CanCon: West Reveals the Present and Future of the Suppressor Market
In Late October, Recoil Magazine hosted CanCon: West in Las Vegas bringing together more than 40 suppressor manufacturers from across the country. The event gave consumers an opportunity to get hands-on with a wide range of suppressors, learn about available products, and see the latest innovations entering the market.
CanCon also gives manufacturers an opportunity to hear directly from consumers, gather feedback on their products, and better understand what shooters are looking for. That exchange between manufacturers and end users is one of the event’s most valuable aspects, allowing both sides to learn from one another.
After attending CanCon: West, I came away with several observations about the suppressor market, the products manufacturers are developing, and what consumers are looking for. Here are four takeaways that stood out to me.
Key Takeaways
1. Flow-Through and Low-Back-Pressure Suppressors Are Reaching Performance Parity
In 2009, Operational Suppressor Systems (OSS) introduced its flow-through suppressor technology. The company later became known as HUXWRX in 2021. For much of the time that followed, HUXWRX was a leading name in flow through suppressor segment of the market.
That began to change as additive manufacturing commonly known as 3D printing…became more accessible to suppressor manufacturers. Advances in metal additive manufacturing gave engineers greater freedom to create complex internal geometries that are impossible to produce using traditional CNC machining. This helped open the door for more companies to develop their own low-back-pressure designs.
At CanCon, I saw what I believe is a move toward performance parity among the flow-through (FT) and low-back-pressure (LBP) suppressors I had the opportunity to shoot. Whether the suppressor came from a well-known brand, a firearm manufacturer, or a newer company, the overall experience was remarkably consistent. I noticed little to no gas reaching my face, and I heard only subtle differences in sound at the shooter’s ear amongst these different suppressors.
That consistency stood out to me. However, hearing protection was required on the range, and my observations were based on a brief event experience not controlled sound testing. I can speak to what I heard and experienced, but I cannot establish that every suppressor was hearing-safe or that the products have reached parity across every performance metric.
Most of the host firearms used during these demonstrations were overgassed, untuned rifles, including the Geissele Super Duty and Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW) MK1. The 5.56 rifles generally had barrel lengths between 11.5 and 14.5 inches, while .300 Blackout rifles ranged from 8 to 10.5 inches. The .30-caliber gas-operated rifles had barrel lengths between 14.5 and 16 inches. Bolt-action rifles varied from 16 to 22 inches, depending on the build. With this variety of builds my shooting experience stayed remarkably consistent from suppressor to suppressor.
Observations While Shooting
My observations from shooting throughout the weekend came down to two things.
First, I experienced little to no noticeable gas blowback toward my face, even when shooting host rifles that were overgassed and had not been tuned for their particular suppressors. I asked vendors whether the host rifles had been optimized or tuned for the suppressors. The answers I received throughout the day were consistently no.
Second, I noticed only slight differences in pitch and tone between the suppressors at the shooter’s ear. Barrel length also appeared to influence the sound characteristics I perceived.
Overall, the suppressors I shot at CanCon performed well in my experience. I did not encounter one that obviously failed to deliver during the demonstrations. That gives consumers more options when looking for a suppressor that fits their budget, firearm, and intended use.
In my view, these observations suggest that performance parity may be emerging within the 3D-printed low-back-pressure suppressors. If that trend continues, it could push manufacturers to innovate further and improve the technology. Competition breeds innovation.
2. 3D Printing Is Becoming the New Standard
After attending CanCon, I believe additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is becoming the new standard for suppressor production. I don’t want to get ahead of the market, but I believe the industry is approaching that standard, if it has not already reached it.
While exploring the manufacturers and their products, I noticed that the vast majority of the suppressors on display were 3D-printed. I encountered only a handful of products made using traditional CNC machining. That represents a significant shift from what I remember seeing five or six years ago.
Additive manufacturing gives engineers greater freedom to design complex internal geometries that influence how gases move through a suppressor. Those designs can help manage gas flow and heat, potentially improving sound suppression and other aspects of performance.
The ability to produce geometries that are difficult or impractical to machine conventionally is one of the major reasons I believe 3D printing will become increasingly common.
I also believe additive manufacturing could become more cost-effective for manufacturers over the long term. The initial investment can be substantial, including equipment, research and development, metal powders, and employee training.
However, once those costs are addressed and production is optimized, manufacturers may be able to produce suppressors more efficiently and at a lower per-unit cost.
This creates a challenge for established companies such as SilencerCo, as well as smaller manufacturers that have invested heavily in traditional CNC machining. To remain competitive, they may need to gradually expand into additive manufacturing or continue serving customers who prefer conventionally manufactured suppressors.
That transition may be easier for some smaller companies than for larger manufacturers with more extensive existing production infrastructure. However, the long-term impact will depend on production costs, demand, and how each company adapts.
