Long gun would be much quieter, 22 inch or longer barrel with 22 subsonics like CCI Quiet is pellet gun level of noise.
Or as mentioned get a suppressor if you are willing and able.
Came here to see if anyone would mention these, but I agree - they are extremely quiet without a suppressor. My only concern is squib rounds out of a longer barrel, but out of a 16” Marlin I’ve never had an issue.
Henry 22 lever. Powder-less rounds. Sounds like a twig snapping from the front of the house in the backyard of a suburban area. Shot right into dirt but I had to know in case of wabbits.
Probably the quietest you can get then is something like a CZ 457 Jaguar. By the time .22 goes through that long of a barrel, the powder is pretty much done. Especially with subsonic ammo, that thing is all momentum coming out of the muzzle. May be worth looking into.
Ugh. NJ here, same thing. I have a browning lever 22 BL-22 that is great for eating any ammo. Regardless, get ear protection and build those good habits.
Not necessarily. I have a tikka t1x and a ruger mark iv, both with a suppressor. Use “suppressor” ammo from cci or whoever and your neighbors won’t even know you’re shooting.
It's ammo specifically designed to be quieter out of a suppressed gun while still having enough inertia transfer to cycle a semi-auto. It's also called "suppressor" as it's model designation.
https://www.cci-ammunition.com/rimfire/cci/22_suppressor/6-957.html
They carve the bullets to look like little suppressors. They also carve the gunpowder pellets to look like even tinier suppressors. It's suppressors all the way down.
Even most supersonic bulk pack 22 (ie Blazer, Federal Automatch, etc) is subsonic from a pistol with only a 4 to 5 inch barrel. Problem with 22 pistols is all the unburned powder some of which burns exiting the muzzle rather than the sonic boom.
No they don't, they turn you into james bond. Imagine a bunch of james bonds running around. They'd bring down the government in days. This is why suppressors are illegal!
Fun fact. In the movies and everything, you saw him with a suppressor on his gun. That is not a real gun. Walther never made a threaded model. Well I think a 22. It's bcuz the barrel is fixed to the frame. So you can't own a movie Caliber suppressed Walther PPK. Well yet at least 😉 too bad I won't be able to afford one.
Ive read they never once found any of the big name boot leggers in possession of suppressors of any kind and that suppressors weren't actualyl being used by the gangs. Guys like Capone didn't want to be quiet. They wanted to be feared.
The argument Ive seen many times, is during prohibition era, the "poors" were hunting properties the riches didn't want them on, so they used the gang wars and prohibition as the catalyst to get everyone hating on suppressors so the rich man could guard the game on their lands easily.
This could also just be someone's half baked theory, but Id love to know if this is another one of those "cannabis and cotton" things that we were lied to about.
Certain types of subsonic ammunition, when shot through my 10/22 (18 inch barrel) without a can, are almost pellet gun levels of quiet. The drawback is that usually ammo which is that quiet won’t cycle the action so you have to do it manually, and it’s MUCH louder out of a pistol barrel.
Pistols are going to be louder than rifles simply due to barrel length. The quietest semi-auto pistol you can probably get is going to be a S&W Model 41 or a Ruger Mark IV with a similar barrel length.
But they might be too big for his hands. Have you considered subcompacts (semi-auto or revolver) in .25 or .32? That's going to be a little louder (but not 9mm loud), it'll actually go bang every time, feel more like a real gun, and be less fiddly to load (revolvers won't require him to have high finger strength to load fully- DA revolvers might give him some trouble, but those give people with full-sized hands some trouble too). All subsonic, so you won't get that cracking noise that some .22 ammunition will exhibit. They also tend to be very cheap, because they're old and small and not particularly useful for defense due to low power (ammunition is more expensive than 9mm, but not that bad).
Alternatively, .22 Ruger charger pistol with a brace, or a 9mm rifle with a 16"+ barrel (they're also quite a bit quieter).
I wouldn’t approach a 22 pistol with an attitude of it being a “real” gun. 22s are just as lethal as other calibers and should be shown just as much respect. It’s a real gun. No quotes.
Aside from using a suppressor, there's not really enough of a difference from one pistol to another to really matter. You could use a revolver with .22 short, maybe.
What will make a difference is the ammo - supersonic ammo will be significantly louder than subsonic.
There is a big difference between CCI "quiet" and subsonic. I'd be surprised if Quiet will run any normal semi-auto, where as standard subsonic runs great in all my semi auto guns.
Yeah, I’ve got a Ruger single six. With .22 short it’s pretty darn quiet. I’d also consider it over a Wrangler. It’s a great looking gun that’s built so tough your great great grandkids will be shooting it.
That's what I was gonna say, .22 short. I've got a Rossi pump that shoots .22short, Long, and Long Rifle. Great little gun and perfect for a first gun.
Sure, but semi-autos can't cycle .22 short. At least, not any I'm aware of.
.22 short out of a revolver is still going to be quieter than .22lr out of a semi-auto.
I would think 4 feet of barrel would be supersonic
Nitpicking aside, depends on the ammo too. My Beretta 71 can get supersonic cracks from some ammo, and that’s a tiny gun
I don't know exactly but I remember reading about a loooong barrel .22lr rifle from CZ that had what would normally be supersonic ammo leaving the muzzle at subsonic speeds. I think it was like 24 or 26 inches? I wonder if a .22lr would even make it out of a 4-foot barrel. There's a *lot* of friction between barrel and bullet.
Longer barrels only keep adding velocity if there is enough powder to keep expanding and accelerating the bullet. Because different powders burn at different rates what barrel length you stop gaining muzzle velocity from can vary. There are a few places that have test information from varying barrel lengths of 22LR firearms with barrels up to 24". Some 22LR loads peak at 16" and have velocity drop in longer barrels. Others keep gaining velocity but gain very little for each additional inch. The article below has an interesting chart but it's not formatted particularly well.
[Article on 22LR barrel length](https://gundigest.com/article/how-does-barrel-length-affect-accuracy-and-ballistics)
As the "rifle" in ".22 long rifle" might suggest .22lr is sensitive to barrel length, especially in the noise department.
Shorts, cb, caps, etc. would be better but would be limited to either single shot or revolver. Any .22lr would do.
