Which Handguns would you "can?"

FfNJGTFO · #1 03-15-2025, 02:44 PM

Hopefully, with the anticipated relaxation of rules on Suppressors, cans, etc., I am thinking about which portions of my "inventory" I might consider for a can. The objective being, to suppress sound in the event one of my inventory is needed for HD/SD (primarily internal at home) and me not having time to don ear protection. I would never EDC such an item. It would stay in one of my "quick access ready safes" but "at the ready" (i.e. condition "1" or "0").

Of your inventory, what would y'all choose to "can?" I'm thinking, for example, about canning one of my RIA 1911 .45acps. I know I'll need to re-barrel it as the present barrel is not threaded for it (as are none of my HG's). No way to screw on a can. I could also consider re-barreling one of my Mossberg Shockwaves but, again, it would need to be re-barreled.

Or, maybe, I just need to drill and practice donning ear protection in a HD/SD SHTF scenario. I know how small my bedroom is. If something goes "bump in the night" I'm not sure I'd have the reaction time to retrieve my weapon and put on ears at the same time. I'd have to practice that. But I also know that having to fire any of my inventory from inside my small bedroom will reek havoc on my ear drums. Or, pretty much, anywhere inside the house.

Still, hopefully, I can have at least one of my handguns "canned" and at the ready for such a thing. Should I bother to can my 1911 (if possible), or another item?

Which item of yours would you choose?

DrHenley · #2 03-16-2025, 09:55 AM

Putting a can on a handgun is significantly more complicated than on a rifle. I have a number of rifles I'd like to suppress, but I don't think I have any good pistol candidates other than an Encore pistol in 454 Casull. I'd probably need to buy a suppressor ready pistol.

I have subsonic loads using Hornady SubX bullets developed for 45-50, 454 Casull, 458 SOCOM and 350 Legend. Just waiting for the money to be in the budget for the can.

FfNJGTFO · #3 03-16-2025, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHenley

Putting a can on a handgun is significantly more complicated than on a rifle. I have a number of rifles I'd like to suppress, but I don't think I have any good pistol candidates other than an Encore pistol in 454 Casull. I'd probably need to buy a suppressor ready pistol.

I have subsonic loads using Hornady SubX bullets developed for 45-50, 454 Casull, 458 SOCOM and 350 Legend. Just waiting for the money to be in the budget for the can.

Thanks much! When you say, "more complicated," is it simply a matter of re-barreling the handgun to have a threaded barrel or is there more to the mechanism?

Is a "suppressor ready" pistol just one with a threaded barrel, or is there more to it than that?

DrHenley · #4 03-16-2025, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FfNJGTFO

Thanks much! When you say, "more complicated," is it simply a matter of re-barreling the handgun to have a threaded barrel or is there more to the mechanism?

Is a "suppressor ready" pistol just one with a threaded barrel, or is there more to it than that?

Since I haven't done it myself I can't speak from experience. You can get suppressor ready 1911s. Not sure what all they did different, but the sights are higher so you can see them over the can.

My understanding is a lot of semi auto pistols just don't run right with suppressors.

Here is an article that tested some suppressor ready 1911s. Half didn't work right.

https://www.gun-tests.com/handguns/p...me-up-short-3/

FfNJGTFO · #5 03-16-2025, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHenley

Since I haven't done it myself I can't speak from experience. You can get suppressor ready 1911s. Not sure what all they did different, but the sights are higher so you can see them over the can.

My understanding is a lot of semi auto pistols just don't run right with suppressors.

Here is an article that tested some suppressor ready 1911s. Half didn't work right.

https://www.gun-tests.com/handguns/p...me-up-short-3/

Thanks so much again! Yeah, if the can affects the blowback and causes cycle failures that's not a good thing. I''ll have to be careful with that. Also the thing about lifting the sights.

BlackKnight · #6 03-17-2025, 09:42 AM

While I personally can't have them here in NJ. Although, I'll be one of the name plaintiffs in the lawsuit we're filing. That a story for another day. I have shot many in my career.
Since I'm running optics my firearm have been outfitted with suppressor height sights. I also already have threaded barrels on on them.
They are 9mm. Will have to get subsonic rounds.

FfNJGTFO · #7 03-19-2025, 07:59 AM

Update: It appears I won't be able to re-barrel my RIA 1911. The reply I got from AMSCOR was a bit difficult to decipher ( I think it may have been a a PI based support person) who didn't bother to tell me whether or not they had any threaded barrel parts for my RAI 1911, but that "if I used an 'aftermarket' barrel for it, it would void the warranty."

<Sigh>

I may have to get a new weapon with a pre-installed threaded barrel. In that case, I'll look for one with adjustable sights, etc.

DrHenley · #8 03-19-2025, 11:06 AM

Doesn't mean you "can't" put an aftermarket barrel on it. You just have to decide which is more important, the warranty or the can.

Besides, if you don't make any permanent alterations, and if you keep the original barrel, and put it back on before sending in for warranty repair, how would they know??

BlackKnight · #9 03-19-2025, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHenley

Doesn't mean you "can't" put an aftermarket barrel on it. You just have to decide which is more important, the warranty or the can.

Besides, if you don't make any permanent alterations, and if you keep the original barrel, and put it back on before sending in for warranty repair, how would they know??

Besides I don't think that's true. I believe the same legislation that applies to vehicles would apply here. Cannot deny warranty work for aftermarket parts.

FfNJGTFO · #10 03-20-2025, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHenley

Doesn't mean you "can't" put an aftermarket barrel on it. You just have to decide which is more important, the warranty or the can.

Well, if the original objective is just to reduce noise in an HD/SD SHTF scenario, I think all these aftermarket manipulations are most likely not worth the trouble/expense. I may as well buy a couple extra pairs of "ears" (3M "Airport Style") and train on how to don them quickly while in bed, for example. That said, if I were to go ahead with the aftermarket barrel, in the case of my RIA 1911, I'd wait for the warranty to expire first and then do it. Until then, I'd buy a new "blowback" weapon that comes with threaded barrel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHenley

Besides, if you don't make any permanent alterations, and if you keep the original barrel, and put it back on before sending in for warranty repair, how would they know??

I'd be a tad concerned that they'd find various wear & tear "micro" evidence that would indicate use of the replacement barrel, thus voiding the warranty.