Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Rimfire suppressors

I know this has been discussed but I assume that several people have received cans since the last discussion.

Like most I shoot lots of varmints around the house barn pastures etc. all my rimfire is currently done with 22lr. I am waiting on a barrel for a 17wsm rim-x build. So I’ll use that one 17 the rest will be 22 rifle and pistol. Today I started my weight for a dead air mask and nomad ti. I’m thinking about going on and getting another mask while I’m at it and the store has one available. Just curious if others prefer something else before I get too deep with that particular one? Thank you.

The TBAC Takedown22 is a dandy.

Thank you. I was hoping you would weigh in since you have several.

The Mask is ever so slightly quieter on the WSM, but on the .22's I kinda like the takedown better. But I really think that there really isn't a bad rimfire can.

I have a Dead Air Mask and a TBAC Takedown 22. I like the TBAC a little better, but they are both really good!

I also have a Surefire Ryder 22A, an older model with aluminum baffles. The 22A is really light, but the aluminum baffles are a pain to clean. I'm planning on getting a Banish 22 or an Energetic Arms NYX, at some point. Both are lighter than the Mask or TD22, and being all titanium, they should should be much easier to clean than my 22A.

I've got two Tactical Innovation Quest's, and one Dead air Mask. The Dead Air Mask is in a whole 'nother league.

The Quest's are great on 22LR rifles, but I don't consider them hearing safe on a pistol. The Dead Air Mask is hearing safe/extremely quiet on a pistol.

Next rimfire can I get, will be another Dead Air Mask.

The Dead Air Mask does have a lot of back pressure, noticeable on my Nelson 1911-22... you get a bit of powder back in the face. Not an issue with my Ruger 22/45's.

Jerry

I played around with used oil filters I had, not bad, little bulky and not allowed up here.

Thank you fellas.

Not worth dealing with the time-wasting, excuse-making folks at Silencer Central. Unless that kinda chit don't matter to you.... Too many other good dealers and good choices out there. But the cans themselves are good.....

I read your posts about your very long wait. Now that you actually have it, what do you think of it?

I've bought several cans through Silencer Shop, so I was happy to see them pick up the Energetic Arms line of suppressors. I got to handle the NYX at a gun show earlier this year, and I was impressed at how light it was. Might go that route.

It is my fourth rimfire can. Mask, TD22, SparrowSS and this'un. It currently sits in fourth place..... It has a chance to move into third and beat out the sparrow after I get more rounds and cleanings outta 'er. But it has its work cut out, to do it.

Not legal, per se, but a buddy got wind of a plastic 3D printed suppressor intended for air guns. For academic interest only and not meant as a suggestion, but it works swell on a Stevens tip-up .22 target pistol. Obviously being made of plastic, albeit high grade impact resistant plastic, it's viability for long life is highly suspect. But, for only $25......

Kaleb

I have a couple DA Masks, but the Griffin Optimus Micro caught my eye since it can also be used on 22 CF. I also have the Nomad Ti, I think you’ll be happy with your selections so far.

David

Thank you. I will look into Griffin too.

This is what i use on my .22 wmr. Ive never tried any others though so i really have no way to compare, but im very happy with it.
https://www.sullysarms.com/product-page/22-lr-magnum

So my newby question is: How do you satisfy the whole trust thing without the help of one of those sites?

I used the Silencer Central trust but bought my suppressors elsewhere - didn’t have any issues with getting the trust completed timely. That was prob 7-8yrs ago though.

I have decided to get my first suppressor. I am getting one for rimfires. Why wouldn't I go with something like the Optimus Micro over a Dead Air Mask since I don't care about weight and the Optimus would allow me to use it on a 223? Would the Optimus Micro be as quiet as a Dead Air Mask?

Rimfire is dirty and some centerfire cans have to be sent off to be cleaned. Make sure whatever can you buy it is user serviceable. This is why I would suggest against a centerfire can on 22 Rimfire.

I’m certainly not trying to stop you from buying a can cause everyone needs a 22 Rimfire can but I don’t shoot mine as much as I thought I would. Simply because I shot it so much after I got it, I had to sandblast the baffles. Now I clean it every 100 rounds.

