Have a suppressor? And use for self/home defense?

[Dave2]

I think the expense and hassle of getting a suppressor to save your ears in a HD situation is a waste. Unless you live in the ghetto and shoot at BGs on a regular basis in your house, i dont really see the point.

...or if you place a high value on hearing. For instance, I'm an audio engineer. If my ears get blown out, I've gotta start a new career. Granted, that's preferable to being killed, but I'd like to do everything possible to avoid being forced out of my profession.

[DallasSVT]

I would never use a Class 3 weapon for self defense. Just gives the DA and jury some dought.

At least that's what my attorney told me.

[rm9792]

I would like to see your attorney cite one case where a legal class III item was of any consequence in a case where a regular firearm wouldnt have been. This is an urban legend probably started by Ayoob to bolster his usefulness in court. Really, the jury will care you had a suppressor? Maybe if you opened up with a M60, it might look bad....

[74novaman]

I dont think the law makes any distinction between what you use.

If you're justified in using deadly force to defend yourself, you're justified. Whether its with a pistol, a bat, or a full auto suppressed Uzi.

My opinion anyway. And I agree with finding a single court case where its been an issue. I know there was at least one case in florida where a man used a lawfully owned full auto and was no billed.

[SRH78]

The point is not that the law draws a distinction when it comes to class 3 weapons. It is not even that it will make a difference to a jury, although that could potentially make a difference in a questionable case. Having served on a jury, I wouldn't be too quick to trust my fate to one. The point is that it could be motivation for an overzealous DA to pursue the case and that has indeed happened in at least on instance.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

The lawyer that handles my NFA paperwork recommends an SBRed AR15 for home defense. Just sayin'.

[alvins]

personally with the amount of hassle to get a supressor it will stay in my safe so it doesnt get banged up other then at the range.

[rcasady]

I personally leave my night stand gun on the night stand when I am not home. That would not be an option with a class 3 item attached.

It is if you live alone.

Regarding reliability and ARs, my friend has a M4-2000 on his 12" SBR and it functions 100%. I have heard of some guys having to tune their rifles to run right with a can, but that's usually when you go smaller than 12" or if you frankenbuilt the rifle and used the wrong buffer, etc.

its generally the short barrels that have the issue , just depends on the build and gas system but easily fixed or tuned with gas blocks or buffer change . subsonic ammo will change the game too . might take a few runs to test and tune but once its running theres no reason why it cant be 100%

[Scott in Houston]

So if all this is true about Class 3 stuff, then the 'rumors' of having a lighter trigger getting you in trouble are on the same level?
Having a "-" Glock connector shouldn't be an issue?

[rm9792]

IMO if you intend to shoot then why would it be an issue? If you go claiming accident or "it just went off" then I can see that being a big issue. Same with removing Swartz safeties and FPB's. If you intend for it to fire then why would another safety matter? Reloads are another mythical court nono. I reload cause it is cheaper, not to make some +P+++ mega hot death round. Yet Ayoob would have you believe all reloaders are closet serial killers just waiting to cap a bad guy.

[Scott in Houston]

You guys are validating what I already believe, but those guys with Ayoob (sp?) on a podcast I heard had me questioning myself.

[SRH78]

IMO if you intend to shoot then why would it be an issue? If you go claiming accident or "it just went off" then I can see that being a big issue. Same with removing Swartz safeties and FPB's. If you intend for it to fire then why would another safety matter? Reloads are another mythical court nono. I reload cause it is cheaper, not to make some +P+++ mega hot death round. Yet Ayoob would have you believe all reloaders are closet serial killers just waiting to cap a bad guy.

I agree with the first part of this post but I have never understood Ayoob to hold any such belief. He simply cautions against potential legal complications. Besides how a nutjob DA may choose to handle a case, Ayoob cautions that if gunshot residue were to be an issue for any reason, that you could not use evidence based on testing your handloads, only factory ammo.

You guys are validating what I already believe, but those guys with Ayoob (sp?) on a podcast I heard had me questioning myself.

This is just my own thoughts for whatever they are worth. As long as the firearm proves reliable and the supressor doesn't cause any issues with manuverability in your particular situation, I think a supressor makes a lot of sense. The law makes no distinction between a single shot rifle and a full auto Thompson as far as whether use of force was justified but depending on where you are politics could easily come into play. I personally don't think a SBR, SBS, or a supressor would be as likely to be an issue as something that is full auto, though.

Personally, I would rather avoid NFA items for self defense and not have that as a potential complication later on just as I use factory ammo for self defense even though I have full faith in my reloads. If, however, the laws ever change making supressors more common, I would definitely consider one on a home defense gun.

[DallasSVT]

If you have to defend yourself while leaving the bank or walking down the street at night, whipping out a HK 45 with a 8" silencer is going to look a little bit "odd" in the court room, or a 12" shotgun for that matter. On the other hand in your house is a different story..

Look at your NFA paperwork and see what your reason was for purchasing a Class 3 Weapon..... Bet is says "COLLECTING" not "SELF DEFENSE". That being said i do have a 6.8SPC LWRC PSD M16 witha 8" barrel to defend my home and of course it has a Gemtech Can on it.


D

[Carry-a-Kimber]

If you have to defend yourself while leaving the bank or walking down the street at night, whipping out a HK 45 with a 8" silencer is going to look a little bit "odd" in the court room, or a 12" shotgun for that matter. On the other hand in your house is a different story..

Look at your NFA paperwork and see what your reason was for purchasing a Class 3 Weapon..... Bet is says "COLLECTING" not "SELF DEFENSE". That being said i do have a 6.8SPC LWRC PSD M16 witha 8" barrel to defend my home and of course it has a Gemtech Can on it.


D

Mine say "Any Lawful Purpose".