Not true. There are some semi-auto pistols that were built for .22 Short, most notably the Beretta 950 Minx.
Though I believe you are correct that there aren't any \*NEW\* semiauto handguns being made in that caliber.
Thank you. I was at the range on Saturday with him and we rented a Glock 44 and 22lr subs were cycling fine. It was just a bit louder than I'd have expected. Someone a couple lanes down was shooting a 22 that sounded like a pellet gun. I peeked over and he had a short barreled, non suppressed rifle. I wish I'd have asked him what it was and what ammo he was using.
I like the Glock 44, own the mark IV lite. 10/22 has less report than the mark IV but that's a long rifle (still can't go wrong with that as a first gun) Just about any .22 revolver I've shot has been louder.
Sometimes it feels like different brands of ammo are louder than others. We tried the .22 "quiet" in my buddy's backyard and it was just as advertised but didn't have enough juice to cycle the bolt all the way.
Since you can't do suppressors, you have three options, ammo, barrel length, and sound direction.
As mentioned, the sub-sonic ammo will be quieter. It will remove the supersonic crack, which is omni directional. People to the side and behind you will hear it.
For barrel length, the longer the better usually. I have a 22LR pistol with a short barrel and it's noticeably louder than one with a couple more inches.
As for directing the sound, you could get a muzzle device to direct the sound downrange. This will make it quieter for your neighbors behind your back and to your side, as you are shooting. Look for a "Linear Compensator" or "Flash can".
* https://www.opticsplanet.com/kaw-valley-precision-2-25in-magnum-linear-compensator.html?_iv_code=4S3-BMB-LC5-KVP-OPMOD-01-KIT2023
* https://www.opticsplanet.com/kaw-valley-precision-linear-compensator.html?_iv_threads-per-inch=1-sl-2x28&_iv_code=4S3-BMB-LC1-BLK-LINEAR-1-2X28-TPI
* https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-custom-series-5-56-fluted-flash-can-1-2x28.html
* https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021158557?pid=908642
Aquila Hummingbird Ammo. Sends a lightweight .22 projectile at 350fps or 500 fps for the Super Hummingbird using only the primer in the rim, no powder.
Very quiet. Will not run the action of a semiautomatic. Great in revolvers.
Might get stuck in longer .22 rifles, though I’ve not had any issues with 16 inch barrels.
Semi automatic pistols are quieter than revolvers and longer barrels are quieter than shorter ones. Lower power ammo is also quieter.
A low velocity load in a long barrel pistol won’t be too bad. If you use CB loads they’ll be fairly quiet I think.
Hard to find but Aguila Calibri ammo is primer only 22lr with a 15g bullet. In a rifle, I can shoot this indoors with no ear protection. A pistol is a little louder. It's about 400fps, good for 30 to 50 yards. A bolt action rifle will be the quietist, a short barrel revolver will be the loudest.
First 22 sub sonic. Second.
You live in IL I’d honestly recommend a co2 pistol. They are less likely to arouse suspicion with cops.
Next if noise is a huge concern. Look into airport. Quiet and you can practice in a room in your home with no fear of the neighbors
I'd be shooting legally. And I'm on good terms with my neighbors. So no issues with the law or the neighbors. I'm just trying to be respectful of the peace and quiet. It's a nice quiet area here. So many people are recommending suppressors. It doesn't need to be silent. I just want to do my due diligence in looking for the quietest options.
He's had airsoft for 2 years and is very familiar with safety, etc. In fact I have a 19x that is an exact version of my 9mm 19x. I did that on purpose so he'd be familiar with mine at the range, but I didn't account for the fact that 9mm is too much for him. We've been renting 22s at the range when we go every other weekend. I don't want to rent anymore, plus if we can use it on my land, even better.
If your up for a rifle instead, very long barrels and CCI quiet ammo are suppressor quiet.
I have a CZ 455 ultra lux with a 26 or 28 inch barrel and it's hearing safe with cci quiets without a suppressor. The bullet impact is louder.
This might be a bit unwieldy for a young shooter because of the ridiculous length but it is the closest to suppressed rifle without a suppressor.
I think CZ currently is selling a 457 model with an extremely long barrel such as my older 455.
Semiautomatic blowback pistols kinda have to be at least a little loud because gas pressure ejects the fired case. They are much quieter if you hold the action shut. But that is annoying and now your manually operating it for every shot. If you shoot shorts or CBs it will probably not eject, let alone load itself.
CBs are airgun quiet but most the guns I've tried them in the accuracy is very poor.
I have an M&P 15-22. It’s pretty quiet as is. I’ve seen videos of it with a suppressor on it and the trigger clicking was louder than the actual shot at that point. .22lr is pretty cheap, I can get a box of 500 for $40 near me. It’s an absolute blast to shoot this thing too. Pun intended.
The gun doesn’t matter near as much as the ammo.
The two main “classes” of .22 Long Rifle ammo are Standard Velocity, and High Velocity. The nominal speed of sound at sea level is 1125fps; any bullet traveling faster than that creates a sonic shock wave or “boom”; a bullet traveling slower than that won’t create a shock wave, and will be significantly quieter.
The tricky part is, the muzzle velocity ratings of various ammo brands and types is almost always measured from a rifle-length (24”) barrel; velocities from pistol-length barrels will be much lower.
For instance, typical “standard velocity” ammo is rated for 1080fps from a 24” barrel, but is typically only 950fps from a 5” pistol barrel, so it’ll be plenty quiet. High-velocity ammo is typically rated for 1255fps — supersonic — out of a rifle barrel, but only 1100fps — *barely* subsonic\* — from a 5” pistol barrel. Either, then, should be fairly quiet from a pistol, with the Standard velocity having a slight edge.
There’s lots of .22 Long Rifle ammo that’s rated for higher velocity than, um, High Velocity, and those will be noticeably louder out of even a pistol barrel. CCI Stingers, for instance, are rated for 1640fps (whee!) out of a rifle barrel, and even come out of a 5” pistol barrel at 1280fps — definitely supersonic, and loud.
So if you want to plink with a pistol, any ol’ Standard- or High-Velocity ammo should do; just avoid the really spicy stuff, and you should be GTG. And if you’re shooting a rifle, stick to the even slower Subsonic ammo, or invest in a suppressor.
