Suppressors are the fastest-growing segment of the firearms industry right now. Invented in 1902, they’re hardly new, so what’s all the buzz? Let’s dive into what’s driving modern suppressor designs and popularity.
 

Table of Contents

A Brief History
Ownership
Gaining Popularity
Design and Innovation
Conclusion

A Brief History

Although suppressors have become extremely popular lately, Hiram Percy Maxim invented them in 1902. He patented the Maxim Silencer in 1909. Marketed to sportsmen to reduce hearing damage, it was available in popular rifle calibers. History tells us that President Teddy Roosevelt was a huge fan and had several suppressed rifles.
 

In 1934, the National Firearms Act was enacted to regulate and restrict certain firearms and devices. Suppressors faced a hefty $200 tax, which led to stagnation in development for nearly 40 years. As time went by and manufacturing improved, suppressor design innovated, and the devices became popular again. 

As of Jan. 1, 2026, thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill, the tax stamp cost was reduced from $200 to $0. It’s the first time since the inception of the NFA that any change has been made in favor of gun owners. Suppressors are still regulated, so the process of purchasing and owning them is the same.
 

Ownership

The two barriers to ownership of suppressors have been wait times and tax stamp costs. In early 2024, wait times decreased from months to days, and now, in 2026, the tax stamp cost was eliminated. They’re also slightly easier to get these days; in many states, you don’t even have to go into a gun store to complete your purchase. 
 

Last year, I purchased a can online and completed the entire process from the comfort of my home. I received a fingerprint kit and all the instructions in the mail, and aside from taking the paperwork at the post office, I didn’t even have to leave my house. The suppressor was dropped off on my front porch. 

Overall, it’s just easier to get a suppressor now, which may be contributing to the increase in sales and popularity. It’s also worth noting that suppressors are hearing safety devices, not just cool accessories that make shooting objectively more fun.
 

Gaining Popularity

In 2010, data showed roughly 285,000 registered suppressors, and by the middle of 2024, that number increased to 3.5 million. All that growth happened while wait times were long and the tax stamp still cost $200. As of Jan. 5, 2026, the government’s NFRTR shows a total of 5,776,685 registered suppressors – quite a jump in a couple of years. 
 

I spoke with Buck Steele, president of Anechoic, to gain insight into the current state of the suppressor industry and what’s driving popularity. 

“Government regulation helps a lot, but I think it’s really driven by the fact that people come to understand that this safety device is really effective and anyone who starts shooting suppressed realizes it’s just such a game changer,” Steele explained. “It just changes the nature of shooting, makes it so much safer, more pleasant, more enjoyable, kid-friendly, neighbor-friendly.” 

It’s hard to argue with that. As someone who shoots primarily at loud indoor ranges, I wish more people would jump on the suppressor train. 
 

I also asked Chris Mudgett, founder and president of EchoCore Suppressors, for his take. He sees the boom in suppressors as a combination of decreased wait times and favorable legislation, being mentioned in the news more due to that legislation, and rapid developments in technology.

“When wait times came down a year ago, it was huge for the suppressor segment, and the Big Beautiful Bill being signed was the icing on the cake … (and) technology is full steam ahead, especially with 3D printing,” Mudgett said.
 

Design and Innovation

Technology has helped suppressor quality improve rapidly. A decade ago, if you had an issue with a suppressor like gas blowing back in your face, suddenly, you needed to be a gunsmith to figure out how to fix the problem. That’s no longer true today.
 

Manufacturers are now designing flow-through baffle systems, a significant improvement over the traditional trap-and-hold method. Overall baffle systems have seen a lot of innovation and vary among companies. Anechoic uses an X baffle pattern, while EchoCore’s baffle path is helical. All these modern designs deliver better performance and longevity, with reduced wear. 

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technology and 3D printing have been revolutionary for manufacturing and for reducing time to market. EchoCore can “rapid prototype and print suppressor samples in 12-16 hours, shoot it at the range the next day, and figure out any tweaks that need to be made” – all in a couple days’ time, according to Mudgett. Troubleshooting time has been drastically reduced.

Companies can make better products and get them into customers’ hands faster. Lest you think this means the price of suppressors will come way down any time soon, I’m sorry to say, that’s not going to be the case. The costs of commercial 3D printers, materials, research and development, staff, and more remain. The good news is that you’re getting a better-performing, longer-lasting product for your money.
 

Conclusion

Suppressors aren’t new, but they are having a moment. Lower wait times, zero-dollar tax stamps, streamlined processes, and hands-on exposure are all driving popularity. And with huge leaps in technology, the suppressed shooting experience will continue to improve.