seen in actual use so you will have a good feeling about what you are getting.

mark

Yankee Hill actually answers the phone when you call them. That is why I have one of their cans.

A couple more data points.

Most of us do not notice a difference in sound until there is roughly about 5db sound change. For some of us who have done too much shooting it might be even higher...

Buying a can that is 3db better in sound reduction for $300 more, is probably not worth it in just noise reduction context. It may be worthwhile if it is FA capable, specially made for unusual circumstances that you want, etc. You get the idea.

mark