Just curious but when someone says they’re not worried about the weight I’m curious what the application is?

The Mask shines on 22 LR pistols with short barrels but once you get over 8 inches or so of barrel most all suppressors are pretty similar.

The Optimus would be similar to the Mask on a 22LR rifle but might be a bit louder on a 4 1/2 pistol but still ear safe.

Being able to use the Optimus on an AR is a pretty useful thing.

ALL... quite literally ALL .22 cans work the same...

The math is that easy...

I have a $199 Sparrow... it is junk, but it works great.

GemTech ammo...

Don't over think it...

Puff... Puff... Puff...

BOTH of those examples are easily trumped......

Shooting off a rest at a range and an occasional back porch kind of shot.

I whole heartedly Disagree; Based on experience with only a few cans (centerfire & rimfire).

Unless of course you're talking rimfire rifles only, then you are partly correct. Out of a .22 LR rifle most any can is good. A .22LR pistol will separate the so so cans from the really good cans.

Only partly correct because the ability of the design to be easily disassembled and cleaned is important.

No, "Don't over think it", but use the experience of those who have or have shot multiple cans to get the best suppressor for your needs.

I will also add that I often buy and try different guns, If a any gun doesn't fly my kite, it can pretty easily be sold... Not so with suppressors, so shop wisely.



Paul, I just picked up my Optimus Micro last Friday (eight months with an e-file). I put it on my Ruger Mark 4 22LR but haven't shot it on that platform yet, but will pipe in once I have to see how quiet it is on a pistol compared to the Dead Air Mask.

The Two Tactical Innovation Quest's that I have are pretty heavy duty, stainless steel (baffles, end caps and tube & weigh 8 ounces). They are only rated for 22LR (I have read that some manufacturer's only rate their cans for 22LR because they do not want to go through testing them - let alone warranting them for other calibers). I would not hesitate to put them on a 17 HMR, but I would never, ever put them on a 5.56!!! I would expect that I would be plucking the pieces out of my face after the first trigger pull.

Soo, what's the first thing I did after getting the Optimus home? Spun it onto a bolt-action, 18.5 inch barreled .223, grabbed a pocket full of shells and headed over to the range. I consider the muzzle blast from a 223/5.56 wickedly nasty and don't shoot them without either a good suppressor (hunting only), hearing protection or both. I didn't expect much suppression on a 223 with this can. After shooting half a dozen rounds I took off the muff's with the intention of firing only one round to get an idea of the suppression (I figured that I'd regret doing even one round), ended up firing four rounds. Not bad, the boom sounded like it was out in front, no earsplitting deafening crack or boom. Hearing safe - Not, but it seriously attenuates that nasty blast/crack. I was impressed, I would not hesitate to hunt with it (not high volume shooting, but mostly walking hunting like for coyotes, etc.).

After I had pressed the buy button on this suppressor, I had buyer's remorse... WTF? I've got better suppressors for my .223, and, I should have gotten a dedicated larger volume .223 can (hearing safe) for my .223! The buyers remorse is gone. I like this can.

I hope to find someone around here who has a threaded 17 HMR so I can try it (and the Dead Air Mask) for a suppression comparison.

Jerry

Looking forward to hearing how it goes on a rimfire. Mine would see use on 22LR, 22 Magnum, 17HM2 and 17HMR and on 223 as well.

I have a GEMTECH 22 suppressor. Subsonics sound like an BB gun.

Have you tried the brake fluid trick on the baffles? I just did it for first time, supposed to make cleaning a lot easier.

Put 500 rounds through my switchback, soaked baffles in slip 2000 carb killer for 3 days, hit with a brush, through in a ultrasonic cleaner and then in a tumber with walnut media. Came out 95% clean with very little effort. But it was a several day affair. Then did the brake fluid treatment on baffles.

Any of you guys that own multiple done any accuracy comparisons? Most of the reviews/comparisons focus on noise levels, first round pop, etc, but I’d also like to see accuracy comparisons done personally.

