I'm new to the suppressor world so please forgive the newbe question. I'm wondering if suppressor covers do anything other than help contain the heat waves and give a better scope picture? Do they help with the sound signature at all? I'm primarily a hunter so don't fire long strings of fire and just trying to decide if I really need a cover.
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Suppressors Are suppressor covers really needed?
- Thread starter SWWI Shooter
- Start date
I do not believe that they do anything to further attenuate the sound signature. They do work very well to eliminate the scope mirage caused by the suppressor.
No, but they help reduce mirage and burnt hands 
I’ve never heard of them helping with sound reduction but they definitely help with mirage. That being said, I hunt without one all the time.
In a hunting situation, a fabric cover may prevent you from making unwanted noise, in the event that you bang that 1-2lb weight hanging off the front of your rifle on something unintended. Other than that, no, though I am told that the right cover can make you 43% cooler.
1-3 shots, then letting it cool... nope.
They’re absolutely necessary in long shot strings on a hot day, esp with hardly any wind.
They’re absolutely necessary in long shot strings on a hot day, esp with hardly any wind.
Thanks for all of the feedback. I can see the point of making it quieter while hunting. Banging a can against an aluminum stand could notify the whole county that you're there 
Heading to the range later today for my first session with the can so I'm guessing that will answer my question as to the heat. I thought that padding it might make it sound a bit different (deaden the noise/ harmonics) but based on the response here, that isn't the case. Thanks again.
Heading to the range later today for my first session with the can so I'm guessing that will answer my question as to the heat. I thought that padding it might make it sound a bit different (deaden the noise/ harmonics) but based on the response here, that isn't the case. Thanks again.
I’ve been planning to get covers for all my hog hunting suppressors for a while. After a couple shots my suppressors glow brightly, partially hiding the useable picture through my thermal.
Wait, so these bolt guns we build do more than look cool?
In all seriousness, I'd have one on there if I dealt with the money and time in nfa dungeon if only becuase they look fucking sick. Also I like not being burned
In all seriousness, I'd have one on there if I dealt with the money and time in nfa dungeon if only becuase they look fucking sick. Also I like not being burned
For mutliple shots they are handy to reduce heat inversion, thus causing a mirage effect for follow up shots. Most folks don't really need it, but hey, it looks cool...
If you are shooting more than a few shots, you need it. Don’t kid yourself about that. If you think looking through intense mirage that keeps you from focusing on 100 yard targets is cool, then you don’t need one. If you are hunting and only expect to make one or two shots, then you don’t need it. For everything else, get one.
When I first got my can, I thought that I didn’t need to look cool and didn’t have one. After my first range session, I quickly ordered one before my next match.
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You absolutely need it if you take more than 3 shots at a time,
Suppressors get super hot, over 300 degrees if you shoot a longer string of fire. They are a giant heat sink right in front of our scopes, and all that mirage is magnified by the optic how many X You have it set for...
We even see issues with Carbon Fiber barrels causing mirage in front of the scope and then people want to go online and bitch their carbon fiber barrel is walking, which it is not, it's the damn mirage.
We have 25x scopes and you want to put heavy mirage 2ft in front of the optic, are you seriously thinking there is no ill effect?
And people wonder why they shoot like shit,
If an F Class shooter will put a mirage band over their barrel because they run 55x scopes, which might get to about 150 degrees after 20 shots, what do you think a 300-degree object will do?
Common sense is lacking in 2020
Suppressors get super hot, over 300 degrees if you shoot a longer string of fire. They are a giant heat sink right in front of our scopes, and all that mirage is magnified by the optic how many X You have it set for...
We even see issues with Carbon Fiber barrels causing mirage in front of the scope and then people want to go online and bitch their carbon fiber barrel is walking, which it is not, it's the damn mirage.
We have 25x scopes and you want to put heavy mirage 2ft in front of the optic, are you seriously thinking there is no ill effect?
And people wonder why they shoot like shit,
If an F Class shooter will put a mirage band over their barrel because they run 55x scopes, which might get to about 150 degrees after 20 shots, what do you think a 300-degree object will do?
