The Tactical Advantages of Using a Suppressor

Hey everybody, Rob Orgel here, I want to discuss the tactical advantages of using a suppressor, particularly for rifles in tactical scenarios. Suppressors offer numerous benefits, from reduced sound and signature to better command and control during operations. Let’s break down these advantages to understand why a suppressor can be a game-changer in the field.

Click here to watch a video on this topic.

1. Reduced Sound and Signature

One of the most significant benefits of using a suppressor is the reduction of sound and muzzle blast. This makes it harder for enemies or game to pinpoint your location. In tactical situations, maintaining a low profile is crucial, and suppressors help achieve this by minimizing both the noise and visual signature of your shots.

To illustrate, let’s consider hunting elk. I use what I call the “Rule of Three” for elk: they will hear you three times, see you twice, and smell you once before they take off. The sound is a critical aspect. When you fire a round at an elk, the bullet reaches the animal before the sound of the shot. The speed of sound is about 1100 feet per second. If your target is at 1000 yards (or 3000 feet), the bullet arrives in about 1 to 1.5 seconds, depending on your cartridge. The sound of the shot follows later.

Without a suppressor, the elk hears the bullet snap overhead and then the loud boom of the shot, which might startle it into running. With a suppressor, the animal only hears a distant pfft after the initial snap, which is less likely to alarm it. This can give you the opportunity for a second or even third shot, increasing your chances of a successful hunt.

2. Impact Sound Identification

Another tactical advantage of suppressors is the ability to hear and identify the sound of bullet impacts. When you’re hunting or in a tactical scenario, not wearing hearing protection allows you to hear the distinct sounds of the bullet’s impact. The type of sound can tell you whether you’ve hit your target and where.

For example, a hollow thump indicates a hit to the chest cavity, while a wet crunch suggests a headshot. These auditory cues are crucial for immediate feedback and can help you adjust your shots on the fly. This kind of intelligence can make a significant difference in both hunting and combat situations.

3. Command and Control

In tactical environments, maintaining clear communication and situational awareness is essential. Using suppressors can enhance command and control within your team. When clearing rooms or moving through tight spaces, the difference in sound between suppressed and unsuppressed shots can quickly indicate whether the fire is coming from a friend or foe.

If your team is using suppressors and you hear an unsuppressed shot, you immediately know it’s not one of your teammates. This quick identification can be vital in fast-paced engagements, allowing for more effective coordination and response without needing to see the shooter directly.

Conclusion

Suppressors offer multiple tactical advantages, from reducing sound and visual signatures to providing crucial auditory feedback and improving team communication. These benefits make them invaluable tools for both hunting and tactical operations. If you found this video informative and want to learn more about the advantages of suppressors, please like, comment, and subscribe. Share your favorite benefits of using suppressors in the comments below. As always, stay safe and keep training!