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David Higginbotham
Everyone needs a rimfire suppressor. .22 LR remains the best bang for your buck, and many purpose-built loads make rimfire rounds effective for everything from poking holes in tin cans to pest control. A solid silencer will take the bite off the report and, for those looking for the epitome of sound suppression, the right combination of ammunition, gun, and silencer can make a range session Hollywood quiet.
Over the course of this article, I’ll be laying out options for suppressors, talking about how to get the most from your rimfire, and where the rimfire magnum rounds come in. There’s a lot to dive into, and—as always—knowing what you want to do will help make the suppressor choice easy.
Understanding .22 Projectiles: What Do You Want To Shoot?
We often misuse firearms terms. The bullet on most .22 LR projectiles is actually .223”. This is confusing, as the standard measurement designation for the 5.56 is .223. Most .22 LR is sitting on a relatively modest amount of powder, and projectiles are lighter and travel at 1/3 the speed of the heavier .223 rounds.
Why is the technical scrutiny important? Some suppressors are built to handle rimfire pressures (not just .22 LR, but also .22 WMR). Other suppressors are purpose-built for the faster .223. Shooting .223 rounds through a suppressor built for rimfire tolerances could create problems.
How Much Do You Want To Spend on a Rimfire Suppressor?
Those new to suppressors often ask about cost. As a rule, the most affordable suppressors are often the best choices for those looking for their first silencer. Because the ballistic pressures are more modest, rimfire suppressors are often built from more utilitarian metals. And designs are often simple as they benefit from user serviceability—something we’ll talk more about below.
But I’m going to go back here and say that cost varies. If you want a dedicated rimfire can for plinking—something super simple, you will pay less than you will if you opt for a .223 suppressor that will see service across a variety of rifles.
Here’s the caveat I’ll add here. I still consider suppressors an investment. There’s next to no resale market for them, so you’re adding an NFA item to your estate. It needs to last and outlast you. Find the right suppressor for your needs, then look at the price tag.
What do you need? Make a list of your priorities and put all of these on there: calibers, complexity, and even length and weight.
Best .22 and .22 LR Suppressors
Sparrow 22
SilencerCo’s Sparrow is a classic. I’ve put thousands of rounds through mine over more than a decade, and it works as well today as it did on day one. Even though it is now considered old-school, I wouldn’t hesitate to call it the best .22 LR suppressor available.
The design is simple. Sparrow’s monolithic core is wrapped by two stainless shields and held together with an outer sleeve. The direct mount is easy and intuitive. If you are looking for a foolproof first suppressor, this is it.
This Sparrow was my first suppressor. It is still my go-to teaching tool for anyone new to firearms, especially kids. I mount it on my Ruger 10-22 or my Browning Buckmark. The price, too, of the Sparrow makes this my choice for the best affordable suppressor, too.
Don’t underestimate the Sparrow, though. This suppressor will work for .22 LR, .22 Mag, .17 HMR, .17 WSM, and FN 5.7 × 28, too. Its use of Delta adapters adds versatility, too.
Switchback 22
The Switchback 22 offers something different. While the Sparrow is exceptionally versatile on pistols and rifles, and can cover a lot of the associated rimfire calibers, the Switchback is one suppressor that has multiple, more specific, configurations that provide distinct noise suppression properties.
I’ll explain.
Its modularity means it can run in a short or a long configuration, but the baffle-stack is reversible, too, for use with either rifles or pistols. In its long form, the Switchback can be set for maximum suppression for rimfire rifles or (when the baffle stack is flipped) for pistols. Science? Wizardry? I’m still unsure.
The two halves, though, are not equal in length, so the suppressor can be used in the two long configurations, a medium length, or even a short length for those more concerned about weight and extra length.
This versatility makes the Switchback 22 a solid choice for the best rimfire suppressor on the market. In its longest set-up, with the baffles oriented for a rifle, the Switchback’s sound suppression beats all of its competitors. It is literally the best suppressor in its class.
Like the Sparrow, the Switchback 22 uses Delta mounts that allow for easy attachment to a variety of different thread pitches.
Best 5.56 NATO Suppressors
As I mentioned above, there are some who prefer end-user serviceability for a dedicated rimfire can. I clean out my Sparrow routinely. .22 LR rounds are notoriously dirty, and the burnt powder and lead fouling can slowly build up inside a suppressor. Eventually, it will add weight to the suppressor and begin to impede sound suppression.