Common sense is lacking in 2020
If you've got thousands invested in your rig, and you're sending $1~ rounds down range with each trigger pull, why wouldn't you want one to maximize every opportunity? There are plenty of options out there that are cheaper than a Harris or sling, and they work.
I have found that both extremes, hot and cold, create mirage. You're going to see both in a hunting environment, and the last thing you want is for that to happen when you're gazing a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I have found that both extremes, hot and cold, create mirage. You're going to see both in a hunting environment, and the last thing you want is for that to happen when you're gazing a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Having a suppressor cover has nothing to do with being "cool". Nothing cool about putting more weight on the front end of your gun.
If someone think that they can just wait for a few minutes for their can to cool down enough, at an indoor range, before they can put their rifle back in the bag without burning it, then good luck waiting for a while.
Frank has spoken regard to mirage mitigation.
Pretty sure this case is closed.
If someone think that they can just wait for a few minutes for their can to cool down enough, at an indoor range, before they can put their rifle back in the bag without burning it, then good luck waiting for a while.
Frank has spoken regard to mirage mitigation.
Pretty sure this case is closed.
I use one at the range but not while hunting. I also don’t sight in hunting rifles with one on for the slight chance it could change the poi. I’m sure that’s a non issue especially at shorter ranges but I don’t risk it.
My burn proof gear heavy cover for my 6.5 Grendel hunt build is supposed to be here tomorrow. Deer hunting, not really needed. LR coyote hunting, definitely.
Yes. But remember to remove it between stages to allow the suppressor to cool as the cover works both ways. Just like a thermos.
Also, keep an eye on it as I've shot mine off more than once.
Usually after many rounds and it stared 'walking' off the suppressor before I noticed it. Kinda embarrassing when you call a cease fire on the line only to go ten feet to get your cover.
Usually after many rounds and it stared 'walking' off the suppressor before I noticed it. Kinda embarrassing when you call a cease fire on the line only to go ten feet to get your cover.
I shoot my .260 with the suppressor on at all times. The suppressor cover also. I have yet to see the need to remove it between shooting stages, strings or sessions and see no ill affect on target. Mine also doesn’t walk off. Applied correctly and snugly it doesn’t move, ever. Maybe that is just because I don’t move it back and forth nor remove it between strings.
Depends on what you’re doing. I burned my tricep after shooting 10rds through my 5.56 SBR that’s suppressed after slinging my rifle muzzle up. I was climbing over obstacles as part of a competition and the suppressor touched my tricep. Did not feel good.
Hunting, where a shot or two is most likely...not needed in my opinion. For mirage mitigation, yes it’s very important to have one.
Hunting, where a shot or two is most likely...not needed in my opinion. For mirage mitigation, yes it’s very important to have one.
I just pee on the suppressor after 5 shots. Adds flavor to the air as well.
I like my Bowers Griptastic too. Cheap, effective, no issues puttting it on, or taking it off.
Cuts the mirage down to about nil. No metling issues, even with high volume fire.
Gets pretty hot, but you can take the can off after you're done firing, if you have a glove on. You need a glove to open up the lock ring if nothing else.
Cuts the mirage down to about nil. No metling issues, even with high volume fire.
Gets pretty hot, but you can take the can off after you're done firing, if you have a glove on. You need a glove to open up the lock ring if nothing else.
worth it for safety sake to prevent an accidental grab, though it gets quite hot to the touch even with a cover and helpful for mirage reduction as others mentioned. Most covers are no good for mag dumps though if on a semi as they will still heat up really bad and may melt the cover. Know what your cover is rated for so it doesnt happen, on a bolt gun you should be ok unless you mad minute that bad boy.
Great Question, Great Replies. Another FNG learned something today.
Trash Panda (don't judge) still in jail, and already ordered the cover, well because others seems to have it. Monkey see, monkey do.
learned something today. Trash Panda (don't judge) still in jail, and already ordered the cover, well because others seems to have it. Monkey see, monkey do.
That's good to hear because I am waiting on an integrally suppressed barrel for my .22 and would hate to try to find that long of a cover.
