Suppressors: Utilitarian or simply a neat toy?
 

For those with experience with suppressors, I have a question for you:

I threw around the idea of a suppressor for a while--most high end suppressors will give firearms a +/- 30db reduction--meaning 16" AR15s will usually end up with about a 130db impulse sound. It's still above the threshold of pain (IIRC), but it's right below the ~140db threshold of hearing loss due to impulse noises.

If I were to use a firearm indoors, in say a home defense scenario, does the suppressor justify the cost (~$800-$1400 + $200 tax), the weight (~+/- 1lb at the end of the firearm), the POI shift and increased fouling?

Does all the above justify a ~30db reduction?

On the other hand, in a doomsday scenario, a suppressor would mask location and muzzle flash, making sneaking around easier. In a home defense scenario, a suppressor may reduce the disorienting *boom* that comes from firing a weapon indoors (I pulled a .45ACP bullet, dumped out the powder, and discharged the primer in my room a while back--holy cow it was loud. My ears were ringing and I felt slightly disoriented.)

Do you consider a suppressor an effective tool, or just a toy for civilian types?

I have only academic knowledge on suppressors and your assessment is exactly what I've learned. It will definitely improve your ability to fire in close quarters without catastrophic hearing loss/disorientation. But, it does not mean you are suddenly going to be doing 10 hours of tactical drills in a shell house without hearing protection.

I'm probably exactly where you are - I can't justify the expense for what it gives me. At least not at the high power rifle level. I have been more interested in hushing a .22 pistol. I've actually heard suppressed .22 rifles and pistols fired. You really only heard the metal working. It was incredible. There was an abrupt noice, but it didn't sound like a gun shot.

You don't need a suppressor for home defense. Shooting a 5.56 (even a shorty) indoors is painful and no-good for your hearing if you do it often, but it won't cause noticeable damage following a home defense situation. Plus, with your adrenaline so high you will likely not even notice the noise.

Suppressors are cool for working with teams in houses, masking muzzle flash, reducing the ability of an enemy (outside) to determine point of origin of a shot, etc. But none of that stuff matters for home defense.

The Suppressor will add length and weight to the end of your gun (where it is most annoying).