Best firearm for home defense and hearing safety… what’s your opinion?

Koa said:
@Dez
I’ve got some Walker ear muffs, but I don’t have the high-end stuff like Comtacs or Sordins.

Same here. I use Walker Razors. I’ve already got some hearing loss, so I’m not taking any more risks. That’s why I’m probably reaching for my suppressed .45 if I need to.

Will said:
@Zyler
That’s a good idea, but if I’m clearing my house in the middle of the night, I want to be able to hear what’s going on.

Yeah, get the ones where you can still hear. You can even turn them up to hear better than normal.

James Reeves just dropped a video about how accessories like suppressors can be seen in court. He mentioned that using a short-barreled rifle (SBR) or suppressor could get you a mandatory minimum sentence. Worth checking out on YouTube.

@Aris
Wait, what? I can see that being an issue in states where suppressors are illegal, but what about in places where they’re allowed? I’ll check out the video, but I’m not seeing how that works legally.

@Ciel
Yeah, it’s definitely something to think about. Federal law trumps local law.

Aris said:
@Ciel
Yeah, it’s definitely something to think about. Federal law trumps local law.

Okay, I watched it. He’s talking about what happens if you’re convicted. Like if you do something wrong and get charged, then yes, using a suppressor makes it worse. If you act in self-defense, you should be fine. Also, a lawyer who’s familiar with guns is a must if you end up in court.

@Ciel
I’d be surprised if most cops have suppressors on their rifles, but yeah, it’s the ‘if convicted’ part that matters. We live in a crazy world.

Aris said:
@Ciel
I’d be surprised if most cops have suppressors on their rifles, but yeah, it’s the ‘if convicted’ part that matters. We live in a crazy world.

Actually, it’s starting to become more common. I’ve seen police officers with suppressed rifles in videos where they had to deal with armed suspects.

@Ciel
Good for them. Now they just need better police training.

Aris said:
@Ciel
Good for them. Now they just need better police training.

Haha, no arguments here.

@Ciel
It’s probably because juries might have a skewed perception of suppressors. Most of them aren’t gun people and just know what they see on TV.

@Aris
He also talked about how they come with quick detach options :wink:

Phoenix said:
@Aris
He also talked about how they come with quick detach options :wink:

I live in a townhouse. If I’m shooting, my neighbors are definitely going to hear it, suppressor or not. So the cops showing up and nobody hearing anything wouldn’t add up.

@Aris
He always has good content. I’ll have to check that video out.

About reduced penetration… I’m not so sure. Tests show that pistol rounds actually penetrate more through walls than 5.56 rounds, mainly because pistol rounds move slower but are heavier. Lighter 5.56 rounds tend to fragment when they hit something solid.

There was one test comparing subsonic 300 blackout to supersonic 300, 5.56, and pistol rounds. It showed that 300 blackout subs penetrate somewhere between .45 and shotgun slugs. Not the worst, but not the best either.

As for suppressors, 300 blackout is a good choice for keeping it quiet. If you tune your rifle right, it can get close to movie-level quiet. If you’re using both subs and supers, it’ll be louder, but still quieter than 5.56.

So it really depends on what you’re prioritizing: stopping power, over-penetration, or noise.

  • Subsonic 300 blackout is quiet, but you lose some power and risk more penetration.
  • Supersonic 300 blackout has more stopping power but is louder and penetrates more.
  • 5.56 is loud, but has good stopping power and less penetration.

I personally use 5.56 (12.5” barrel). It’s cheaper to train with and doesn’t rely on expensive ammo. Plus, 5.56 rifles tend to be more reliable out of the box compared to 300 blackout. If you can afford to build and tune a 300 blackout, go for it. Just know it’s going to be a bit trickier than 5.56.

Okay, hear me out… suppressed .22.

Honestly, worrying about penetration is overthinking it. Any bullet is going to go through walls.

Remy said:
Okay, hear me out… suppressed .22.

Honestly, worrying about penetration is overthinking it. Any bullet is going to go through walls.

I hadn’t considered that, but it’s probably the quietest option available.

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How often are you expecting to shoot intruders in your home? If it’s as often as you go to the range, then yeah, get all the suppressors and body armor. But if you’re like most people, this level of prep seems like overkill.

@Ashton
That’s a bit of an ignorant comment. We’ve got neighborhood watch, locks, spotlights, security cameras, the works. We’ve met with the local police and have regular patrols now.

Our area has had multiple break-ins, assaults, and shootings lately. We’re trying to move, but we’re upside down on the mortgage. Not everyone lives in a nice quiet neighborhood. People come from different walks of life, and we have to deal with our reality.