Looking for a silent pew? You’ve come to the right place.
If you are willing to brave forms, fingerprints, $200, and a wait time best described as horrid – then you can access some of the coolest toys around!
The National Firearms Act (NFA) makes freedom tough to enjoy, so you want to make sure you’re spending that money and time on a tool that is truly quality.
Suppressing the good ole 9mm AND .45 ACP is easy, and there are plenty of options out there. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know the best suppressor for your handgun, PCC, or sub-gun.
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick
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Most Durable
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Lowest First-Round Pop
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Lowest Axis
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Most Modular Suppressor
Table of Contents
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How We Tested the Best 9mm & .45 ACP Suppressors
The Pew Pew Tactical team is making up for lost time growing up in a suppressor-free state by shooting all the cans available, and by working with top vendors like Capitol Armory, Silencer Central, & Silencer Shop to find the most effective suppressors and best deals.
We also try to be as scientific as possible. So we snagged a Larson Davis SoundTrack LxT-QPR sound level reader that’s rated for the sharp pops of gunfire.
We used a Sig Sauer M18 as the basis for 9mm testing. As well as Sellier & Bellot subsonic ammo. Here’s the baseline with supersonic:
And now subsonic, which we used for the rest of the tests. Only around 3dB difference but that’s a lot in terms of pressure. Notice the absence of a supersonic crack when you go subsonic.
For .45 ACP we used a Nighthawk 1911 with 230-grain ball ammo that’s naturally subsonic.
In the end, we choose our favorite 9mm and .45 ACP cans based on a couple of factors: sound suppression, weight, size, available attachments, and overall value.
Best 9mm and .45 ACP Suppressors
1. Editor’s Pick – Silencer Central Banish 45
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Easy purchasing process
- Feels large on rimfire and compact pistols
- Feels large on rimfire and compact pistols
Cons
- Feels large on rimfire and compact pistols
Specs
- Decibel Rating: 36 dB
- Caliber Rating: Rimfire to .45 ACP
- Weight: 9.6 oz – 11 oz
- Diameter: 1.375″
- Length: 6.7″ – 8.6″
- Material: Titanium and aluminum
- Mount: Direct-thread
Looking for a suppressor that will handle rimfire through .45 ACP?
Silencer Central’s Banish 45 might be the perfect solution if you want to suppress a couple of handguns without dropping loads of cash on multiple tax stamps and silencers.
Did I mention this titanium suppressor is super lightweight, easy to clean, and modular? You can unscrew the last two inches for something even more compact which is a nice perk when you’re using it on a pistol.
Plus, you get to utilize Silencer Central’s easy setup, where they send you things like fingerprint cards so you never have to step foot in an FFL.
They’ll even thread your barrel for $99, along with a free NFA gun trust, EZ-Pay layaway, and direct shipping to your door once it’s all done.
Enough about that…here is the Banish 45 in action on the 9mm M18 with its short configuration:
And now, in its even more quiet long configuration:
Check out our full review and video right here.
And now…it’s been featured in our review of the Kalashnikov KP-9 (a 9mm AK). We ran around 3,000 rounds through the suppressor without cleaning on the KP-9 and other 9mm in one week.
What’s your take on the Banish 45? Rate it below!
2. Most Durable – Rugged Obsidian 45
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Durable
- Modular
- Caliber-specific endcaps
Cons
- Steel has a lower strength-to-weight ratio than titanium
Specs
- Decibel Rating: 129.3 dB (.45 ACP), 123.7 dB (9mm)
- Caliber Rating: .45 ACP (pistol), .300 BLK, .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster (rifle)
- Weight: 10.7 oz – 12.8 oz
- Diameter: 1.37″
- Length: 6.8″ – 8.6″
- Material: Stainless steel and aluminum
Want a super durable steel suppressor that can take anything a handgun can throw at it? Check out the Rugged Obsidian 45.
Like the Banish 45, you can unscrew the top cap to make it shorter. Even in the short mode, it still sounds pretty good.
And since pistols are dirtier, it’s nice that you can take it apart to clean it.
It also takes SilencerCo Alpha mounts, so it’s super modular. There are caliber-specific endcaps too, but we have found negligible effects of having the correct one if you’re sizing down.
