Rimfire guns and ammo are affordable; their suppressors should be, too.
Next Level Armament just released a new suppressor kit that allows owners to suppress .22 LR and .17 HMR firearms for less than the cost of a tax stamp.
Next Level Armament NLS 22 Varmint Specs & Features
Specs
- Cartridge Compatibility:
- Mount: 1/2-28 threads
- Length: 6”
- Diameter: 1.18”
- Weight: 3.2 oz
- MSRP: $149
Features
- Anodized aluminum mount and blast chamber
- Interchangeable carbon fiber baffle stacks
- Light enough that it doesn’t require a booster
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Rimfire cans aren’t new, but this kit’s price is pretty remarkable. How did Next Level Armament pull this off?
It’s an interesting concept that’s as much about out-of-the-box thinking as it is about engineering.
The heart of the NLS 22 Varmint kit is a serialized blast chamber made from aluminum.
Each 3D-printed carbon fiber baffle stack is an unserialized component, a la Sig Sauer P365 grip modules. That allows owners to replace the consumable baffle stacks as they collect carbon fouling and lead residue.
This system comes with three baffle stacks. When they all display heavy carbon buildup, owners can return the system to Next Level Armament. Technicians will clean the aluminum component (for a fee) and return it with three new baffle stacks.
Carbon fiber isn’t the most durable material you could build a suppressor out of, but it sure is light. As a result, the NLS 22 Varmint only weighs 3.2 ounces. Even a .22 LR pistol can cycle with this can attached, no booster required.
Next Level Armament lists an MSRP of $149 for the NLS 22 Varmint Suppressor Kit.
Everybody likes shooting suppressed .22 LR ammo, but nobody likes cleaning the suppressor afterward. Do you think this is the future of rimfire suppressors?
What do you think of the new Next Level Armament NLS 22 Varmint Suppressor Kit? Let us know below. For more great suppressors, check out our guide to the Best AR-15 Suppressors.
2 Leave a Reply
Novel and innovative approach, yes. The future of rimfire suppressors? I rather doubt it.
Cleaning a rimfire suppressor can be a pain, but I’m not sure consumable baffle stacks are appealing either. If the company goes under or one day stops supporting them, your rimfire suppressor suddenly has a limited lifespan. And when some really good 22 cans aren’t THAT much more (and heck, Silencer Central often throws in their V22K for just the cost of the tax stamp when buying one of their other Banish suppressors) I’m not sure it’s worth the tradeoff.
Still, it IS an intriguing setup. I almost wonder if NLS decided to take a bit of a gamble that suppressors would be (or soon will be) dropped from the NFA. In a post-NFA suppressor market, I think a system like this could lay the groundwork for something with a LOT of interesting potential. A serialized mount with changeable baffle stacks could be an interesting option for a “universal” suppressor set up, or let you “upgrade” your suppressor with any changes in baffle designs or materials as the industry shifts. And not needing to worry about running afoul of the NFA means users could safely 3D print their own replacement baffle stacks, so it wouldn’t matter as much if someday you can’t get replacement baffle stacks from the company.
Lots of great points there, Joe. We're in exciting times, for sure!