Just How Quiet Are These?

Published on May 8, 2026
Duration: 37:03

This video tests the actual sound levels of suppressed firearms, specifically a Ruger Mark V and a Beretta 92FS, comparing them to Hollywood's portrayal. The host demonstrates that suppressed 9mm firearms are significantly louder than often depicted in movies, with the sound of brass hitting the ground being more noticeable than the gunshot itself in some scenarios. Suppressed .22LR firearms, however, are shown to be exceptionally quiet, approaching movie-like silence.

Quick Summary

Suppressed firearms, particularly 9mm handguns, are not as quiet as Hollywood portrays. While suppressors reduce noise, the sound of the gunshot and ejected casing can still be audible. Subsonic ammunition and smaller calibers like .22LR offer significantly quieter performance, approaching movie-like silence in some cases.

Chapters

  1. 00:33Introduction: Love for Ruger Mark Lineup
  2. 01:03Question: Are Guns as Quiet as Movies?
  3. 01:26Movie Example: Inception & Beretta PX4
  4. 03:07Testing the Suppressed Beretta 92FS
  5. 03:20Supersonic Ammo Test
  6. 04:32Subsonic Ammo Test (Hush Puppy)
  7. 05:30Audio Capture: Gun vs. Shell Impact
  8. 06:36Analysis: Brass vs. Gunshot Loudness
  9. 07:06Transition to Suppressed .22LR
  10. 07:21Introducing the Suppressed Ruger Mark V Conversion
  11. 07:50Joy of Suppressed .22LR Shooting
  12. 08:30Sound Levels at Distance (.22LR)
  13. 09:52Science Test: Beretta 92FS vs. Ruger Mark V (.22LR)
  14. 10:33Comparison Results: 9mm vs. .22LR
  15. 10:57Test 2: Ambient Noise & Music
  16. 13:47Test 2: Eagles vs. Fleetwood Mac
  17. 14:25Detectability of Suppressed .22LR
  18. 15:38Test 2: Final Results & Detection
  19. 16:30Test 3: Indoor Shooting (Bullet Trap)
  20. 17:06Test 3: Shooting from Truck Window
  21. 18:14Movie Examples: Suppressed Rugers
  22. 18:24Movie Example: Assassins (Ruger Mark II)
  23. 19:14Movie Example: Collateral (Ruger Mark I)
  24. 21:49Indoor Test: Collateral Scene Recreation
  25. 23:33Test: Neighboring Room Detection
  26. 24:00Neighboring Room Test Results

Frequently Asked Questions

Are suppressed firearms as quiet as they are in movies?

No, suppressed firearms, especially 9mm handguns, are generally not as quiet as depicted in movies. While suppressors significantly reduce noise, the sound of the firearm discharging and the ejected casing hitting the ground can still be quite audible, unlike the near-silence often shown in films.

What makes a suppressed firearm quieter?

The quietness of a suppressed firearm depends on several factors, including the caliber, ammunition type (subsonic vs. supersonic), and the suppressor's design. Subsonic ammunition produces less noise than supersonic rounds. For example, suppressed .22LR firearms are significantly quieter than suppressed 9mm firearms.

How does subsonic ammunition affect suppressed firearm noise?

Subsonic ammunition travels slower than the speed of sound, eliminating the sonic crack associated with supersonic rounds. This, combined with a suppressor, drastically reduces the overall noise signature, making the firearm much quieter. This was demonstrated with Hush Puppy ammunition in the video.

Can you hear suppressed gunshots indoors?

Yes, even with a suppressor, suppressed gunshots can be heard indoors, especially in smaller, enclosed spaces. While significantly quieter than unsuppressed firearms, they are not completely silent and can be detected, particularly if someone is listening for them or if there's no other ambient noise to mask the sound.

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