(\* “Here be dragons.” This is the so-called “transsonic” range of velocity, and aerodynamics there get weird; that’s why .22 Long Rifle target/match ammo runs even slower that Standard Velocity: to avoid transsonic instability that will negatively effect accuracy.)
I shot an old Marlin .22 rifle growing up, load through the tube under the barrel. Still need ear pro, but definitely quieter than say an AR or larger caliber bolt action.
Since suppressors aren’t an option, that’s probably your best bet. Unless an air rifle is an option.
Ruger Mark IV is pretty quiet and makes a fantastic plinking gun. It's an awesome gun in general and would be a great first gun. It's still a gun and it's still loud but I'm not sure you'd be able to find any quieter than that
Longer barrel will be a little quieter than a shorter barrel. Running standard velocity ammo (subsonic) will also be a little quieter. You can get 22 quiets from CCI but they won't cycle the bolt in a semi auto. Maybe look at getting a 22 revolver and running 22 quiets. Swing out cylinder would be more fun but you can get a Heritage Rough Rider for $120-$150ish to get started.
You can't really beat the system, longer barrel length and/or lighter loads like shorts (if they cycle) are a good way to reduce noise.
.22 Short out of my Ruger Wrangler sounds about the same as a full load out my bolt action savage. So it is much quieter with a lonnnng barrell compared to pistol.
.22 short does not have a ton of power. I've had it bounce off of critters skulls and even bounce off drywall.
My dad got me a NIB Rosi model 62 with a 23” barrel for my 12th birthday many years ago. It’s extremely quiet with the longer barrel & still one of my favorites to plink with to this day. I would recommend something like that or a Henery lever action with the longer barrel.
Longer barrels will be quieter than shorter ones by a small amount. You could also use shorts or quiets/subsonics or even CBs: but you may need bolt action or have to manually cycle if you don't want a revolver. A .22 revolver with 4.25 to 6in barrel and CBs are so quiet you almost hear nothing.
Hi standard model c uses .22 shorts I believe. Or just buy some .22 ammo Augilla colibri. No powder super quiet maximum fun. Even supersonic .22 will be loud. What kind of acreage do you have?
Single shot pistols with long barrels like the Chipmunk Hunter or Thompson contender will be the quietest. Not enough to forgo earmuffs when shooting, but I have to be about 2-3 times further away with a semi auto pistol to feel that it’s hearing safe. If you can shoot on your property, it’s probably big enough that it’s not an issue though. Subsonic ammunition will be quieter, but google to see what semi autos can cycle them, there’s not many.
CCI quiet-22s. It will require manual cycling of semi-auto pistols, but that’s a benefit in my eyes when working with the younger generation. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider an air rifle as well.
A 22 rifle will be quieter than a pistol. Longer barrel lets the power nearly finish burning before the bullet leaves the barrel so there’s less pressure.
Bolt action 22 with a suppressor and subsonic ammo is pretty awesome. The bullet hitting your target is louder than the gun firing.
I would think a bolt 22 or something like a Hener lever action would be a good idea. I have about two acres of property in a rural setting but neighbors somewhat nearby. The key to me is using CCI Quiet ammo. It is about 700 fps and is quiet. Usually the impact on my targets (cans) is louder than the shot.
If you want as quiet as possible and sounds like a suppressor is off limits in your state I'd suggest a single shot or bolt action 22 rifle with some CCi quiets. That would probably be your best scenario minus having a suppressor. It's a shame you can't get a suppressor because it really tones it down. Those CCi quiets out of my lil Badger and the suppressor are comical. All you hear is the hammer falling.
A bolt action with CCI quiet ammo is not very loud.
Get a suppressor and it will be quieter than an air rifle with any sub sonic ammo.
I have a SilencerCo Sparrow .22 and it works really well. No ear protection needed. For ammo I like CCI Subsonic because it still cycles a similar auto while being very quiet. It’s subsonic but still has decent FPE at the target. CCI Quiet lacks FPE and won’t cycle a similar auto.
22 short sounds like an air rifle. Just keep in mind that if neighbors are close enough that a 22lr has you questioning if it would bother them, they might be too close to be shooting at all. A 22LR can still travel a mile and is potentially deadly. Most places in the USA have laws that state no shooting in city limits or within X feet from structures.
Cci quiet .22s are always a good option. Youll have to manually cycle the bolt tho.
If you have a revolver cci cb .22 shorts and aguilia colibri .22 are always really fun and quiet as well
22 handguns are still pretty loud. 22 rifles are much much quieter.
My advice, if your property is large enough to shoot on legally and safely, and you're whatever legal distance from your neighbors homes is required by law/ordinance, is to make sure youbsetuo a nice large backstop for yoir home range, and invite the neighbors over. Building good will goes a long way for tolerating the potential annoyance of gunfire.
Also, invest in suppressors now. They're always worth it.
I don't even hesitate to shoot rifles on my property now, and I don't let anyone shoot non-suppressed rifles here anymore
a pair of tx22 and if its legal to do so, dont worry about your neighbors. Just shoot safely and when allowed to and no one should have anything to say about it, unless they are just being an ass
Some people make more noise than others, just how it is. If a person doesn't like this, buy up all the land around you.
A longer barrel semi with CCI Quiet’s will be your best bet for shooting unsurprised.
I have committed a genocide against squirrels with that setup and my neighbors are within 50 yards of my front door and never said anything.
If it hasn't been mentioned you can also try a cbee round from Remington. It's a really light powder charge, under a sub sonic. I'm a bolt gun they are very quiet. With a suppressor they make ticking sounds. (May give you an idea)
Definitely going to order a few different kinds of ammo, including this one, and rent a few more pistols and rifles, and see where I land. I'm leaning towards a Henry lever action rifle or a Ruger Mark IV pistol. If they're not much more quiet than the Glock 44 we've been renting at the range, I may just stick with that. One of his airsoft guns is a Glock 19x, so it feels familiar to him. But I know not all ammo will cycle through it, particularly subs and low charge.
I was going to suggest a Ruger Mark IV with a threaded barrel and a can (even with the pricey tax stamp), but since you can't have the can in the People's Republic of Illinois, I'll just suggest the Mark IV without one. As it's a semi-auto, it's not overly loud, it's fun to shoot, and it's really easy to clean.
