If you belong to a gun related Facebook group or forum, watch Youtube firearm videos or visit a shooting range frequently. You may have noticed people having wraps over their gun barrel. More specifically wraps around their gun suppressor. While these covers come in different colors/designs and look pretty cool, they do serve a purpose. So If you ever did wonder “Do I need a suppressor cover?” This is what I know now.
A suppressor cover is needed to stop heat haze from distorting the sight in front of a rifle scope. A cover also makes handling a hot suppressor safer by preventing direct contact. Another purpose of the suppressor cover is to mask the heat signature from any thermal imaging gadgets, such as thermal scopes or goggles.
Suppressor Cover Purpose
Muzzle suppressors (silencers) can get very hot after shooting. It doesn’t take many rounds of rapid fire before a suppressor starts to get to dangerous. This of course does depend on what type of firearm is being used. AR-15 rifles with a suppressor will get hot quickly after firing a 30 round magazine rapidly. Any semiautomatic or fully automatic rifle with high firing rate will really cook up a suppressor.
This sounds like common sense and it is but just how hot these suppressors get is scary.
Temperatures can reach up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit in only a few minutes. After shooting say two thirty round clips of a .223 or 5.56 the suppressor can reach temperatures in excess of 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even after one round it is not recommended to touch a suppressor can.
Because of the extreme temperatures heat waves or also called heat mirage is created from the suppressor. These waves decrease a shooters visibility because they pour right off the suppressor and are visible in the line of sight.
It is common for suppressor cans after being used to start to smoke. This is possible if shooting during colder seasons. The smoke can hinder visibility as well.
One good thing about smoke is that it is a clear warning that the suppressor is super hot and not to touch it.
The purpose of a suppressor cover is to protect the shooter from getting burned but also to reduce the heat mirage and help the shooter see clearly while aiming.
Another function of a cover is to reduce mechanical noises made during firearm discharge. Suppressors reduce the sound of firing but also still create sound. Some sounds are normal but rather annoying. Certain metal rings are not desired and covers can stop them. A cover will hold things tighter in place or dampen the sound.
If a shooter is going to be moving around, changing stances there is a chance for accidentally rubbing against the suppressor. Covers are a good way to protect from third degree burns.
Some suppressor cover are able to withstand heat so well that you can still grip the can and continue to shoot.
Suppressor Cover Benefits:
- Prevents heat mirage.
- Protect other gear from hot suppressor metal.
- Safeguard against accidental burns.
- Allows for safe handling and or removal or suppressor quickly after use.
- Reduces heat signature
- Aesthetic value: They can come in a variety of different colors and designs.
Problems With Using A Suppressor Cover
Covers act as an insulator retaining the heat in the suppressor making it take longer to cool down. The covers keep heat from escaping out from the suppressor, one tip is to rest firearm with barrel pointing upward. This allows the heat to rise up out of the cover.
You can also slip the cover back and off the suppressor after shooting to allow it cool faster.
Giving the suppressor a cool down break is recommended in any given situation.
Suppressor covers can add weight to your firearm.
Suppressor Advantages:
Suppressors are used by many of the top Precision Rifle Shooters (PRS) and National Rifle League (NRL) shooters. That is because a suppressor can do more for shooting than just reduce sound. Reducing sound is nice though and with certain setups hearing protection might not be needed.
Here are some other performance enhancements of using a suppressed firearm.
- Hearing Damage Prevention: After prolonged exposure to loud gunfire permanent hearing loss is likely to happen. Hearing protection is not always favored by hunters because they use sound to help them hunt game. When wearing noise muffling headphones you become less aware of your surroundings.
- Suppressors reduce recoil (kick): Having reduced recoil can improve accuracy because it makes a firearm easier to shoot. Anticipating recoil is one reason for decreased accuracy. This can be good for intimated beginner shooters.
Negatives of a Suppressor
Suppressors heat up much faster than barrels do and will start to give off heat waves after only a few rounds. The heat mirage makes shooting long distances harder because it reduces visibility.
The high temperatures of a suppressor are very dangerous. If it comes into contact with skin it will cause severe burns. Ground fires could start if the suppressor was to be put near dry grass or timber. You will not be able to touch a suppressor for at least 15 to 20 minutes after shooting.
Because suppressors can reduce recoil on certain guns. The recoil can be reduced so much that the gun fails to go through cycles. In this case they do make recoil boosters. This is more likely with handguns.
On the opposite end, with gas firearms there can be increased back pressure from suppressors which can speed up the recoil and mess with a guns operation.
Are Suppressor Covers Worth It?
Suppressor Covers are worth it if you are shooting in hot climates. You are able to shoot more rounds before heat mirage starts to happen. In hotter weather conditions heat mirage can start after only three to five rounds. A suppressor cover should allow you to shoot up to twenty rounds before heat mirage starts to happen. They can last for a very long time and you may not need to take them off after putting them on your rifle.
When transitioning between rifle and pistol and using a sling. The cover will prevent the hanging rifle with a suppressor from burning your leg or touching anything else that can be damaged from the intense heat. Suppressor covers are great for transition drills.
Covers are a good way to camouflage your suppressor without having to paint it. They also protect your suppressor from dings and scratches.
Great for precision rifles are also recommended for bolt-action rifles. Some believe bolt-action is not able to shoot fast enough to justify a suppressor cover. Bolt-action rifles still suffer from heat issues as much as semi-auto guns do.
How to Choose The Right Cover:
Deciding on if the cover will fit your suppressor is the first step to picking one out. Most of them will fit a suppressor diameter of 1.5 inches. There are universal sizes so they can be fitted onto any length suppressor.
Start by measuring your suppressor to see how long it is. Sizes available range from 5″ – 9″ in length. It is ok if the suppressor cover is a little bit longer. This will help it from sliding off while shooting.
Look for cover designs that are rated up to 1000 degree or more temperature. This will ensure the cover can withstand the intense heat and not melt or catch fire.
Suppressor covers with a inner and outer layer are able to withstand heat for longer.
The price range for a suppressor cover is $60 – $100 dollars and you can find many to choose from on Amazon.
The Burn Proof Gear Suppressor Cover on Amazon is one of the highest rated covers. the nice thing about this one is you can select from six different sizes.
- 6′
- 6.5′
- 7″
- 7.5″
- 8″
- 8.5″
This suppressor is machine washable and also comes in two different colors.
Be careful not to choose one that is made for airsoft rifles. These might not be designed as well to handle actual heat.
Airsoft rifle cover wraps are made for different purposes but look very similar. Double check the description of the item to make sure it doesn’t mention Airsoft. Also the title of the product will mention the term Airsoft so avoid these for actual firearms.
Reputable Brands
- Burn Proof Gear
- Magpul
- Sub-Tac
- TBAC (Thunder Beast Arms Corporation)
- U.S. Tactical
- SLNCO
- Cole-Tac (Custom Designs)
- Armageddon Gear (Custom Designs)
- Bowers
Terms:
- Suppressor Cover
- Wrap
- Sleeve
- Jacket
- Can Cover
Conclusion
Firearm suppressors offer many advantages for advanced or recreational shooters. Hunters use suppressors to quiet their gun and protect from hearing loss. There is increased performance from using a suppressor and many professional shooters use them.
Suppressor covers are a great accessory for a rifle. Suppressors get very hot quickly and are dangerous to touch. Covers/wraps will not only protect from burn injuries but also mitigate heat mirage.
The best solution for using a suppressor and not having to worry about the extreme heat is to use a cover. There are many brands to choose from and different sizes for any suppressor. The covers also come in different colors and look really cool. They are relatively inexpensive and will last a long time.