SilencerCo – Best Suppressors for .45 in 2023
SilencerCo – Best Suppressors for .45 in 2023
William Lawson
The firearms media is saturated by “Best Of” articles. Best of this, best of that. Maybe the Top 5 or Top 10 of whatever. Those articles are always subjective, as they must be. They sometimes qualify their choices, but certainly not always. So, when I was assigned to write about the best SilencerCo .45 caliber suppressors, I decided to approach it a little differently.
We’ll talk about that topic, but as we do, we’ll look at what each suppressor is best for, since the application will determine which product lands on top. So, let’s look at the best SilencerCo .45 caliber suppressors in 2023, based on more objective criteria.
The SilencerCo .45 Caliber Lineup
SilencerCo offers a wide range of suppressors, including several for various .45 caliber rounds:
- Osprey 45
- Octane 45
- Omega 45K
- Hybrid 46
- Hybrid 46M
The great thing about SilencerCo’s variety is that it provides options. These products have different features, price points, sizes, and modular capabilities. SilencerCo is not a “one size fits all” company, unless, of course that’s what you’re looking for. More on that later.
For this article, I’ve broken the choices down by real-world criteria, including affordability, noise level by caliber, compactness, and versatility. SilencerCo offers great choices for all. Let’s get to it.
Most Affordable .45 Caliber SilencerCo Suppressor
Suppressors are not cheap, especially if you buy a quality product, as you should. The SilencerCo Octane 45 offers that quality at an attractive price. SilencerCo rightly describes the Octane as a “Workhorse” that’s rated for 9mm through .45 ACP, as well as 10mm and .300 Blackout Subsonic rounds.
The Octane is versatile enough for use on pistols, pistol caliber carbines, submachine guns, and lever action carbines. It’s also full auto rated for .45 ACP. The performance is there too, with the Octane averaging an impressive 131.8 decibels at the muzzle for .45 ACP.
The Octane is user serviceable, meaning it can handle lead projectiles. SilencerCo’s Click Together Assembly (CTA) makes it simple to disassemble the 17-4 stainless-steel baffle stack and put back together. And if you aren’t sure how to do that, the SilencerCo website’s Octane product page has a video demonstrating each step.
If you’re looking for a high-performance .45 caliber suppressor at an entry level price, you can’t go wrong with the Octane.
Quietest SilencerCo .45 Caliber Suppressor
Suppressors, first and foremost, make shooting quieter and easier on the ears. So which SilencerCo .45 caliber suppressor is the quietest, by decibel level? The direct answer to that question is the Osprey 45, which averages 130.4 decibels for .45 ACP.
The Hybrid 46 places a close second at 130.8 decibels for that same cartridge. But what about other calibers? For .458 SOCOM, the Hybrid 46 averages 138.3 decibels. And the Hybrid 46 and Hybrid 46M are in a statistical dead heat at 140.6 and 140.7 decibels, respectively, for the .45-70
Gov’t cartridge. Let’s look briefly at the Osprey 45 and Hybrid 46 suppressors.
Osprey 45
The Osprey 45’s unique polygonal shape delivers increased sound suppression thanks to greater internal volume created by its monocore baffle design. As noted, the Osprey 45 averages an impressive 130.4 decibels with .45 ACP. It’s performance can be further enhanced by running it “wet.” That temporary enhancement is achieved by inserting 5cc of clean water or clear wire pulling gel into the Osprey 45’s back.
A push-button locking system ensures quick indexing onto the firearm, making alignment simpler and more reliably repeatable, even after removing the Osprey 45 from the firearm. The polygonal design also allows for standard height sights on your firearm. It’s lightweight and durable, too. The Osprey 45 is constructed of high-grade aluminum and 17-4 stainless steel.
Hybrid 46
As we saw, the Hybrid 46 really does it all, with impressive performance in a variety of calibers. The Hybrid 46 handles pistol calibers from 9mm to .45 ACP and rifle calibers from 5.56 NATO to .45-70 Gov’t. This suppressor is rated for full auto fire and magnum cartridges. It can also be used on submachine guns and pistol caliber carbines. The Hybrid 46 averages 130.8 decibels for .45 ACP; 138.3 decibels for .458 SOCOM; and 140.6 decibels for .45-70 Gov’t.
Most Compact SilencerCo .45 Caliber Suppressor
If you’re shopping for a pistol suppressor, you may be looking for a compact model. Some pistol suppressors are long and clunky, but not the Omega 45K. At 6.37 inches long, the Omega 45K is a full inch and a half shorter than the Osprey 45, SilencerCo’s next shortest suppressor. The length and 10.1-ounce weight mean minimal ergonomic impact while still providing superior performance and a full auto rating for calibers between 9mm and .45 ACP. It is also great for pistol caliber carbines and submachine guns.
The Omega 45K averages 135.9 decibels for .45 ACP and its rugged 17-4 stainless-steel construction guarantees durable performance. It’s also rated for subsonic .300 Blackout cartridges.
Most Versatile SilencerCo .45 Caliber Suppressor
Versatility is always a plus when buying a suppressor. The more calibers and firearms you can use it with, the greater its value. The Hybrid 46M is tough to beat when it comes to caliber and platform versatility. This product offers the Hybrid 46’s caliber range and platform compatibility and adds modularity. The Hybrid 46M allows the shooter to remove the front module, offering a shorter, lighter suppressor if so desired.
In it’s short configuration, the Hybrid 46M works with with the full range of calibers, whether pistol, rifle, or in-between, up to and including .45-70 Gov’t and .460 Weatherby Magnum. Long or short, the Hybrid 46M is full auto rated thanks to its titanium, Inconel, and 17-4 stainless-steel construction.
In its long configuration, the Hybrid 46M averages 137 decibels at the ear for .45 ACP and 140.7 decibels for .45-70 Gov’t. This suppressor is one of the most versatile all-purpose suppressor on the market today.
Which one is the best?
As always with firearms and accessories, that answer depends on you, the shooter. Good companies recognize that and offer a variety of choices. .45 caliber suppressors should not be limited to .45 ACP. SilencerCo offers a wide range of .45 caliber products to fit your needs. Rifle, pistol, submachine gun, carbine, you name it, there’s a .45 caliber SilencerCo suppressor to
do the job at a range of price points.
Just like some guy on the internet, or in the gun store, can’t tell you what gun is best for you, neither can I tell you which suppressor is best. But I can point you to valid options based on what you may need. Hopefully, I’ve given you some things to consider.