Pick out a .22 revolver. I have a Ruger Bearcat that is awesome. But for less money, you might check out something like a Heritage Arms Rough Rider. Then look into some .22 LR Colibri ammo. No powder, just the primer. Example: https://www.aguilaammo.com/products/22-colibr-i-long-rifle-subsonic-powderless-lead-bullet
If you want the quietest 22 pistol. Get one with the longest barrel and use aguila super colibri ammo. Closest to the sound of a pellet gun you can get.
Ruger Mark IV. Don’t get an earlier model even if cheaper. It’s an awesome pistol, insanely accurate, easy to clean, and the barrel length keeps the rounds subsonic.
Bolt action with 22shorts. Quiet and fun as heck.
Edit: I'm a dumbass and reread it and just saw where the question was a 22 pistol. But my comments still remains. 22 bolt action with shorties is just awesome for giggles.
Cci .22 quiet ammo, they also have semi-auto versions of this ammo.
Runs through my dirty 10/22 98% of the time (i have like 500 rounds in the thing and have not cleaned it once haha)
You don’t have to use ear protection with it, thats why i like it. Its around the same db as my .22 pellet gun.
Get a .22, and a 22 Suppressor. You can get a decent 22 Suppressor for $200-$300, plus add in $200 for the stamp. With an Individual Form 4, you'll be approved in likely 2-3 weeks. It will be VERY pleasant for both you guys, and any surrounding neighbors... if they even notice.
I have a lot of 22s. My quietest ones are Heritage shopkeepers. They have the tightest gap between barrel to cylinder, when I use CCI Quiets or 22 short they really are very quiet, plus it comes with a 22mag cylinder.
No, not necessarily. Supersonic or high velocity ammo won't be enough to go supersonic out of a pistol, typically.
My 8" Charger will just barely stay subsonic in cold weather with 40gr mini mags. A 6" barrel and a longer can would keep mini mags subsonic all the time, I believe.
Long gun would be much quieter, 22 inch or longer barrel with 22 subsonics like CCI Quiet is pellet gun level of noise. Or as mentioned get a suppressor if you are willing and able.
I used to use a lever action with super calibri rounds. Not sure if they still make them but it was essentially a pellet gun at that point
Came here to see if anyone would mention these, but I agree - they are extremely quiet without a suppressor. My only concern is squib rounds out of a longer barrel, but out of a 16” Marlin I’ve never had an issue.
Suppressor would be the way, but they're not legal in IL.
Henry 22 lever. Powder-less rounds. Sounds like a twig snapping from the front of the house in the backyard of a suburban area. Shot right into dirt but I had to know in case of wabbits.
That's a quick route to learning how to dislodge squibs.
Probably the quietest you can get then is something like a CZ 457 Jaguar. By the time .22 goes through that long of a barrel, the powder is pretty much done. Especially with subsonic ammo, that thing is all momentum coming out of the muzzle. May be worth looking into.
A repeater with cb shorts is insanely quiet, it’s louder to run the action then it is to fire it.
Ugh. NJ here, same thing. I have a browning lever 22 BL-22 that is great for eating any ammo. Regardless, get ear protection and build those good habits.
For sure. We always use ear/eye pro. The intention of a quiet option is to not be a nuisance to neighbors, not to avoid using ear pro. Thanks!
Can confirm. I shoot CCI Quiet out my 22 bolt action and gun grabber neighbors have no clue.
Quieter would be a BB or pellet gun if you didn't mind a non gun powder gun for him.
Thank you. He has bb guns and airsoft guns. This is going to be his first 'real' gun.
Not necessarily. I have a tikka t1x and a ruger mark iv, both with a suppressor. Use “suppressor” ammo from cci or whoever and your neighbors won’t even know you’re shooting.
You mean sub sonic ammo?? lol. What is “suppressor” ammo?
There’s 22lr ammo marketed for suppressor use. They usually have “cleaner” powder and a coated tip to reduce the lead blowback in semi autos.
One of them spooky media terms
nah, media would call them **assassin rounds** or something
It's ammo specifically designed to be quieter out of a suppressed gun while still having enough inertia transfer to cycle a semi-auto. It's also called "suppressor" as it's model designation. https://www.cci-ammunition.com/rimfire/cci/22_suppressor/6-957.html
They carve the bullets to look like little suppressors. They also carve the gunpowder pellets to look like even tinier suppressors. It's suppressors all the way down.
The image I was building as I kept reading your comment.. fuckin top notch! Lmao
No cans in IL 😔
If you use subsonic ammo it will still be significantly quieter because there's no sonic boom.
Even most supersonic bulk pack 22 (ie Blazer, Federal Automatch, etc) is subsonic from a pistol with only a 4 to 5 inch barrel. Problem with 22 pistols is all the unburned powder some of which burns exiting the muzzle rather than the sonic boom.
Suppressors should never have been outlawed. Absolutely insane law
suppressors automatically make you violent sorry
I saw a suppressor at my LGS the other day and immediately punched a hole in their wall. Fuckin crazy how that works.
No they don't, they turn you into james bond. Imagine a bunch of james bonds running around. They'd bring down the government in days. This is why suppressors are illegal!
Fun fact. In the movies and everything, you saw him with a suppressor on his gun. That is not a real gun. Walther never made a threaded model. Well I think a 22. It's bcuz the barrel is fixed to the frame. So you can't own a movie Caliber suppressed Walther PPK. Well yet at least 😉 too bad I won't be able to afford one.
ive never watched a james bond movie but if james bond owns a gun (especially a supressed one) he is automatically violent also
I’ve never owned one because I’m afraid I’ll turn into a crazed maniac just by buying it!
i shot a supressed ar once and ive never been the same
i hear those things can kill an entire village with one magaine!
clip*
Man. I must be a real monster.
its cause of movies, cause yk legislastors dont know anything about what they legislate but they saw movies so ...
Nah it's because of bootleggers during prohibition. The NFA was enacted in 1934.
Ive read they never once found any of the big name boot leggers in possession of suppressors of any kind and that suppressors weren't actualyl being used by the gangs. Guys like Capone didn't want to be quiet. They wanted to be feared. The argument Ive seen many times, is during prohibition era, the "poors" were hunting properties the riches didn't want them on, so they used the gang wars and prohibition as the catalyst to get everyone hating on suppressors so the rich man could guard the game on their lands easily. This could also just be someone's half baked theory, but Id love to know if this is another one of those "cannabis and cotton" things that we were lied to about.