I only have one rimfire can and fairly happy with it (especially since I haven’t been able to compare it to many others).

I have the optimus micro and have had it on a Ruger American 22 for a while. Cleaning 22 rf residue is a pita.

The muzzle devices for the optimus are a pain if you don’t use the direct thread and they add a lot of weight. . It is going to become a dedicated 223 can and I’ll be adding some dedicated 22 rf cans. Probably a mask and a takedown 22.

As for cleaning, GEMTECH says 50000 rounds, send it back.

Looks like my Mask HD might could stand cleaning every 500 rounds or so. I did the CLR dunk for 7-8 hours on the SS baffles (not the body or endcaps) and all the back gunk just wiped right off with shop towels. I used the little M&M candy canister you get at the walmart checkout. Just the right size for all the baffles to slide in. Only need maybe 4-5oz of CLR per cleaning. Saw the process on an online video.

I've read clr on stainless steel for long periods of time is a nono

Mine is an older Gemtech Outback 2D I think. It has a SS blast baffle and the rest are aluminum. The gunk was a lot easier to get off than the melted lead on the aluminum baffles.

Edit to add: Do not use the dip solution.

I am going to send mine back to Gemtech and have it changed out for the monocore baffle, it should be easier to clean and will up the rating to 22 mag. But for now no more than I shoot it, until I get it upgraded I'm done cleaning it.

I need to buy a 223 can but just hate the wait time, though I've been putting it off long enough that I could have had 4 or 5 by now.

TWR, You are probably aware of this, but for those that are not, this is called the "Dip".

Use with caution.

Both the liquid & residual slurry byproducts of using the dip are very Toxic, and need to be handled and disposed of responsibly.

Use chemical resistant gloves & eye protection when using or handling parts that have been in the dip.

I thought I'd read that the 'Dip' would dissolve aluminum? Duration of exposure may be the key factor? I know for a fact that it will literally eat steel (not stainless steel though).


Jerry

There are two things that define a 'rimfire' can; size & ability to disassemble and clean it.

The ability to clean out the lead and lube is a concern only for 22LR (or any lead alloy bullet).

The 22 Magnum, 17HM2, and 17 HMR bullets obviously are jacketed and not lubed. Though Winchester does have (had?) a 22 Magnum lead bullet round (dynapoints - I believe?), as well as Winchester & CCI WRF ammo that can be fired in a 22 Magnum that has a lead alloy & lubed bullet.

So you need to take a look at how much you are going to shoot 22 LR and 223 for selecting your suppressor.

If shooting 22LR is going to be rare, then I'd look at a larger suppressor, especially if you're going to shoot a lot of 223.


However, the 22LR (subsonic in a rifle) is the quietest suppressed round, truly "Hollywood" quiet. All the others you mention are supersonic, and the supersonic crack (from breaking the sound barrier) cannot be eliminated.

Please note that I do not own a 22 Magnum or a 17 HMR, so those that do can answer best what 'rimfire' suppressor works well for suppressing those rounds.


Jerry

Edit to add: do not use the dip solution.

As mentioned above the dip is very toxic as the lead is in solution and easily absorbed.

It should not be going down the drain.

I was speaking about a .22 can...

I thought I said that above...

I am not familiar with any .22 can that cannot be easily disassembled for cleaning

As for centerfire... I own 9...

This topic was about rimfires IIRC...

I did a write up on cleaning sealed cans a while back...

If your can (centerfire) is all Titanium soak it anything you like.

If it is SS and Ti... be careful of the soak and how long or else risking the SS.

If it is aluminum (Bowers and .22 cans mostly)... be VERY CAREFUL with chemicals.

VERY TRUE!

It is death to aluminum (for long periods).

Not sure anyone is still making sealed rimfire cans. Was very common in the past. Some of those manufacturers offered a cleaning service where you would send it back and they would open and clean it and return it to you.

Aside from that, some cans are much easier to take apart to clean. The Silencerco Sparrow comes to mind.


