Why don't cops use silencers?

[technique]

I got into a "why would anyone need a silencer?" conversation... so I talked about hearing protection, not making your children deaf in a HD shooting, being polite at a shooting range, etc...

Then he asked me "So, why don't cops use them?"

The best i came up with was it made the pistol too hard to carry in a holster, and I assume SWAT guys do use them on occasion... but why else?

I doubt you'll ever see beat cops with handgun suppressors.
Some SWAT and rural dept. do have handgun suppressors though, however
they're a tool for the tool box and not equipped at every moment.

"Cops" do have a lot of rifle suppressors though, subgun stuff too.
So, Cops DO use them.

Holsters are an issue, however, I carry a suppressed M&P9 on most
days without issue- I do carry a micro type suppressor though. Not one
of standard size.

Like you said, hearing for Officers (re. OSHA) and for those who
may be in the vicinity of a gunfight. It's important not to put
officers on disability for hearing loss or have the liability of causing
bystanders hearing loss/damage.

Dispatching animals. Anything from from a wounded deer being hit by a
car to an unfriendly animal running a muck in your neighborhood.
Would little Bill rather see that deer dispatched with a 12ga. or suppressed
handgun or rifle? LOL.

Methamphetamine. Whaaaaa? Yeah, it's a growing epidemic.
Them chemicals used to manufacture such drugs are highly combustible
during the process of manufacture. Touching off a round during a raid
on a drug lab could ignite those chemicals in the air, and has happened
several times. Igniting those chemicals causes explosions.
This can kill everyone in that building and in extreme cases those in the surrounding dwellings.
Part of a suppressors job is trapping that flash/flame
exiting the muzzle, this is an advantage in Meth labs/Gas stations/Old folks homes and so on.


I can go on if you'd like...

[technique]

Subsonic rounds don't break the sound barrier and you won't get that "crack". Typically under 1150 fps is subsonic but there are environmental variables too.

I'm very well aware of that, as I work in the silencer industry.
However, people seem to think that one (as I said) MUST use
"special ammo" (subsonic ammo). And you don't.

Sure, subs sound better. But aren't required.

[Sturnovik]

I'm very well aware of that, as I work in the silencer industry.
However, people seem to think that one (as I said) MUST use
"special ammo" (subsonic ammo). And you don't.

Sure, subs sound better. But aren't required.

Since you are in that stuff, whats the typical db difference between like a subsonic .40 and a standard supersonic .40? I always wondered if it would make a bigger difference than a wet can/dry can.

[Untamed1972]

I think some SoCal PDs...like Irvine I think.....have issued them on Patrol rifles due to hearing loss workers comp claims from officers.

[Ron-Solo]

I couldn't imagine trying to ride in a car all day with a supressed pistol in a holster. That's the biggest reason I can think of for not having a supressed weapon as a LEO.

[technique]

Since you are in that stuff, whats the typical db difference between like a subsonic .40 and a standard supersonic .40? I always wondered if it would make a bigger difference than a wet can/dry can.

Ton of variables there and it's hard to give a solid answer.
As mentioned before, with subs, you don't get the supersonic crack.
A suppressor can't do anything about that, the bullet has exited the can
and the crack is just flight noise. Sometimes you'll get a 5-8db difference
in super and sub but again, the suppressor has done its job either way...
the excess sound is bullet flight noise.

My micro "carry can" is a "wet suppressor". It's the only pistol can I ever
run wet. When wet, it runs quietly subs or super. Dry it's loud as ****!!!
It also uses a wipe to keep the "wet" in. (wire pulling gel).

[Sturnovik]

Ton of variables there and it's hard to give a solid answer.
As mentioned before, with subs, you don't get the supersonic crack.
A suppressor can't do anything about that, the bullet has exited the can
and the crack is just flight noise. Sometimes you'll get a 5-8db difference
in super and sub but again, the suppressor has done its job either way...
the excess sound is bullet flight noise.

My micro "carry can" is a "wet suppressor". It's the only pistol can I ever
run wet. When wet, it runs quietly subs or super. Dry it's loud as ****!!!
It also uses a wipe to keep the "wet" in. (wire pulling gel).

Thanks for the info, I figured there was more to it than I thought. Ever tried Gemtechs?

[technique]

Ever tried Gemtechs?

Why yes...yes I have.

[vmwerks]

I'm very well aware of that, as I work in the silencer industry.
However, people seem to think that one (as I said) MUST use
"special ammo" (subsonic ammo). And you don't.

Sure, subs sound better. But aren't required.

Understood but why use a silencer if you're going to hear the crack anyway.

BTW
I'm jealous of you, you live in the land of the free - funny avatar too.

[Sturnovik]

Why yes...yes I have.

Damn you haha. Always heard there damn fine quality, when I go to utah/nevada maybe one day I'll be able to own one :/.

[Sturnovik]

Understood but why use a silencer if you're going to hear the crack anyway.

BTW
I'm jealous of you, you live in the land of the free - funny avatar too.

I suppose thats true, I only use that .40 180 grain since its used alot around here, I get good groups and its a big round, and its still good to go. I suppose if someone used a can it would be best to use subsonic, but then again I dont own one.

[Table Rock Arms]

Many Law Enforcement Agencies use suppressors. They just don't use them on pistols. It is generally a disadvantage to increase the length of your pistol and have a bunch of weight out on the end of it. Also, while not impossible to holster a pistol with a suppressor it is not practical.

Also, just in case anyone got any ideas from watching the video in this thread it is generally a bad idea to shoot a huge rock that is right in from of you.

Ryan

[Table Rock Arms]

I used a suppressed .45 at our local range not long ago. There was significant bullet drop at a mere 15 yard which had to be accounted for in shooting.

They do generally affect point of impact however suppressors actually increase accuracy and have almost no effect on velocity.

Ryan

[Flopper]

Understood but why use a silencer if you're going to hear the crack anyway.

Silencers don't eliminate the noise like in the movies, they just make the report not sound like a gunshot. Whether there is a sonic crack is irrelevant, the silencer still does its job.

[Flopper]

Silencers generally slow down the rounds. . .

Only in video games.

Often times suppressors actually increase velocity.