How to pick the right Airgun Suppressor? (courtesy of DonnyFL)

How to pick the right Airgun Suppressor?

When it comes to airgun sound suppression, DonnyFL has set the industry standard for what we call the Science of Air-Powered Silence. Selecting the right air rifle moderator—or airgun suppressor—isn’t just about reducing noise; it’s about pairing your platform with a precision-engineered solution that optimizes performance and protects your investment.

A primary factor in suppressor selection is caliber and power output. Airguns can vary dramatically in energy even within the same caliber. A sub-12-foot-pound .22 rifle may thrive with a compact, small-volume moderator, while an 80-100 foot-pound .22 caliber PCP built for extreme long-range shooting demands a high-volume suppressor to manage the much larger air discharge. The principle is simple: greater internal volume yields greater suppression for high-energy platforms, while smaller setups benefit from lighter, more compact designs.

Barrel and shroud design can also affect suppressor performance and safety. Some airguns feature unsupported, shrouded barrels with slight misalignments that cause the bore to be non-concentric with the suppressor. This increases the risk of a strike ("clip") if the bore diameter is too tight. Additionally, the stiffness of your barrel system may dictate the recommended suppressor, as heavier moderators can influence barrel harmonics or point of impact on flexible barrel designs.

If you have any questions about suppressor selection, we encourage you to reach out to Sandy. He’ll guide you to the optimal setup for your airgun and shooting goals. And don’t forget to check out the largest selection of precision-engineered airgun moderators in the industry—engineered for backyard plinking, field hunting, and long-range precision shooting. This basic guide will get you started:

1. Match the Caliber

A suppressor’s internal bore should match your caliber for maximum efficiency. Oversized bores reduce sound suppression, while undersized bores can affect projectile flight.