See it in action with its 9mm version that has a pronounced pop on the first shot:
And .45 ACP version:
3. Lowest First-Round Pop – CGS Mod-9
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Compatible with calibers up to subsonic .300 BLK
- Well-balanced
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the most durable
Specs
- Caliber Rating: Up to subsonic .300 BLK
- Weight: 10 oz
- Diameter: 1.37″
- Length: 7.7″
- Material: Stainless steel and aluminum
The CGS Mod-9 has an initial steel booster and one steel baffle. The rest is aluminum.
You won’t be going full-auto for long periods of time, but it will take anything a regular handgun can dish out. We recommend pausing a little after each box of ammo to let it cool down.
However, that steel in the back gives it a great balance on most handguns and the extra weight in the back helps mitigate the more pronounced *cachunks* (first-round pop) of shooting with suppressors.
Another cool thing? It’s good for rimfire rounds and breaks down for easy cleaning.
Want to go shorter? Check out the super compact CGS Mod-9 SK model.
4. Lowest Axis – SilencerCo Osprey 45
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Suppressor-height sights not required
- Quiet for its size
- Slim profile
Cons
- Cannot be disassembled for cleaning
Specs
- Decibel Rating: 128.6 dB (.45 ACP), 125.2 dB (9mm)
- Caliber Rating: 9mm to .45 ACP (pistol), subsonic .300 BLK (rifle)
- Weight: 11.1 oz
- Diameter: 1.3″ x 1.75″
- Length: 8.06″
- Material: Stainless steel and aluminum
- Mount: Direct-thread
No pistol suppressor list is complete without the SilencerCo Osprey series.
Today we have the Osprey 45 with its iconic rectangular shape, which keeps it under the front sights. Forget about switching to suppressor-height irons or installing a red dot.
It is a sealed can that will likely outlast your guns but, because you can’t crack it open to clean it, don’t shoot rimfire through it since rimfire ammo is notoriously dirty.
For its size, it’s also very quiet.
See how cool it is in real life:
Check out the other Osprey models, such as the Osprey 9, 9K, and 45K.
5. Most Modular – Dead Air Ghost 45M
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Works with .22 LR to subsonic .300 BLK
- Modular
- Includes three-lug adapters
Cons
- Can be opened but not fully disassembled for cleaning
Specs
- Caliber Rating: .22 LR to subsonic .300 BLK
- Weight: 9.6 oz – 12 oz
- Diameter: 1.375″
- Length: 6.2″ – 8.75″
- Material: Stainless steel and aluminum
- Mount: Direct-thread, three-lug adapter
We love the Dead Air Ghost 45M for its modularity. You can remove the last few baffles to reduce its length and open it up for cleaning.
The last few baffle stacks are aluminum to reduce front weight. All the more abused parts are in the beginning, so you’re still good to go for full-auto shooting.
Plus, there are 3-lug adapters for your favorite MP5 clone.
Here it is in action:
Should You Go Multi-Cal?
The NFA (National Firearms Act) adds hurdles to jump through before you can own your suppressor and adds a $200 tax stamp (which thankfully hasn’t changed since it started) to your bill.
Plus, it takes many months to actually process.
If you were thinking of a dedicated 9mm suppressor…you might want to think again.
You don’t want to hinder your future suppressing options because you only shoot 9mm right now. With a multi-caliber suppressor, you’ll be able to shoot tiny rimfire all the way up to .45 ACP. Some will even handle subsonic .300 BLK rounds.
And if you’re thinking of applying for an NFA tax stamp without a gun trust, don’t. Definitely go with one.
We use Capitol Armory’s $79 option that’s super easy and done from the comfort of your own couch, and it will make your life a lot simpler down the road when you want to add suppressors to your collection (which you will) or let friends or family use them.
Hearing Safe
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the threshold for hearing safe is 140 decibels, meaning anything higher than that can damage your hearing.
An unsuppressed .22 LR measures about 145 decibels while a “normal gunshot” (their words, not ours) comes in around 165 to 170 decibels.
On the other hand, most suppressors top out around 130 to 140 decibels, just below that hearing-safe threshold. Better yet, suppressed .22 LR checks in at around 115 decibels.
Why am I telling you all this?
Because a silencer doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also wear hearing protection. It just means that you might not need the heavy-duty pair you usually tote to the range.
We’re also including manufacturer specs for decibel ratings. The real-world numbers will vary on your gun and ammo…but it gives you a good idea of what’s hearing safe.
