Video summary

Are pistol suppressors a waste of money?

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product Reviewed

The video is a review/discussion of pistol suppressors—specifically whether they’re worth it and how to make them more viable. It emphasizes suppressor types such as boosted full-size cans vs boosterless lightweight titanium cans, along with related holster/transport solutions.

Key Claims / Main Features Discussed

  • Sound reduction alone isn’t enough to make pistols practical. Suppressed handguns can feel “like crap” mechanically due to added weight/length and changes to cycling dynamics.

  • Reliability impact is a major theme. Even typically reliable pistols (notably Glocks) can become finicky when suppressed.

  • Booster systems matter. Many pistol/suppressor setups require a booster to cycle properly with Browning short-recoil designs.

  • Ammunition selection is critical.

    • Best results generally require subsonic ammo—especially 9mm with heavier bullets like 147–150 gr.
    • “Cheap ball” subsonics may run better than premium/other subsonics, though inconsistency in ejection can still occur.
    • Supersonic ammo still causes the familiar crack and reduces the “Hollywood giggle” factor—ear pro is still advised.

  • Blowback / “sandblasting” back into the shooter’s face is a problem. This is especially relevant with open-top or otherwise gassy pistol hosts.

Specific Examples / Comparisons Mentioned

Host Behavior: Browning Tilting Barrel Short-Recoil

  • Adding suppressor mass can mess with barrel/slide timing and feed positioning.
  • The booster is described as helping by:
    • adding recoil energy, and/or
    • temporarily decoupling action movement from suppressor mass.

Beretta 92 Example

  • The Beretta 92 is described as particularly unpleasant suppressed because the slide/barrel is open widely at the top (compared as “180°”), leading to heavy particulate blowback.
  • The narrator calls the claim that the Beretta 92 is an excellent suppressor host false.

Competitor / Alternative Suppressor Models Mentioned

  • FOA Systems Pluto 9

    • Titanium, boosterless, under 3 oz, and direct-thread capable
    • Suggested for guns like Glock 43 and the Ruger RXM
    • Claimed to have better reliability than boosted setups across ammo tested
    • Not as “super quiet” as a boosted setup in certain configurations, but performance is said to be similar to Gemtech Lunar 9 in its K configuration (baffle stack comparison); still reportedly a bit quieter in long configuration

  • Other short/titanium boosterless concepts mentioned:

    • Stealth [Additive Works] Shiv
    • Wolfpack Whisper Pickle
    • and similar designs

Reduced Back Pressure Suppressors

  • Mentioned as reducing face blowback, but not eliminating sandblasting due to “disgusting” pistol powder behavior.

Holster / Transport Solutions (Make “Deployment” Workable)

  • Phlster Floodlight Claims the Pluto 9 fits with enough opening.

  • T-Rex Ragnarok SD (and similar designs) Uses weapon light indexing to accommodate suppressor weight.

  • Crye Precision Gun Clip Snaps onto the trigger guard; modular/agnostic but described as awkward for draw and reholstering. Concerns include hot suppressor contact with pants.

  • Hush Holster Indexes on weapon light with standoff and a thumb break; helps avoid burning a leg when reholstering a hot suppressed pistol. The drop-leg version is discouraged due to flopping/positional variation.

Pros Mentioned

  • Fun factor exists under the right conditions:

    • Subsonic suppressed pistols can produce a “giggle” similar in spirit to suppressed rimfire / suppressed 300 BLK subsonic.

  • Modern lightweight boosterless suppressors improve shootability

    • Example: titanium boosterless cans (e.g., Pluto 9) can reduce the “double impulse” recoil feel of boosted setups.
    • Claimed to improve reliability compared to many boosted systems.

  • Better than unsuppressed for home defense The narrator grants this point, though notes it may still not be the best choice versus other platforms.

Cons Mentioned (Major Negatives)

  1. Changes how the pistol shoots (“shoot like crap”)

    • Added weight/length and booster behavior alter recoil impulse and cycling timing.

  2. Reliability problems

    • Even reputable pistols may need tuning (heavier recoil springs, correct ammo).
    • Backpressure and cycling speed can cause malfunctions or out-running the magazine.

  3. Ammunition becomes “ammo-picky”

    • Best with subsonics, typically 147–150 gr for 9mm.
    • Certain bullets/load shapes may cause feeding issues (e.g., some 147 FMJ flat nose loads). Other brands are reportedly more consistent.

  4. Blowback / particulate in the face

    • Dirtier pistol ammo plus open slide designs can lead to sandblasting.
    • Beretta 92 is specifically called out.
    • Ear protection remains important, especially with supersonic.

