22LR Suppressor Questions

Mathieu18

Mathieu18

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Yea, another thread. I know the quick and dirty answer is probably the Dead Air Mask but want to cover my bases and probably look for deals etc around Black Friday.

Before getting to the suppressors, has anyone worked with Backwater in Wilmington? Any other recommendations down in Wilmington, maybe Jim’s or anyone else? Next, do I need the trust setup ahead of time? Probably would use one and don’t want to transfer again in the future. Aside from an additional transfer is there downside to individual ownership if no one else is gonna be shooting it?

On to equipment, first use, probably only 22LR and not crazy rate of fire. It’d mostly be used on a 10/22 and a 22/45, maybe a Savage Mark-II in the future. All 1/2x28 direct threaded. I don’t really need to suppress it so absolute noise isn’t my main concern. I’d prefer smaller and lighter but probably most important, I’m not trying to buy the priciest can out there.

The pistol/rifle use makes the Oculus and Switchback a little interesting, especially with the Dead Air costing about the same. The two tone Switchback would look good on the stainless 10/22, less so on the 22/45.

I know the local shop liked the El Camino, any thoughts?

Is a Sparrow terrible? I think it’s the most affordable.

What’s up with the JK Versa 22? Inexpensive and small, garbage?

CGS Hydra-AL? Cheap and light. I know AL would be frowned upon but not real high volume shooter, not an obsessive cleaner for better or worse.

TacSol Aeris? Love the size.

I could probably find a couple more I like but basically if it’s inexpensive, compact and does its job I might be interested. Love to have - few on a short list and see what deals come along… TIA.
 
If you’re gonna do a trust, then yes…it has to be set up first. Because you have to submit a copy of it with the Form 4.

Mask it good.
TBAC 22TD is good

El Camino is probably good, but I’m not sure I could bring myself to buy a Q product.

I wouldn’t buy the JK.

Sparrow is the only can I own that I regret buying. Too many better options out there these days.

AAC Halcyon is worth a look.

EA Nyx (& Mod2) needs to be in the running if you want light.

I wouldn’t buy a rimfire can today without also considering the Hansohn Vidar. It’s the closest thing to the AAC Element 2 I’m aware of, and the E2 may be the best performing rimfire can ever made.

I’d also look at the YHM Phantom 22, which is one of my most recent purchases (along with two ECCO Machine Salamanders).
 
@BigWaylon definitely appreciate the input. Will review some of the suggestions and work on my list. Re: the Sparrow, are there better options though in or around the price points? Not arguing just trying to understand. (So want to sell your Sparrow? 😁) I know some of why you might pay more (full auto, rifle pressures, high volume etc) and for this can anyway I don’t think I’ll get into this, it’s a plinking can for lack of a better way of putting it. I’m sure a 400-450 can will be better but maybe not meaningful for me.
 
Every can on the market is a better option IMHO. The Sparrow has one benefit…tucking it completely inside a rail. Plus, you said you wanted light, and it’s a tank.

Should’ve also included the Switchback, plus the Mustang and Oculus as valid options in my first reply.
 
I have an El Camino and it's a bit different in terms of the color and flared end caps it was cheap since it was a dealer demo model. It sounds good and is light weight but I prefer the tone of the Element II by the slimmest of margins, that said I do not regret buying the El Camino.

I know everyone loves the Mask but weight is a big thing to me because my first 22can was a SS 10.5 oz monster!
 
I’ve bought a few suppressors from JR at Jim’s have never bought one from backwater but they both use silencer shop so the process will be the same at either store. I’m pretty sure backwater will do layaway where Jim’s policy is no layaway. JR worked with me one time and give me 30 days or so to pay off a suppressor but that’s not typical for them. My only 22 suppressor was an impulse buy. I bought a warlock ii at the same time I bought my sandman s. It was $400 with the stamp. It is aluminum and only rated for 22 but I do not regret my purchase one bit. If I were to buy another one today I think I would get the rugged oculus but just because I want a beretta tomcat like the pic below with a short suppressor. CE5E1F6C-6AE3-48D7-A4CE-1A4B80300BB4.jpeg
 
BigWaylon said:
Every can on the market is a better option IMHO. The Sparrow has one benefit…tucking it completely inside a rail. Plus, you said you wanted light, and it’s a tank.

