[SHOT 2026] The Year of the Suppressor

2026 might prove to be the most transformative year for the suppressor in the industry’s history. From observing the 2026 SHOT Show, it became abundantly clear that manufacturers are doubling down on suppressor innovation as we approach mainstream adoption in the US.

Three noteworthy trends emerged at SHOT this year: drastically reduced cost, heat management, and over-the-barrel designs.

The 3D-Printed Revolution

The suppressor industry witnessed an unprecedented number of new manufacturers at SHOT Show 2026, with dozens of new and established companies unveiling affordable 3D-printed suppressor lines. This surge wasn’t coincidental—it resulted from two converging factors that have fundamentally altered the market landscape. First, the cost of industrial-grade additive manufacturing equipment has dropped dramatically over the past few years, making entry into suppressor production feasible for smaller manufacturers. Second, and perhaps more significant, the elimination of the $200 tax stamp as of January 1, 2026, removed a major psychological and financial barrier that had suppressed consumer demand for decades. With no transfer tax to pay, consumers suddenly became far more willing to purchase multiple suppressors for different applications, and manufacturers responded by flooding the market with options at every price point.

One of the biggest stories to emerge from SHOT Show was undoubtedly Lyman’s entrance into the suppressor market with their Sonicore line. Utilizing a proven suppressor design known across Europe for decades as delivering dependable and practical performance — to the American market with Lyman’s manufacturing and service. The design’s integrated muzzle-brake and stainless-steel core make Sonicore light, durable, and effective for hunting and range days. This advanced additive manufacturing—essentially industrial-grade 3D printing with specialized metal alloys—Lyman has achieved what seemed impossible just a few years ago: a hearing-safe suppressor that retails for $199 to $299.

The Sonicore Skarv 22 represents the entry point at $199, designed for rimfire pistol and rifle applications. It’s lightweight, modular design allows shooters to tailor suppressor length for their application. The Valor 9 is a 9mm pistol suppressor constructed of 6026-T9 aluminum and finished with black, non-glare, mil spec hard coat anodize for durability. It ships in full configuration with 8 baffles, but is also modular so users can remove baffles in order to tailor the suppressor to their specific use. They also offer the Rekkr DT and Paradox suppressors in direct thread and over-the-barrel designs with options for .223 and .30 caliber. Both use a modular lightweight design that is achieved through using lightweight aluminum baffle modules in combination with 303 stainless steel baffle inserts to create a steel “core.”

Ambient Technology: Suppressors That Stay Cool

Heat management has plagued suppressor users since the beginning. Mirage distortion ruins precision shooting without suppressor covers. Burned hands lead to emergency room visits. Overheated suppressors can even cause point-of-impact shifts. Ambient Arms emerged at SHOT Show 2026 as the leading innovator in suppressor technology designed to address these persistent problems.

The core innovation involves the patent pending Ambient Intake System that features intake ports that pair with strategic low‑pressure zones to draw cool air directly into the suppressor. This intake mixes ambient air with hot muzzle gases to reduce operating temperatures by up to 75%, reduce the report of your rifle by 35dB’s at the muzzle, and mitigate unwanted blowback.

Ambient Arms’ flagship EXO 556 demonstrated this technology most effectively. After firing 40 rounds through the suppressor, the exterior measured just 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which is warm to the touch but nowhere near the 400-plus degrees typical suppressors reach. This means no more waiting ten minutes between shooting strings, no mirage disrupting your scope picture, and dramatically reduced risk of accidental contact burns.

The trade-off is extra weight. The Ambient Arms EXO 5.56 titanium model weighs in at 14.5 oz and the EXO 5.56i MINI weighs 19.4 oz due to the Inconel construction. For competitive shooters and others running high round counts will likely find the technology transformative and worth the extra weight. Ambient Arms is expanding their lineup beyond the EXO 556, with models planned for .30-caliber applications and pistol-caliber carbines, all utilizing their proprietary thermal management system.

