Not everything that gets screwed onto the end of a barrel makes an airgun quieter. There’s a lot of confusion about how sound suppression works when it comes to airguns. Some people expect a whisper-quiet shot. Others expect complete firearm-style suppression. The truth lies somewhere in between.
This article explains the facts about using an airgun suppressor, clears up common myths, and examines what to expect from products like the Daisy Powerline suppressor.
First, what is an air gun suppressor?
An airgun suppressor, also called a moderator or silencer, is a device that attaches to the muzzle of an air gun and reduces the sound of the shot. It does this by slowing and redirecting the burst of air that follows the pellet out of the barrel.
Airgun suppressors don’t have to handle gunpowder explosions, so their internal design differs from firearm suppressors. That also means airgun suppressors are often lighter, simpler, and easier to use.
What works: The real benefits of suppressors
Here’s what a real suppressor can do:
- Reduce the sharp “crack” of the muzzle blast to a softer “pop.”
- Lower the overall sound level by 5 to 15 decibels, depending on the gun and pellet
- Make backyard plinking or pest control more neighbor-friendly
- Help mask location while hunting smaller game
Suppressors are sound for pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) airguns. These shoot at higher pressures, and the burst of air behind the pellet is louder. The benefit of springers or CO₂ pistols is smaller but still noticeable.
What’s hype: Common misconceptions
1. Suppressors make airguns silent
No suppressor makes an airgun completely silent. You’ll always hear some sound: the action cycling, the pellet hitting the target, or the pellet breaking the sound barrier.
What they do is reduce muzzle noise. That’s a big help, but it’s not total silence.
2. The louder the gun, the better the suppressor will work
That’s not how it works. If your airgun is already quiet, like many CO₂ pistols, a suppressor might only make a small difference. But with louder PCPs, like magnum-powered rifles, the suppressor will do more noticeable work.
3. Bigger suppressor = better results
Size matters, but not always in the way people think. The length and volume of the suppressor help disperse air, but internal design, like baffle structure, is just as important.
4. Any suppressor fits any airgun
Threading varies a lot. You’ll need an adapter if your suppressor and barrel threads don’t match. Trying to force a fit will usually ruin the threads or cause misalignment. That can make your shots inaccurate or damage the suppressor.
What about the Daisy Powerline suppressor?
The Daisy Powerline suppressor is designed to match specific models in the Daisy Powerline series. It threads onto airguns like the Powerline 880, lowering the sound signature enough for backyard use.
It’s not a magic solution. It won’t silence the pellet hitting a steel target. But it can take the “crack” of the muzzle blast and make it less sharp, especially helpful when shooting in areas where noise draws attention.
One of the big selling points of this model is that it doesn’t require internal mods or barrel changes. You thread it on, and it works.
Are air gun suppressors legal?
This depends entirely on where you live.
In many U.S. states, airgun suppressors are legal because airguns aren’t classified the same as firearms. But in other states, anything that looks or works like a suppressor is regulated, even on airguns.
Some areas treat suppressors as firearm parts, no matter what. Others allow them for airguns but not for powder-burning guns. It’s up to the shooter to check local laws before buying or attaching any suppressor.
When does a suppressor help most?
Think about a backyard shooter working with a .22 caliber PCP rifle. The gun is accurate, but the loud snap with every shot makes it hard to shoot without complaints. A suppressor cuts down that sound, letting them shoot more without disturbing anyone nearby.
Now, picture a homeowner using an air rifle to deal with pests around their yard. The echo of each shot can spook the pests. Adding a suppressor lets them take multiple shots without alarming everything in range.
The reduced muzzle blast also helps target shooters working on small, tight setups stay focused.
Final word An airgun suppressor won’t turn your air rifle into a whisper gun but will lower muzzle noise, especially on high-powered PCP models. The Daisy Powerline suppressor is a solid option for those using compatible Daisy models, and it gives backyard shooters a quieter, more neighbor-friendly setup.
