Silencer Central Banish 30 Review: Read Before Buying!

I think the Banish 30 suppressor is an outstanding silencer for those who want a quality suppressor for use on a variety of rifles afield and at the range. I explain why I feel that way in this Banish 30 review.

Many hunters and shooters probably view suppressors as exotic shooting accessories only used by hitmen in movies. They also likely think silencers are really hard to get legally and of limited use for the typical hunter. The truth is somewhat different though and a good suppressor like a Banish 30 is a lot easier and simpler to legally purchase than you might think while at the same time being a surprisingly beneficial tool for many hunters and shooters.

I resisted purchasing a suppressor for a long time for many of the same reasons others are reluctant to start down that path: silencers are expensive, I’d need to do a ton of complicated paperwork to get approval to own one, it takes forever for the ATF to approve silencer transfers, I didn’t think a silencer would be that useful to a hunter like me, etc.

However, I eventually discovered Silencer Central, a company that has revolutionized the silencer buying process, and learned about their line of Banish suppressors. I ended up taking the plunge and purchasing a Banish 30 for myself to see what all the fuss was about.

Not only was the process of purchasing a suppressor much simpler than I originally thought, but that Banish 30 silencer has turned into one of my favorite and most useful pieces of hunting gear.

In this article, I explain what makes Silencer Central’s Banish 30 suppressor worthy of consideration from hunters and shooters and go over the pros and cons of this silencer so you can make an informed decision regarding whether or not it make sense for you to use yourself.

Before we get started, I have an administrative note:

Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content that’s useful to people like you. Thanks for your support.

What is a Banish 30 silencer?

Founded by Brandon Maddox (and previously known as Dakota Silencer), Silencer Central is a suppressor manufacturer based in South Dakota that specializes in simplifying the process of legally obtaining firearm sound suppressors (also known as silencers).

Why is this important?

Well, you may be aware that suppressors, (along with other things like machineguns and short barreled rifles) are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934.

Long story short, this makes purchasing a suppressor more complicated than simply buying a new firearm. Just like with other NFA items, you’ll also need to purchase a $200 Federal Tax Stamp when purchasing a suppressor.

I’ll dive into the process of buying a Banish 30 (or any other suppressor) from Silencer Central near the end of this review, but just realize that doing so isn’t as complicated as you might be thinking and Silencer Central has done an excellent job of streamlining the process.

Additionally, they’ll ship your suppressor straight to your door once you receive ATF approval!

Okay, let’s get back to Silencer Central and the Banish 30.

While they sell silencers from other companies (like Dead Air, Gemtech, Nosler, and SilencerCo), Silencer Central also manufactures and sells their own line of silencers too.

Their Banish line of suppressors contains 8 models at this instant: the Banish 22 (a .22 caliber rimfire silencer), the Banish 223 (a .22 caliber centerfire silencer), the Banish 30 (a direct thread .30 caliber silencer), the Banish 30 Gold (a larger, heavier, and more robust quick detach .30 caliber silencer), the Banish Backcountry (an extremely lightweight and compact .30 caliber silencer), the Banish 338 (a .338 caliber silencer), the Banish 45 (a .45 caliber handgun silencer) and the Banish 46 (a heavy duty .45 caliber rifle silencer).

The Banish 30 silencer is their flagship model in the entire Banish line.

It’s a direct thread, user serviceable .30 caliber suppressor with a stout titanium construction that may be used either in a 9-inch configuration with 8 baffles or in a shorter and lighter 7-inch configuration with 6 baffles.

While the Banish 30 is a .30 caliber suppressor, it’s not restricted to just .30 caliber cartridges either. Nope, it will work just fine with rimfire and centerfire cartridges from .17 caliber all the way up to (and including) the various 30 caliber magnums like the 300 Win Mag, 300 PRC, 300 RUM, and 300 Weatherby.

So, you can safely use it on any cartridges in that range like the .22 Long Rifle, the .223 Remington, the .243 Winchester, the 25-06 Remington, the 6.5 Creedmoor, the 270 Winchester, the 7mm-08, the 7mm Remington Magnum, the 300 Blackout and the .30-06 Springfield.

Regardless of the rifle you use it on, the Banish 30 will provide both sound suppression and recoil reduction. Silencer Central advertises that the Banish 30 will provide “unmatched sound suppression.” Specifically, they claim up to 34 dB of sound reduction in the 9 inch configuration while still being hearing safe for most cartridges in the 7 inch configuration.

Since it’s made from titanium alloy, the Banish 30 is surprisingly light as well and weighs about 14 ounces in the full, 9-inch configuration. That weight drops down to about 11 ounces when used in the shorter 7-inch configuration.

It is also classified as “limited full-auto rated” and the folks at Silencer Central recommend allowing the suppressor to fully cool between rapid fire strings and advise against using the Banish 30 in a belt-fed machine gun.

Additionally, and unlike many suppressors of similar size from competitors, the Banish 30 is user-serviceable. Just use the included torx wrench and to remove the end cap and push the baffles out with either a wooden dowel or their Baffle Removal Tool (sold separately).

