| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
Suppressors are most effective when the bullet's velocity does not exceed the speed of sound. A bullet that breaks the sound barrier creates loud flight noise, or a "sonic boom". As velocity increases further beyond the speed of sound, flight noise does not increase significantly. Supersonic flight noise may be reduced somewhat by using a projectile of smaller caliber.
Supressors should not be confused with silencers. While a supressor lowers the sound output, a silencer removes it completely. Practically, it is impossible to build a true silencer, as it would have to be so long that it could slow the bullet down, reducing damage, or even change the course of the bullet. However, when you combine a supressor with subsonic ammunition, the firearm becomes almost totally silent.
Early suppressors were created around the beginning of the 20th century by a number of inventors. American inventor Hiram P. Maxim is credited with inventing and selling the first commercially successful models.
Legal regulation of supressors varies widely around the world. In some nations, such as England or Finland, they are practically unregulated and may be bought "over the counter" in retail stores. Other nations, such as Canada, practically forbid their private citizens from owning silencers, while yet others, such as the USA, tax and regulate their manufacture and sale to varying degrees.