Perhaps one of you with first-hand suppressor experience can answer a question for me. Were I to put one on a AR in 223, how long would it last (how many rounds) roughly? Or will they outlast the firearm?
Depends on the design. Many are able to be disassembled and rebuilt at moderate cost.
It really depends on the type of suppressor, but one can be bought that will last as long as the rifle. But don’t expect the AR to be anywhere near silent. Most suppressors will reduce the sound by about 30-40 dB.
to answer your question about the longevity of sound suppressors, several things come up. First is barrel length and frequency of firing. Second is quality of the suppressor itself. Last is type of ammunition used.
First, a shorter barrel creates higher pressure inside the sound suppressor. Couple that with rate of fire and you can shorten the life of a sound suppressor.
Second is the quality of the can itself. If you get a cheaply made suppressor, you’ll have a shorter life span than one that may cost more but last 10 times longer.
Last, well, if you use crap ammo, you’ll get poor results. Avoid tracers, corrosive ammo, and the like.
I have an AWC Thundertrap that has outlasted 5 barrels on my bolt action .308. If you treat them right and get a well made suppressor, it’s capable of outlasting the gun it’s mounted on.