Glock with Suppressor: Make Your Glock Even Better

February 6, 2024
Posted in: How-To

Movies, television, and video games have showcased suppressed pistols for decades. Iconic figures like James Bond and characters such as Ghost from Call of Duty have popularized the image of a sleek, silenced handgun. There’s something undeniably cool about a silenced Glock that not only offers “Hollywood quiet” but also delivers real-world benefits—such as reduced recoil and improved hearing protection. With a Glock silencer properly installed, you can shift the burden of hearing protection from your head to your firearm while enjoying a quieter, more controlled shooting experience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about adding a suppressor to your Glock. Whether you’re interested in a dedicated Glock 19 suppressor setup or simply wondering, "can you put a silencer on a Glock?", our step-by-step instructions and expert tips will help you achieve a suppressor ready Glock that meets your performance and safety needs.

Table of Contents

Parts for Silencing a Glock 

When converting your Glock into a suppressor ready Glock, a few key components are required. Each part plays a crucial role in ensuring that your silencer for Glock is installed correctly and functions reliably.

Threaded Barrel

To attach a suppressor, you’ll need a threaded barrel designed for your specific Glock model and generation (for example, a Gen 3 Glock 19 threaded barrel). A quality threaded barrel from reputable manufacturers—such as SilencerCo or JK Armament—provides a secure mounting point for your silencer and can also accommodate additional accessories like compensators when shooting unsuppressed.

Pistol Booster Assembly

Glock barrels are unique compared to rifle barrels. During the firing cycle, a Glock barrel tilts upward when the slide cycles. This movement is critical for proper function, but adding a suppressor increases the weight at the end of the barrel, potentially impeding its movement. A pistol booster assembly (or Nielsen Device) solves this issue by decoupling the extra mass from the barrel. The assembly includes a threaded piston and a captured spring, ensuring that your glock suppressor does not interfere with cycling.


Tip: If your chosen suppressor weighs around 4.5 ounces or more, a booster is generally necessary to maintain reliability.

suppressor with glocksuppressor with glock

Recommended Components for a Glock Suppressor Setup

Selecting the right parts for your Glock suppressor build can greatly affect performance and ease of use. Consider these key factors:

Choosing the Right Suppressor

When searching for the best glock suppressor, pay attention to the following:

  • Caliber Rating: Verify that the suppressor is rated for your Glock’s caliber (commonly 9mm or .45 ACP).
  • Size and Weight: Lighter suppressors made of aluminum or titanium are ideal for pistols. For applications such as full-auto use (e.g., Glock 18), stainless steel models might be more durable.
  • Modularity: Some suppressors offer modular designs, such as extension modules or adjustable baffles, allowing you to tailor your suppressor for different scenarios.

Glock Suppressor Sights

One common challenge is that a suppressor’s diameter can obscure your standard iron sights. Upgrading to a red dot sight (like the Eotech EFLX or Aimpoint Acro P2) or installing dedicated glock suppressor sights can resolve this issue. These sighting solutions ensure you maintain a clear, precise point of aim when your suppressor is mounted.

Subsonic Ammunition

For an ultra-quiet shooting experience, using subsonic rounds is recommended. Subsonic ammo keeps bullet velocities below the sound barrier, eliminating the sonic boom that even the best suppressors cannot completely remove. Heavy 9mm rounds (over 147 grains) and naturally subsonic calibers such as .45 ACP are excellent choices.

Teflon Tape

A practical yet often overlooked accessory is Teflon tape. The forces of recoil can sometimes cause your suppressor to loosen over extended firing sessions. A few wraps of Teflon tape around your barrel threads can help keep your silencer for Glock firmly in place, ensuring consistent performance.

Glock 19 silencerGlock 19 silencer

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Suppress Your Glock

Follow these detailed steps to install a glock silencer on your pistol and enjoy the benefits of quiet shooting:

1. Field Strip Your Glock:

Always begin by following the safety guidelines in your owner’s manual to safely disassemble your Glock.

2. Install the Threaded Barrel:

Lightly lubricate the new threaded barrel and install it in place of your factory barrel. Check that the barrel fits securely and aligns properly.

3. Function Check:

Reassemble your Glock and perform a function check by racking the slide. Ensure that the barrel tilts, locks into battery, and that the slide cycles smoothly.

4. Apply Teflon Tape (Optional):

If desired, wrap a small amount of Teflon tape around the threaded barrel to enhance the grip of your suppressor.

