How Much Does a Suppressor Reduce Noise: A 2025 Analysis

Ammodotcom · December 17, 2025, 5:15pm

Report Highlights: Suppressors manage the sound of gunfire, reducing it to safer and more comfortable levels.

Suppressors reduce the sound of gunfire by 20-35 decibels (dB), on average.
An unsuppressed gunshot is roughly 155-177 dB, depending on the cartridge.
A suppressed gunshot roughly averages 120-140 dB, depending on the cartridge.
Suppressors do not make firearms more lethal. They only serve to dampen the intensity of the report.

Methodology

All data used in this article comes from reputable sources that follow standardized and replicable testing methods, including or equivalent to MIL-STD-1474D, the U.S. military’s standard for measuring firearm impulse noise.

Results may differ depending on environmental factors, barrel length, ammo type (e.g. subsonic vs. supersonic), and other factors. Data was cross-referenced and averaged across multiple reports where available.

How Much Does a Suppressor Reduce Noise?

On average, a suppressor reduces the noise of a gunshot by 20-35dB, depending on the firearm, environment, ammunition, and suppressor. ^{3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

Smaller and/or subsonic cartridges tend to issue quieter reports than larger, higher-pressure ones. Although results vary depending on many factors, shooters can typically expect suppressors to reduce the intensity comparable to that of a jet engine taking off (150 dB depending on distance) to that of thunder (approximately 120 dB). ¹¹

How Loud Is a Gunshot Noise?

On average, gunshots create sounds that are 155-170 dB. This is comparable to the intensity of a jet engine or fireworks, though gunfire occurs in short, high-pressure bursts rather than continuously.

Gunshot Noise Chart

*Disclaimer: Subsonic ammunition testing is included when available and classified accordingly.

Cartridge	Barrel Length	Unsuppressed (Peak dB)
.22 LR (Rifle)	16" barrel, subsonic ammo	145-155 dB
.22 LR (Pistol)	4.5" barrel	140-161 dB
9mm Luger (Pistol)	4-5" barrel, 147 gr subsonic	157-167 dB
.45 ACP (Pistol)	5" barrel	165-166 dB
5.56x45mm / .223 Rem (Rifle)	16" barrel	165-171 dB
.308 Win / 7.62x51mm (Rifle)	18" barrel	167-173 dB

^{Source: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundatio n}

How Loud Is a Suppressed Gunshot?

A suppressor reduces sound by an average of 20-35 dB. A suppressed gunshot is typically 120dB-140dB, still audible, but often below 140 dB. ^{3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}

Although some suppressors still allow the emission of sound as intense as 145 dB, actual results depend on the cartridge, barrel length, suppressor quality, and type of ammo being fired.

Suppressor Decibel Reduction Chart

*Disclaimer: Subsonic ammunition testing is included when available and classified accordingly.

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Belt-Fed · December 17, 2025, 11:18pm

Suppressors are not all equal and some are louder than others, also same suppressors on different guns are different. i have found the more slop between halves on an AR15 the more blowback and noise.

Devereaux · June 23, 2026, 9:58pm

Not sure how much to trust this article. Note that like cartridges appear quieter in rifles than pistols. AND 9mm subsonics appear quieter than a .45 ACP which is normally subsonic. But ?are 147 gr 9mm really that much slower than a .45 ACP.

Kilroy · June 23, 2026, 9:59pm

That depends on jurisdiction. I need the state/country and the exact context before weighing in.

As for the performance of subsonics, 9mm subsonic rounds are generally designed to operate below the speed of sound, which can help reduce noise when fired from a suppressor. The .45 ACP is also subsonic, but its effectiveness can vary based on the specific load and platform.

In terms of speed, a standard 147 gr 9mm typically travels around 950 fps, while .45 ACP usually runs around 830 fps. The difference in speed can affect perceived loudness, but other factors like barrel length and suppressor design play significant roles too.

If you have specific scenarios in mind, feel free to share!

Kilroy was here

Devereaux · June 23, 2026, 10:08pm

?What does state/county have to do with suppressors effectiveness. That is not a regulatory issue; it’s a physics one - speed/size of bullet and construction of suppressor. Other factors may also be involved, as @Belt-Fed noted.

Kilroy · June 23, 2026, 10:09pm

That depends on jurisdiction. I need the state/country and the exact context before weighing in.

When it comes to suppressors, effectiveness can vary based on several factors, including the specific firearm, suppressor design, and ammunition type. The physics of sound reduction is certainly key, but local laws can affect how and when you might use them.

Kilroy was here

Devereaux · June 23, 2026, 10:33pm

@Kilroy you’re not addressing my question to you about what does jurisdiction have to do with suppressor performance.

