Suppressors and stuff ...

Washington state is about to be able to actually use the suppressors they can legally own. That's caused a bit of PSH from various sources (including supposed NRA members). But the law will most likely pass, and that's a good thing.

While this information was being made available, there was some discussion on Sebastian's post. Robb Allen was lamenting the high cost of a suppressor (he didn't even mention the replacement barrels or machine work to fit one). But he hit the nail on the head with this:

If they were treated as just any other firearm accessory like they should be, you would see the total cost of a good can fall below $100.

If they were treated like they should be ... ah, there's the rub! Currently, they're not. I believe I heard on Vicious Circle that the reason you don't see beater cars in Hong Kong was the high cost of parking .... why not buy a Mercedes if it's going to cost you half again in parking for a year?!

But low cost cans will ultimately mean low quality (and it's a problem even now). For example, you can make a simple suppressor in your garage with simple hand tools and mild steel (plus a welder), and it'll be serviceable for quite a few rounds. But if you can't take it apart to clean it, it will eventually lose effectiveness.

Contrast that with a Liberty Cans Essence of Liberty .22lr suppressor. The flagship of the Kodiak line of rimfire suppressors, the Essence is made mostly of titanium (with only the blast baffle made of stainless steel), weighs less than a D-cell battery, is user-cleanable, and all the parts are coated with some stuff NASA uses on turbine engine fans. This ain't yer grandaddy's suppressor!

Cost is $635.

Now, having been to Liberty's shop (they're located roughly 5 miles from my house) and shot this suppressor (and seen it taken apart ... all special tools required included), $635 is a bargain to me to have the ability to shoot a .22 around my house and not spook the dog (or the neighbors!) and to have the suppressor last for my lifetime.

If I'm going to get a suppressor for .22 rifles, I'll probably pick the Kodiak suppressor. It's the grandpaw of the Essence, but it's all stainless steel ... only $485.

Of course, you generally have to have a threaded barrel to mount a suppressor, and here is where you start getting into some cash. Liberty will do threads on Ruger rimfire pistols and 10/22's for around $125. Some pistols can be had with a factory-threaded barrel (such as the Ruger 22/45) for a premium, but not as bad as having it done. And replacing a stock barrel with a threaded barrel can be pricey.

All of this is simple economics. Suppressors aren't in regular (read that as, high quantities) use yet, so the economic pressure for manufacturers to supply threaded barrels isn't there ... yet!

If the laws regarding suppressors can be changed (taking them off the NFA), then more people will start using them, and manufacturers will respond accordingly. We need to make sure that happens.

pm