Best rimfire suppressor hosts: T1x and CZ 457 with Mask, BANISH 22, Take Down, Sparrow
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Why is a bolt .22 the best suppressor host?
A bolt action has no action noise and leaks no gas at the breech, so with subsonic ammo nearly all you hear is the firing pin and the impact. Rimfire cans foul quickly, though, so a user-serviceable design matters.
How do the top rimfire cans compare?
| Suppressor | Weight / length | MSRP / price seen | Published sound data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silencer Central BANISH 22 | 4.1 oz / 5.375 in | $629 MSRP; $549 sale seen | PPT LZpeak 119.5 / 116.7 / 116.9 dB (first round shown first) [1] |
| Dead Air Mask | 6.6 oz / 5.1 in | $489 MSRP | PPT avg ~117.1 dB, low first-round pop [1] |
| Thunder Beast 22 Take Down Gen2 | 4.8 oz / 4.8 in, 0.985 in dia. | $425 [2] | TBAC: about 110–114 dB(A) at the shooter's ear on a .22 LR rifle (maker figure, different method) |
| SilencerCo Sparrow 22 | 6.5 oz / 5.08 in | $349 MSRP | PPT 131.0 dB first round, ~119–122 dB after [1] |
dB figures come from different meters, positions (muzzle vs ear) and hosts, so compare within one test only. TBAC's dealer-availability page showed a backlog when we checked; Capitol Armory listed it in stock at $425 (not an affiliate program we use).
Our range results (coming soon)
This box will hold our own groups, chronograph data and photos for this topic once we've shot and recorded them. Until then, every accuracy number on this page comes from the published source cited next to it. We have not tested these rifles or products hands-on for this article.
What is first-round pop and how do I reduce it?
First-round pop (FRP) is the louder first shot, caused by oxygen in a fresh can burning off. In PewPewTactical's test, the Sparrow's first round read 131 dB versus about 119 dB after. The Mask was praised for low FRP [1]. You can't eliminate it, but you can reduce it: keep the can on between strings, choose a design known for low FRP, and remember the cold-bore flyer often comes along with it (see troubleshooting).
Which subsonic ammo should I run suppressed?
- CCI Standard Velocity (about 1,070 fps [3]) or SK Standard Plus for practice and matches.
- CCI Quiet-22 (710 fps) for the quietest backyard use. It's fine in a bolt gun because nothing needs to cycle, but it drops fast, so keep it short range.
- Avoid supersonic high-velocity loads if you want quiet: the bullet's crack defeats the can.
Thread pitch and fit on the T1x and CZ 457
- T1x: 1/2x28 UNEF muzzle (Tikka spec). Direct-thread cans fit.
- CZ 457: most US threaded models are 1/2x28. Some European and older CZ barrels are 1/2x20 and need an adapter. Check your barrel. Rifles with heavy-barrel shoulders should use a thread-protector-style spacer to keep the can square.
- Check bore alignment with a rod before the first shot on any new can. A baffle strike can ruin a suppressor.
Legal status (US, as of Oct 2026)
The federal suppressor tax has been $0 since Jan 1, 2026. ATF says that, effective Oct 9, 2026, it no longer requires NFA approval or registration, after an injunction in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF. Background checks and state law still apply [4]. This is new and may change on appeal. Details and caveats are on our suppressor picks page. Not legal advice.
Cleaning a rimfire can
Lead and wax build up quickly. Disassemble per the maker's instructions every few thousand rounds, or as the maker recommends. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning of aluminum parts unless the maker approves it. See maintenance and troubleshooting.
Rifle pages: T1x suppressor host · CZ 457 suppressor host.
Suppressor buying steps (US)
- Check your state allows suppressor ownership. Most do; a few do not.
- Choose a dealer (a local FFL/SOT or an online dealer such as Silencer Central).
- Know the October 2026 federal change: the tax is $0 and ATF said on Oct 9, 2026 it will no longer enforce Form 4 approval or registration for suppressors, so dealers can transfer on a Form 4473 with a background check [4] [5].
- If your state ties legality to federal registration (15 states do), file a voluntary Form 4 as the dealer instructs [6]. See how to buy a suppressor in 2026.
- Check that your rifle's thread pitch is 1/2x28 (both the T1x and CZ 457 .22 LR models use it) and that the can is rated for your caliber.
Tax and wait rules change, so confirm current federal details with the ATF or your dealer rather than relying on any article.