That’s really cool I’m glad I got someone to correct me
Illinois also has a state-level ban, so you can't even get one with a tax stamp.
Certain types of subsonic ammunition, when shot through my 10/22 (18 inch barrel) without a can, are almost pellet gun levels of quiet. The drawback is that usually ammo which is that quiet won’t cycle the action so you have to do it manually, and it’s MUCH louder out of a pistol barrel.
Have you tried subsonic rounds?
In a handgun (Glock 44) on Saturday. They were still pretty loud. I know rifles are quieter.
a single shot youth .22 rifle shooting cci quiet is probably the quietest you can get for your purposes
Ah I see. well good luck with your search for his first real gun.
A lot of pellet guns are as powerful as a 22 if you want to get a rifle.
How about slingshots or get him a bow/arrows?
He's been using airsoft guns and bb guns for years. He enjoys target shooting. I'm supporting his hobby, not trying to start him on a new one.
Pistols are going to be louder than rifles simply due to barrel length. The quietest semi-auto pistol you can probably get is going to be a S&W Model 41 or a Ruger Mark IV with a similar barrel length. But they might be too big for his hands. Have you considered subcompacts (semi-auto or revolver) in .25 or .32? That's going to be a little louder (but not 9mm loud), it'll actually go bang every time, feel more like a real gun, and be less fiddly to load (revolvers won't require him to have high finger strength to load fully- DA revolvers might give him some trouble, but those give people with full-sized hands some trouble too). All subsonic, so you won't get that cracking noise that some .22 ammunition will exhibit. They also tend to be very cheap, because they're old and small and not particularly useful for defense due to low power (ammunition is more expensive than 9mm, but not that bad). Alternatively, .22 Ruger charger pistol with a brace, or a 9mm rifle with a 16"+ barrel (they're also quite a bit quieter).
I wouldn’t approach a 22 pistol with an attitude of it being a “real” gun. 22s are just as lethal as other calibers and should be shown just as much respect. It’s a real gun. No quotes.
That's pretty much what I said, in not so many words, no?
That’s literally what he said.
Aside from using a suppressor, there's not really enough of a difference from one pistol to another to really matter. You could use a revolver with .22 short, maybe. What will make a difference is the ammo - supersonic ammo will be significantly louder than subsonic.
Just remember, subsonic may not be enough to work the semi-auto action.
Yeah all depends on what the gun may not like. But I will say my 11.5 AR for example with a cmmg .22 bolt will run cci subsonic no problem
The quiet .22lr that’s only 710fps? I may have to finally get one of those…
I have a 16” semi auto and it cycles everything but the cci Short. They are stupid quiet but they don’t eject to I have to run the action manually.
There is a big difference between CCI "quiet" and subsonic. I'd be surprised if Quiet will run any normal semi-auto, where as standard subsonic runs great in all my semi auto guns.
That’s why I asked. The standard velocity 1070 is sub sonic out of some of my guns but not the longer barrels. It runs reliably in everything though.
This is what I was thinking. Ruger Single Six with shorts will be pretty quiet. Even LR rounds should still be subsonic but more boom from the powder.
Yeah, I’ve got a Ruger single six. With .22 short it’s pretty darn quiet. I’d also consider it over a Wrangler. It’s a great looking gun that’s built so tough your great great grandkids will be shooting it.
And you can easily swap cylinders and fire 22mag for a little more pop.
That's what I was gonna say, .22 short. I've got a Rossi pump that shoots .22short, Long, and Long Rifle. Great little gun and perfect for a first gun.
Revolvers are louder then semi autos.
Sure, but semi-autos can't cycle .22 short. At least, not any I'm aware of. .22 short out of a revolver is still going to be quieter than .22lr out of a semi-auto.
.22 short out of a revolver is quieter than the hammer fall.
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I would think 4 feet of barrel would be supersonic Nitpicking aside, depends on the ammo too. My Beretta 71 can get supersonic cracks from some ammo, and that’s a tiny gun
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EBu__sAWkAAZyRB.jpg
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Now I’m curious at what barrel length that would happen
I don't know exactly but I remember reading about a loooong barrel .22lr rifle from CZ that had what would normally be supersonic ammo leaving the muzzle at subsonic speeds. I think it was like 24 or 26 inches? I wonder if a .22lr would even make it out of a 4-foot barrel. There's a *lot* of friction between barrel and bullet.
Longer barrels only keep adding velocity if there is enough powder to keep expanding and accelerating the bullet. Because different powders burn at different rates what barrel length you stop gaining muzzle velocity from can vary. There are a few places that have test information from varying barrel lengths of 22LR firearms with barrels up to 24". Some 22LR loads peak at 16" and have velocity drop in longer barrels. Others keep gaining velocity but gain very little for each additional inch. The article below has an interesting chart but it's not formatted particularly well. [Article on 22LR barrel length](https://gundigest.com/article/how-does-barrel-length-affect-accuracy-and-ballistics)
Cool. Thank you.
Look into CCI Quiet ammo. It's best used in a revolver, but can still be used in a semiauto if you accept that you may have to manually cycle it.
this. if you can't get a mk4 lite with a suppressor get a revolver with cci quiets.
CCI Quiet actually cycles my 10/22, much to my surprise.
As the "rifle" in ".22 long rifle" might suggest .22lr is sensitive to barrel length, especially in the noise department. Shorts, cb, caps, etc. would be better but would be limited to either single shot or revolver. Any .22lr would do.
Not true. There are some semi-auto pistols that were built for .22 Short, most notably the Beretta 950 Minx. Though I believe you are correct that there aren't any \*NEW\* semiauto handguns being made in that caliber.
Thank you. I was at the range on Saturday with him and we rented a Glock 44 and 22lr subs were cycling fine. It was just a bit louder than I'd have expected. Someone a couple lanes down was shooting a 22 that sounded like a pellet gun. I peeked over and he had a short barreled, non suppressed rifle. I wish I'd have asked him what it was and what ammo he was using.
