How Suppressors Work

Cutaway diagram showing how a suppressor traps and cools gas

Every shot releases a burst of hot, high-pressure gas. That gas is most of the bang. A suppressor gives it somewhere to go.

  • Blast chamber catches the first big surge.
  • Baffles make the gas swirl, slow down and cool.
  • Result: roughly 20–35 dB quieter, plus less recoil and flash.

What you still hear

  • The supersonic crack of the bullet (use subsonic ammo to lose it)
  • The action cycling
  • The bullet hitting the target

Go quieter with subsonic ammo

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Watch: how a suppressor works