what makes "factory" silencers so darn 'spensive?

[Big Chudungus]

Since they got no moving parts, what could be so costly to bang out? The also seem to all only have one "size" to worry about of the thread attachment and they you see how they are same for several calibers, so it ain't like they gotta make dozens of diff models.

https://www.silencershop.com/dead-air-sandman-s.html

I've seen guys in high end construction wrap the drain pipes with barium clay that comes in squares about 5x5" on crepe paper and looks like scales when finished and I guess not even AI knows about it. But I can't imagine its ULTRA expensive, and I don't see any mention of it or other exotics on these silencers.


A barium clay product specifically for soundproofing pipes is not a standard product you can purchase
. However, barium sulfate, a compound found in certain clays and minerals, is a heavy, dense material used as a filler in specialized soundproofing product

[Scotty]

R&D, licensing, insurance, etc.

you can always buy one of those fuel filters from Chi-na.

[morrcarr67]

Here's what I see happening in the near future.

Come January first; when the tax goes to $0.00, there will be a rush on suppressors. This will cause a demand/supply price spike. Once they are removed from the NFA*, there will be a flood of new manufactures; since any 07 FFL will be able to make them, bringing more options to the game. This will cause a downturn in pricing. I can easily see the price of a lot of cans coming down to the $300 range, with .22 cans down to $99-149.

*There are those that say this won't happen. But without the tax, there is no legal reason for them to be in the NFA. I don't see how they will be allowed to stay in. There is already at least one law suit to remove them based on this reasoning.

[mossy]

They are charging what people are willing to pay. Its gonna be interesting to see how many people jump on the train when the stamps don't cost anything. I know im buying one and SBR'ing something.

[k1dude]

Heavily regulated devices always command premium prices due to the bureaucratic hoops the manufacturer, distributor, retailer, and buyer have to comply with. They're also low volume products, so economies of scale don't apply. They also typically have a lot of R&D expense and use expensive exotic materials.

If the NFA goes away for suppressors, expect even higher prices as demand will explode. Until production can meet demand, expect prices to remain high. Once dozens more companies jump on the gravy train, only then will prices abate.

[Tank 57]

They require precise machining to work correctly without bullet strikes. They are not simple "cans". Been doing a lot of research since now in a state where legal. Don't want cheap, want quality and durability.

[Scotty]

They require precise machining to work correctly without bullet strikes. They are not simple "cans". Been doing a lot of research since now in a state where legal. Don't want cheap, want quality and durability.

Not necessarily. Look at the suppressor on a HK MP5SD. Very simple design using sheet metal.

Chinese fuel filters work also without having bullet strikes.

[Capybara]

Silencers are expensive because Americans are willing to massively overpay for them. When I was in France, they had a countertop display at the registers of silencers for .22, .223 and .308 for $50-$80 equivalent in Euros. Are the ones Americans are paying $1,000 for probably better? Sure, but are they 20x better than the ones on the counter in a hardware store in France? Doubtful. Silencer prices are an artificial construct perpetrated on the American people by the NFA and an Unconstitutional Government. In almost every other country, silencers are treated like we would treat a holster or a cleaning kit. They are just a simple metal tube. No matter how sophisticated the design, it's a metal tube with some baffles, how expensive does it need to be?

[GOEX FFF]

Here's what I see happening in the near future.

Come January first; when the tax goes to $0.00, there will be a rush on suppressors. This will cause a demand/supply price spike. Once they are removed from the NFA*, there will be a flood of new manufactures; since any 07 FFL will be able to make them, bringing more options to the game. This will cause a downturn in pricing. I can easily see the price of a lot of cans coming down to the $300 range, with .22 cans down to $99-149.

*There are those that say this won't happen. But without the tax, there is no legal reason for them to be in the NFA. I don't see how they will be allowed to stay in. There is already at least one law suit to remove them based on this reasoning.

^^ Agreed with all that. And the massive run will turn out to be a good thing in the long run. Hopefully millions are sold further placing suppressors into the in common use clause for legal purposes protection.

With that said, I'm still thinking about getting a can for my P228 before a rush and potential temporary shortage. I've already seen some places here that will pay the tax stamp for you included in the sale...decisions...decisions.

[morrcarr67]

^^ Agreed with all that. And the massive run will turn out to be a good thing in the long run. Hopefully millions are sold further placing suppressors into the in common use clause for legal purposes protection.

With that said, I'm still thinking about getting a can for my P228 before a rush and potential temporary shortage. I've already seen some places here that will pay the tax stamp for you included in the sale...decisions...decisions.

As long as they didn't raise the price of the can, that's a great deal. I'm just starting to go into some LGS to see what they have. I'm going to make sure I check on suppressors too.

[Fjold]

Right now, the local gun stores have suppressors on their shelves. On January 2nd there will be none available. I waited 65 years for my first one so I can wait a little after the first of the year for the next few.

[splithoof]

Silencers are expensive because Americans are willing to massively overpay for them. When I was in France, they had a countertop display at the registers of silencers for .22, .223 and .308 for $50-$80 equivalent in Euros. Are the ones Americans are paying $1,000 for probably better? Sure, but are they 20x better than the ones on the counter in a hardware store in France? Doubtful. Silencer prices are an artificial construct perpetrated on the American people by the NFA and an Unconstitutional Government. In almost every other country, silencers are treated like we would treat a holster or a cleaning kit. They are just a simple metal tube. No matter how sophisticated the design, it's a metal tube with some baffles, how expensive does it need to be?

When I was in South Africa during July, I visited a gun shop that had a whole lot of them on the shelves, like buying nuts and bolts in one of our hardware stores. Not too expensive, some of the nicer models were around $300 (R/equivalent). What I liked even more was the attractive young lady who offered help with the selection.

[Capybara]

When I was in South Africa during July, I visited a gun shop that had a whole lot of them on the shelves, like buying nuts and bolts in one of our hardware stores. Not too expensive, some of the nicer models were around $300 (R/equivalent). What I liked even more was the attractive young lady who offered help with the selection.

That's really how they are in most other countries around the world, just a thing, not a ripoff marketing scam. Americans have been getting ripped off for decades with cans.

I've worked in Capetown, there are some lovely ladies in SA.

[splithoof]

I've worked in Capetown, there are some lovely ladies in SA.

I can only imagine. This gun shop was in Kimberly, where I met a number of very attractive ladies who were very friendly and knowledgable.
Might have to bring our son along on the next safari.

[Capybara]

I can only imagine. This gun shop was in Kimberly, where I met a number of very attractive ladies who were very friendly and knowledgable.
Might have to bring our son along on the next safari.

Wife hunting in South Africa? ;-)