What is the world’s largest suppressor manufacturer? If you said SilencerCo, Dead Air, or SureFire, your American bias is showing.
Swiss-based B&T holds that honor, and they announced at SHOT Show 2022 their intention to introduce their impressive line of suppressors to the U.S. consumer market. We caught up with them at Range Day to test the new kit for ourselves, but we also swung by their booth on the SHOT Show floor to get more details on their line of reasonably priced cans.
U.S. consumers will enjoy the same high-quality products trusted by military and LEO agencies all over the world, but they won’t be paying import markup.
B&T’s Chris Mudgett told us that the company is opening a new facility in Florida, which will be using the same equipment, materials, and programs as their facilities in Switzerland. In addition, the Florida employees will be trained by B&T’s Swiss engineers, so users can expect the exact same product that has earned the company such a sterling reputation.
B&T plans to offer a huge list of suppressors in a variety of configurations for pistols, rifles, and pistol-caliber carbines. Prices will range from $315 for their .22 LR suppressor to $950 for their top-of-the-line 7.62mm can. If you aren’t familiar with the suppressor market in the U.S., these prices are extremely competitive.
Leading the new offerings are B&T’s Reduced Back Pressure (RBS) line of suppressors available in 5.56, 7.62mm, and 9mm.
Military end users requested a line of suppressors that could keep their personnel from inhaling the toxic gasses produced by most suppressors. The RBS line reduces gasses by 40% from the muzzle and ejection port, which helps keep users from inhaling as much hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur, and other chemicals while shooting.
The 5.56mm and 7.62mm are available in direct-thread and quick-detach options. The quick-detach system attaches directly to an A2 birdcage muzzle device, which comes standard on most AR-style rifles. Unlike other systems that are attached to an A2, which are prone to loosening and rattling, Mudgett said the B&T system stays in place.
The unit slides onto the birdcage, and then cinches down, as you can see in the video below. Only a full test can verify that the system doesn’t loosen over time, but it appeared to be secure when we tried it on the SHOT Show floor.
The RBS system is also available in 9mm. These cans can be had in compact and full-size models with direct-thread or B&T’s ingenious three-lug attachment system. The B&T design allows users to simply push the suppressor straight onto the three-lug muzzle device and remove it with the push of a button.
You can check out the specs on the new RBS suppressors below. The 5.56mm/7.62mm come with a $950 MSRP while the 9mm has a $690 MSRP.
But wait! There’s more. B&T is also offering a line of suppressors in full-sized and compact varieties for 5.56mm and 7.62mm that come in at an even lower price point. The Rotex-X line is being fielded by law enforcement agencies but will be available for $675.
For the rimfire aficionados, B&T also has a user-serviceable .22 LR suppressor for $315. It’s super lightweight and comes in direct threads with a 1/2″x28 pitch.
This isn’t the entirety of B&T’s suppressor lineup. For more info, check out BT-USA.com.