If you’ve spent any time navigating the NFA process, you know the drill; $200 tax stamps, endless wait times, and a mountain of paperwork just to exercise a basic right. But what if that changed?
With the Silencer Shop Foundation and several industry heavyweights now challenging the National Firearms Act in court, the possibility of real reform doesn’t feel as far-fetched as it used to. If the NFA were repealed tomorrow, suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs could be treated like any other firearm; no stamps, no year-long delays, no hoops to jump through.
So, let’s talk about what that world might look like. What would we build first if the NFA’s red tape were to vanish overnight? From a suppressed home-defense SBR to a compact hunting rifle and an all-purpose truck gun, here’s our dream lineup for a post-NFA America.
The Home Defense Champion: A Suppressed 10.5-Inch AR-15
If the NFA disappeared overnight, the first thing many shooters would build is a proper home defense SBR. The best suppressed SBR setup for home defense combines maneuverability with hearing protection, and nothing delivers quite like a compact AR-15 platform. We’re talking about a 10.5-inch barrel in 5.56 NATO, perfectly balanced between velocity retention and room-clearing agility.
Start with a quality lower receiver and pair it with a premium upper assembly. The shorter barrel length means you can navigate hallways and doorways without the unwieldy length of a 16-inch carbine. Add a lightweight M-LOK handguard that extends just past the gas block, providing ample rail space for a weapon light and your preferred grip technique. The beauty of this setup is that it would no longer require registration as an SBR, making it as simple to build as any other AR-15.
Now for the suppressor. In our dream scenario, you’d walk into your local gun shop or visit Silencer Shop online and walk out the same day with a high-quality 5.56 can. For this build, we’d recommend a flow-through design that minimizes back pressure, keeping your rifle running cleanly even with the shorter gas system. Mount it direct-thread or quick-detach depending on your preference, but either way, you’re looking at hearing-safe operation in the confines of your home. The ability to defend your family without permanent hearing damage or disorienting your household with unmuffled gunfire is the entire point of this configuration.
Round out the setup with a quality red dot optic, an ambidextrous charging handle to handle the increased gas blowback, and an adjustable gas block if you want to fine-tune reliability. This best suppressed SBR setup gives you everything you need for home defense without the compromises imposed by arbitrary barrel length regulations.
The Backcountry Hunting Rig: Suppressed 15-Inch 6.5 PRC
For hunters, the removal of NFA restrictions would be transformative. Imagine a lightweight bolt-action rifle in 6.5 PRC with a 15-inch barrel and a dedicated hunting suppressor. This NFA free rifle build would be ideal for mountain hunting where every ounce matters and shot opportunities often present themselves at first or last light when hearing protection isn’t practical.
The 6.5 PRC has quickly become the darling of long-range hunters, and for good reason. While conventional wisdom says you need 24 inches of barrel to unlock its potential, the reality is more nuanced. A 15-inch barrel still delivers excellent terminal performance at realistic hunting ranges, especially when you consider that most game is taken inside 400 yards. You’re looking at velocities that still exceed what 6.5 Creedmoor produces from standard-length barrels, all while saving nearly two pounds and gaining significant maneuverability in thick timber.
Pair this with a high-quality bolt-action rifle from makers like Ruger, Bergara, Tikka, or a custom build if you’re feeling particularly fancy. The compact package becomes incredibly handy when climbing steep terrain or navigating dense forest. The suppressor is where this setup truly shines. Without NFA restrictions, you could mount a dedicated hunting can optimized for first-round pop suppression and minimum length. Modern titanium suppressors have become incredibly light, and the right one adds minimal weight to an already-trim hunting rifle.
The advantages are numerous: reduced recoil making follow-up shots easier, no need for hearing protection that blocks environmental sounds, and most importantly, preservation of your hearing after decades of hunting. Through Silencer Shop, you’d have access to the entire market of hunting-specific suppressors designed for magnum bolt guns. These typically feature larger internal volumes to handle the pressure and heat of hunting cartridges while maintaining reasonable length and weight. Add a quality scope in the 3-15x or 4-20x range, a carbon fiber stock or chassis to keep weight down, and a precision trigger. This becomes the ultimate western hunting rifle that you can actually shoot without plugs or muffs when that mule deer or bull elk steps out at sunset.
