There has never been a better time to get into the suppressor market. In the first six months of 2024, Americans purchased 1.4 million suppressors. Many firearms manufacturers are beginning to design and build their platforms with suppressor adaptability in mind. In this article, I experiment with the two leading .22 suppressors from SilencerCo – The Sparrow .22 and Switchback .22.
.22 rimfire suppressors are an excellent entry point due to their affordability and exceptional noise reduction capabilities. If you didn’t know, suppressing rimfire guns will get you remarkably close to “Hollywood quiet.” I went with the two most popular options – the SilencerCo Sparrow 22 (MSRP: $349) and the SilencerCo Switchback 22 (MSRP: $539). Both models are part of SilencerCo’s rimfire suppressor lineup, with the Sparrow being among the most popular of its type. Let’s explore the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Sparrow and Switchback.
SilencerCo Sparrow 22: The Original Rimfire Suppressor
Most folks have .22 LR in mind when seeking out a rimfire suppressor. The round doesn’t produce much sound, muzzle flash or pressure, even with supersonic loads. The SilencerCo Sparrow 22 is a rimfire suppressor that takes no chances. SilencerCo built the first all-stainless steel Sparrow 22 suppressor in 2008 – The original rimfire suppressor. It is a popular suppressor capable of quieting rounds like the .22 LR, .22 Magnum and .17 HMR. It is also rated for some centerfire rounds like 5.7×28, .17 WSM, and .22 Hornet. For smaller caliber varmint rifles and 5.7 carbines and pistols, the Sparrow is worth a look.
The Sparrow 22 consists of a stainless steel tube and a single end cap – with the monolithic baffle core cradled between two halved steel tubes. The half tube seals against a pair of rubber O-rings at the rear and the front of the suppressor and come off with ease. The baffle core is one solid piece with seven irregularly shaped baffles.
SilencerCo Switchback 22: Most modular .22 Suppressor?
For their 10 year anniversary, SilencerCo released the Switchback 22 – getting its name from the three length options and four possible separate configurations you can switch between. Unlike the Sparrow, the Switchback has a solid outer tube with one end cap for the baffle system. You can thread the multi-piece titanium tube together into a full-sized suppressor, giving you an option on preferred length. The tube consists of a back cap, a front cap, a long outer tube, a shorter outer tube, and a coupler baffle that mates the two halves together.
The baffles themselves are stainless steel in construction and resemble the afterburner of a jet engine. These baffles are small and stackable, sitting one on top of another. Their shape has a greater volume for gas pressure, further delaying sound over straight baffles. You can tailor the stackable design to your platform by simply shortening the threaded outer tube, creating a short, medium, or full-sized suppressor.
In its shortest form, the Switchback is ideal for pocket pistols.The modular design is also handy for rifles, allowing you to save additional weight when needed. But the longer the suppressor gets, the better the results are whether you are using a rifle or handgun.” At its full size, the Switchback works well for any pistol or rimfire rifle. In this configuration, you can reverse the baffles to better slow down gas pressure, making it even quieter with supersonic loads. In short, medium and long formats, the small ends of the baffles face the muzzle, but in rifle-optimized form, the second half of the baffle assembly faces outward.
The Switchback, like the Sparrow, are both rated for full-auto use with .22 LR. It also supports standard use with cartridges ranging from .22 LR to 5.7×28, as well as the .22 Hornet and .17 WSM.
.22 Suppressor Specs
| Model | Sparrow (MSRP: $349) | Switchback (MSRP:$539) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5.125 inches | 5.15 inches (3.0 inches Short config.) |
| Width | 1.06 inches | 1.07 inches |
| Weight | 189 grams | 184 grams (101 grams Short config.) |
| Baffle System | 17-4 Stainless Steel | 17-4 Stainless Steel |
| Tube Material | 17-4 Stainless Steel | Titanium |
| Thread | 1/2x28 | 1/2x28 |
| Rating | .17 HMR to .22 Hornet | .17 HMR to .22 Hornet |
| Full-Auto Capability | With .22 LR only | With .22 LR only |
On The Range with Sparrow and Switchback: How Quiet is a .22 Suppressor?
The Sparrow or Switchback just might be your first dive into suppressors. It certainly is for me. But judging NFA items should be no different than other products on the market. Is the product easy to use and of good quality? Is it effective at what it claims to do? What are the hidden benefits or disadvantages to choosing one over another? In the case of the Sparrow and Switchback, I lobbed a few hundred rounds through each to see what I could learn. I judged based on ease of use and maintenance, as well as general shooting characteristics. I also wanted to see how quiet these suppressors are and determine which one is most effective.
