A suppressor, also known as a “silencer,” is a device attached to or integrated into the barrel of a firearm that reduces the amount of noise and visible muzzle flash generated by the gun when it is fired. Suppressors are not fully-auto-rated and cannot turn a semi-automatic rifle into an automatic rifle.
Relaxation of laws in many countries in recent years has increased in their popularity, particularly among recreational shooters, who use them to mitigate the noise signature of their firearms while shooting at outdoor ranges.
Many types of firearms including pistols, rifles, and shotguns can be fitted with a suppressor. In general, any firearm that uses high-pressure propellant gases to launch its projectile can be suppressed.
The most common type of suppressor is the “cone” or “reflex” design, in which a series of baffles are arranged in a cone-shaped internal chamber. Other designs include the “wipe” suppressor, in which a cloth or metal disk wipes the muzzle as the bullet passes, and the “integral” suppressor, in which the suppressor is built into the firearm itself.