Suppressor costs, talk to me

[2tuna]

Very interesting replies. Thanks

I can understand the benefits (and costs) of Ti 3d printing - particularly with the improved geometries that are possible with enhanced baffling, etc - but aren't many suppressors still machined? CNC is pretty cost effective. For a hunting rifle with a relatively slow rate of fire, it seems like there could be lower price options.

But as many have said, the regulatory/insurance costs may be prohibitive

 

[Bluefish]

What? Cans are not being printed in 12 min with the machines I’ve seen. Not even close.

A guess based on what I could find for machine specs. So adjust based on the time you know. I would still think a printer is $2-$3 per min shop rate. It would only make it more expensive.

I know from doing printing on vipers (sla), and dlp machines, the dlp machines are significantly faster due to how they expose the material. Also doing a full base plate vs a single can will be different.

 

[Chris in TN]

Is there a compelling reason you couldn't just use titanium tubing bought in a preformed condition?

Buy tube, thread both ends, drop some 3d printed baffles in - and maybe they don't even have to be made of Ti. Maybe the first 2 are Ti, then the rest are steel, to balance weight against cost. Screw on end cap. Done.

I mean I get that there are advantages to full 3d printed designs but a hybrid, partially Ti can that was under 10 ounces and under, say, $500, would get a lot of traction, IMO.

Am I wrong? Am I way off on the cost of sufficiently strong tubing?

 

[Choupique]

Am I way off on the cost

The cost to build it in a manner that it was durable enough would probably drive the sell price well above $500

AB (aerocharger) makes turbine parts via printing. Im sure whatever they are doing is about as well as it can be done from a cost / durability / performance perspective. Its not difficult to make a rifle less noisy but to do it cheaply and reliably and light weight is pretty tough.

 

[liv3mind]

You can build for less than 80$ if you remove the stamp. Many are getting 600-1000 rounds or more out of 3d printed cores encased in aluminum/carbon tubing, and this is from 556 and 308, not 22lr.

 

[Formidilosus]

A guess based on what I could find for machine specs. So adjust based on the time you know. I would still think a printer is $2-$3 per min shop rate. It would only make it more expensive.

I know from doing printing on vipers (sla), and dlp machines, the dlp machines are significantly faster due to how they expose the material. Also doing a full base plate vs a single can will be different.

Yes, I was just getting that at least the ones I know of aren’t $150 real cost.

 

[Formidilosus]

Is there a compelling reason you couldn't just use titanium tubing bought in a preformed condition?

Buy tube, thread both ends, drop some 3d printed baffles in - and maybe they don't even have to be made of Ti. Maybe the first 2 are Ti, then the rest are steel, to balance weight against cost. Screw on end cap. Done.

I mean I get that there are advantages to full 3d printed designs but a hybrid, partially Ti can that was under 10 ounces and under, say, $500, would get a lot of traction, IMO.

Am I wrong? Am I way off on the cost of sufficiently strong tubing?

There are cans made like that. There should be aluminum cans that are good for several thousand rounds that are sub $300 if it weren’t for the NFA. But, printed Ti reliable, durable, and safe cans are not going to be $300.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Allrighty, as a gap-tooth, slack-jawed recent convert to the esoteric arts of precision shooting, I have questions.

Why are suppressors so expensive?

I understand they're carefully machined, and sometimes made from titanium or other hard-to-work materials, but aren't they essentially static baffles?

I have a pretty good collection of high end big game fishing tackle: Stellas, Makairas, Penn Torques, etc - and these reels with their multitude of beautifully machined parts, abec bearings, sculpted forms, complicated mechanics, waterproof seals, and drags that will wear down 300 pound yellowfin are substantially cheaper.

They're more than my mid-tier scopes. Even some of my bows.

Is it just an economy of scale/prudiction issue? Has the hunting market for cans not yet settled in, with dominant mfrs came to the fore?

It's obvious I'm missing something. Please educate me.

Not that it matters. I live in Kali. Sigh...

Good question. In Windhoek, Namibia they're $300-$350. Walk in a shop and walk out with one. Was with my PH when he bought two of them. Thought about buying one and puting it in my wifes luggage to see if it'd make it through our customs.

 

[dreadi]

$13,000 annually is the minimum for insurance a firearm mfg has to pay in the US. It makes the licensing fees appear minuscule. A larger operation is going to have more insurance cost. The cost of materials, tools, employees, benefits, overhead, marketing, advertising, all that is taken into account plus profit, and everyone in the chain except the consumer needs to make a profit to stay in business, then boom,...your Thunderbeast Magnus is $1500