3. The Suppressor Market Is Having a Dot-Com Moment
The suppressor industry is experiencing a boom, fueled in part by advances in additive manufacturing and the opportunities these technologies create for new manufacturers. According to an article from The Outdoor Wire, more than 150 new suppressor companies reportedly entered the market over the past year. That growth is beginning to resemble the dot-com boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
During the internet boom, companies rushed to capitalize on emerging technology, with many promising to revolutionize their respective markets. Some delivered on that promise. Others struggled to turn their ambitions into sustainable businesses. The period also saw companies and services become overvalued before failing, contributing to greater market volatility.
The suppressor industry could face a similar period of consolidation over the next five years and beyond. New manufacturers must do more than introduce an innovative design or promise better performance.
They must convince consumers to choose their products over those of established competitors, demonstrate that their suppressors perform reliably under real-world conditions, and establish themselves as businesses consumers can trust.
As the market matures, the industry will have to separate the wheat from the chaff. The question is not simply which companies can enter the market, but which can deliver on their promises and remain competitive over the long term.
What Happens to Consumers When the Market Contracts?
One aspect of this potential market correction deserves consideration: what happens to consumers when a suppressor manufacturer goes out of business?
When purchasing a suppressor, consumers are not just buying a product; they are also placing a degree of trust in the company behind it. They expect the manufacturer to stand behind its product, honor its warranty, provide customer support, and potentially supply replacement parts or service years after the initial purchase.
If a manufacturer closes its doors, that support system can disappear with it. Warranty claims may become difficult or impossible to resolve, replacement parts may become unavailable, and consumers could be left with limited options for servicing their products. Even if a suppressor remains functional, the loss of manufacturer support can complicate long-term ownership.
This is particularly relevant in a market where new companies are competing to distinguish themselves through innovative designs and manufacturing techniques. A promising product might attract consumers, but its long-term value also depends on the company’s ability to remain in business and support what it sells.
A manufacturer does not necessarily have to survive forever, but consumers should understand that buying from a relatively new company can carry different risks than buying from an established manufacturer with a proven history of customer support.
There is also a broader implication for consumer confidence. If companies enter the market with ambitious promises but fail to establish sustainable businesses, consumers may become more cautious about purchasing products from unfamiliar manufacturers. That could make it harder for legitimate newcomers to earn customers’ trust, even when they offer genuinely useful innovations.
Competition can benefit consumers by encouraging innovation, improving products, and expanding their options. However, those benefits come with a trade-off when the market becomes crowded with manufacturers whose long-term viability remains unproven.
As the suppressor industry matures and potentially consolidates, consumers will need to consider more than a product’s performance or advertised features. A company’s ability to support that product long after the sale may prove just as important as the product itself.
4. HUB Compatibility Is Giving Consumers More Options
For a long time, buying a suppressor meant committing to a particular ecosystem of suppressors, muzzle devices, and mounting solutions. This limited flexibility encouraged consumers to stick with one manufacturer’s system because switching to another could require purchasing an entirely new set of compatible components.
The 1.375×24 thread pattern, commonly known as HUB, emerged as a standardized mounting interface in the suppressor market. Its adoption grew during the mid-to-late 2010s as manufacturers introduced modular mounting designs and more brands embraced the same thread pattern. This gradually opened the market to greater compatibility between suppressors and mounting systems.
The broader adoption of HUB compatibility has given consumers more opportunities to use compatible third-party mounting solutions rather than being tied to one manufacturer’s ecosystem. It has also created opportunities for manufacturers to produce muzzle devices and accessories for the HUB system.
This flexibility benefits consumers by giving them more choices when selecting mounting solutions and making it easier to move between compatible systems. It can also create new business opportunities for manufacturers producing aftermarket accessories.
The Bottom Line
CanCon: West gave me a glimpse into where the suppressor industry could be headed over the next five years. I expect continued growth and expansion, with 3D printing and design innovation creating opportunities for manufacturers to get increasingly creative with their products.
I believe additive manufacturing could become the industry standard within the next three years. As manufacturers refine their production processes, suppressors may become more efficient to produce and potentially less expensive. That could allow some savings to be passed on to consumers while maintaining product performance. At the same time, I expect some companies to rise while others struggle or disappear as the market corrects itself.
The American suppressor market is in a strong position, with advances in manufacturing technology and changes to the regulatory landscape potentially creating more opportunities for growth. Recent legal and regulatory development including the Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF case. After the landmark ruling ATF updating its guidance concerning the National Firearms Act, could also affect how law-abiding Americans obtain and own suppressors.
The industry may only be approaching its next stage of development. I hope manufacturers continue building, individuals and teams keep innovating, and consumers benefit from the competition. I’m looking forward to see how the suppressor market develops over the next five years.
