In the past, silencers on handguns were mostly seen in the movies and considered a “special” piece of equipment. But today, they have become a common accessory, not just on rifles, but handguns as well. The only issue with a silencer on a handgun however is that it becomes less “convenient” when it comes to carrying and concealing.
Of course, in the movies, the hitman in black leather gloves screws the silencer onto the end of the handgun barrel right before he needs it.
One of the benefits I often mention about silencers is the safety aspect of using one. Because they reduce the sound significantly, it’s better for your hearing. This is true at the range and during self-defense incidents. Except that we don’t keep a silencer attached to our handgun when we’re not at the range, right? We get used to removing the silencer when we leave the range.
But there was a time, not long ago, when the idea of a red dot, or even a thermal imaging optic on a handgun, was just sci-fi nonsense.
But just because something has “always been” doesn’t mean it always will be. Safariland will soon be releasing a silencer-compatible holster, and silencers are becoming more modular each day.
So, will they have a place in our daily self-defense arsenal? I think they will.
Hearing protection isn’t just for the range
The most compelling reason for using a suppressor is basic human biology. A standard 9mm handgun produces roughly 160 decibels when fired. This level is well above the threshold for causing permanent hearing damage. In a home defense situation, you won’t have time to grab earmuffs or attach a can to your handgun.
In the movies, firing a handgun in a car, room, hallway, or anywhere else isn’t a big deal. But in real life, firing a handgun without hearing protection will cause injury and other issues.
The “crack” of the muzzle blast reflects off walls, creating a deafening roar. The smaller the room, the more damage it can cause. It also keeps you from hearing other things that are going on around you.
A suppressor typically reduces the sound by 20 to 35 decibels, and while this is still “loud,” it isn’t physically debilitating. The reduction in sound preserves your situational awareness during a high-stress event.
Another benefit is that suppressors significantly reduce muzzle flash. In a dark room, a bright flash can temporarily blind you. By trapping burning gases, a silencer preserves your natural night vision.
Practical Hurdles
If silencers have so many benefits, then why are they not more common in defensive incidents? The primary issues are length, weight, and carrying it in public.
You also must consider legal and social perceptions. In some jurisdictions, a prosecutor might frame a suppressor as a “hitman’s tool.” This, of course, is just a lack of understanding of the role a silencer was made for.
But as silencers become more and more common, general knowledge about them is improving.
When it comes to the length and weight of the silencer, that is also improving. Modern advancements are making silencers more modular and lighter.
Many models, like the SilencerCo Omega 36M, Dead Air Odessa-9, and others come apart in sections so you can change the length. Many of these are also smaller in diameter than older models, making them lighter and less bulky on a handgun. This makes it possible to shorten the silencer to the length needed for a specific application.
Safariland and the Future of Holstering
Carrying a handgun with a silencer on it sounds a little weird, but maybe it’s not as weird as we have always thought. Safariland will be releasing its first handgun/silencer holster soon, which is made for carrying a full-size handgun with a silencer. I was able to get a peek at it during SHOT 2026, and it worked with every silencer I tried in it.
My first question when I saw this was how do you re-holster it right after firing the gun? The answer is you don’t, and you don’t need to. Having the firearm on you and ready to go with a silencer is much more important than waiting a little bit for it to cool down before re-holstering it.
I’m going to guess it will only be a matter of time before Safariland or someone makes a concealment holster that is compatible with a silencer.
Even though this idea is still new and to some, not realistic, I think we are heading in that direction. With time, silencers will continue to become more compact, lighter, and work even better.
Do they have a place?
So, do handgun silencers have a place in the self-defense world? The answer is a cautious but optimistic “yes.” For home defense, the advantages are hard to ignore. It’s also kind of exciting if you think about it. What kind of advancements will we continue to see in the future?
With the cost of a tax stamp being eliminated, silencers will continue to grow in popularity. And it’s only a matter of time before they become part of our self-defense world.
