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.
Latest
New Gear 2025: Remington Nitro Steel Duplex
Now, hunters don't have to swap out shells for different hunting scenarios ... we can just take the shot.
New Guns 2025: Smith & Wesson CSX E-Series Pistols
The pistol powerhouse of S&W has unleashed a new series of CCW-perfected micro-compact handguns.
Throwback Thursday: Karl Maslowski, Pioneer Wildlife Filmmaker
“The things I’d learned about hunting animals with a gun stood me in good stead as I began hunting them with a camera."
Video: What All That Ammunition Jargon Means
Ammo, bullet, cartridge, round, shell: Some of these terms are interchangeable, but some aren't. We explain it all here.
New Gear 2025: Wilson Combat Silent Bandit Suppressor
Yes, it's named after Bill Wilson's dog, and it looks to be a "very good boy" indeed.
New Guns 2025: Diamondback SDR 9mm Luger Revolver
Diamondback introduces a line of six new wheelguns perfected for CCW.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