  5. Transport/deployment is awkward

    • Concealed carry with a suppressor attached is called a “non-starter” for most people.
    • Carrying unsuppressed and mounting later is slower than drawing and shooting.

  6. Hot suppressor reholstering issues

    • Some holsters that touch or trap the suppressor can create burn risks when the suppressor is hot.

Overall User Experience (From the Video)

  • Hollywood fantasy vs reality: The narrator acknowledges suppressed pistols can be impressive at the range when conditions align (especially with subsonics), but emphasizes everyday practicality is poor due to reliability, blowback, and handling/holstering issues.

  • Modern designs help: Lightweight boosterless designs improve the experience somewhat, but the narrator still doesn’t like pistol suppression overall.

Verdict / Recommendation (Concise)

  • If you’re considering buying a pistol suppressor, the video suggests it should be near the bottom of your priority list.
  • The narrator’s practical ordering:
    1. First suppressor: your primary fighting rifle
    2. Then consider universal rifle platforms (e.g., .300 Blackout)
    3. Possibly a 9mm subgun suppressor
    4. Rimfire suppressor (described as most consistently enjoyable)
    5. Pistol suppressor: last (moved from “very distant fifth” to “normal fifth,” but still not preferred)

Unique Points Mentioned (As Listed in the Video)

  • Suppressed rifles are common; suppressed handguns are rare.
  • Historical view: pistol suppressors were once a waste of a tax stamp; tax stamp and regulation changes are briefly mentioned.
  • Hollywood references: Bond and a movie scene involving Mark 23 SOCOM threading suppressors.
  • Suppressed pistols with subsonic ammo can be delightfully quiet/fun (“giggle”).
  • Practical problems: difficult to employ, less fun to shoot, reliability/maintenance issues.
  • Mechanics explanation: Browning short recoil + added muzzle mass disrupts cycling; many setups need a booster.
  • Booster described as doing two things:
    • adding recoil energy
    • decoupling action movement from suppressor mass temporarily
  • Blowback/particulate in the face from pistol timing and dirtier ammo.
  • Glocks and derivatives can normally be reliable but may become unreliable suppressed.
  • “Suppressor-ready” pistols may include heavier recoil springs (examples mentioned: Walther PDP Pro SD, Ruger RXM).
  • Recoil spring weights mentioned:
    • ~16 lb stock Glock mid-size vs 18 lb heavier version
  • Suppressed pistols require subsonic ammo; best 9mm generally 147–150 gr.
  • Ammo brand/load differences:
    • cheap ball can run better
    • some 147 FMJ flat nose loads can feed poorly
    • Speer Lawman more consistent
    • round nose 147s work and sound good
  • Supersonic ammo still cracks; ear pro should not be removed.
  • Suppressors on pistols make concealed carry difficult; consider carrying unsuppressed and mounting later (slower).
  • Boosterless titanium suppressors can be lighter and more reliable.
  • FOA Pluto 9 specifics:
    • under 3 oz, titanium, boosterless, direct thread
    • claimed reliability improvements
    • less suppression than boosted but similar to Lunar 9 K
    • long config adds more baffles and quietness
  • Other boosterless short titanium suppressors: Shiv, Whisper Pickle, etc.
  • Reduced back pressure suppressors reduce blowback but aren’t perfect.
  • Holster options:
    • Phlster Floodlight
    • T-Rex Ragnarok SD
    • Crye Precision Gun Clip
    • Hush Holster
  • Concept: suppressed handgun is still “useless/novelty” practically, but might be more viable with modern designs.
  • Integral suppressor/host potential mentioned:
    • SilencerCo Maxim 9 (integrally suppressed version is tunable; non-suppressed roller delayed version may be kinder)
  • Future pistol design wishlist:
    • fixed barrel / gas delayed / roller delayed designed specifically for suppression
  • Final stance:
    • pistol suppressors last; rifles first; 300 BLK next; subgun maybe; rimfire most enjoyable.
  • Personal stance updated:
    • pistol suppressors were “very distant fifth,” now “normal fifth,” but still not preferred.

Speakers / Contributions

  • Primary speaker (“Hop”): Provides the technical explanations (booster mechanics, reliability, blowback), examples (Beretta 92, Glock, Ruger RXM, Pluto 9 vs Lunar 9), and the final recommendation.

  • Secondary voice / reactions: Brief interjection reacting to Beretta 92 blowback (“Oh god…”).

Original video