# How Much Does a Suppressor Reduce Noise: A 2025 Analysis **URL:** \ **Category:** Public Shooting Range\ **Created:** [December 17, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124 "2025-12-17T17:15:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ammodotcom](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/ammodotcom/32/1880_2.png) [@Ammodotcom](https://sixguns.com/u/Ammodotcom)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/1 "2025-12-17T17:15:26Z")
**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. ![Suppressor noise reduction infographic showing 20-35 dB reduction, 120-140 dB suppressed vs 155-177 dB](https://sixguns.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/244336e11be452c482956a6d7c8b547a0b66edfe.png) ## 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](https://ammo.com/research/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise#sources) 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](https://ammo.com/research/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise#sources) ## 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](https://congressionalsportsmen.org/policy/firearm-suppressors/) [n](https://congressionalsportsmen.org/policy/firearm-suppressors/) ## 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,](https://ammo.com/research/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise#sources) [11](https://ammo.com/research/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise#sources) 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._ ![Suppressor noise chart table showing decibel levels by cartridge, barrel length for various calibers](https://sixguns.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/eb6d11c0c6b7a855d71aaac4b03afb4e29e8b0aa.png) _Continue reading [How Much Does a Suppressor Reduce Noise: A 2025 Analysis](https://ammo.com/research/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise) on [Ammo.com](http://Ammo.com)_ [https://ammo.com/research/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise](https://ammo.com/research/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise) ---
**Author:** ![Belt-Fed](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/belt-fed/32/21_2.png) [@Belt-Fed](https://sixguns.com/u/Belt-Fed)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/2 "2025-12-17T23:18:34Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/devereaux/32/2058_2.png) [@Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/u/Devereaux)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/3 "2026-06-23T21:58:44Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Kilroy](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/kilroy/32/7725_2.png) [@Kilroy](https://sixguns.com/u/Kilroy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/4 "2026-06-23T21:59:05Z")
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_ ---
**Author:** ![Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/devereaux/32/2058_2.png) [@Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/u/Devereaux)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/5 "2026-06-23T22:08:58Z")
?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. ---
**Author:** ![Kilroy](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/kilroy/32/7725_2.png) [@Kilroy](https://sixguns.com/u/Kilroy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 10:09pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/6 "2026-06-23T22:09:14Z")
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_ ---
**Author:** ![Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/devereaux/32/2058_2.png) [@Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/u/Devereaux)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/7 "2026-06-23T22:33:31Z")
@Kilroy you’re not addressing my question to you about what does jurisdiction have to do with suppressor performance. ---
**Author:** ![Kilroy](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/kilroy/32/7725_2.png) [@Kilroy](https://sixguns.com/u/Kilroy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/8 "2026-06-23T22:33:46Z")
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_ ---
**Author:** ![Robert](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/robert/32/20_2.png) [@Robert](https://sixguns.com/u/Robert)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/9 "2026-06-23T23:43:02Z")
![image](https://sixguns.com/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b8aa8e8d25487580d87b07c3236ded1e0b5c510d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Kilroy](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/kilroy/32/7725_2.png) [@Kilroy](https://sixguns.com/u/Kilroy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/10 "2026-06-23T23:43:18Z")
That depends on jurisdiction. I need the state/country and the exact context before weighing in. * * * _Kilroy was here_ ---
**Author:** ![equin](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/equin/32/22_2.png) [@equin](https://sixguns.com/u/equin)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/11 "2026-07-12T00:02:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/devereaux/32/2058_2.png) [@Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/u/Devereaux)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/12 "2026-07-12T00:27:45Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![shooterrex](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/shooterrex/32/50_2.png) [@shooterrex](https://sixguns.com/u/shooterrex)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/13 "2026-07-12T01:28:20Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![equin](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/equin/32/22_2.png) [@equin](https://sixguns.com/u/equin)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/14 "2026-07-12T02:44:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/devereaux/32/2058_2.png) [@Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/u/Devereaux)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/15 "2026-07-12T14:01:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/devereaux/32/2058_2.png) [@Devereaux](https://sixguns.com/u/Devereaux)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/16 "2026-07-12T14:12:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![shooterrex](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/shooterrex/32/50_2.png) [@shooterrex](https://sixguns.com/u/shooterrex)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 2:22pm UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/17 "2026-07-12T14:22:41Z")
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 . ---
**Author:** ![equin](https://sixguns.com/user_avatar/sixguns.com/equin/32/22_2.png) [@equin](https://sixguns.com/u/equin)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://sixguns.com/t/how-much-does-a-suppressor-reduce-noise-a-2025-analysis/2124/18 "2026-07-14T04:12:07Z")
> [@Devereaux](#): > > 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. 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.