How Is Silencer Made? – In-Depth guideline in 2023

You guessed it right, you can make your very own silencer at home. It is completely legal to make your silencer at home provided that you are registered to have firearms and have a legal short-barreled rifle (SBR) or a short-barreled shotgun (SBS).

If you don’t know how to make a silencer at home, don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll tell you how a silencer is made. So, let’s just dive right into it.

What Is a Silencer?

A silencer is an external device that can be used at the end of a firearm to reduce the noise created by a gunshot. It does this by changing the speed and pressure of the gases released due to the gunshot. The gas escapes into chambers, which are separated like partitions.

And the silencer’s main purpose is solely to reduce the intensity of the sound, not eliminate the sound so that the gunman can sneak up to his opponents, and his position is not given away. Silencers are also known as suppressors, sound suppressors, or sound moderators.

Why Would You Make Your Silencer at Home?

Let’s learn why you may want to make the silencer at home.

Saves You a Lot of Money

You would save about the three fourth of the money you would have spent to purchase the commercially built ones when you make your silencer at home.

Can Personalize the Silencer

You also get to personalize and give your touch to the silencer. And you have choices between what materials to use, dimensions, designs, etc.

It’s just something people who are passionate about their firearms enjoy very much. And it helps them understand the engineering behind their beloved firearm.

Legal Requirements

Before you even think of building your silencer, let alone attempt to do it, you must know if you are legally eligible to do so. For this, you have to check the local, national, and federal laws in your country at first.
Then you have to be approved by the BATFE Form 1. If you are not, you could end up charged for illegal use of weaponry, and that’s not something you would want on your records.

Something to Keep in Mind


During the process, it is best if you keep your expectations and designs that can match your reality and prevent yourself from buying something that goes over your budget, and it is not entirely necessary for the project.

Another thing you have to keep in mind is the weight of the silencer. Just to make it strong and effective, you just can’t buy heavy metal materials. The same argument goes for the length of the silencer.

You don’t want a silencer that is too long for your firearm. Just make the designs easy and realistic so that you have a decent silencer to yourself.

Related Guide: 5.56 suppressor buying guide.

Basic Tools You Will Need

The basic tools that you need to have if you ever attempt to build your silencer are listed below:

  • Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Hacksaw
  • Files
  • Heavy-duty vice
  • Sandpaper
  • Cutting oil

Materials to Choose from

Now that you have your tools and designs, it’s time to pick out the correct material for your baffle. There are many different types of materials to choose from, and some of which are described below.

Aluminum

This metal is used when it comes to rimfire builds and some pistols with caution as it is very light and easy to manage.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is known to be very strong but heavy, so because of this weight constraint, it is usually used at the end of the long rifle barrels.

Titanium

Titanium is one of the best choices for building a suppressor because it is as lightweight as aluminum, and it has the strength of stainless steel. But it is quite expensive, and that’s the only downside.

Carbon Fiber and Plastic Build

These materials are used quite recently, and not a lot is known about its pros and cons. Now the question comes basing on what should you choose your material? To choose the best material, you have to keep in mind if it has the proper thickness and machining possibility.

This silencer needs to last for a long time, so of course, you have to think about durability. And lastly, it mainly depends on the kind of firearm you have. Considering all of this, you have to make a calculated decision.

How to Make a Silencer?

How to Make a Silencer

Below is a simple guide on how to make a silencer for your firearm:

  • Step 1: Measure the diameter of the gun’s barrel.
  • Step 2: Measure the length of the barrel.
  • Step 3: Purchase 2 metal pipes, one piece of 1 inch, and one piece of 2 inches of diameter.
  • Step 4: Cut the second pipe (2 inches) into a length of inches.
  • Step 5: Cut the other pipe into a length of 12 inches.
  • Step 6: Draw two lines of drill holes on the pipes at 90 degrees to each other.
  • Step 7: Drill the holes with the 0.5 cm drill bit.
  • Step 8: Use the sandpaper to sand the inside and the outside of the suppressor barrel of both the pipes.
  • Step 9: Make the end caps with a piece of wood. The end caps have to be 1 cm bigger than the diameter of the bigger pipe.
  • Step 10: Slide the smaller pipe into the bigger pipe.
  • Step 11: You have to fill the gap between the pipes with cotton balls, or mattress foam.
  • Step 12: Attach the end cap at the two ends of the silencer barrel with crazy glue or caulking.
  • Step 13: Finally, attach the silencer at the end of the gun.

Conclusion

Making a silencer is both difficult and easy. The steps are easy to follow; however, it requires accuracy and precision.

If you have that, then you are good to go. As we have mentioned, you have to be very sure if it is legal to make your silencer. If you are, then, taking this article as a guide, you can easily make your silencer in no time.