Yep, looks like I'm going to need to buy a Silencerco Sparrow this week. Thanks a lot, Peter!
LOL ... now don't go blaming me for spending your money
The new Sparrow has some good "spec's" ... :thumbup:
Of the many different rimfire silencers out there ... there are two which I specifically like ... for the lightest weight the SWR Warlock which comes in at around 3 oz ... the original model was not a "take apart" model for cleaning and had to go back to SWR for them to do it ... but the newer Warlock II is and is still in the 3oz range . Lead build up and powder fouling in a .22 rimfire is an issue and given the cost of the silencer plus the $200 stamp ... the take apart and clean models are a definate "plus" for me. I like the light weight of the Warlock II when teamed with a tac sols upper on either a Ruger or Buckmark as it keeps the system as light as possible and avoids muzzle dip.
The Silencerco Sparrow weighs in at around 6 oz's and is also "take apart" but the new model has stainless steel inards and is "proofed" for full auto and up to 4.5 x 48 FN ( inc .22 magnum and .17 HMR ) so is a bit more calibre versatile ... whilst still being quite short in length.
Here is a picture of the Sparrow on a Ruger pac lite 22/45 ... ( it is the bottom pistol ) ...
You can see that the take down models all have cut away back rings for "grip" to assist in dismantling ... and this takes away the seemless style of the older models which were able to fit flush with the barrel ... this pistol has the old model Warlock fitted ...
Taken as a simple "asthetic" view I like the seemless version but on a practical level it makes sense to be able to take apart a rimfire silencer for cleaning ...
Both of these silencers offer great sound reduction and benefit IMO from using normal .22 rounds. The 4.5 inch barrel length is designed to make normal .22 velocity rounds just "subsonic" when used with a silencer ... so there is no need to use "subsonic" ammo which is more expensive and usually less accurate in the shorter barrels as once the moderator takes effect the bullet is moving well below the subsonic velocity barrier ... which affects trajectory and energy on target.
It is well worth chrono-ing a .22 pistol when fitted with a silencer to try to find the ideal "round" which functions at around 950 fps at the muzzle ... keeping just below the 1000 fps supersonic "crack" ... these usually group the best and have the most energy on target ... which is what you want for penetration when used in hunting/defensive or offensive use.