The Truck Gun Special: 14.5-Inch AR-15 in 6mm ARC
Here’s where things get really practical for the working hunter. A 14.5-inch AR-15 chambered in 6mm ARC with a suppressor represents the perfect all-around truck hunting gun for predators, deer, and hogs. This setup lives in your vehicle, ready for impromptu hunting opportunities without the bulk of traditional hunting rifles.
The 6mm ARC cartridge is purpose-built for this application. It delivers excellent terminal performance on medium-sized game out to 400 yards (and further for coyotes) while maintaining low recoil and high magazine capacity. The 14.5-inch barrel length is the sweet spot for this cartridge, providing good velocity retention while keeping the overall package compact enough for vehicle storage and quick deployment. Without NFA restrictions, you could build this as a proper SBR rather than dealing with pinned-and-welded muzzle devices or pistol brace complications.
You can buy a factory rifle or build your own with a quality AR-15 lower and upper receiver set. The 6mm ARC requires a bolt designed for its case head diameter, so make sure you’re getting the correct bolt carrier group. Install a rifle-length gas system for smoother cycling and reduced recoil, paired with an adjustable gas block to fine-tune performance with your chosen suppressor. A free-floating handguard in the 12 to 13-inch range gives you plenty of mounting space for a bipod and keeps the overall length manageable.
The suppressor on this rig does double duty. It keeps you hearing-safe during those quick shots at coyotes calling across a field, and it minimizes disturbance to game when you’re thinning a hog population. A quality 6mm suppressor from Silencer Shop’s extensive catalog will handle the pressure and heat while keeping the weight reasonable. Look for something in the seven to nine-inch range that balances suppression with packability.
Top this off with a low-power variable optic in the 1-8x or 1-10x range, and you have a rifle that handles everything from close-range hog encounters to longer shots at whitetails feeding in the far corner of a field. The high magazine capacity of the AR platform means you’re ready for multiple hogs or follow-up shots on running predators. This is the rifle that rides behind the seat, ready for action whenever opportunity strikes.
The “Cans on Everything” Philosophy
Here’s where a post-NFA world gets really interesting. Many dedicated shooters wouldn’t just build one or two suppressed firearms. They’d create an entire suppressor gear loadout designed to cover every firearm they own. Without $200 tax stamps and ATF approval processes standing in the way, building a larger suppressor collection becomes much more economically feasible.
Start with a multi-caliber rifle that can be rated for everything from 5.56 NATO up through .308 Winchester. This becomes your workhorse suppressor that can swap between your AR-15, AR-10, and various bolt guns. Modern modular suppressors let you configure length and weight based on your needs, making one can serve multiple roles effectively.
Next, add a dedicated rimfire suppressor. These are typically the most affordable suppressors on the market, and without the $200 tax stamp, they become impulse-buy territory. A good .22 LR can make plinking a neighborhood-friendly activity and turn small game hunting into a whisper-quiet affair. The lack of back pressure and fouling concerns means you can run thousands of rounds without cleaning, making it perfect for training and practice.
Don’t forget pistol calibers. A quality 9mm suppressor opens up new possibilities for pistol shooting and pistol-caliber carbines. With modern piston systems or fixed-mount designs available through retailers like Silencer Shop, you have options for every application. Some shooters would even explore dedicated cans for specific platforms, like a booster-equipped suppressor for a Glock 19 and a separate fixed-mount design for a pistol-caliber AR.
For the ultimate suppressor gear loadout, consider specialized options such as a K-configuration short can for maximum maneuverability on tactical rifles, a precision rifle suppressor designed for long-range accuracy, and perhaps even a shotgun suppressor for those who want to enjoy clay shooting or hunting without compromising their hearing. The point is that without artificial regulatory barriers, you can actually build a comprehensive collection tailored to your shooting needs, rather than being limited by bureaucratic costs.
Final Thoughts
The Silencer Shop Foundation (SSF), along with heavyweights like Palmetto State Armory, GOA, SilencerCo, and others, is spearheading a direct legal challenge to the NFA. Their mission is simple yet bold: to dismantle the unconstitutional parts of this nearly 100-year-old law and permanently remove suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs from its scope.
This is our best chance in nearly 100 years to strip the NFA of its power and put the ATF back in its box. A victory here would mark a generational shift for the Second Amendment; one that your kids and grandkids will thank you for.
The time to get involved is now. Support the Silencer Shop Foundation, back lawmakers willing to repeal bad law, and help make “shall not be infringed” mean what it was always meant to mean. Be part of the generation that put the NFA where it belongs, on the ash heap of history.
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