There is no difference; these are just different words for the same thing. The word “silencer” is the legal term; but, either “sound suppressor”, or just “suppressor”, is more technically accurate since they don’t actually silence the firearm. You can use either term with us and we’ll promise not to care.

How a suppressor works is by dramatically reducing a gunshot noise by slowing the decompression of hot, high-pressure gasses. A firearm suppressor creates a controlled environment in which these gases expand and cool before they make contact with ambient air. Imagine untying a balloon instead of popping it, or slowly removing the champagne cork just enough for gas to vent in a slow and steady fashion: you would hear a hiss instead of a pop.

Under federal law, it has never been illegal to own a silencer. If it is legal for you to buy a handgun, and you live in a state that allows suppressor ownership, then it is probably legal for you to own a silencer. The basic requirements are as follows:

• You must be at least 21 years old
• You must live in a state that allows ownership
• You must not have any felony convictions

No! There are some rumors that you need to have a “Class 3” license to own a silencer, but this simply isn’t true. You do have to pay for a “tax stamp” when you first buy the suppressor – but there are no ongoing fees or licenses required. This tax is similar to paying sales tax on a purchase, except that it goes to the federal instead of the state government.

Yes, silencers are an effective way to provide hearing protection, with most models providing as much or more sound reduction in decibels (dB) as the most effective over- or in-ear sound protection. Instead of blocking out the sound at your ear, you’re blocking the sound at the muzzle. Silencers give the gas of the gunshot ample space to expand, while using various means to slow down, trap, and redirect the gasses inside so they’ve dropped as much pressure and temperature as possible when the gases exit the muzzle. Attaching a silencer to your firearm is a substantial improvement when you’re hunting, target shooting, or otherwise engaging with your firearm. By attaching a suppressor to your firearm, you’ll have the hearing safety benefits of over-ear hearing protection,  without sensory deprivation or the added bulk/weight on your head.

This depends on the firearm and the suppressor. In most cases, the suppressed firearm will be at least as quiet as wearing a good pair of muffs.

Yes. As long as the firearms are threaded in a way that will accept the silencer, you shouldn’t have any problems.

You can use a larger caliber suppressor to suppress a smaller caliber firearm as long as you have the appropriate adapters. Using a larger caliber silencer is not as efficient as a silencer made for the specific caliber, but it will still be a significant sound reduction in most cases.

Once again, this depends on the firearm and the suppressor. The most popular methods include the following:

• Some silencers will thread directly onto a threaded barrel
• Some silencers require a quick-detach device (like a flash hider, muzzle brake or piston)
• Some silencers are built into the firearm itself, providing an integral suppressor

Several of our customers have successfully expedited their background checks by reaching out to their state representative or senator. Additionally, you can contact the FBI’s NICS Liaison at nicsliaison@fbi.gov or call the NFA Branch directly at: (304) 616-4500 to inquire about the status of your ATF NFA Form 4 background check. Keep in mind that these options are not guaranteed solutions and are only recommended if your approval process is exceeding the typical wait time. When emailing the NICS Liaison, it’s important to provide specific information, including your full name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth (DOB), state of residence, submission date, serial number, manufacturer, model name, item type (such as silencer, SBR, SBS, or machine gun), and the name of the transferor (Pew Pew Solutions or your local FFL). You can locate the manufacturer, model name, and serial number on your order receipt, customer profile, or the submission email from the ATF. Additionally, ensure that you mention Form ID: ATF Form 4 (5320.4) in your correspondence. Once they get your information, they’ll confirm you’re in the system and will probably give you an estimate for when to expect the approval. Remember that they don’t really know exactly when your transfer will be approved – so take the estimate for what it is. (In the past these estimates have been off dramatically, both long and short.)