Most centerfire rifle cartridges have projectiles covered in copper jackets. This cuts down on fouling. Also, the pressure produced during live fire shakes loose deposits inside the suppressor. Most of us will never hit those rimfire round count totals, either. Combine all three of these, and you see why many suppressors designed for centerfire cartridges are welded together in a fashion that prevents end-users from taking them apart.
You can still shoot rimfire through them—especially the jacketed rounds and magnum varieties. Sound suppression will be easy to accomplish. One concern here, though, is weight. Most 5.56 cans, for example, weigh more than a Sparrow.
Trading the extra weight, though, may not be a problem. In return, you get versatility.
Omega 36M
The Omega 36M is modular and versatile. The multi-caliber design functions in either a full-length or compact configuration. Its internal bore diameter accommodates a vast range of firearms, making it an ideal choice for everything from 5.56 rifles to larger rounds like .338 Lapua, 9mm, and .360 Buck Thumper.
Let’s outline what that versatility looks like. In most cases, the measurements built into suppressor names are there to highlight the bore size. A .30 caliber suppressor will cover .30 caliber rounds, and anything smaller. Like .223 or .22 LR. In some cases, end caps can be exchanged for caliber-specific uses, which will make noise suppression even more effective.
As for modularity, the longer pairing of the two components provides the most noise reduction. The shorter configuration may be ideal for those looking for maneuverability on a hunt. And the short configuration is lighter, too—under 10 ounces.
The Omega 36M uses Charlie mounts and front caps. Since it is sealed, it wouldn’t be my first choice for high-volume .22 LR. But the suppressor can go from your pistol to a PCC to a long-range precision rifle, all with a few intuitive changes to the mounts.
Omega 300 DT
If you shoot .223 / 5.56 NATO and you want to keep your options open to other calibers, the Omega 300 is an excellent choice.
While the Omega 300 is a .30 caliber suppressor, its internal volume provides exceptional sound suppression for 5.56, too. The Omega 300 uses Bravo mounts and can use any of the ASR brakes inside the suppressor. With an anchor brake on the front end, this design provides even more felt-recoil reduction.
The potential provided by an adaptable platform means this one suppressor can be truly multi-purpose—and it weighs less than a pound. Again, it wouldn’t replace my Sparrow for .22 LR, but it would be a great option for faster rimfire rounds.
Velos LBP
The main design feature of the Velos is a set of vents that mitigate the back pressure.
The Velos LBP (Low Back Pressure) funnels the pressure forward — out the front of the suppressor, and not backwards into the gas system. Blowback, especially in a direct impingement rifle like the AR-15, can be hard on the shooter, as that gas vents through the ejection port and into the face.
Velos suppressors have an additional element that makes them compelling. The core of the suppressor is 3D printed Inconel. This new manufacturing technology allows the Velos to change the direction of gas exhaust while also cutting sound.
I’ve been running the larger Velos LBP on an AK, and it is a game-changer. Gas guns can require special attention, as the back pressure generated through enclosed systems can be excessive. This is especially true for direct impingement ARs.
The Velos LBP would be my recommendation for anyone looking for a high-tech suppressor. This design is as fascinating for those of us who geek out over guns as it is effective at sound suppression.
The Velos LBP uses Charlie mounts and accessories that allow even more versatility.
So, What’s the Best .22 Cal Suppressor for Me?
At the start, I’d break this answer into one of two directions. If you want to run through brick-after-brick of .22 LR, or .22 Colibri, or .22 Short, etc., go with something that is designed to be cleaned.
If you want to take the edge off of some hyper-fast rounds, look to a sealed can. Add to this versatility, and you can narrow the list down further.
I am dedicated to my Sparrow. SilencerCo nailed this design, and now, years after its introduction, I still shoot this on almost every trip to the range.
As someone who obsesses about design, I’m fascinated by the Switchback, too. I’ve run the switchback on a bolt-action .22 LR, and there’s something sublime about the muted silence of a subsonic round thwacking a target downrange.
For those who look at the .22 caliber family in more technical terms, there’s utility in SilencerCo’s larger suppressors.
And for the top-of-the-line performance, the Velos LBP is an easy choice.
Which single silencer is the best of the best? I can remember a time when I was looking for one gun that I thought could do it all. I quickly learned that wasn’t in any way practical. At this point in my career, I’ve got a safe filled with “the best” firearm for some really niche jobs. And I can make a legitimate and unapologetic case as to why I own multiple suppressors.
If you are looking at this article for recommendations on your first suppressor, buckle up. Shooting suppressed is addictive.
David Higginbotham
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