You may hear these devices referred to as either "silencers" or "suppressors." In fact, the inventor of the technology, Hiram P. Maxim, named it the "Maxim Silencer." It's not hard to imagine why he did so: His father, Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim, was the inventor of the modern machine gun. The elder Maxim went profoundly deaf by the end of his life, no doubt in part due to damage caused by prolonged exposure to gunfire. However, the truth is that what comes out of a "silencer" isn't exactly "silent," just quieter than an unsuppressed gunshot would be, so they're also commonly termed "suppressors."
Whatever you call them, what they really are is a way to make shooting safer and more enjoyable for everyone, especially beginners. In this video from American Hunter, we walk you through why you should have and use suppressors for your firearms.
Why Everyone Should Use Suppressors
It's called "S.H.A.R.P." We explain what that means in this video.
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
Smith & Wesson Training Academy Opens in Tennessee
World-class firearms, world-class instructors, and world-class facilities come together for a world-class training experience.
Warm-Weather Hunting: How to Cool Your Game
Early hunting seasons can coincide with the last breaths of summer, and heat is the enemy of tasty game meat.
Non-Hunter's Guide to Recreating During Hunting Season
Not everybody uses hunting season to hunt, and that's okay. Here's how to safely coexist with the hunters who share the backwoods with you.
Reviewed: Walther Arms PK380 Semi-Auto Pistol
Created for concealed carry, Walther's perfected its ergonomics to make it easy to for everyone handle and shoot.
Camo Kids: Little Bipsy Launches Realtree Collection
With layerable, buttery-soft fabrics and Realtree EDGE Shadows patterns, this fun collection will delight your NRA Family.
It's Time for MidwayUSA Foundation's Annual Hometown Challenge Sweepstakes
Supporting your favorite competitive shooting team makes you eligible for some amazing prizes this September!
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