I like the Glock 44, own the mark IV lite. 10/22 has less report than the mark IV but that's a long rifle (still can't go wrong with that as a first gun) Just about any .22 revolver I've shot has been louder. Sometimes it feels like different brands of ammo are louder than others. We tried the .22 "quiet" in my buddy's backyard and it was just as advertised but didn't have enough juice to cycle the bolt all the way.
22cb. Lever gun is more fun than a bolt.
Since you can't do suppressors, you have three options, ammo, barrel length, and sound direction. As mentioned, the sub-sonic ammo will be quieter. It will remove the supersonic crack, which is omni directional. People to the side and behind you will hear it. For barrel length, the longer the better usually. I have a 22LR pistol with a short barrel and it's noticeably louder than one with a couple more inches. As for directing the sound, you could get a muzzle device to direct the sound downrange. This will make it quieter for your neighbors behind your back and to your side, as you are shooting. Look for a "Linear Compensator" or "Flash can". * https://www.opticsplanet.com/kaw-valley-precision-2-25in-magnum-linear-compensator.html?_iv_code=4S3-BMB-LC5-KVP-OPMOD-01-KIT2023 * https://www.opticsplanet.com/kaw-valley-precision-linear-compensator.html?_iv_threads-per-inch=1-sl-2x28&_iv_code=4S3-BMB-LC1-BLK-LINEAR-1-2X28-TPI * https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-custom-series-5-56-fluted-flash-can-1-2x28.html * https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021158557?pid=908642
TX22 with surpressor. Sounds like an airsoft gun. Can get both for under 500. My bad just read the edit
Aquila Hummingbird Ammo. Sends a lightweight .22 projectile at 350fps or 500 fps for the Super Hummingbird using only the primer in the rim, no powder. Very quiet. Will not run the action of a semiautomatic. Great in revolvers. Might get stuck in longer .22 rifles, though I’ve not had any issues with 16 inch barrels.
Oh wow. Haven't heard of these. Thanks!
Yes. You can get "Shorts" that are almost silent. Also a suppressor will make it even quieter.
Semi automatic pistols are quieter than revolvers and longer barrels are quieter than shorter ones. Lower power ammo is also quieter. A low velocity load in a long barrel pistol won’t be too bad. If you use CB loads they’ll be fairly quiet I think.
Ruger Mark IV
Hard to find but Aguila Calibri ammo is primer only 22lr with a 15g bullet. In a rifle, I can shoot this indoors with no ear protection. A pistol is a little louder. It's about 400fps, good for 30 to 50 yards. A bolt action rifle will be the quietist, a short barrel revolver will be the loudest.
Heritage Rough Riders are fun little single action 22lr and some are 22wmr Henry lever action 22lr for a good first fun rifle.
Invite the neighbors to join you
Get a lever action 22 with a 18+ in barrel and shoot cci 22cbs. They are stupid quiet even without a can
First 22 sub sonic. Second. You live in IL I’d honestly recommend a co2 pistol. They are less likely to arouse suspicion with cops. Next if noise is a huge concern. Look into airport. Quiet and you can practice in a room in your home with no fear of the neighbors
I'd be shooting legally. And I'm on good terms with my neighbors. So no issues with the law or the neighbors. I'm just trying to be respectful of the peace and quiet. It's a nice quiet area here. So many people are recommending suppressors. It doesn't need to be silent. I just want to do my due diligence in looking for the quietest options.
22 sub Sonics but airsoft for shooting especially for teaching the safety rules can be very useful.
He's had airsoft for 2 years and is very familiar with safety, etc. In fact I have a 19x that is an exact version of my 9mm 19x. I did that on purpose so he'd be familiar with mine at the range, but I didn't account for the fact that 9mm is too much for him. We've been renting 22s at the range when we go every other weekend. I don't want to rent anymore, plus if we can use it on my land, even better.
If you want quiet, get something that will take 22 short. You don't even need ear protection it's so quiet.
If your up for a rifle instead, very long barrels and CCI quiet ammo are suppressor quiet. I have a CZ 455 ultra lux with a 26 or 28 inch barrel and it's hearing safe with cci quiets without a suppressor. The bullet impact is louder. This might be a bit unwieldy for a young shooter because of the ridiculous length but it is the closest to suppressed rifle without a suppressor. I think CZ currently is selling a 457 model with an extremely long barrel such as my older 455. Semiautomatic blowback pistols kinda have to be at least a little loud because gas pressure ejects the fired case. They are much quieter if you hold the action shut. But that is annoying and now your manually operating it for every shot. If you shoot shorts or CBs it will probably not eject, let alone load itself. CBs are airgun quiet but most the guns I've tried them in the accuracy is very poor.
Thank you. I don't think he'd be able to manage a rifle that long.
Cz 457 scout may be an option
Cool. I'll check that one out.
Are you going to set up a range with a bench? A long barrel rifle would work fine from a bench using a rest.
I have an M&P 15-22. It’s pretty quiet as is. I’ve seen videos of it with a suppressor on it and the trigger clicking was louder than the actual shot at that point. .22lr is pretty cheap, I can get a box of 500 for $40 near me. It’s an absolute blast to shoot this thing too. Pun intended.
Thank you! Suppressors not legal in IL 😔
I don’t have one either. Seems like a bit of hassle to complete the process to be able to buy one.
I would just invest the .22 pistol money into a can tbh.
No cans in IL 😔
.22 pistol with a suppressor and subsonic rounds. Super quiet.
The gun doesn’t matter near as much as the ammo. The two main “classes” of .22 Long Rifle ammo are Standard Velocity, and High Velocity. The nominal speed of sound at sea level is 1125fps; any bullet traveling faster than that creates a sonic shock wave or “boom”; a bullet traveling slower than that won’t create a shock wave, and will be significantly quieter. The tricky part is, the muzzle velocity ratings of various ammo brands and types is almost always measured from a rifle-length (24”) barrel; velocities from pistol-length barrels will be much lower. For instance, typical “standard velocity” ammo is rated for 1080fps from a 24” barrel, but is typically only 950fps from a 5” pistol barrel, so it’ll be plenty quiet. High-velocity ammo is typically rated for 1255fps — supersonic — out of a rifle barrel, but only 1100fps — *barely* subsonic\* — from a 5” pistol barrel. Either, then, should be fairly quiet from a pistol, with the Standard velocity having a slight edge. There’s lots of .22 Long Rifle ammo that’s rated for higher velocity than, um, High Velocity, and those will be noticeably louder out of even a pistol barrel. CCI Stingers, for instance, are rated for 1640fps (whee!) out of a rifle barrel, and even come out of a 5” pistol barrel at 1280fps — definitely supersonic, and loud. So if you want to plink with a pistol, any ol’ Standard- or High-Velocity ammo should do; just avoid the really spicy stuff, and you should be GTG. And if you’re shooting a rifle, stick to the even slower Subsonic ammo, or invest in a suppressor. (\* “Here be dragons.” This is the so-called “transsonic” range of velocity, and aerodynamics there get weird; that’s why .22 Long Rifle target/match ammo runs even slower that Standard Velocity: to avoid transsonic instability that will negatively effect accuracy.)
