Shotgun silencers

Buddy1211 · Sep 20, 2025

Hey all! While I'm not currently in the market for one I'm curious to hear what people think of 12 gauge silencers. If you have one do you like it? Are they're any learning curves compared to rifle or pistol cans? Would you do it again? Thanks!

Nosferatu · Sep 20, 2025

I've had a Silencerco Salvo for several years now. Being a shotgun nut, it was a necessity.

It honestly is a conundrum. To really have any effect, it needs to be used in it's full length configuration. Even then, it honestly doesn't do a whole lot for suppression. It also points like bubblegum, especially on longer barreled guns. For the short ones, it's fine. Having it in it's short config solves some of the pointing issues, but then doesn't really do much for suppression.

Where it lives now is on my Mossberg 590 Shockwave which runs exclusively 1.75" shortie shells. It works fantastic on that gun with those loads.

Yes, I would do it again. I'm not going to war with it though, just a fun thing to have.

I intend to get a JK shotgun suppressor one of these days, just not high on the list of priorities right now.

Buddy1211 · Sep 20, 2025

Thanks for the reply!

Nosferatu said:
I've had a Silencerco Salvo for several years now. Being a shotgun nut, it was a necessity.

It honestly is a conundrum. To really have any effect, it needs to be used in it's full length configuration. Even then, it honestly doesn't do a whole lot for suppression. It also points like bubblegum, especially on longer barreled guns. For the short ones, it's fine. Having it in it's short config solves some of the pointing issues, but then doesn't really do much for suppression.

Where it lives now is on my Mossberg 590 Shockwave which runs exclusively 1.75" shortie shells. It works fantastic on that gun with those loads.

Yes, I would do it again. I'm not going to war with it though, just a fun thing to have.

I intend to get a JK shotgun suppressor one of these days, just not high on the list of priorities right now.

That thing sounds like a riot! Oddly enough my wife bought the topic up the other day, after getting a couple silencers she seems to enjoy shooting a lot more, to the point it's not really a question if she wants to go anymore. Anyway figured I'd ask around here to see what everyone thought.

Tlock · Sep 20, 2025

Nosferatu said:
I've had a Silencerco Salvo for several years now. Being a shotgun nut, it was a necessity.

It honestly is a conundrum. To really have any effect, it needs to be used in it's full length configuration. Even then, it honestly doesn't do a whole lot for suppression. It also points like bubblegum, especially on longer barreled guns. For the short ones, it's fine. Having it in it's short config solves some of the pointing issues, but then doesn't really do much for suppression.

Where it lives now is on my Mossberg 590 Shockwave which runs exclusively 1.75" shortie shells. It works fantastic on that gun with those loads.

Yes, I would do it again. I'm not going to war with it though, just a fun thing to have.

I intend to get a JK shotgun suppressor one of these days, just not high on the list of priorities right now.

Why a necessity? I ran a urban barrel on a 12ga for a while doing airport work, the juice wasn't worth the squeeze

Nosferatu · Sep 20, 2025

Tlock said:
Why a necessity?

Que?

Tlock · Sep 20, 2025

Nosferatu said:
Que?

Why was it a necessity? Damn phone

Nosferatu · Sep 20, 2025

Tlock said:
Why was it a necessity? Damn phone

Why was what a necessity? I don't understand what you mean.

Tlock · Sep 20, 2025

Nosferatu said:
Being a shotgun nut, it was a necessity.

???

Nosferatu · Sep 20, 2025

Tlock said:
???

Ah, just a tongue-in-cheek poke at the gear-queer in us that HAS to get something despite it not being particularly practical or useful. Just something you feel compelled to try.

It wasn't meant to be taken literally, which is why I concluded with:

Nosferatu said:
just a fun thing to have.

Tlock · Sep 20, 2025

Nosferatu said:
Ah, just a tongue-in-cheek poke at the gear-queer in us that HAS to get something despite it not being particularly practical or useful. Just something you feel compelled to try.

It wasn't meant to be taken literally, which is why I concluded with:

Seems im a little slow tonight....my apologies

roseburger · Sep 20, 2025

Psh. All my bubblegum is just a fun thing to have.

Tlock · Sep 20, 2025

roseburger said:
Psh. All my bubblegum is just a fun thing to have.

I agree now that I dont kill for a living. 2 years ago alot of my guns where just tools. I enjoy them more now and have added a few "just for fun" firearms

Kandosi · Nov 15, 2025

Nosferatu said:
I've had a Silencerco Salvo for several years now. Being a shotgun nut, it was a necessity.

It honestly is a conundrum. To really have any effect, it needs to be used in it's full length configuration. Even then, it honestly doesn't do a whole lot for suppression. It also points like bubblegum, especially on longer barreled guns. For the short ones, it's fine. Having it in it's short config solves some of the pointing issues, but then doesn't really do much for suppression.

Where it lives now is on my Mossberg 590 Shockwave which runs exclusively 1.75" shortie shells. It works fantastic on that gun with those loads.

Yes, I would do it again. I'm not going to war with it though, just a fun thing to have.

I intend to get a JK shotgun suppressor one of these days, just not high on the list of priorities right now.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've always thought it would be neat to have one but wasn't sure of the practicality. Sounds like it would still be fun to use but I should manage expectations

R3dundantC · Nov 19, 2025

The Salvo 12 sucks at suppression and is ridiculously huge and heavy. IF I was going to buy one I'd probably get JK Armaments purely for the weight savings and actual legitimate modularity but don't expect much. I had a frank discussion with both an SiCo engineer and a mfg sales rep and they were less than impressed with it as well. Innovative when it was introduced and the only one in the game but it is just not a good design. The old school super long barrels perform better for the shooter's ear IMO

CountryGent · Nov 19, 2025

Being a former shotgun aficionado I've had a keen interest in them over the years. The few I've monkeyed with, however, were big, bulky, royally messed up the balance, and worst, didn't suppress worth caca. I really want to to dig it, but, meh — juice is just not worth the squeeze. At least now.

ilikegunspdx · Nov 20, 2025

Buddy1211 said:
Hey all! While I'm not currently in the market for one I'm curious to hear what people think of 12 gauge silencers. If you have one do you like it? Are they're any learning curves compared to rifle or pistol cans? Would you do it again? Thanks!

Never shot one but I don't see the benefit. Non significant sound reduction and prone to failure from what I've seen in researching them.

On the other hand effective 12 gauge muzzle brakes kick bubblegum. Can reduce recoil 50-60%. I have a couple different types and both are extremely effective. Damn inexpensive too. Here's a short video showing lack of muzzle rise/ability to stay on target with a good brake. Can't do this without the brake. You can see gas going out the top.

FullSizeRender.MOV

ilikegunspdx
May 24, 2024

po18guy · Nov 20, 2025

Buddy1211 said:
Hey all! While I'm not currently in the market for one I'm curious to hear what people think of 12 gauge silencers. If you have one do you like it? Are they're any learning curves compared to rifle or pistol cans? Would you do it again? Thanks!

I know it's playing things really close, but contact wounds silence much of the report. The ensuing Wilhelm scream, not so much.