Suppose you have a Glock 19 threaded barrel and want to get the most out of the platform in terms of performance.
One of the more impactful muzzle devices you can add to the gun is a suppressor, also known informally as a silencer and extremely informally as a can.
But should you get one, and why? These are the sorts of questions we will take a look at in this post.
Suppressors Are NFA Items
Suppressors are subject to the regulations of the 1934 National Firearms Act, better known generically as the NFA.
As a result, suppressors are subject to much of the red tape that so-called “machine guns” and short-barrel rifles are. That is, you need to fill out paperwork, subject yourself to a background check, and pay for a tax stamp for each purchase.
Moreover, there are some states in which suppressors are outright banned, so be aware of all local laws and regulations before attempting to purchase or take possession of one.
They Add Mass and Size to the Gun’s Profile
One thing that’s interesting about suppressors is that they are actually (mostly) hollow inside. If you ever get a chance to look at a cutaway suppressor, you’ll see that the inside is full of baffles and vanes that redirect and trap the gasses expanding in the bore.
Still, they will add both weight and size to the platform, which, depending on how you see it can be either a positive or a negative.
Adding weight near the muzzle can help cut down on felt recoil (see below for more on this) but at the same time, all that extra footprint can make it impossible to carry your Glock concealed.
At the very least, your current holster almost definitely will not accept a suppressed Glock.
With a Suppressor, You Get the Best of Both Worlds
The cool thing about a suppressor is that it will make a gun a lot quieter, which is good not only for your hearing but for your range mates.
The really cool thing about a suppressor is that it will also cut back on felt recoil, and in a big way.
Compensators get most of the press for this, but the great thing about suppressors is that they also slash felt recoil, in some instances by 50% or more, depending on the design of the silencer and the cartridge you’re firing.
This gives suppressors the advantages of compensators and some extras. See, a compensator actually makes a gun louder. A suppressor makes it quieter and cuts felt recoil, so you can shoot longer and more confidently with less fatigue.
That reduction in felt recoil is accompanied by a reduction in muzzle flip, which means your sights stay on target so you can make faster, more accurate follow up shots.
And, since suppressors trap a good deal of gas at the muzzle, they can minimize or entirely eliminate muzzle flash, too, keeping your sight picture clear.
They’re Hard on the Gun and Produce a Lot of Fouling
In a recoil-operated gun like a Glock, a suppressor will not likely cause any problems. However, be aware that if you’re reading this and shoot a gas-operated gun (like an AR) the suppressor will increase the chamber pressures and will be very hard on the gas system, as well as on the gas rings of the bolt carrier group.
For you Glock shooters, a suppressor will still run very dirty. They trap a lot of fouling both inside the suppressor itself as well as in the bore and action, and will necessitate more frequent cleanings to preserve reliability.
They Will Not Completely Silence the Glock
Despite the fact that suppressors are commonly (and somewhat erroneously) called silencers, they do not completely silence the gun.
To be honest, silencers don’t even make a gun quiet enough to be comfortable, except in the most fringe cases revolving around the smallest calibers. For a middle-of-the-round handgun cartridge like the 9mm Luger in which the G19 is chambered, you can expect a modest reduction in muzzle volume.
It’ll still be loud when you pull the trigger. Just not as loud.
You Need to Know Your Thread Pattern
Lastly, and this is critical, you absolutely must know the thread pattern and pitch of both your Glock 19’s barrel and the suppressor you intend to buy. They are available in all different sorts of configurations and the time to find out that your barrel and suppressor are not compatible is definitely not after you just spent all that time and money dealing with the ATF’s red tape.
Here for a Glock 19 Threaded Barrel?
Looking to upgrade your G19 with a Glock 19 threaded barrel that will give you the flexibility to configure it with muzzle devices? Check out our collection via the previous link and let us know if you have any questions on compatibility or specifications before buying, we’d be happy to help.
