By Firearms News Team - 2024-06

When it comes to quiet firepower, suppressed submachine guns (SMGs) have always had a bit of a mystique — especially thanks to Hollywood. Movies love to show these bad boys firing away with a barely audible *pew pew*, making them look like the ultimate stealth weapon. But let's be real here: the truth about suppressed SMGs is a little more grounded, and a lot more interesting.

Setting the Record Straight on Suppressed SMGs

First off, if you think a suppressor makes an SMG whisper-quiet, you’re only half right. Suppressors do tame the noise by trapping and cooling the expanding gases from a shot, but the mechanical noise from the gun’s action and the supersonic crack of bullets breaking the sound barrier still make plenty of noise. That’s why truly silent suppressed SMGs usually rely on subsonic ammo — rounds that fly slower than sound.

Hollywood vs. Reality: What You Need to Know

In movies, suppressed SMGs sound like airsoft guns, but in the real world, even the best setups have a distinct “thump” or “pop.” This isn’t just about sound — it’s about physics and gear. For example, classic suppressed SMGs like the Soviet-era PPSh-41 or the American M3 “Grease Gun” see significant noise reduction, but not complete silence. Add subsonic rounds, and you get a quieter shot, but at the cost of velocity and range.

The Tactical Side: Why Suppressed SMGs Matter

Despite the noise limitations, suppressed SMGs