Testing the 6 Most Advanced Sound Suppressors with the ASA

ASA Suppressors Thunder Beast — Thunder Beast, who has a deserved reputation among long-range precision rifle shooters, displayed its incredibly light and quiet Ultra 7. The all-titanium, direct-thread Ultra suppressors are strong, very quiet and impart minimal point-of-impact shifts. At just 7 inches long and weighing only 9.5 ounces, the sound reduction on a .308 Winchester was remarkable. The Ultra line replaces Thunder Beast’s well-regarded “30 Series” suppressors. (thunderbeastarms.com)

ASA Suppressors SilencerCo Osprey — SilencerCo also displayed its shortened Osprey: the Osprey K. At Chapel Hill, a Glock .45 mated with the Osprey 45 K functioned superbly. The Osprey 45 K is 1.6 inches shorter and 3 ounces lighter than the full-length Osprey. The K is rated at 137.3 decibels, while the 8-inch-long Osprey 45 is rated at 131.3 decibels. (silencerco.com)

ASA Suppressors SilencerCo Salvo — SilencerCo’s innovation was on display with its Salvo, the only commercially available shotgun suppressor. The Salvo is modular and available in 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-inch lengths. While I enjoyed shooting clays with the Salvo mounted on a 28-inch barrel, a shotgun with a 14-inch barrel and a 6-inch Salvo may be the perfect home-defense combination. (silencerco.com)

ASA Suppressors Liberty Suppressors — Liberty Suppressors is a smaller company with a full line of products. Because of ammunition price and availability, shooters are suppressing their modern sporting rifles, HK roller-locked rifles and Kalashnikovs all chambered in 7.62x39mm. Liberty Suppressors offers an affordable and versatile suppressor that is perfectly suited for these rifles. The Mystic X is manufactured with a titanium tube and stainless core and works on multiple calibers. And it retails for less than $800. (libertycans.net)

ASA Suppressors Daniel Defense — Daniel Defense, with its reputation for premium rifles and components, brought along its ISR 300 Blackout rifle. The rifle uses a 10.3-inch barrel and a permanently attached integral suppressor to make a short, light, quiet 300 Blackout platform without the need for SBR paperwork. While banging steel with Remington 220-grain OTM ammo, the rifle was so quiet that it did not trip the microphone cutoff on my electronic hearing protection. (danieldefense.com)

ASA Suppressors Gemtech — Gemtech brought its “One,” a super versatile suppressor. While I fired the titanium and Inconel suppressor on a 5.56 M4, the “One” is equally at home on a 7.62x51mm or even a .300 Win Mag with a longer barrel. The Bi-Lock quick-disconnect mount system was quick and positive. If you just want one suppressor to mount on all your rifles, the Gemtech One might be for you. (gem-tech.com)

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) held its awards ceremony on April 9, 2015, at the Strategic Edge members-only shooting range just minutes from downtown Nashville, Tenn. Concurrent with the NRA Annual Meeting, this was the perfect time and place for the ASA to honor the high achievers in the suppressor industry and display their state-of-the-art suppressors.

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Not so long ago, there were only a few suppressor manufacturers and a limited number of states where suppressor ownership and use was encouraged. This has changed in no small part because of the ASA.

Since the ASA formed in 2011, 12 states have legalized hunting with suppressors and six states have passed “shall sign” legislation. The ASA is now working in several states to pass similar legislation. I exercise my rights in Tennessee, a state that respects its citizen’s Second Amendment rights, but I am also an ASA member in order to support those whose rights are being infringed.

The suppressor business is thriving with new ideas, designs and manufacturers. The industry has matured and manufacturers have developed brand identities and distinguishing competencies. Competitive pressure in the channels of distribution has increased.

For the shooter, this means better selection, lower prices and innovative products. Consumers are also more familiar with an NFA trust as an option for ownership.

Derek Smith from The Silencer Shop, a large online suppressor retailer, estimates that 80 percent of suppressor sales are now made to trusts. I was recently able to test the best and latest suppressors on a day when a middle Tennessee shooting range was noticeable quieter.

These six superbly crafted suppressors are just a sample of the quality and innovation in the industry today. I have no doubt that one of these manufacturers is making a suppressor that fits your requirements—and your budget.

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