Suppressor Sales Setting Records

by
posted on November 3, 2024
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Bolt-action rifle shown with spotlight and suppressor silencer muzzle device attached
Photo courtesy of author.

Nearly 2.2 million suppressors were purchased by law-abiding citizens from May 2021 through July 2024, according to figures compiled by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). In those few short years, the total number of muzzle-mounted, hearing-protection devices owned by U.S. citizens nearly doubled.

Registration became mandatory under the National Firearms Act of 1934, and 2.66 million suppressors sold between then and May 2021. In the above-mentioned three-year period another 2,193,123 sold.

Why the sudden spike in sales? The most significant change arrived with improvements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive’s eForm 4 three years ago. Silencer Central was one of the companies that quickly harnessed the new assets to make suppressor ownership nearly foolproof and faster than before. Instead of paying for one up front and waiting nearly a year—while BATFE background checks and paperwork cleared—the delay is now down to weeks, sometimes days. 

“The biggest difference is that the customer will be ‘kept in the loop,’” Brandon Maddox, Silencer Central owner and CEO said when the improved system went live. “They’ll get emails and updates of when it was submitted, when the tax stamp is paid and when it’s approved. So it creates an additional of level of transparency for the consumer.”

Prices have also dropped, new designs are more versatile than ever before, and there are hundreds of models from which to choose. With lower prices, more selection, ease of ownership and health benefits, this trend promises to only accelerate in the future.

Degradation and loss of hearing are permanent, which makes wearing proper protection at the firing line a critical safety precaution. Earmuffs and earplugs, even today’s advanced electronic versions, are not always ideal, though. Suppressors provide an added level of protection in a different way. They ride on the firearm’s muzzle, not over or tucked inside a shooter’s ears. It’s the perfect setup for hunters, who often hear an animal moving in before it appears. It’s neighbor-friendly. Go with any of the subsonic loads available today, and you can even eliminate that familiar noise a bullet makes as it breaks the sound barrier.

Latest

Zenithmrds 01
Zenithmrds 01

MRDS: Zenith’s American-Made Roller-Delayed Rifle For The 21st Century

While the roller-delayed blowback mechanism has proven reliable in platforms like the Heckler & Koch G3, Zenith Firearms has taken this innovative operating system and paired it with a modern, AR-style feature set in its MRDS.

Remington Announces 4th Annual Shoot To Cure Fundraiser

Now in its fourth year, the Shoot to Cure fundraiser is scheduled to take place on September 19 at the historic Remington Gun Club in Lonoke, Ark.

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PD380

For its latest compact carry pistol, the PD380, Walther Arms combined elements of its Performance Duty Pistol series with its legacy PK380 platform.

Black Beauty: Nimschke’s Masterpiece Sold By Rock Island Auction

German-born Louis Daniel Nimschke is widely recognized as one of the most talented and prolific firearm engravers of the 19th century.

Springfield Updates Saint Victor AR-15 Lineup

Since 2019, Springfield Armory has offered its Saint Victor line of AR-15s with enhanced features, and for 2025, the company has updated those features to keep pace with consumer demands.

In Memoriam: Wiley Clapp

Longtime American Rifleman Field Editor and contributor Wiley Clapp passed away June 4, 2025. He was 90 years old.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.