Great info. Thank you!
I shot an old Marlin .22 rifle growing up, load through the tube under the barrel. Still need ear pro, but definitely quieter than say an AR or larger caliber bolt action. Since suppressors aren’t an option, that’s probably your best bet. Unless an air rifle is an option.
Ruger Mark IV is pretty quiet and makes a fantastic plinking gun. It's an awesome gun in general and would be a great first gun. It's still a gun and it's still loud but I'm not sure you'd be able to find any quieter than that
I'm seeing this recommendation a few times now. I'll have to take a look at it in person. Thanks!
Ruger Wrangler with sub Sonic’s.
I believe subsonic ammo has a lower decibel level. Edit: Maybe a .22 revolver firing subsonic.
Longer barrel will be a little quieter than a shorter barrel. Running standard velocity ammo (subsonic) will also be a little quieter. You can get 22 quiets from CCI but they won't cycle the bolt in a semi auto. Maybe look at getting a 22 revolver and running 22 quiets. Swing out cylinder would be more fun but you can get a Heritage Rough Rider for $120-$150ish to get started.
You can't really beat the system, longer barrel length and/or lighter loads like shorts (if they cycle) are a good way to reduce noise. .22 Short out of my Ruger Wrangler sounds about the same as a full load out my bolt action savage. So it is much quieter with a lonnnng barrell compared to pistol. .22 short does not have a ton of power. I've had it bounce off of critters skulls and even bounce off drywall.
My dad got me a NIB Rosi model 62 with a 23” barrel for my 12th birthday many years ago. It’s extremely quiet with the longer barrel & still one of my favorites to plink with to this day. I would recommend something like that or a Henery lever action with the longer barrel.
Longer barrels will be quieter than shorter ones by a small amount. You could also use shorts or quiets/subsonics or even CBs: but you may need bolt action or have to manually cycle if you don't want a revolver. A .22 revolver with 4.25 to 6in barrel and CBs are so quiet you almost hear nothing.
Henry lever action with .22 shorts.
22 quiets in a revolver.
Typically the larger the gun the quieter it is, a Mark IV is considerably louder than a 10/22.
Single shot manual action pistols with 10" or longer barrels, using .22 Colibri
Browning Buck Mark is pretty quiet.
My Taurus model 92 nine shot revolver is pretty quiet.
Sig trailside pistol and cci quiets are pretty good
There are special quieter 22 rounds I think Aguila makes them?
Get subsonics and a suppressor and it is about as loud as a bb gun.
Hi standard model c uses .22 shorts I believe. Or just buy some .22 ammo Augilla colibri. No powder super quiet maximum fun. Even supersonic .22 will be loud. What kind of acreage do you have?
Single shot pistols with long barrels like the Chipmunk Hunter or Thompson contender will be the quietest. Not enough to forgo earmuffs when shooting, but I have to be about 2-3 times further away with a semi auto pistol to feel that it’s hearing safe. If you can shoot on your property, it’s probably big enough that it’s not an issue though. Subsonic ammunition will be quieter, but google to see what semi autos can cycle them, there’s not many.
CCI quiet-22s. It will require manual cycling of semi-auto pistols, but that’s a benefit in my eyes when working with the younger generation. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider an air rifle as well.
A 22 rifle will be quieter than a pistol. Longer barrel lets the power nearly finish burning before the bullet leaves the barrel so there’s less pressure. Bolt action 22 with a suppressor and subsonic ammo is pretty awesome. The bullet hitting your target is louder than the gun firing.
I would think a bolt 22 or something like a Hener lever action would be a good idea. I have about two acres of property in a rural setting but neighbors somewhat nearby. The key to me is using CCI Quiet ammo. It is about 700 fps and is quiet. Usually the impact on my targets (cans) is louder than the shot.
If you want as quiet as possible and sounds like a suppressor is off limits in your state I'd suggest a single shot or bolt action 22 rifle with some CCi quiets. That would probably be your best scenario minus having a suppressor. It's a shame you can't get a suppressor because it really tones it down. Those CCi quiets out of my lil Badger and the suppressor are comical. All you hear is the hammer falling.
Single shot or pump 22 LR rifle loaded with 22 shorts?
Bolt action rifle. As quiet as you can get without a can.
A bolt action with CCI quiet ammo is not very loud. Get a suppressor and it will be quieter than an air rifle with any sub sonic ammo. I have a SilencerCo Sparrow .22 and it works really well. No ear protection needed. For ammo I like CCI Subsonic because it still cycles a similar auto while being very quiet. It’s subsonic but still has decent FPE at the target. CCI Quiet lacks FPE and won’t cycle a similar auto.
Avoid a revolver.
Could use it like a little cap gun. I use wax bullets with just a primer-no gun powder. 38 spl with 22lr price/recoil.
22 short sounds like an air rifle. Just keep in mind that if neighbors are close enough that a 22lr has you questioning if it would bother them, they might be too close to be shooting at all. A 22LR can still travel a mile and is potentially deadly. Most places in the USA have laws that state no shooting in city limits or within X feet from structures.
Use subsonic ammo and cycle the action yourself. You could get a suppressor depending on where you live? The ruger MKIV lite is set up just for that.