Cleaning a rimfire can
Rimfire suppressors collect lead and wax fast. Take-down designs (e.g. TBAC Take Down, BANISH 22) can be disassembled for cleaning per the maker's instructions; sealed cans need factory service. Follow the maker's guidance on solvents and ultrasonic cleaning, especially for aluminum parts.
Other good rimfire hosts
Any threaded 1/2x28 bolt .22 makes a quiet host. Bolt actions are quieter at the ear than semi-autos because the action stays closed. Threaded factory options outside the T1x and CZ 457 include the Savage Mark II FV-SR and B22 FV-SR, the Ruger American Rimfire 8305 and Precision Rimfire, and the Bergara BMR:
| Rifle | Action | Barrel | Trigger | Magazine | Optic mount | Weight (lb) | MSRP (source, date, confidence) | Aftermarket depth | NRL22 fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savage Mark II FV-SR | Bolt; thread-in headspace | 16.5 in heavy fluted, 1/2x28 | AccuTrigger 2.5-6 lb | 5-rd box | EGW one-piece rail included | 5.5 | $329 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | High (Boyds/MDT stocks, triggers, rails) | Base: leaves ~$1,321 for scope |
| Savage B22 FV-SR | Bolt; top-tang safety | 16.25 in heavy threaded | AccuTrigger | 10-rd rotary | Pic rail | 5.6 | $409 Savage MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium | Base: leaves ~$1,241 for scope |
| Ruger American Rimfire | Bolt; 60-degree throw | 18 in 1/2-28 threaded (8305); other lengths by model | Marksman Adjustable 3-5 lb | 10/22 BX-1 rotary | 3/8 in rimfire base machined in; drilled and tapped for Weaver #12 | 5.5 | $509 Ruger suggested retail $509 (model 8305; other RAR models vary). source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (some stocks; uses 10/22 mags) | Base: leaves ~$1,141 for scope |
| Ruger Precision Rimfire | Bolt; adjustable bolt throw (rimfire or short-action stroke) | 18 in cold hammer-forged, 1/2-28, 1:16 | Marksman Adjustable 2.25-5 lb | BX-15 / BX-1 (22 LR); rotary (17 HMR / 22 WMR) | 30 MOA Pic base | 6.8 | $629 Ruger MSRP. source, 2026-10-12, conf: high | Medium (AR grips and stocks fit) | Base: leaves ~$1,021 for scope |
| Bergara BMR Steel | Bolt; match chamber | 18/20 in threaded | Bergara trigger | 5 and 10-rd slim mags | Pic rail | 5.5 | $699 Bergara MSRP (Carbon $799; BMR-X $799). source, 2026-10-11, conf: high | Low | Base: leaves ~$951 for scope |
MSRPs from the maker where available, otherwise labeled retailer listings, checked Oct 2026. Aftermarket depth and NRL22 fit are our editorial summaries (NRL22 Base: rifle plus scope MSRP up to $1,650). Specs are published figures, not our measurements.
Lighter, shorter rifles balance better with a can on. A 16 in barrel plus a 5 in suppressor handles like a 21 in rifle.
FAQ
What is the quietest 22 suppressor?
In PewPewTactical's LZpeak test, the Dead Air Mask (~117.1 dB average) and BANISH 22 (~116.7–119.5 dB) were among the quietest. Results depend on the host, the ammo and how the test was done.
Is the Tikka T1x threaded for a suppressor?
Yes. T1x MTR barrels are threaded 1/2x28 UNEF from the factory.
What is first-round pop?
The louder first shot through a cold suppressor, caused by oxygen burning off. It was 131 dB for the Sparrow in one published test, versus about 119 dB for later shots.
Do I still need a tax stamp for a suppressor?
As of Oct 2026, the federal tax is $0, and ATF says it no longer requires NFA registration (effective Oct 9, 2026). State law still applies, and this could change.
Sources
- PewPewTactical .22 suppressor dB tests
- TBAC 22 Take Down Gen2
- CCI (Standard Velocity 1,070 fps)
- ATF open letter, Oct 2026 (via SAF)
- Outdoor Life: ATF will not enforce suppressor approvals (Oct 12, 2026)
- Firearms News: states and the Oct 9, 2026 ATF change (Oct 12, 2026)
Confidence: maker specs and prices are high confidence as of the date seen; forum and owner reports are low–medium confidence and labeled as such.
Not affiliated with Sako/Tikka, CZ, Bergara, Ruger, Savage or any retailer. We have not tested products hands-on for these guides; figures come from cited sources. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy · Terms · Rimfire Builds is operated by Tomahawk Designs LLC, Utah · [email protected]