Cheap .22LR suppressor versus expensive - is there a noticeable difference?

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've shot through a variety of .22LR cans and I haven't done any comparisons. I was wondering if anybody has compared a cheap 'package' suppressor to a more expensive say ghost, DPT, gunworks suppressor.

I have recently picked up a brand spanking new threaded barrel for my Ruger 10/22, as the cost to thread was essentially the same, and installed a polymer buffer to reduce bolt noise. I had an old cheapo lying around and screwed it on. Looking at more expensive suppressors, they are $1-120, even up to $160, and wondering if it's worth slapping one of those on, or will the old cheapo be sufficient?

What are your thoughts on cost to performance ratio, is it worth the difference in sound moderation to step up to a more expensive suppressor?

Yes and no.
Some cheapest are quiet as.
I had one that has been lost since I moved to australia that had 3 floating chambers with a spring that worked very well.
Bugger to clean.
Some of the old ones with heaps of washers and springs worked well too but I would imagine the modern ones with modern design methods would be very quiet.

The old skinny Manders that came with norinco are plurry good. I tried my big .223 can on .22 and not a hell of a lot of difference. Once you have " enough" room to capture the escaping gases...any more does nothing.

what ammo will you be using ?

If standard velocity or target ammo then a cheapy will be fine .

If using regular 22LR high velocity ammo then most cheapies will also be just fine .

If you use Stingers then you probably need something a bit better than the cheap ones - but maybe not either . Only your experience will tell.

Using supersonic you not going to get it quiet full stop. You can't get rid of supersonic crack of bullet ( why stingers are so loud) even normal supers will still crack.

Had a cheapie (Hushpower), now have an expensive .22LR suppressor (Hardy over-barrel). Both do exactly the same with subs.

I do like the DPT rimfire cans.
And not at all expensive.

Recently picked up a CZ452 with one of the cheap stealth brand cans. I have a hushpower, went to the range, subs through both. Hard to say if there was any difference. As others have said, the newer, more expensive ones consider things like ease of cleaning etc. But if you just need something to keep the sound down, the package one does exactly that

The other benefit with newer monolithic designed cans is less moving parts so not so much noise if you whack them on something.

The older style 'spring' cans are basically for subs only, the newer captured stack of baffles type are better and can be used for virtually all ammo and then you get the new fangled CNC and mono designs which in reality are more 'small centerfire' suppressors rather than traditional rimfire jobbies. A lot of these are also suitable for 17HMR and .22Mag.

A comment above about once you reach a certain capacity with rimfire is quite correct, most of the powder is consumed inside the barrel especially if it's longer than about 16". So the can is really only slowing whatever remains of the gasses expanding to under the gas jetting limit and if the bullet is subsonic there is no 'crack' so it's only bolt noise if you have a semi that you will be hearing.

Got cheap and expencive youd need decent sound measuring gear to tell any difference

Thanks all, what I have is a stealth, and only shooting subs. I'll just stick with that and see how I go. Thanks for sharing your experiences

Bolt or semi

I'm very happy with 3D printed ones. bolt/semi & sub/HV all ok.

I've got the cheapest one humping and fishing sell.
Use it on my Tacsol semi and cci std velocity or norma tac ammo without any issues

ihave had an original paulus manders suppressor fitted by the man himself on my toz1`7 for nigh on forty years .with subs an airrifle is louder .yes its a spring/baffle jobby -simple to maintain and illswear by it .Im als othe greatful recipeient of a smithy original for my beloved stirling .if the bullet dont do the job one clout from that baby and youve got a sure appointment with your local embalmer!my others for centrefires is a budget model although it does the job with little fuss .