Suppressor vs. Silencer

[nehalemguy]

So many moons ago when I first became exposed to NFA items, suppressors were always called suppressors.

Calling a suppressor a "silencer" exposed you as some sort low rent Hollywood Vanilla Ice gangsta wannabe and was the equivalent of calling a magazine a "clip".

Fast forward to today and I see "silencer" used frequently and even used in advertising (The Silencer Shop).

What happened? Did we just give up on the one?

E

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[tac]

Here in yUK they are called 'sound moderators'.

I guess Hollywood has more of an influence where you live.

tac

 

[wickedgoodoutdoors]

Would it be Kosher to call them acoustical wave attenuators?
And if you diverted the gases into tuned resonance pipes you could play a catchy tune.

 

[BillM]

The ATF form says "silencer". Suppressor is a more accurate description of
what they actually do. Haven't seen one that was truly silent yet---although
my Savage FV-SR with a Liberty Kodiak TL can and Aguilla sub-sonic comes
REALLY close!

 

[Stomper]

Tomaetoe.... Tomahtoe.

It's a boolit muffler, m'kay!

 

[Martini_Up]

Yeah, we gave up.

 

[308]

All I know is I keep my silencer next to my AR15 banana clips

 

[captqc]

I own three cans and while they reduce the noise level of my guns, they sure don't make them silent! I spent all that money for silent guns that Hollywood sold me on and dang if I can still hear them go bang!!!! What's up with that????

 

[Kid@Heart]

 

[IronMonster]

As long as its mine you can call it what ever you want....

 

[Morpheus]

I ran into a guy at a local Bi-Mart that had it very clear in his mind that they were two different things. I started to try and explain that there was no difference, but then I noticed the metaphoric tin-foil under his painters hat and thought better.

 

[Norm0931]

The ATF form says "silencer". Suppressor is a more accurate description of
what they actually do. Haven't seen one that was truly silent yet---although
my Savage FV-SR with a Liberty Kodiak TL can and Aguilla sub-sonic comes
REALLY close!

That's because the first official patent was as the "Maxim Silencer" in 1909.

 

[Bucky2]

I know guys that will run across a busy freeway with an infant in their arms to be the first one to correct someone over the use of silencer or clip. I would hope that someday these correct police realize the potential alienation they create instead of being encouraging and supportive of their fellow shooting enthusists. We dont need to drive away people who already share our hobby.

 

[IronMonster]

Not the same argument. There are clips and magazines. Each are diffrent. Silencers and suppressors are not seperate things. And I want you to know i just dashed accross I5 with a toddler in tow to make sure i was the FIRST to tell you

 

[Garg]

Not the same argument. There are clips and magazines. Each are diffrent. Silencers and suppressors are not seperate things. And I want you to know i just dashed accross I5 with a toddler in tow to make sure you understand that.

That was you?????

 

[U201491]

Not the same argument. There are clips and magazines. Each are diffrent. Silencers and suppressors are not seperate things. And I want you to know i just dashed accross I5 with a toddler in tow to make sure i was the FIRST to tell you

And you ignored my horn ?? LOL

 

[Bucky2]

Thanks for proving my point so quickly

 

[ThePhonMan]

And lets not forget about those thought leaders in the Gun Control crowd who respond to any idea of civilian ownership of silencers with cries of "We want guns to be as loud as possible so people will hear them and know how dangerous they are and run way…"

Suppressor just implies "less noisy" while Silencer implies "Silent, Sneaky and Shouldn't be Trusted". Less noisy is just not as catchy as silent and sneaky when your trying to deprive people of something and gin up support.

It's all marketing.

 

[IronMonster]

Thanks for proving my point so quickly

Anytime

As I often say, if I'm good for nothing else at least I can used to prove a point!

 

[Bucky2]

And while we are on the topic of what we call these things - how can we possibly tolerate people that call them "cans". How grossly inaccurate and inaticulate is that?