The suppressor hosts were not particularly diverse in terms of platforms, but I did shoot both cans across three different calibers. The primary host is a CZ 457 Scout chambered in .22 LR. I also tested the Sparrow and Switchback with a Bear Creek Arsenal BC-202, a semi-auto rifle chambered in .22 Winchester Magnum, and a PSA Rock pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm FN.
Ease of Use
The SilencerCo Sparrow and Switchback wear 1/2×28 TPI threads. To mount the suppressor, take the thread protector off the muzzle and thread the suppressor over it. The Sparrow is an older and simpler design with a solid tube, but somewhat less versatile than the newer Switchback. With the Switchback, you can adjust the suppressor’s length to fit the firearm. Make sure you properly tighten all threaded parts before mounting. The Switchback, however, is easier to clean since you can separate the baffles for thorough cleaning.
The Sparrow’s core can be more challenging to clean as the monolithic core does not break down further. A dunk in cleaning solution followed by a brush works well, but some residue can be missed. SilencerCo cautions the user to avoid exposure to the lead residue. The residual lead can be stubborn to remove and, over time, can reduce the suppressor’s effectiveness. The Switchback has no such stipulations. I had no issues with removing and cleaning the baffles. To minimize mess, copper-washed rounds are a cleaner option, while jacketed rounds, such as those in .22 Magnum or 5.7, are the cleanest choice.
Sparrow and Switchback by the Decibel
I ran all of my test ammunition through both the Sparrow and the Switchback, activating both Short Mode and Rifle Optimized mode in the Switchback. Using my CZ, I fired my test ammo unsuppressed. The Federal 45 grain subsonic load produced 110 decibels. The decibel reader was stationed ten feet in front of the muzzle. Federal Target 40 grain standard velocity loads produced 113. Remington Golden Bullet high velocity loads read an average of 116. Winchester 40 grain Super-X hypervelocity rounds, which achieved a velocity of 1,430 feet per second, clocked in with 119 decibels.
Subjectively, I still find the Switchback to be a bit quieter. I was surprised how well it suppressed supersonic ammo – allowing me to only hear the supersonic crack downrange. Using the 5.7 PSA Rock with subsonics, I had more gas blowback. With the CZ using 45 grain Federal subsonics and Federal Target 40 grain standard velocity ammo, the sound of the firing pin dropping and the ding on target was by far the most pronounced. I dare say there was no other sound at all. With supersonic loads out of all of the test platforms, both Sparrow and Switchback dampened the noise enough to hear only the smack of the target, but you can still pick up the crack of the bullet breaking the sound barrier. I couldn’t distinguish a difference in sound, but a decibel reader can more accurately measure the effectiveness between the Switchback and the Sparrow.
Range Results by the decibel
| Ammunition | Unsuppressed | Sparrow | Switchback | Switchback (Shortened) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fed. 45 gr. Sub | 110 | 83 | 75 | 78 |
| Fed. 40 gr. SV | 113 | 70 | 73 | 95 |
| Rem. GB HV | 116 | 95 | 99 | 111 |
| Win. Sup. X | 119 | 100 | 107 | 116 |
The Switchback hits its stride with subsonic ammunition. In Rifle Optimized mode, it is as much as 10.6% more effective in sound suppression. But with higher velocity loads, Sparrow takes the lead with a 10.7% advantage over the Switchback. In Short Mode, the Switchback is closely comparable to its full-sized mode when shooting subsonic.
The 5.7x28mm cartridge is noticeably louder, but trends slightly favored the Sparrow with some exceptions. Both did a formidable job in suppressing the sound of the ammunition. The FN 27 grain lead free ammunition, with a velocity of over 2,127 feet per second, was deadened 28% using the Sparrow and close to 35% using the Switchback. Interestingly, their efficiency at suppressing subsonic ammunition went down, although total decibels were still markedly lower. The Switchback suppressed the Fiocchi 62 grain subsonic load down 22%, while the Sparrow did a little better at 30%.
The SilencerCo Sparrow vs Switchback: Which to Pick?
The SilencerCo Sparrow and Switchback are both quality suppressing options that have proven themselves well in the marketplace. If you’re looking for a lighter, compact, modular option, the Switchback is your choice. If you’re looking for a time tested model at a lower price point that doesn’t sacrifice quality, the Sparrow is your go-to. Whichever .22 suppressor you go with, I’m sure you’ll be extremely pleased with how whisper-quiet they can be.