Why You Need a Suppressor Cover

Congrat! You made a huge upgrade to your firearms and got yourself a suppressor! Now, you should take the next step to protect that investment with a silencer cover. These covers do a  great job of keeping your silencer in good shape, but can also protect you and your gear from a hot can after a long range day. Covers serve as an important piece of kit for mindful shooters who want to get the most out of their experience out in the field.

Table of Contents

• What is a Suppressor Cover?
• Types of Suppressor Protection
• The Best Suppressor Cover for Me
• Conclusion

A suppressor cover is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a cover for silencers meant to protect both the silencer and the people around it. When a firearm is discharged, it generates a substantial amount of pressure and heat which the suppressor collects. This increases the temperature of the suppressor which results in a number of undesirable effects. These include the potential to burn skin on the hot surface, inaccuracy due to heat mirage while using magnified optics, and disrupting camouflage while hunting. 

A suppressor cover provides a lightweight and unobtrusive layer of protection for your suppressor to mitigate these issues. Just as the handguard of a rifle prevents direct contact with the hot barrel, the suppressor cover prevents direct exposure to a heated silencer. Additionally, it protects the suppressor itself from scuffs and scratches, an important concern when hunting in deep brush or over rough terrain.

There are two primary classes of suppressor covers: soft wraps and hardshell covers. A suppressor wrap is a flexible swatch of cloth or clothlike material which fits over the surface of the silencer. Hardshell suppressor covers are rigid attachments molded to the shape of the suppressor. Each has their own use cases, advantages, and disadvantages. Before you start exploring your options for purchasing a silencer cover, you should first consider which type of cover best suits your needs. If you need something easily swapped, such as if you are planning on moving across state lines with a suppressor, a wrap might be the better option. If you plan to travel through difficult environments on a hunting trip through rough conditions, you should probably consider a hardcover.

A rigid suppressor cover is a metal and polymer device meant to fit over a silencer. A small gap between the surface of the suppressor and the interior of the cover provides room for airflow. This allows the suppressor to passively cool while still protecting against the dangers of an exposed surface. This makes this type of cover ideal for high pressure or rapid-fire platforms where heat dissipation is a concern. The cover is also perfect for reducing the profile of the firearm, avoiding snaggable surfaces and keeping it sleek and streamlined. 

That being said, a hard suppressor cover is not without shortcomings. The best suppressor cover will be custom molded for specific suppressor dimensions, meaning that most covers which work on one suppressor cannot be swapped over to another. For example, a 22 suppressor cover is unlikely to work on a 300 Win Mag suppressor. To approach that level of versatility, a silencer wrap should be your go-to.

A suppressor heat wrap is usually constructed of tough yet flexible materials such as Kevlar, Nomex, or fiberglass mesh secured by elastic cordage to ensure a tight fit. A silencer wrap usually features at least two layers: a heat-absorbing inner thermal liner and an outer mesh of tear-resistant fabric. The result is a versatile suppressor cover which can be swapped out across multiple platforms. 

Though a wrap might not fit across all other suppressor sizes, they are still much more adaptable than rigid covers, allowing a single silencer wrap to pull duty for an entire safe full of rifles. Furthermore, the lack of rigidity means the wrap is unlikely to disrupt existing attachments on your rails the way a hard suppressor cover would. For hunters, the soft covering has the niche yet potentially significant advantage of dampening sound from bumping into objects while out in the field.

However, this versatility is not without its drawbacks. Because the heat is being absorbed instead of dissipated, it can potentially take longer for the suppressor to cool down from multiple rapid shots. In rare cases, extreme overuse can even lead to warping and deformation of the suppressor. However, it should be noted that, at such high temperatures, both the barrel and the suppressor may start to warp regardless of the cover.

Silencer Pouches

As a quick side note on a parallel accessory to your suppressor, a suppressor pouch should also be considered. These fabric pouches are used to transport suppressors on one’s person while out in the field, allowing quick access with the flip of a flap. They are especially useful when using a quick detach system, allowing users to safely store their silencer even while it is in the process of cooling down. When paired with a suppressor cover, their usefulness is greatly increased, allowing for much faster removal and stowage which can prevent carbon lock.

Now that you’ve decided what you’re looking for in a suppressor cover, you need a good selection of options from which you can make your decision. Fortunately, SilencerShop has several top contenders for your consideration available in easy reach.

The ModTac suppressor cover, available in both MRAC and U-RAC configurations, are ideal for shooters looking to make a suppressor a permanent feature on their AR-pattern rifle. By attaching to the rail instead of the suppressor, the free-floating cover gives the user all of the benefits of a suppressor cover with no downsides aside from the negligible 16 oz in extra weight. For shooters looking to give their suppressor a more permanent home on their AR, the ModTac is one of the sleekest options available.

Moving on to silencer wraps, the Cole-TAC Corset Suppressor Cover is a bespoke example of a versatile design. With each model cut to the specifications of the customer, the hybrid Kevlar/Nomex thermal liner is literally tailor-made for the shooter’s needs, providing complete coverage and a snug fit. Boasting rugged performance on even the highest-recoiling platforms, the Corset is a top tier option for shooters who crave precision.

The Armageddon Gear "High-Temp" Mirage Covers install in seconds, come available in a wide range of colors and sizes, and stay secure even under heavy usage conditions. Though primarily cited as an anti-mirage device, the suppressor wrap also provides the heat and jostling protection that any competent cover should have.

The BPG Suppressor Cover easily fits all 1.5” diameter suppressors, with options available for virtually any length. By leaving material to cinch around the front and rear apertures, the cover achieves an exceptional fit, making it one of the most stable designs available. Capable of withstanding up to 2000° F thanks to their DuPont Kevlar and fiberglass mesh construction, BPG covers fit 5.56/.223, 300 BLK, .308, 5.56 NATO,and  7.62 NATO suppressors. The BPG is a strong contender for one of the best cover options on the market backed up by a lifetime guarantee.

Unless you’re looking to cook breakfast on your suppressor, a silencer cover is a smart option for your suppressed shooting needs. If you’re ready to start your suppressed shooting experience, browse through SilencerShop’s wide catalog and discover which model (and accompanying cover) are the best fit for you.