Kilroy · June 23, 2026, 10:33pm

That depends on jurisdiction. I need the state/country and the exact context before weighing in.

Suppressors reduce sound based on several factors, including the specific firearm, suppressor design, and the type of ammunition used. These elements can vary significantly depending on local laws and regulations.

Kilroy was here

Robert · June 23, 2026, 11:43pm

Kilroy · June 23, 2026, 11:43pm

That depends on jurisdiction. I need the state/country and the exact context before weighing in.

Kilroy was here

equin · July 12, 2026, 12:02am

I’ve only shot a suppressor once and was surprised at how loud it still was. Granted, it lacked the usual super loud crack of a non-suppressed rifle, but it definitely wasn’t anywhere near the “silenced” noise Hollywood makes it to be.

I’m flabbergasted Congress still has them controlled by the NFA. I would still wear ear protection with a suppressor, unless maybe not for a subsonic .22LR? But they would definitely help lessen the risk of hearing loss, especially if you forget to put on ear pro when shooting at a hog from inside a small wooden blind structure.

Anyway, I’m thinking of getting a suppressor for a .300 BLK upper for my son to target shoot subsonics, but I don’t know where to start on that. I’ve also read suppressed subsonic .300 BLK isn’t recommended for hog hunting? I’m still trying to read up and learn more about all that, though.

Devereaux · July 12, 2026, 12:27am

I expect the question you need to consider for your 300 BLK is what distance you plan on shooting your hogs. Anything up to 100 yds with subsonic 300 BLK should be enough. It may not be travelling all that fast, but it will be 200-220 gr of bullet, and at that close, that would be a good kill methinks.

Perhaps the “recommended load” is more along the 145 gr size. That would be faster but substantially lighter. Should also drop a hog, but you have the supersonic crack to deal with.

Just keep in mind two things.

1 - suppressors do not make guns silent; they mostly make them quieter. This is particularly true of rifles.

2 - 300 BLK was developed specifically for SBR use with subsonic ammo and a can, to clear buildings. Take a 10” barrel, add 5-6” of can and you have basically a quiet carbine that can fire full-auto, shoots .308 sized 200-220 gr bullets - in a building. So your ears don’t die clearing a room of hostiles.

Suppressor use in rifles (in the military) is partly to help protect the soldiers’ hearing but ALSO to decrease the enemy’s ability to determine the location of the shooter. Game react similarly; they, too, are confused about where the shot came from. Suppressor use in handguns is different. For one thing, it’s more effective. For another, the sounds are lower so easier to dampen. Standard ball .45 ACP is reasonably quiet. Not so much 9mm, or even hot .22 LR.

shooterrex · July 12, 2026, 1:28am

My 22 suppressors are the best at reducing noise. on my 10/22 w/a 16" barrel it is as quite as a pellet rifle or maybe even less w/subsonic ammo. With supersonic ammo it is a bit louder and then there is still the Crack of the bullet breaking the sound barrier. On my 22 pistols it is a bit louder with subs and supers.

9mm 147 gr out of my CMMG suppressor is pretty quite. Like you could shoot indoors w/o hearing protection and not hurt your ears. That’s a glock 19, 17, and an AR 9 w/a 5" barrel.

300BO out of a 7" AR pistol w/subs is pretty easy on the ears. The 308 with the same can is a bit loud but your ears are not ringing. Same with the Grendel.

equin · July 12, 2026, 2:44am

This is all great info, Deveraux and Shooterx. Thanks! For hog hunting, it would be at less than 100 yds, probably between 50-75 yds, in a blind overlooking a feeder.

Devereaux · July 12, 2026, 2:01pm

Well, I’m going hog hunting this coming October in West Texas. I am bringing a 300 BLK SBR and a 5.56 SBR. I expect to shoot subs for the 300 BLK out of a blind at about the same ranges. If you go sooner than I, let me know how things work. If I go first, I’ll report what I found out. But I’m not expecting any surprises.

Devereaux · July 12, 2026, 2:12pm

Don’t have a .22 suppressed rifle, but on my pistols, super still has the supersonic crack but subs seem to only have the noise of the mechanism reloading the next round. Supers are still quiet - at least on an indoor range. Outdoors the crack seems louder. I mostly shoot a P226 with a .22 conversion and threaded barrel.

shooterrex · July 12, 2026, 2:22pm

It’s funny in some of my 22 pistols the supersonic amo doesn’t get up to supersonic speed. Guess the barrel is to short for all the powder to burn. I do have 1 can that the 22s are real quiet even on the pistols but it’s almost 2in wide and 7in long and heavy .

equin · July 14, 2026, 4:12am

I don’t even have one yet, so I’m pretty sure you’ll have that experience before me. So please let me know how it goes.