Suppressors

The $0 Tax Stamp: What Changed in 2026

Prior to 2026, every suppressor transfer required a $200 NFA tax stamp paid to the ATF — a fee that had been unchanged since 1934 and represented a meaningful barrier for budget-conscious buyers. The "Big Beautiful Bill" signed in July 2025 eliminated this fee effective January 1, 2026. Suppressors remain NFA-regulated items requiring ATF Form 4 approval and registration, but the $200 cost is now $0. The ATF processed approximately 150,000 suppressor e-Forms on January 1, 2026 alone — a single-day record that reflects the scale of pent-up demand the fee elimination unlocked.

How to Buy a Suppressor in 2026: The Form 4 Process

Buying a suppressor still requires completing ATF Form 4 and passing a background check — the process is more involved than a standard firearm purchase but is straightforward once you understand the steps. You select your suppressor, pay for it, and submit the Form 4 either electronically (e-Form, faster) or on paper. The ATF approves the transfer after a background check and processing period. Impact Guns handles the dealer portion of this process for you — our staff can walk you through Form 4 submission from start to finish. With the $200 fee gone, the only cost is the suppressor itself and our standard transfer fee.

Filing Your Form 4: The ATF eForms Process

Since January 1, 2026, NFA registration is free — the $200 tax stamp has been eliminated. The Form 4 approval process still applies before you can take possession of any suppressor. Impact Guns holds your suppressor during the approval period and transfers it to you once your Form 4 is approved. The ATF eForms system (eforms.atf.gov) handles all submissions electronically, with processing times typically far shorter than the old paper-mail process. For a complete walkthrough of the eForms process — including individual vs. trust registration, how to file, and how to check your status — see our ATF eForms guide.

Choosing the Right Suppressor: Caliber and Application

Suppressors are caliber-specific — a 9mm pistol suppressor won’t work on a 5.56 rifle. The key specs to match are the caliber rating, the thread pitch on your host firearm’s barrel, and the overall diameter (which affects whether the suppressor clears your handguard). Most modern suppressors are rated for multiple calibers — a .30 caliber suppressor can typically be used on .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, and other .30-cal platforms. For versatility, a multi-caliber suppressor or a direct-thread mount that works across your battery is the most practical starting point. Our staff can help match you to the right unit for your specific host firearms.

Pistol Suppressors: 9mm, .45 ACP, and More

Pistol suppressors reduce report to hearing-safe levels with subsonic ammunition and dramatically reduce muzzle blast and flash in defensive situations. The SilencerCo Osprey and Omega series, Dead Air Armament Ghost, and Rugged Suppressors Obsidian are among the most popular pistol options in our inventory. Most pistol cans are rated for 9mm and .45 ACP at minimum; many cover 5.7x28mm, 10mm, and other handgun calibers. Wet-shooting with a small amount of solvent or water further reduces sound levels for hearing-safe .22 LR use in many designs. Barrel threading is required on most pistols — verify your host is threaded or can be threaded before purchasing.

Rifle Suppressors: 5.56, .308, and Multi-Caliber

Rifle suppressors manage the significantly higher gas volumes of centerfire rifle cartridges and are rated for substantially higher pressures and temperatures than pistol cans. The Dead Air Armament Sandman series, SilencerCo Omega, and Griffin Armament Recce are strong options for 5.56 and .308 host firearms. Multi-caliber rifle suppressors offer maximum versatility — a single unit that covers your AR-15 in 5.56, your bolt-action in 6.5 Creedmoor, and your .308 semi-auto is often the most cost-effective solution for multi-gun households. Full-auto rated suppressors are required if you’re running a select-fire host. 

Find a cover for your suppressor here: Suppressor Covers

State Restrictions: Where Suppressors Are Still Prohibited

While the federal $200 tax stamp fee is eliminated, suppressors remain prohibited at the state level in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C. Residents of these states cannot legally purchase or possess suppressors regardless of federal law changes. All other states permit suppressor ownership for civilians who complete the Form 4 process. Impact Guns ships suppressor transfers to FFL/SOT dealers nationwide — use our FFL dealer lookup to find a licensed dealer in your state who can receive your transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions: Suppressors

How do I buy a suppressor in 2026?
Since January 1, 2026, the $200 NFA tax stamp fee has been eliminated. The process now is: (1) choose your suppressor, (2) complete ATF Form 4 through ATF eForms, (3) pass a background check, (4) wait for ATF approval (currently 60–90 days for eForms), (5) take possession through your SOT/Class III FFL dealer. Impact Guns works with SOT dealers nationwide to facilitate suppressor transfers. The process is simpler and less expensive than ever before.

Is a suppressor worth it?
Yes for most regular shooters. Suppressors reduce muzzle blast to hearing-safe levels on most calibers with subsonic ammunition, allow conversation at the range without hearing protection, reduce neighbor complaints at rural properties, and make follow-up shots faster by reducing flinch. The elimination of the $200 tax stamp in 2026 removed the primary cost objection. A quality suppressor lasts a lifetime with proper maintenance.

What is the quietest suppressor?
The quietest suppressed configurations use subsonic ammunition (.300 Blackout subsonic, .45 ACP subsonic, or subsonic .22 LR) with a properly matched suppressor. .22 LR suppressed is the quietest common configuration — hearing safe even without ear protection in many setups. 9mm subsonic and .45 ACP suppressed are next. No suppressor makes a firearm "movie quiet" — the action cycling, bullet in flight, and supersonic crack (if using supersonic ammunition) all produce sound the suppressor cannot reduce.

Do suppressors fit all guns?
No — suppressors attach via threaded muzzle or quick-detach mount. Your firearm needs a threaded barrel (or a factory threaded configuration) in the correct thread pitch for the suppressor. Common thread pitches: 1/2x28 for 5.56 and 9mm, 5/8x24 for .308. Always verify compatibility between your suppressor and host firearm before purchase.

What states prohibit suppressors?
As of 2026, suppressors are prohibited for civilian ownership in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, plus Washington D.C. All other states allow civilian suppressor ownership subject to federal NFA rules. Always verify current state law before purchasing.

See Also: IWI Suppressors • .300 Blackout Ammo • 9mm Ammo • AR-15 Rifles • Pistol Caliber Carbines