Should’ve also included the Switchback, plus the Mustang and Oculus as valid options in my first reply.
Click to expand...

One other feature I consider a benefit is the o ring engagement. I've had a few hosts threaded to the Sparrow thread specs and it never comes loose and more importantly- the threads stay clean.
As an example, I stick it on an AR22 and shoot an entire federal bulk 550 pack. Not unheard-of. (Very nasty ammo to suppress)

If the threads are exposed in the blast chamber they lead up and unscrewing the can gets tricky. Not a problem with the Sparrow if your host is threaded to sparrow specs.

I have a few rimfire cans and I really like the Sparrow. I consider it a utility suppressor more than a performance model. The clamshell design definitely lends itself to easy maintenance (especially when neglected).

Haters' gonna hate. Ugly girls need love too.
 
I wish I could find someone who has one of these:

twintechtactical.com

Vortec Rimfire Suppressor

Shop now for quality firearm products
twintechtactical.com twintechtactical.com

to tell me about it.

The take-apart-and-clean-one-piece construction is very tempting to me, as is the price.

I have a Mask and it's everything I was told it would be.

So I could get very disappointed with 'less' until it comes time to clean the thing.

The reason I dont use the one I have as much as I'd like is BECAUSE of the dread of cleaning it.
I am avoiding starting down the hazmat road with dip, so maybe I should take the steel-pin-tumbler advice.
 
mostly22lately said:
I wish I could find someone who has one of these:

twintechtactical.com

Vortec Rimfire Suppressor

Shop now for quality firearm products
twintechtactical.com twintechtactical.com

to tell me about it.

The take-apart-and-clean-one-piece construction is very tempting to me, as is the price.
Click to expand...
That may be the worst designed monocore I’ve ever seen. Horrible use of internal volume. I wouldn’t buy one for 99¢ if that was an option.
 
Slacker said:
One other feature I consider a benefit is the o ring engagement. I've had a few hosts threaded to the Sparrow thread specs and it never comes loose and more importantly- the threads stay clean.
As an example, I stick it on an AR22 and shoot an entire federal bulk 550 pack. Not unheard-of. (Very nasty ammo to suppress)

If the threads are exposed in the blast chamber they lead up and unscrewing the can gets tricky. Not a problem with the Sparrow if your host is threaded to sparrow specs.

I have a few rimfire cans and I really like the Sparrow. I consider it a utility suppressor more than a performance model. The clamshell design definitely lends itself to easy maintenance (especially when neglected).

Haters' gonna hate. Ugly girls need love too.
Click to expand...
Yeah…my Warlocks, Spectres and Sparrow all have that it’s nice.

I find the disassembly and reassembly of my Sparrow to be the worst part of the whole thing. Absolutely hate it.
 
Bigdave0924 said:
I’ve bought a few suppressors from JR at Jim’s have never bought one from backwater but they both use silencer shop so the process will be the same at either store. I’m pretty sure backwater will do layaway where Jim’s policy is no layaway. JR worked with me one time and give me 30 days or so to pay off a suppressor but that’s not typical for them. My only 22 suppressor was an impulse buy. I bought a warlock ii at the same time I bought my sandman s. It was $400 with the stamp. It is aluminum and only rated for 22 but I do not regret my purchase one bit. If I were to buy another one today I think I would get the rugged oculus but just because I want a beretta tomcat like the pic below with a short suppressor.
Click to expand...
Warlock does everything it needs to. I have two. Should’ve bought another when you could get one for $125.