"ALL... quite literally ALL .22 cans work the same..."
Also, my main point is that there is a BIG difference in suppression, which is easily detected on 22 Rimfire pistols, All Rimfire Suppressors are not equal in suppression. Which is what I took your statement to imply. Forgive me if I misinterpreted that.

Jerry

In what way are they different... Please help me understand the point I am missing.

I have a junk Sparrow (probably the cheapest .22 can you can buy).

It is rugged, easy to clean and mouse fart quiet with the proper ammo.

That is what is confusing to me...

Well I’m done with the “dip” solution.

Uhhh,

They're much quieter on a pistol.

Not hard to miss.

As I said earlier, most any rimfire suppressor is quiet on a rifle.

Don't shoot a suppressed rimfire pistol? Then rock on with your your chosen suppressor.


Jerry

I shoot many .22 LR pistols (you made an incorrect assumption there).

I disagree about "much quieter"... with the 3-4 other brands I have tried... in fact, they have all been the same or louder.

My whole point initially was for folks not to overthink a .22 can.

UNLESS you want to it to also handle 5.7x28 etc. But that is a totally different matter... at least in my mind.

Paul,

I shot the Optimus Micro, alongside my Dead Air Mask and TI Quest.

I used my Ruger Mk 4, with a Tactical Solutions barrel.

Optimus Micro; 9.55 oz 1.22"D X 5.375"L

Dead Air Mask; 8.35 oz 1.07"D X 5.125"L

TI Quest; 7.4 oz 1.0"D X 5.0"L


I ran two magazines of CCI Mini Mag's through the Optimus & the Mask (without hearing protection).

I could not tell any difference between the Dead Air Mask and the Optimus Micro in suppression. Both are quiet enough to be hearing safe.

The TI Quest was loud enough that I quit after three rounds, and shot the rest through the Optimus Micro.

There's less difference in the weight of the Mask and the Optimus than I thought==> only 1.2 ounces.

Jerry



From the Optimus Micro manual;

So if the Dip or CLR methods for stainless baffles are not ideal, what works and isn't super labor-intensive? I've used the CLR once and was pleased, but I'm finding about 50/50 mixed opinions on if it should be used long-term.

Help me understand this Jerry. All of my rimfires and my 223 have 20 inch barrels. Is the Optimus Micro not rated for a barrel longer than 14.5"?

My hope was that I could find a suppressor that I could move freely back and forth. One that can be disassembled for cleaning rimfire crud. The suppressor will not see a whole lot of use on any platform. I am most interested in silence at subsonic 22LR velocities.

Paul,

The 14.5" is the minimum barrel length for .223/5.56 use, anything 14.5" or longer is fine per Griffin.
And, there is no minimum barrel length for 22LR, 22 Magnum, 17 HMR & 5.7.

"My hope was that I could find a suppressor that I could move freely back and forth. One that can be disassembled for cleaning rimfire crud. The suppressor will not see a whole lot of use on any platform. I am most interested in silence at subsonic 22LR velocities."

There is no perfect answer...

The Optimus Micro would work. It has excellent 22LR rifle & pistol suppression, and can be used on some 22 caliber centerfires. However, due to the lack of volume, it would not be optimal for 5.56 suppression.

I believe I've read of a few other centerfire rifle suppressors that can be taken apart for cleaning. For rimfire use, due to the bulk (generally 1.5" dia.), they would not be optimal on a rimfire, but would/should offer better suppression than the Optimus Micro. I find the size obnoxious on a centerfire rifle, but the trade off for suppression is worth it.

The standard answer is to buy a rimfire suppressor first, and later get a centerfire suppressor. Not bad advice, but for obvious financial reasons, it's not what a lot of people can or want to do.

I shoot a bunch of 22LR, a 22 suppressor is what I specifically wanted. After shooting 22LR suppressed, I was extremely impressed and went on to centerfire rifle suppressors.

Now, I've got several rimfire & centerfire suppressors... If I were starting over, I would get the Optimus Micro as a first suppressor, since besides shooting rimfire, it allows you to dabble with centerfires.