Over-the-Barrel Designs

Perhaps the most visually striking trend at SHOT Show 2026 was the new offerings of over-the-barrel suppressor designs, a configuration that’s been popular in Europe for many years, but is only beginning to gain traction in the American market. The “OTB” philosophy solves one of the most frustrating aspects of suppressed rifles: excessive overall length. European hunters operating in dense forests and cramped shooting hides have long appreciated suppressors that don’t add significant length to their rifles, and American manufacturers are recognizing the appeal of this approach.

For example, a 22-inch barrel with an 8-inch suppressor becomes unwieldy in tight spaces, difficult to maneuver in vehicles, and awkward in many hunting situations. Over-the-barrel designs slide over the barrel’s last few inches, effectively reclaiming that space. The result is a suppressed rifle that’s not much longer than its unsuppressed counterpart, is better balanced to carry, and maintains or even improves suppressor performance.

At least two manufacturers at SHOT Show 2026 unveiled new OTB suppressors that showcase how far this technology has evolved. Lyman’s new ultra-affordable Sonicore suppresor line mentioned earlier includes the Rekkr DT and Paradox suppressors in over-the-barrel designs. Priced at just $299, the Sonicore 3D-printed design brings over-the-barrel technology to the budget-conscious shooter.

Dead Air Silencers has consistently pushed suppressor design forward, and their Nomad TI OTB continues that tradition. The Nomad TI OTB is 7.65 inches long, but slides over the barrel’s last few inches to add just 4.6 inches to the rifle’s overall length, effectively reclaiming that space without compromising sound suppression. The titanium construction also keeps weight to just 10.5 ounces despite the 7.65-inch overall length. Dead Air’s proprietary quick-detach system locks the suppressor securely to a muzzle device while maintaining perfect concentricity, which is critical for OTB designs where any misalignment could result in baffle strikes.

Other New Suppressors

SHOT Show 2026 also showcased several groundbreaking suppressors that push the boundaries of what’s possible with modern manufacturing and design philosophy. These represent the cutting edge of suppressor technology, combining innovative materials, patented flow dynamics, and purpose-built engineering for specific applications.

Dead Air’s RXD910Ti demonstrates how 3D printing enables true multi-caliber versatility. The designation refers to its dual pistol caliber rating—9mm and 10mm—but this suppressor’s capabilities extend far beyond handguns. The 3D printing process allowed Dead Air to create complex internal geometries optimized for multiple calibers, making it also suitable for use with .300 Blackout and .400 Legend rifles. For shooters who want one suppressor that can handle duty on multiple firearms—from their nightstand pistol to their truck gun to their hunting rifle—the RXD910Ti represents exactly the kind of practical versatility that modern shooters demand.

Dead Air also introduced the CT5P Patrol Silencer, purpose-built for law enforcement and professional applications. The “CT5P” designation stands for “Compact Tactical 5.56 Patrol,” and this suppressor was engineered specifically for the demands of patrol rifles and duty carbines in both 5.56 and 6 ARC. What sets the CT5P apart is its focus on durability and sustained fire capability rather than minimum weight. Built with a full patent-pending Compact Triskelion® baffle design and Gas Management System, this suppressor can handle the kind of punishment that duty rifles might encounter, everything from extended training sessions to worst-case scenario engagements.

Perhaps the most intriguing announcement came from Silent Steel USA, which brought their patented FLOW-IQ suppressor technology to the American market for the first time. Their Streamer series suppressors utilize a revolutionary internal design that’s been refined in European markets for the past few years. The FLOW-IQ system employs what Silent Steel calls “controlled gas flow technology”—a series of precisely engineered flow channels that direct expanding gases through optimized paths, maximizing turbulence and cooling while minimizing back pressure.

The Future is Bright

SHOT Show 2026 didn’t just showcase new products, it revealed a glimpse into a bright future for suppressors. The combination of ultra affordable 3D-printed options, innovative heat management designs, and over-the-barrel models showcased how we’re approaching suppressors optimized for every application and budget.

Combine these factors with the elimination of the $200 tax stamp and the industry’s ongoing push for more streamlined NFA paperwork, and we may finally see suppressors achieve the widespread adoption they deserve.

Suppressors are no longer specialty gadgets or luxury items. They’re hearing protection devices that make shooting safer and more enjoyable for everyone. SHOT Show 2026 may truly be remembered as the “year of the suppressor”.