Buying a Suppressor in 2026

[356]

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.

Note: I added two updates to this thread....the Form 4 was approved a few hours after my OP. A few hours later the dealer called and said, "your Form 4 has been approved, come and get it." Total time from ordering online to pickup was 25 days.

 

[356]

Update: While at work the following email came from the ATF, so basically 4 business days for ATF approval.


This is to advise you that the status of your eForms submission with the subject Permit/Control number has changed to APPROVED

Permit/Control No: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Your Reference No: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Submission Date: 03/16/2026
Form ID: ATF Form 4 (5320.4) - Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm

Please logon to the eForms site for more details.

If you have any questions about your eForms submission, please contact:
for Imports questions, call (304) 616-4550
for NFA questions, call (304) 616-4500
for AFMER questions, call (304) 616-4590
for Firearms Licensing questions, call 1-866-662-2750

Thank you for using eForms.

 

[RGrizzzz]

I have good things to say about the SilencerShop app and Kiosk experience.

I waited about a year for the approvals, twice. I'm glad to see they have sped up the processing times to something reasonable now.

 

[Telemark]

Awesome! Thanks for the updates. I think I'll grab a 22 rimfire suppressor this Spring.

Are they going to mail it to you, or does it have to be mailed to an FFL? My local FFL wants $100 to transfer NFA items.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Are they going to mail it to you, or does it have to be mailed to an FFL? My local FFL wants $100 to transfer NFA items.

You have to pick it up at an FFL.

 

[356]

Update 2: The dealer called and said "it's ready." So I may pick it up tonight on my way to Jefferson City, MO (my office two to three days a week). So, the time from ordering online to the pickup at the FFL-SOT dealer was 25 days.

Part of the attraction of ordering through Silencer Shop was that ALL fees (forms, fingerprints, shipping, etc...) are included in the price of the suppressor. Most dealers will charge $50-150 for doing the transfer if now purchased through a company like Silencer Shop (or similar).

 

[356]

Awesome! Thanks for the updates. I think I'll grab a 22 rimfire suppressor this Spring.

Are they going to mail it to you, or does it have to be mailed to an FFL? My local FFL wants $100 to transfer NFA items.

I am an FFL, but do not have the SOT certification ($1000/year, plus lots of paperwork). All suppressors must be picked up at an FFL with SOT. Hopefully one of these days suppressors will be Over the Counter as in much of Europe, but that day is not here yet.

 

[Telemark]

Yeah, I had a talk with a guy recently about that. I'm not allowed to bring a suppressor from overseas or even parts.

I thought dropping the $200 tax would let a lot of new manufacturers import parts and crank out cheaper silencers. Nope. Everything has to manufactured in the US. They would have to change the law to allow importation of silencers or parts made overseas in order to bring down prices.