Jerry

I have one of the now discontinued Griffin Checkmates and it's extremely well made and quiet. If I were looking for another rimfire can now I'd probably go with their Optimus.

Thanks for all the info. This is kinda where I am with it.

LOL.

Pretty sure when all is said and done you won't have a supressor.

Lets see what happens.

Hell, John. If one of yours check the boxes, I'll buy it from you.

Care to provide a link? I have a sealed titanium .22 rimfire can. 99% of the time its on a .22wmr rifle, but generally shooting non jacketed subsonic ammo (for all intents and purposes this ammo is basically .22lr) and that ammo dirtys up my barrel bad.

LOL.

Not gonna happen. Pretend to buy the Griffin can.

No Wyo Arms can for you.

I just submitted my paper work for a Dead Air Mask 22 suppressor, I look forward to playing with that one. I have a YHM R9 suppressor and it works great on a 22 lr also but being as it is a fully welded tube I went ahead and got one for 22 lr (DA Mask). I have a 12" 9mm AR pistol and the R9 is fantastic on it. One of the big things promoted for the DA Mask was no 1st round pop in 22 lr, I didn't notice any 1st round pop while briefly using my R9 on my 22 lr rifles or pistols.
By the way I didn't know these things were addictive.

Steve........

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/17051587

I shoot lots of very heavy big bore subs... this will make a can FILTHY in almost no time at all.

I predict you will regret your impulse to go with one suppressor to do everything you think (today) that you want to do.

There's a reason why most of the guys here have more than one.

Do yourself a big favor and buy two to start off with; a rimfire can and a .30 centerfire can for the .223 and the new rifles you're going to buy with threaded barrels after you see how cool they are.

LOLOLOL. This is exactly what I have decided on. We have absolute crap for shops around here. I made an appointment with a small shop for Wednesday. I am about 95% certain on a Dead Air Mask and a 30 cal rated CF suppressor of some sort.

Good move!

Did the paperwork for a DA Mask and a centerfire can today. Thanks to those who took time out to educate me and share their thoughts.

which one?

http://www.texassilencercompany.com/

It's heavy, but quiet. That had it for $350.

Too heavy. You can get a EVO for $600

Heavy doesn’t correlate with quiet. Sometimes to durability depending on what you want to do with it. Either way I’m sure that you’ll enjoy them. You can’t beat $350. I have a Mask and love it.

This one takes a 308 down to 131db. Comparing it to others on the market, that was the best I found. At 25 ounces, it's far from the lightest, but there are a lot of heavier mufflers on the market. It won't see heavy use. I figured at the $350 price point, I couldn't go too wrong. I am confident that the money spent on the Mask was money well spent.

I would look at David Saylors and Liberty suppressors…guy is a guru to all things quiet..

So did you ever decide on a .22 Can Kaleb?
I've thought about getting one for a few years.

I also have a Gemtech GM-22. Also have 2 Dead Air Masks. Like all 3.

Because of them being local and available I got another mask. I still want to try some others but it was the easy button. The more I shoot suppressed the less I care to shoot without. I had a big stray Tom cat come by the barn Saturday. I had my trusty 22-250AI handy but it’s not been chopped and threaded yet. Dang I forgot how loud it is.

Yeah everytime I hear a rifle being shot without a can on it all I can think is "SAVAGES"!!!

You were right John. I didn't end up with a supressor. I ended up with a suppressor. One of two came in today.



For the sober members of the forum, any recommendations on for what to do before I start shooting to make it easier to clean?

About how many rounds do you go before cleaning?

You will have to deal with the lead deposits which is a pain to clean. There is a dip recipe that removes the lead, but I don’t feel like dealing with the lead residue from that process. I coat the parts with TC Bore Butter after cleaning.

I try to clean every 500-600 rounds. I have seen someone else with the same 22RF suppressor that even the gunsmith could not disassemble.

Anyone have a Silencerco Switchback and how does it compare with the others mentioned?

I have a Sparrow and have been happy with it but want to get another. The Dead Air and TBAC are both top runners for me right now but the Switchback is interesting.