FAQs
Can you use one silencer for different calibers?
You can shoot 9mm through a .45 ACP suppressor, but not the other way around. Each suppressor's manufacturer will list which cartridges are safe to shoot through it.
What caliber is the quietest with a suppressor?
The quieter a round is on its own, the more effective a suppressor will be. It's hard to beat the hushed "click" of subsonic .22 LR through a suppressor!
Do you have to use subsonic ammo with a suppressor?
No, but you should if you want to get the lowest sound signature possible. Subsonic ammunition doesn't break the sound barrier so all the suppressor has to mitigate is the sound of the explosion.
Final Thoughts
Suppressors are just fun. I fired my first suppressed pistol at SHOT many years ago and was hooked. I loved how the gun felt, how comfortable and quiet it was, and just how effective they are.
Suppressors will never be as quiet as movies make them out to be, but the reduction in noise, flash, and concussion makes shooting way more comfortable. Reduced recoil and muzzle rise are also nice.
Got a favorite? Let us know in the comments! Ready to buy? Check out the Best Places to Buy Suppressors. Also, make sure to check out our latest reviews on the Silencer Central Banish 30 and Banish 45.
Latest Updates
May 20, 2024: Added supplemental data to each product, added FAQ, and edited for clarity.
19 Leave a Reply
It would be nice to hear what subsonic ammo sounds like through these suppressors. I heard a video using a 5.56mm and the guy was talking while shooting so you could definitely hear how quiet it was.
We're working on some updates in the future and will probably include video clips for that. Thanks for the suggestion!
No, typical .45 barrel threading is literally .578x28. 5/8x24 is often .308
I will never buy a Banish suppressor. Not because they suck, or anything. They’re probably pretty good. I won’t buy them simply because they’re pushed so hard by you and Silencer Central. It’s completely obvious, that pewpewtactical is bought and paid for. Banish would not even place in the real-world top ten, anything. There are simply much better offerings, that deserve the true editors pick. Stop being so bias for a buck
I have a Banish 45 on my B&T GHM9 Compact running 147gr subsonic and I am surprised its still louder than my Q Sugar Weasel with YHM R2 with 205gr subsonic. The only logical reason I can think of is the internal volume of the suppressors. Is there any large volume 9mm suppressors?
Dead air wolf man.
Actually bought the B&T RBS SQD the matching suppressor for the GHM9, and then moved the Banish 45 to my Flux Raider.
Need a muffler for a Glock 21 .45acp w/.578 by 28 threads and have looked EVERYWHERE!?
Don’t you mean 5/8x28??????
Thunderbeast Fly45. Love it on mine. Maybe pricey but it's sweet.
The updates done supposedly for 2022 are not pertinent at all…these models are huge and bulky and outdated by 5+ years. Please update for real or kick back the date so people don’t click and waste their time!
There are quite a few grammatical, spelling errors, and then some ‘wtf was that supposed to say?’, moments as well in this article. Is there an editor (they’d have to be a really shitty editor if there is) or are you looking for one?
Because I enjoy reading (or trying to...) your articles and would love to help you present a much more clear, concise, comprehendible, and therefore more helpful product as well as presenting your organization and yourself as a much more professional and trustworthy source to your readers, colleagues, and critics.
Thanks for the feedback! We're working on updating older articles as we speak to bring them up to speed on current PPT standards. So, just hold tight. Thanks!
Is there a single recommended can that would work well with 9mm glock, sig MPX, and ar 15-22?
Pretty much any 9mm can that you can take apart to clean will be fine on a .22. If it has a modular mount, you can use a booster for 9mm pistols and rim fire, and a fixed mount on rim fire or 9mm PCC
What do you think of the XCaliber SeaFire Diamond 45ACP from The Silencer Store? Am looking for quality suppressor that won't break the bank. I am planning to add a 1/2X28 piston to it so I can also use it on my 9mm Springfield XDM with raised sights for home defense. What say you?
The CGS Kraken (called the mod 9 now) is one of the best 9mm fullsize handgun cans and it might be the quietest too.
It’s definitely louder than a rugged obsidian 9. In my testing the rugged obsidian 9 is the quietest.
It should be noted that Dead Air only makes limited runs of the Wolf since they replaced it with the Wolfman which is very similar to the Omega 9K in size but has the benefit of the extra removable baffles.