5. Attach the Suppressor with Booster Assembly:

Securely mount your suppressor onto the threaded barrel. Make sure the pistol booster assembly is correctly installed to decouple the additional weight and allow proper cycling.

6. Test Your Setup:

Conduct a live-fire test on the range. Verify that your glock suppressor functions reliably, that the sights are unobstructed (or that your red dot/suppressor sights are aligned), and that the overall shooting experience is smooth and quiet.

7. Fine-Tuning:

Make any necessary adjustments to your sights or suppressor alignment to ensure optimal performance.

 

Benefits of a Silenced Glock

Adding a suppressor to your Glock offers several significant advantages:

  • Reduced Noise: A glock silencer dramatically lowers the noise level, providing a shooting experience that is as close to “Hollywood quiet” as possible.
  • Lower Recoil: With a suppressor, recoil is reduced, making follow-up shots faster and improving overall accuracy.
  • Enhanced Hearing Protection: Shifting some of the noise reduction to the firearm means you rely less on bulky hearing protection.
  • Improved Accuracy: With reduced recoil and less muzzle blast, your target acquisition and precision can improve.

Real-World Applications and Use Cases

A silenced Glock is not just for movie-inspired coolness—it has practical applications in various fields:

  • Tactical Training: Lower noise levels and reduced recoil help improve shooting fundamentals, making training sessions more efficient.
  • Competition: In certain 2-gun and other tactical focused competitions, shooters using a Glock 19 suppressor setup can benefit from faster follow-up shots and improved accuracy.
  • Hunting and Recreational Shooting: When used with subsonic ammo, a suppressed Glock delivers near-silent operation, making it ideal for discreet hunting or plinking.

Maintenance and Safety Tips for Your Glock Silencer

Proper maintenance ensures that your suppressor for Glock continues to perform reliably:

  • Regular Cleaning: Disassemble and clean your suppressor, booster assembly, and threaded barrel periodically to remove residue and maintain proper function.
  • Inspection: Frequently check for signs of wear or damage, particularly after extended shooting sessions.
  • Lubrication: Use appropriate lubricants on moving parts and the threaded connections to ensure smooth operation.
  • Safety Checks: Always perform a function check after reassembly to confirm that your Glock cycles correctly and that the suppressor is securely attached.

Additional Upgrades: Glock Suppressor Sights and Accessories

Additional upgrades can truly elevate your silenced Glock, transforming it into a personalized, high-performance platform. One excellent enhancement is the addition of a red dot sight. Installing a red dot, such as the Trijicon RMR, provides a crisp, reliable aiming point that remains unobstructed by the suppressor, offering faster target acquisition and improved accuracy under any lighting conditions. If you prefer the traditional look and feel of iron sights, you can opt for suppressor-height sights. These are specifically designed to be taller than standard sights, ensuring that even with the suppressor mounted, your sight picture remains clear and consistent.

Beyond sighting solutions, upgrading your grip and trigger can significantly improve both comfort and precision. Aftermarket grips tailored for Glock pistols offer enhanced ergonomics that conform better to your hand, reducing fatigue during extended shooting sessions. Meanwhile, custom trigger kits are engineered to deliver a smoother, lighter trigger pull, which in turn helps you achieve more consistent and controlled shots.

Lastly, integrating accessory mounts into your setup opens up a world of customization possibilities. With accessory rails, you can easily attach tactical lights, lasers, or other add-ons that suit your specific shooting needs—be it for competition or recreational shooting. These enhancements not only optimize your Glock for performance but also ensure that every aspect of your firearm is tailored to deliver a superior shooting experience.

Conclusion 

Equipping your Glock with a suppressor transforms your shooting experience, keeping the decibels down and putting a smile on your face.

You can achieve remarkable suppression with the right components, like a quality threaded barrel, a reliable pistol booster, and the perfect suppressor tailored to your Glock model and caliber. Whether it's for tactical training, enhanced hearing safety, or simply the pleasure of shooting with reduced noise and recoil, suppressing your Glock will unlock a new level of firearms enjoyment.

Remember to consider optional upgrades such as suppressor-height sights or a red dot for improved sighting over your suppressor. And remember the significant benefits of subsonic ammunition for the quietest operation.

By following these steps and adhering to safety protocols, your suppressed Glock will perform exceptionally and provide a uniquely satisfying shooting experience. 

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