Purchasing a suppressor used to feel like a long, complicated process—and for a while, it was.
My first suppressor purchase was in 2020. I bought a Dead Air Nomad L through a local gun store and waited just under a year to receive it.
Recently, I purchased a Banish Backcountry suppressor through Silencer Central using a fully online process. From purchase to delivery, it took about two months.
Both experiences were positive—but very different.
This is a straightforward comparison of the purchasing process—not performance—based on going through both.
Why I Bought Suppressors in the First Place
Before getting into the process, it’s worth clarifying the “why.”
For me, suppressors serve three primary purposes:
- Hearing protection
- Recoil reduction
- Hunting applications
I’ve primarily run the Nomad L on a 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Win Mag, and .308.
Over time, I wanted something lighter and shorter—especially for moving through brush and carrying in the field—which led to the second purchase.
This article isn’t about comparing suppressors—it’s about how I got them.
First Purchase: In-Store (Dead Air Nomad L – 2020)
The process for my first suppressor was handled entirely through a local gun store.
They had a kiosk set up, which made things straightforward:
- Fingerprints completed in-store
- Photo and paperwork handled on-site
- Guided submission process
From a user standpoint, there wasn’t much friction. Everything was done in one place, and I left knowing it had been submitted correctly.
The challenge wasn’t the process—it was the wait.
From submission to approval, it took about 11 months for ATF paperwork to clear.
Once everything was submitted, there was nothing to do but wait.
Second Purchase: Online (Banish Backcountry – 2026)
For my second suppressor, I went a different route and purchased through Silencer Central.
The decision was driven by:
- Fully online process
- Wider selection
- Direct-to-door delivery
The process looked like this:
- Purchase completed online (January 13, 2026)
- Photo and paperwork submitted digitally
- Fingerprint kit mailed to me
- Completed fingerprints mailed back
The fingerprint step added some time—roughly a couple of weeks between receiving, completing, and returning the kit.
Aside from that, everything was straightforward.
From purchase to delivery, the suppressor arrived on March 13, 2026—about two months total.
That’s a significant difference compared to the first experience.
Ease of Process: In-Store vs Online
Both methods were easy—just in different ways.
In-store advantages:
- Everything handled in one visit
- Immediate fingerprints and paperwork
- No mailing delays
Online advantages:
- Can be completed entirely from home
- Larger selection of suppressors
- No need to coordinate with a physical location
- Direct-to-door delivery
The online process felt more flexible, but slightly more drawn out on the front end due to mailing fingerprints.
Logistics and Friction Points
Each method had minor inconveniences.
In-store:
- Smooth process
- Long ATF wait time
Online:
- Mailing fingerprints added time
- Delivery required someone to be present
That last point is worth noting—coordinating delivery took some planning.
Timeline Comparison
- In-store (2020): ~11 months
- Online (2026): ~2 months
That difference alone significantly changes how the process feels.
What I’d Do Going Forward
Now that I’ve gone through both processes, the decision is clearer.
With Silencer Central:
- My fingerprints and photo are already on file
- Future purchases should be simpler
- The process becomes more streamlined over time
Because of that, I’ll likely continue using the online route.
That said, there are situations where in-store still makes sense.
If you want to avoid any delays related to mailing—especially in places like Alaska—handling everything in person may be slightly faster on the front end.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re deciding between in-store and online:
- In-store is more immediate and consolidated
- Online is more flexible and convenient
- Once your information is on file, online becomes significantly easier
Neither option is complicated.
The biggest difference comes down to convenience, timing, and how you prefer to handle the process.
Final Thought
The suppressor purchasing process has become much more accessible than it used to be.
Both of these experiences were straightforward.
The main difference wasn’t difficulty—it was time, convenience, and how the process was handled.
If you’re buying your first suppressor, either route will work.
If you’re buying your second, the system you’re already in will likely make the decision for you.