5 Best 9mm & .45 ACP Suppressors [Tested]

Looking for a silent pew? You've come to the right place.

If you are willing to brave forms, fingerprints, 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.

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

Editor's Pick

Silencer Central Banish 45

$949

at Silencer Central

Prices accurate at time of writing

$949 at Silencer Central

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

Most Durable

Rugged Obsidian 45

$700

at Capitol Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$700 at Capitol Armory

Silencer Shop (see price)

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

Lowest First-Round Pop

CGS Mod-9

$585

at Capitol Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$585 at Capitol Armory

Silencershop (see price)

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

Lowest Axis

SilencerCo Osprey 45

$697

at Capitol Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$697 at Capitol Armory

Silencer Shop (see price)

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

Most Modular Suppressor

Dead Air Ghost 45M

$859

at Capitol Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$859 at Capitol Armory

Silencer Shop (see price)

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.

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.

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.