The only downside is the aluminum baffles limit some of the cleaning options. I think it’s a great second rimfire can.
 
BigWaylon said:
That may be the worst designed monocore I’ve ever seen. Horrible use of internal volume. I wouldn’t buy one for 99¢ if that was an option.
Click to expand...
It reminded me of my brass musical instrument valves; that's kind of what they look like inside except for the central longitudinal hole of course.

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I'll just get another Mask.
 
For cleaning baffles, is this the tumbler that was referred to?

www.harborfreight.com

5 Lb. Metal Vibratory Tumbler Bowl

Amazing deals on this 5Lb Metal Vibratory Tumbler Bowl at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com

I'm not sure how it works by looking at the picture, as all the tumblers I have ever seen have a drum like a clothes dryer.
 
BigWaylon said:
Warlock does everything it needs to. I have two. Should’ve bought another when you could get one for $125.

The only downside is the aluminum baffles limit some of the cleaning options. I think it’s a great second rimfire can.
Click to expand...
So could it be a good first plinking can? Again, not trying to do anything crazy wit this one.
 
mostly22lately said:
For cleaning baffles, is this the tumbler that was referred to?

www.harborfreight.com

5 Lb. Metal Vibratory Tumbler Bowl

Amazing deals on this 5Lb Metal Vibratory Tumbler Bowl at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com

I'm not sure how it works by looking at the picture, as all the tumblers I have ever seen have a drum like a clothes dryer.
Click to expand...
Rotary…not vibratory. They used to have a single and a double, but all I’m seeing is the double at a quick glance:

www.harborfreight.com

Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler

Amazing deals on this Rotary Tumbler Dual Drum at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
 
Mathieu18 said:
So could it be a good first plinking can? Again, not trying to do anything crazy wit this one.
Click to expand...
It’s a good can, and very lightweight. But you have to manually clean it. No tumbling, no dip. I think? that soda blasting would be ok, but don’t hold me to that.
 
BigWaylon said:
Warlock does everything it needs to. I have two. Should’ve bought another when you could get one for $125.

The only downside is the aluminum baffles limit some of the cleaning options. I think it’s a great second rimfire can.
Click to expand...
I don’t even clean mine other than making sure the threads are clean when switching between hosts.
 
WildBill said:
I've got one in jail. I was hoping to have it by squirrel season but the 90 day eform4 approval turned into 230+ now.

It looked cool on my 10/22 and fit in the backpacker stock, so I got that going for me, which is nice.
Click to expand...
That’s useful info, thanks.
 
Mathieu18 said:
Yea, another thread. I know the quick and dirty answer is probably the Dead Air Mask but want to cover my bases and probably look for deals etc around Black Friday.

Before getting to the suppressors, has anyone worked with Backwater in Wilmington? Any other recommendations down in Wilmington, maybe Jim’s or anyone else? Next, do I need the trust setup ahead of time? Probably would use one and don’t want to transfer again in the future. Aside from an additional transfer is there downside to individual ownership if no one else is gonna be shooting it?

On to equipment, first use, probably only 22LR and not crazy rate of fire. It’d mostly be used on a 10/22 and a 22/45, maybe a Savage Mark-II in the future. All 1/2x28 direct threaded. I don’t really need to suppress it so absolute noise isn’t my main concern. I’d prefer smaller and lighter but probably most important, I’m not trying to buy the priciest can out there.

The pistol/rifle use makes the Oculus and Switchback a little interesting, especially with the Dead Air costing about the same. The two tone Switchback would look good on the stainless 10/22, less so on the 22/45.

I know the local shop liked the El Camino, any thoughts?

Is a Sparrow terrible? I think it’s the most affordable.

What’s up with the JK Versa 22? Inexpensive and small, garbage?

CGS Hydra-AL? Cheap and light. I know AL would be frowned upon but not real high volume shooter, not an obsessive cleaner for better or worse.

TacSol Aeris? Love the size.

