wayned said:
what kind of "hoops" did ya have to jump through to get the silencer and was it really worth it?
No hoops to speak of, I am an FFL01 with a SOT3 so I got several suppressors as demo models. Silencerco has a special for new SOT3's (I just got mine this year - good from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016, $500 per year) and you get a variety of their suppressors (for a good price). As demos I have one for a AR type rifle, a .45 (the SR1911) and rimfire (on a SR22).
However, depending on where you live and the laws of the state, it can be a hassle, or none at all. Here in PA, suppressors are legal to own and to hunt with. You can get it as a personal asset or you can form a trust and own it that way. As a personal asset, you have to supply the ATF with a picture, fingerprints and the Chief Law Enforcement Officer sign off. With a trust, no pics, prints or CLEO sign off.
Lastly, YES, it is worth it. A suppressed .22 is quieter than a pellet gun (when using subsonic ammo) and probably as quiet as a pellet gun even when using high velocity ammo. With all the guns I have as demos (the AR is a SIG516 SBR - 7.5" bbl) you do not need ear protection, even when under a covered shooting area.