I use the Cole-TAC HTP Suppressor Cover ... the combination of the inner heat sleeve and super-tight outer straps makes it easy to mount, easy to remove, and it stays in place way better than the "string-pull" covers (which never worked for me and pretty much always fall off the can). Highly recommended for mirage-avoidance and easy handling.
I know this thread is old but maybe this will help others…
I make mine out of silicone pads too. Cheap on Amazon. To hold them in place, I cut a bicycle inner tube and make heavy-duty rubber bands. Then I wrap that with cordrua (also cheap on Amazon) and hold that on with the inter tube bands. And if I’m feeling fancy, I spray paint them. And sometimes the gun too!
I make mine out of silicone pads too. Cheap on Amazon. To hold them in place, I cut a bicycle inner tube and make heavy-duty rubber bands. Then I wrap that with cordrua (also cheap on Amazon) and hold that on with the inter tube bands. And if I’m feeling fancy, I spray paint them. And sometimes the gun too!
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I’ve put a couple hundred rounds through mine on both my 6.5CM and 6.8 SBR. The pad shows no sign of wear. The rubber bands do start to break down due to the heat, but they are cheap and easily replaced.
Do they help with sound mitigation, no. But on my ARs...yes they help. Ive still got a couple of pants with burn marks by the knee 
My Nomad-LT always wears its cover, because, like was mentioned, it helps mitigate mirage, burning the shit out of your hands, burning up anything the can leans against or touches, shit melting to your can and then cooling and being permanently stuck to it, and even when it's warm you can still remove the suppressor and sit it on the bench to cool because the cover will keep the bench from melting.
Also, most .22's don't have enough powder to generate the heat a centerfire rifle does. I have gotten my Dead Air Mask HD pretty warm on my 5" Kimber with the .22LR conversion. That short of a barrel and rapid-firing about 40-50 rounds, there is a lot more heat than with a 16"+ rifle barrel. I have never gotten my can hot on my 10/22 or my CA Ranger 22 (bolt-action) with subsonic, and shooting fairly long strings. The can is typically barely above room temp, maybe ever-so-slightly on the warmer side, but you can still handle it, remove it, lay it on the bench, and it's more than cool enough to be safe. So, no, I don't use a cover for my .22 suppressor.
I saw some moron on IG earlier with a sub-comp Glock and he had a can on it, with a cover, and the whole thing was about 3x bigger diameter than his sight-picture... It was literally point and shoot, no chance of aiming at all. You really just can't fix stupid.
Also, most .22's don't have enough powder to generate the heat a centerfire rifle does. I have gotten my Dead Air Mask HD pretty warm on my 5" Kimber with the .22LR conversion. That short of a barrel and rapid-firing about 40-50 rounds, there is a lot more heat than with a 16"+ rifle barrel. I have never gotten my can hot on my 10/22 or my CA Ranger 22 (bolt-action) with subsonic, and shooting fairly long strings. The can is typically barely above room temp, maybe ever-so-slightly on the warmer side, but you can still handle it, remove it, lay it on the bench, and it's more than cool enough to be safe. So, no, I don't use a cover for my .22 suppressor.
I saw some moron on IG earlier with a sub-comp Glock and he had a can on it, with a cover, and the whole thing was about 3x bigger diameter than his sight-picture... It was literally point and shoot, no chance of aiming at all. You really just can't fix stupid.
I use the silicone covers from bowers. Way nicer than dealing with fabric. Cheaper and much longer lasting than most anything else. You can't get them too hot.
It gets taken off hunting, because it's a few ounces I don't need to take 1-2 shots.
It gets taken off hunting, because it's a few ounces I don't need to take 1-2 shots.
Since we are talking about DIY redneck suppressor covers I thought I would share mine.
Silicone dish drying mat from Amazon for $10. I can make two out of it.
An old camo shirt glued to the back. I need to find a different glue this one doesn't seem to hold well.
Six inch Velcro straps, 12 for $10 at Amazon. Four inch would have been a little better.
Silicone dish drying mat from Amazon for $10. I can make two out of it.
An old camo shirt glued to the back. I need to find a different glue this one doesn't seem to hold well.
Six inch Velcro straps, 12 for $10 at Amazon. Four inch would have been a little better.