I could probably find a couple more I like but basically if it’s inexpensive, compact and does its job I might be interested. Love to have - few on a short list and see what deals come along… TIA.
Click to expand...
Why is pistol/rifle use interesting with the oculus?
 
The short configurations are interesting, the 10/22 is quiet enough for me to shoot without protection as is, the small config would be fine. Just wish you could mount both pieces to separate guns, that’s be perfect…
 
Mathieu18 said:
The short configurations are interesting, the 10/22 is quiet enough for me to shoot without protection as is, the small config would be fine. Just wish you could mount both pieces to separate guns, that’s be perfect…
Click to expand...
A 10/22 is definitely not safe enough with standard velocity Ammo shooting without hearing protection. I would definitely rethink that. I'm in my late 40's with constant tinnitus and mild hearing loss. My 19 year old son finally gets it after I and my dad have harped on him forever to protect his hearing. I walked outside a few days ago when he was working on his truck and he had ear plugs in without me saying a word.

I've shot 22's since I was 9 or 10 years old just like my dad did with no hearing protection. The possibility of further hearing loss now is the reason I have 6 suppressors and a few more waiting on approval.
 
Clicker said:
I have an El Camino and it's a bit different in terms of the color and flared end caps it was cheap since it was a dealer demo model. It sounds good and is light weight but I prefer the tone of the Element II by the slimmest of margins, that said I do not regret buying the El Camino.

I know everyone loves the Mask but weight is a big thing to me because my first 22can was a SS 10.5 oz monster!
Click to expand...
I started to get a Sparrow, but went with a Mask instead, which is still in jail. I believe the Mask is ~6.6 oz. I wanted something I could shoot more powerful rimfires in as well.

The weight wasn’t a big deal to me since for the last 30+ years I’ve used ancient tech, an AWC Exeter I got from Lynn McWilliams’ post-Doc Dater Automatic Weapons Co. Before the era of the Nielsen device, the only solution to allow locked breech cycling was light weight. The Exeter is a .22 version of what I think was the first commercially available “artificial environment” 9mm can, the Invicta. The Invicta’s tube measured out at 8” x 1 3/8”, weighed 7.7oz overall, was all aluminum, and incorporated a lithium grease module you could repack just in front of a small reflex rear cap. As I remember, Al Paulson measured it with proper equipment at a very respectable 33dB reduction with 9mm subsonics (the old Israeli “blue tip” 158gr. Samsons, IIRC) on the then recently-adopted Beretta M9, which would cycle cans most Browning-type actions wouldn’t. Sadly, the aluminum construction couldn’t hold up to 9mm pounding, and a number of catastrophic failures with increasing round counts led to them being relegated to collectible pieces of history.

The .22 version was a different matter. Thanks to the volume and the lithium, the .22 had some FRP, but went stupid quiet after that. My friends called my Ruger Mk2 the “clank gun” because you could easily hear its action noise over the muzzle report. The grease kept the carbon & lead in a wipeable form that was easy to remove if you didn’t let it dry out and set, but it did give out a little puff of smoke with each shot. You could easily shoot a brick on a single module charge since it was designed to last for 1-2 mags of 9mm. Looks just about the same as a Liberty Mystic X or Cosmic mounted on a gun with their low profile mount, which is to say, big.

Still works great!
 
Last edited:
I recently researched the SilencerCo Switchback, Dead Air Mask, and Thunderbeast TD22. Honestly, both the Dead Air Mask and Thunderbeast TD22 looked great on paper, online and video reviews. Don’t think you could go wrong with either. I already had 2 Dead Air cans and thought what the heck, let’s try Thunderbeast.

it’s still in jail and when I purchased it, I learned that the Eform 4s were no longer coming back in 3-4 months and up to 6+ months now. However, that is still better than my last paper form 4 at 13 months.

Haven’t used either of the FFLs for NFA items. I have purchased items from Jim’s before, with no issues.
 
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