Guns: Suppressors

There are a lot of misconceptions about suppressors (AKA "silencers" - you know, those big cans people attach to the ends of firearms to reduce the noise of firing). In most cases, a suppressor doesn't actually "silence" a firearm - attach a suppressor to a 9mm handgun and it's still about as loud as a car door slamming, depending on how it's designed. Suppressors are not illegal to own here in the U.S. in most states, but you have to pay a steep $200 tax and undergo the excruciating NFA process for what is essentially a $40 tube of metal.

The first time I ever went to a rifle range, I was lucky enough to shoot a suppressed 10/22. An older gentleman, obviously well-to-do, invited us to try it out, and it was not only an incredibly accurate gun, it was also whisper-quiet. The clack-clack-clack of the bolt moving back and forth was much louder than the report of the gun. It was very quiet, but keep in mind this was subsonic .22 LR coming out of an integrated suppressor.

So why doesn't every military use suppressed guns? Well, aside from the increased size and weight suppressors add, they do not last forever and present another maintenance headache for quartermasters. And, to be frank, the probable future hearing loss that many soldiers face is not much of a concern for most militaries.