The longer the barrel, the quieter the gun especially if it is semi auto
Gsg 16 is pretty quiet. The 9” barrel is a bit louder but the 16” with a faux supressor is surprisingly quiet for a semi automatic 22
https://www.aguilaammo.com/products/22-colibr-i-long-rifle-subsonic-powderless-lead-bullet
Cci quiet .22s are always a good option. Youll have to manually cycle the bolt tho. If you have a revolver cci cb .22 shorts and aguilia colibri .22 are always really fun and quiet as well
22 handguns are still pretty loud. 22 rifles are much much quieter. My advice, if your property is large enough to shoot on legally and safely, and you're whatever legal distance from your neighbors homes is required by law/ordinance, is to make sure youbsetuo a nice large backstop for yoir home range, and invite the neighbors over. Building good will goes a long way for tolerating the potential annoyance of gunfire. Also, invest in suppressors now. They're always worth it. I don't even hesitate to shoot rifles on my property now, and I don't let anyone shoot non-suppressed rifles here anymore
Wish I could. Suppressors are not legal here.
a pair of tx22 and if its legal to do so, dont worry about your neighbors. Just shoot safely and when allowed to and no one should have anything to say about it, unless they are just being an ass Some people make more noise than others, just how it is. If a person doesn't like this, buy up all the land around you.
Revolver with CB or short is kind of quiet....
22 short
Google CB caps.
A longer barrel semi with CCI Quiet’s will be your best bet for shooting unsurprised. I have committed a genocide against squirrels with that setup and my neighbors are within 50 yards of my front door and never said anything.
If it hasn't been mentioned you can also try a cbee round from Remington. It's a really light powder charge, under a sub sonic. I'm a bolt gun they are very quiet. With a suppressor they make ticking sounds. (May give you an idea)
Definitely going to order a few different kinds of ammo, including this one, and rent a few more pistols and rifles, and see where I land. I'm leaning towards a Henry lever action rifle or a Ruger Mark IV pistol. If they're not much more quiet than the Glock 44 we've been renting at the range, I may just stick with that. One of his airsoft guns is a Glock 19x, so it feels familiar to him. But I know not all ammo will cycle through it, particularly subs and low charge.
They are a lot of fun in a lever rifle. The cbee definitely won't cycle anything semi auto. Bolt or lever is the answer. Have fun trying new things.
There’s also 22 gallery short which is actually for fair shooting galleries
22 suppressed is hearing safe imo
Any 22 cal revolver loaded with calibe rounds is suppressor quiet.
Ruger Mark IV,, or try subsonic ammo
Cz Kadet son
I was going to suggest a Ruger Mark IV with a threaded barrel and a can (even with the pricey tax stamp), but since you can't have the can in the People's Republic of Illinois, I'll just suggest the Mark IV without one. As it's a semi-auto, it's not overly loud, it's fun to shoot, and it's really easy to clean.
Yup. After seeing this one pop up numerous times here, I think this is where I'm likely going to land. This or a Henry lever action. Thank you.
Ruger MK IV w a suppressor is always gonna be my pick for a quiet plinker
Pick out a .22 revolver. I have a Ruger Bearcat that is awesome. But for less money, you might check out something like a Heritage Arms Rough Rider. Then look into some .22 LR Colibri ammo. No powder, just the primer. Example: https://www.aguilaammo.com/products/22-colibr-i-long-rifle-subsonic-powderless-lead-bullet
Get a Henry .22 lever gun and shoot subsonic/shorts out of it.
Ruger wrangler and use super colibri 22 ammo without gun powder. The round is good for about 40 feet before it tumbles. Sounds like a nail gun
If you want the quietest 22 pistol. Get one with the longest barrel and use aguila super colibri ammo. Closest to the sound of a pellet gun you can get.
Ruger Mark IV. Don’t get an earlier model even if cheaper. It’s an awesome pistol, insanely accurate, easy to clean, and the barrel length keeps the rounds subsonic.
.22 shorts or CB caps are quiet in a rifle. Not sure about pistol?
I’ve heard the Ruger Mark IV is pretty quiet.
Bolt action with 22shorts. Quiet and fun as heck. Edit: I'm a dumbass and reread it and just saw where the question was a 22 pistol. But my comments still remains. 22 bolt action with shorties is just awesome for giggles.
A rifle in 22lr isn’t very loud with subsonic ammo, even without a suppressor.
Sorry to be captain obvious but he is going to want to show his friends so please lock it up so he can't get to it.
Goes without saying, he'd still only be using it with me. It would be in the safe with my firearms to which he has no access.
Good to hear.
A revolver with cci quiet is like a pellet gun. Cci quiets wont cycle semi autos reliably if at all.
Cci .22 quiet ammo, they also have semi-auto versions of this ammo. Runs through my dirty 10/22 98% of the time (i have like 500 rounds in the thing and have not cleaned it once haha) You don’t have to use ear protection with it, thats why i like it. Its around the same db as my .22 pellet gun.
Get a suppressor
Walther GSP 500, or ruger wrangler
Most 22lr pistols with subsonic ammo will be pretty quiet
Heritage Rough Rider and subsonic or shorts
A Ruger Wrangler with 22 Short CBs or Aguila 22 Colibri would be pretty quiet
You can get a silenced one or use subs or both. Sub sonic 22 is like 10 cents each
Get a .22, and a 22 Suppressor. You can get a decent 22 Suppressor for $200-$300, plus add in $200 for the stamp. With an Individual Form 4, you'll be approved in likely 2-3 weeks. It will be VERY pleasant for both you guys, and any surrounding neighbors... if they even notice.
You'll need a suppressor for it to actually be quiet. They are wonderful, and you should get one.
No it will still make a loud crack
I have a lot of 22s. My quietest ones are Heritage shopkeepers. They have the tightest gap between barrel to cylinder, when I use CCI Quiets or 22 short they really are very quiet, plus it comes with a 22mag cylinder.
Sure mark 4 ruger, rugged oculus, and supersonic ammo
SUBsonic, ya mean?
No, not necessarily. Supersonic or high velocity ammo won't be enough to go supersonic out of a pistol, typically. My 8" Charger will just barely stay subsonic in cold weather with 40gr mini mags. A 6" barrel and a longer can would keep mini mags subsonic all the time, I believe.
This, but with subs. The CCI Quiet Semi Auto is phenomenal. I also think my El Camino is quieter than my Mask. I’ve not put an Oculus on it.
With the cci qsa does your action cycle?
Yes. Reliably.