Then, clean the parts manually with a brass or nylon bristle brush or place them in a tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner.

The Banish 30 is a direct thread suppressor, which means you screw it directly onto your threaded rifle barrel. It’s manufacturerd with a 5/8-24″ thread pitch, which is about as close to a standard thread pitch as you can find these days.

However, you can also purchase a thread adapter that will allow you to use a Banish 30 on firearms with different thread pitches like 1/2-28″ (which is also pretty common, especially on ARs).

I have a couple of different rifles that have a more unusual thread pitch and we’ll talk more about how the Banish 30 performed with them later in this article.

Here are the detailed specs for the Banish 30 suppressor:

• Overall Length: 7″ or 9″
• Diameter: 1.5″
• Number of Baffles: 8
• Weight: 11.2 oz (7″) or 14.3 oz (9″)
• Material: Titanium
• Thread Pitch: 5/8×24
• Self-Service: Yes 
• Caliber: .308/7.62
• Caliber Range: .17 to .300 Weatherby
• Color: Black
• Finish: Gun Kote and Tribodone 41 DLC
• Sound Reduction: 34 dB
• Mount Style: Direct thread
• Full-Auto Rated; Limited full-auto rated
• MSRP: $999

The BANISH 30 comes in a rectangular box with magnetic closure. This box contains:

• User manual (make sure you read this!)
• Torx Wrench & Key tool (use together do disassemble suppressor)
• Spare O Ring
• Silencer Central sticker

Of course, the box also contains the BANISH 30 itself. The silencer comes in the longer, 9″ configuration, but can be quickly switched to the 7” configuration by removing of the extension. 

Now that we’ve covered the basics of the Banish 30 silencer, let’s talk about what I like and don’t like about it as well as what the process is like to purchase one.

What I Like About It

First, the Banish 30 is outstanding in its primary role of suppressing the sound of a gunshot. After all, that’s the whole point of using a suppressor!

Let’s be clear here: no suppressor (to include the Banish 30) will make your rifle literally whisper quiet or sound like a silenced gun in a movie.

A good suppressor will noticeably reduce the sound of the gunshot though. For reference, most forms of hearing protection have a noise reduction rating of 20-30 dB.

This is roughly on par with the sound reduction provided by most suppressors. The details vary here though depending on the exact suppressor, the cartridge you’re using it on, the type of rifle (a bolt gun will be quieter than a semi-auto), etc.

So, your rifle will still sound like a rifle when you shoot it, but it will be significantly quieter and the noise won’t carry as far. This is good for you the shooter, those standing next to you, and any neighbors that may live close to where you’re shooting.

It also has some surprisingly dramatic effects on game (more on this in a second).

I don’t have the high end sound measuring equipment necessary to tell you that it provides X dB of sound suppression with a particular load. However, the Banish 30 obviously reduces the sound level of a gunshot on every rifle and with all the rifle calibers I’ve used it on.

So far, I’ve used my Banish 30 on my Ruger 10/22 (.22 Long Rifle), my Bergara Wilderness Terrain (6.5 Creedmoor), my Nosler M21 (27 Nosler), my Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT (7mm PRC), my Diamondback DB15300 (.300 Blackout), my Winchester Model 70 (.308 Winchester), and my Ruger Hawkeye FTW Hunter (.300 Win Mag).

That’s a pretty big array of action types (bolt action and semi-auto) and chamberings across the spectrum of what will work with the Banish 30.

There was a dramatic difference in both sound level and recoil (more on this in a second) between those rifles unsuppressed and suppressed. Since it’s a .30 caliber suppressor, the Banish 30 tends to work best on .30 caliber cartridges.

Even so, while the .300 Blackout and the .308 Winchester were the most quiet out of that group, the Banish 30 still worked great on everything else I used it on.

For instance, I was shooting my 6.5 Creedmoor suppressed at my neighbor’s range and he commented on how quiet it was. He is also a big hunter and all around “gun guy” who owns several suppressors and he said that my rifle was quieter with the Banish 30 than any of his rifles when suppressed.

Take that for what you will.

I shot my .22 Long Rifle and my 300 Blackout with both subsonic and supersonic ammunition. Those subsonic rounds, though still not quite “movie quiet”, were still darned impressively suppressed. In each case, the sound of the rifle bolt cycling and the bullet impacting the target downrange were both louder than the actual gunshot with those subsonic loads.

I’ve noticed similar, but not quite as dramatic, results with supersonic ammunition.

For instance, I mentioned the effect of a suppressed gunshot on game earlier. Here’s an example from a recent hunt that demonstrates what I mean.

I shot a buck pronghorn out of a herd containing about 10 does and fawns on a hunt up in Colorado in October of 2022 with my 6.5 Creedmoor.

They all took off running right after I fired, but I hit the buck well and he collapsed after going just 25-30 yards. At that point, the other pronghorn stopped in their tracks, stood there looking at him, and went back to eating.

I got up and started walking towards the buck after a couple of minutes, at which point they ran off for good.

