356
5 year old buck +
On another thread I shared of a coyote & hog gun build. Several on the forum have expressed interest in hunting with a suppressed rifle. With the January 1 repeal of the $200 suppressor tax (but not the ATF process), suppressors are growing exponentially in popularity. So, where does one begin? Here is my journey to far. (BTW, while I believe silencers should be an OTC item, debating or discussing that is not the purpose of this thread:
Late 2025: I shot a suppressed rifle for the first time. I was impressed. The idea of a quieter rifle PLUS reduced felt recoil and improved accuracy and performance were selling points. I looked at Silencer Central, SilencerCo, E-Silencer, Capital Armory, etc.)
Feb 5: Account created with Silencer Shop. Began researching suppressors. I decided I wanted one suppressor that would work with a hog/coyote build in .223 (1/2" threads) and a deer rifle in 6.5 Creedmore with 5/8" threads). Thus, I narrowed my research to a .30 call suppressor.
Feb 19: Ordered suppressor, completed paperwork online. Found that completing account beforehand (with lots of data) did not speed up the process. I ended up ordering the Reliant (brand) Simple Man 30 caliber (model) using the Individual Form 4 process.
Feb 20: Uploaded passport photo (I took this myself on a white background), then went to gun dealership chose online for fingerprinting (included in the price of the suppressor).
Feb 22: Completed more documents online (basically the same questions as the ATF 4473)
Feb 23: Email from the Silencer Shop compliance team that everything looked good.
Feb 23: ATF Form 4 & POA documentation completed online (seemed redundant)
March 5: ATF Form 4 ready to submit. Dealer calls and asks me to come into the shop, however, I am out of town.
March 10: After researching "Form 4 ready to submit," I call the dealer and we are able to do this over the phone & computer.
March 11: ATF "in process" update email
March 16: Still "in process."
The next step is "pick up the suppressor" which should be in the next 10 days.
Pros:
1) The online forms are well done and easy to execute. As an FFL 07, I have to fill out forms annually with the AFT. Silencer Shop has taken the AFT forms and make them user friendly. I am sure other vendors, such as Silencer Central have done the same.
2) I was able to make my own "passport photo" for uploading.
3) Being able to do the fingerprints at the dealer kiosk. Be sure to pick a receiving dealer that has a fingerprint kiosk, as this is included in the price.
4) The regular, but not overwhelming, updates from Silencer Shop.
Cons:
1) I had to answer the same questions twice (based on the ATF 4473).
2) There are no great deals on suppressors due to current demand.
Late 2025: I shot a suppressed rifle for the first time. I was impressed. The idea of a quieter rifle PLUS reduced felt recoil and improved accuracy and performance were selling points. I looked at Silencer Central, SilencerCo, E-Silencer, Capital Armory, etc.)
Feb 5: Account created with Silencer Shop. Began researching suppressors. I decided I wanted one suppressor that would work with a hog/coyote build in .223 (1/2" threads) and a deer rifle in 6.5 Creedmore with 5/8" threads). Thus, I narrowed my research to a .30 call suppressor.
Feb 19: Ordered suppressor, completed paperwork online. Found that completing account beforehand (with lots of data) did not speed up the process. I ended up ordering the Reliant (brand) Simple Man 30 caliber (model) using the Individual Form 4 process.
Feb 20: Uploaded passport photo (I took this myself on a white background), then went to gun dealership chose online for fingerprinting (included in the price of the suppressor).
Feb 22: Completed more documents online (basically the same questions as the ATF 4473)
Feb 23: Email from the Silencer Shop compliance team that everything looked good.
Feb 23: ATF Form 4 & POA documentation completed online (seemed redundant)
March 5: ATF Form 4 ready to submit. Dealer calls and asks me to come into the shop, however, I am out of town.
March 10: After researching "Form 4 ready to submit," I call the dealer and we are able to do this over the phone & computer.
March 11: ATF "in process" update email
March 16: Still "in process."
The next step is "pick up the suppressor" which should be in the next 10 days.
Pros:
1) The online forms are well done and easy to execute. As an FFL 07, I have to fill out forms annually with the AFT. Silencer Shop has taken the AFT forms and make them user friendly. I am sure other vendors, such as Silencer Central have done the same.
2) I was able to make my own "passport photo" for uploading.
3) Being able to do the fingerprints at the dealer kiosk. Be sure to pick a receiving dealer that has a fingerprint kiosk, as this is included in the price.
4) The regular, but not overwhelming, updates from Silencer Shop.
Cons:
1) I had to answer the same questions twice (based on the ATF 4473).
2) There are no great deals on suppressors due to current demand.
