Suppressor... Silencer.... Whats the Dif?

[Somemedic]

You say po-TAY-toe....

Had this argument with a former FFL.

Does a suppressor quiet a weapon while being fired? Seems how it was explained in an episode of SOGs.

Someone educate me as to the difference. Btw, went through several pages without seeing this topic. If its a duplicate dont kill me.

 

[Fargo]

You say po-TAY-toe....

Had this argument with a former FFL.

Does a suppressor quiet a weapon while being fired? Seems how it was explained in an episode of SOGs.

Someone educate me as to the difference. Btw, went through several pages without seeing this topic. If its a duplicate dont kill me.

I don't know the technical medical difference. I always thought silenced meant locked bolt and subsonic while suppressed referred to unlocked bolt and/or supersonic. Don't know if that is the actual definition though.

Best,

Joe

 

[ctbreitwieser]

If Im not mistaken, and Im pretty sure Im not, "silencer" is just an incorrect term that many people use for "suppressor".

 

[DownByTheTracks]

The federal government says its a silencer.

Functionally it's a suppressor.

 

[1911Shooter]

If Im not mistaken, and Im pretty sure Im not, "silencer" is just an incorrect term that many people use for "suppressor".

This is exactly what I have always thought. I have been corrected several times by using the word silencer. I am told that you cant silence any gun only suppress the amount of noise that is heard. There the same thing in my book, but I have learned to say suppressor.

 

[Fargo]

This is exactly what I have always thought. I have been corrected several times by using the word silencer. I am told that you cant silence any gun only suppress the amount of noise that is heard. There the same thing in my book, but I have learned to say suppressor.

Did a little research and it appears that "silencer" was the name given to it by Hiram Maxim, the inventor of the first commercially viable suppressor.

While "suppressor" may be more literally accurate, I would have a hard time saying that calling it a "silencer" is incorrect.

Best,

Joe

 

[snorko]

Did a little research and it appears that "silencer" was the name given to it by Hiram Maxim, the inventor of the first commercially viable suppressor.

While "suppressor" may be more literally accurate, I would have a hard time saying that calling it a "silencer" is incorrect.

Yep, calling it a silencer is like calling all facial tissue Kleenex.

 

[rvb]

Legally it's a silencer.
The inventor (Maxim) called it a silencer.
I call it a silencer.
Nothing wrong w/ the term suppressor, but I disaprove of those who insist silencer is "wrong."

I still call it a "flash hider," too.

Beware the grammar police.

-rvb

 

[Scutter01]

The "suppressor" people claim that it's not a silencer because it doesn't make the shot silent. It's a suppressor because it only suppresses the sound.

 

[Fargo]

Yep, calling it a silencer is like calling all facial tissue Kleenex.

Mebbe; did the guy who invented facial tissue name it Kleenex?

Not being sarcastic, I really don't know.

Best,

Joe

 

[Sylvain]

Mebbe; did the guy who invented facial tissue name it Kleenex?

Not being sarcastic, I really don't know.

Best,

Joe

Kleenex is just a brand.

 

[DownByTheTracks]

Beware the grammar police.

-rvb

The "suppressor" people claim that it's not a silencer because it doesn't make the shot silent. It's a suppressor because it only suppresses the sound.

The grammar cop just showed up.

 

[Scutter01]

The grammar cop just showed up.

Pfft. I don't care what people call it. I call mine "Sally". I'm just saying why people get uppity about which word is used.

 

[bigcraig]

The federal government says its a silencer.

Functionally it's a suppressor.

This.

 

[DownByTheTracks]

Pfft. I don't care what people call it. I call mine "Sally". I'm just saying why people get uppity about which word is used.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

I stand corrected. If Hiram Maxim called it a silencer then I guess its a silencer. Ive just always been told "its not a silencer its a suppressor". I guess that what I get for listening to others without any knowledge of my own. But then again, thats what forums are all about. Everyone arguing over stuff someone else told them.

 

[451_Detonics]

I call it the "Makes Loud Things Quieter Magical Mystery Tube"...but that is just me...

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

The federal government says its a silencer.

Functionally it's a suppressor.

This.

When the appropriate Federal transfer forms call it a "silencer"...

A weapon silencer merely suppresses the sound.

-J-

 

[mammynun]

Pfft. I don't care what people call it. I call mine "Sally". I'm just saying why people get uppity about which word is used.

But it's got no womb!

 

[Goodcat]

Form 4 says silencer. It's a silencer. It doesn't silence, but suppresses as mentioned. BUT by this logic, nothing is a silencer, it's not a word. Heck, if you want to talk literal and dB, silent doesn't exist on or in earth and shouldn't be a word at all.

So, it's a freaking silencer.