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I don’t wanna be the bad dog in this discussion, but in places where suppressors are widely available, the going rate is about 400 bucks, South Africa, New Zealand, etc.
What makes a suppressor in the US worth 1000 bucks

In those countries, can you buy a used suppressor from a friend with no government paperwork involved?
 
I don’t wanna be the bad dog in this discussion, but in places where suppressors are widely available, the going rate is about 400 bucks, South Africa, New Zealand, etc.
What makes a suppressor in the US worth 1000 bucks
Here you have to go through a whole process to get one and historically it's been pretty onerous with a long wait. It's gotten better, but because of that people typically didn't own a bunch of them. I think the thought was make them so they will last forever so you only need one or two. It's changed a bit, but that's the gist.

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They’re expensive because you can’t sell them second hand easily. Which means you have to buy them through limited number of suppliers. Which means they can charge more.


The price of suppressors would be cut in half instantly if you can buy one from the classifieds here and it’s shipped to you for 7.00 in a usps box.
 
I don’t wanna be the bad dog in this discussion, but in places where suppressors are widely available, the going rate is about 400 bucks, South Africa, New Zealand, etc.
What makes a suppressor in the US worth 1000 bucks
I would say 2 things. Regulation and design. They are a regulated item in this country so there are costs passed upon to the customer due to that regulation. Due to the regulations, they are basically a lifetime purchase and therefore designed and or made differently for lifetime use. Many of the suppressors in other countries where they can be purchased OTC are made of less robust designs and materials and are considered disposable.

Jay
 
They’re expensive because you can’t sell them second hand easily. Which means you have to buy them through limited number of suppliers. Which means they can charge more.


The price of suppressors would be cut in half instantly if you can buy one from the classifieds here and it’s shipped to you for 7.00 in a usps box.
The Hearing Protection Act has been reintroduced for 2025, so let's hope this administration pushes it through! You would still have to go through an FFL for a NICS approval but man that would be so much nicer.
 
I don’t wanna be the bad dog in this discussion, but in places where suppressors are widely available, the going rate is about 400 bucks, South Africa, New Zealand, etc.
What makes a suppressor in the US worth 1000 bucks
Not to oversimplify it, but the answer is in your first sentence. The going rate...
How do we get there? People are willing to pay it.

It is a piece of pipe with some washers inside. The way companies price things like suppressors is by asking- What's the most someone would pay?
 
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It is a piece of pipe with some washers inside. The way companies price things like suppressors is by asking- What's the most someone would pay?


That’s part of it. It’s also because of how they are regulated, people demand lifetime, almost full auto rated cans. A full aluminum can, can be very lightweight, sound good, and cost $150- but it will only last the life of a barrel. While legitimately that would last 99% of hunters their entire lives worth of shooting, they won’t accept that. So, overbuilt cans, Ti, more invited designing and machining, etc. That all adds up.
 
If suppressors were like buying normal things, people would 100% treat them as consumable items to just replace when rebarreling.
 
If suppressors were like buying normal things, people would 100% treat them as consumable items to just replace when rebarreling.

Rifle barrels aren’t consumable items for 99% of shooters and hunters.


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In those countries, can you buy a used suppressor from a friend with no government paperwork involved?
In New Zealand, yes.

And high-end titanium suppressors are available. Price is about NZ$1000-$1200 - about US$565-675 currently. (And NZ has a very, very small consumer base and small manufacturing sector.)

Over the counter, no waiting, no paperwork, no registration. Almost everyone I know has a suppressor on every rifle. To not use one is considered somewhat uncultured.
 
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