The pronghorn clearly heard the gunshot, but were confused about what happened. I’m pretty sure the does and fawns ran because the buck was running, but stopped after he dropped because they’d never heard a suppressed gunshot before.

My guide was shocked at their reaction.

He said the antelope around there are heavily hunted and normally take off running and won’t stop for at least a mile after someone shoots at them.

I’ve heard (and experienced) other similar stories with other game either standing completely still, or milling around in confusion after hearing a suppressed gunshot and allowing the hunter to take another shot or two at a different animal. Nothing is guaranteed of course and this sort of behavior isn’t always 100% attributable to a suppressor.

Additionally, really heavily pressured game may very well take off for the hills, even when shot at with a suppressed rifle. This is even more likely if they’ve been shot at a few times with suppressed firearms.

However, it’s still a benefit that could very well pay dividends out there from time to time.

What about the difference between the 7 inch and 9 inch configurations?

The Banish 30 is definitely quieter in the longer 9 inch configuration, but at least to my ear, it’s not a gigantic difference compared to the 7 inch configuration. Go with the longer configuration if you want the absolute most reduction in sound and recoil, but with the shorter configuration if you want something that’s easier to handle, but still pretty quiet.

Speaking of recoil, my Banish 30 has the added benefit of doing a really good job of reducing perceived recoil.

Once again, this is really hard to directly quantify. I’ve heard it said that a good suppressor can provide an approximately 20% reduction in recoil that’s more or less what you’ll get with a muzzle brake.

The big deal here is that a muzzle brake will indeed reduce recoil, but it does so at the expense of significantly increased muzzle blast. However, a suppressor will provide a similar reduction in recoil while at the same time reducing muzzle blast and the overall sound signature of the rifle.

This is most apparent with a heavier recoiling cartridge than a really light recoiling cartridge. I barely noticed any recoil benefit from the suppressor when shooting my .22LR, but it was much more obvious with my 27 Nosler and .300 Win Mag.

In my opinion, this is a major benefit to shooting suppressed and can allow an otherwise recoil shy hunter to step up in caliber without suffering the effects of increased recoil.

In that same vein, I experienced an improvement in accuracy with almost every single rifle I’ve ever shot suppressed compared to that exact same rifle and load unsuppressed.

This is probably due in part to the fact that the rifle was just more pleasant to shoot due to the reduced recoil and sound experienced when shooting suppressed. However, I’ve also heard people theorize that adding a suppressor will often improve barrel harmonics and result in increased accuracy.

In the rare cases where I didn’t see improved accuracy, I did not notice any accuracy loss and the rifle shot essentially the same both suppressed and unsuppressed.

Additionally, I also noticed a slight increase in muzzle velocity when shooting suppressed. Realize that this wasn’t a significant improvement and only added up to an additional maybe 10-20fps at maximum.

However, that sure beats a significant loss in velocity, which is what some people think a suppressor does to a rifle. This is real life, not Call of Duty, and the Banish 30 (and most other suppressors) will work just fine with supersonic and subsonic ammo and using a suppressor will not noticeably diminish the velocity or lethality of a given load.

The Banish 30 is also a very flexible suppressor. Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve used it with success on a number of different bolt guns and semi-auto rifles.

Most use a standard 5/8-24 TPI, but several do not. For instance, my Winchester Model 70 uses a 1/2-28 TPI and my Ruger uses a 1/2-24 TPI (yes, it’s very unusual).

However, I simply purchased a couple of thread adapters (they usually range in price from $20-50) that have allowed me to use my Banish 30 on all of those rifles. It’s really as simple as unscrewing the suppressor off the end of your rifle, adding or removing the adapter as appropriate (and if necessary), and screwing it on your other rifle.

As long as your rifle is .30 caliber or smaller and has a threaded barrel, you can probably use the Banish 30 on it.

Finally, Silencer Central also offers a full lifetime warranty on the their entire Banish line of silencers, to include the Banish 30. If you have a problem with your Banish 30, just contact them for help and they’ll send you a shipping label to send your suppressor back to them for repair, they’ll fix it, and then send it straight back to your door.

And no, you won’t have to wait for ATF approval to get it back.

What I Don’t Like About The Banish 30

While I think it’s an excellent rifle suppressor, there are a few things I don’t like about the Silencer Central Banish 30 that you should be aware of before purchasing one.

First, it gets HOT quickly after you shoot a few rounds through it.

This is not unique to the Banish 30, but you still need to be aware of this and use caution end of a range session so you don’t accidentally burn yourself by touching a hot can. That heat will also produce a pretty strong mirage radiating upwards from the can and make it difficult to see through your scope.

Fortunately, you can purchase a thermal silencer cover (like the Devour cover from Silencer Central) to mitigate this issue. It makes a big difference and you’re probably best off getting a suppressor cover from the very beginning instead of trying to get by without one.

Next, realize that adding a Banish 30 to your rifle will probably change your point of impact (POI). After all, you’re adding a big weight way out there at the end of your barrel, so even the thickest and stiffest target barrel will still shoot to a slightly different spot.

My Winchester Model 70 (which has a very thin barrel) has 3-4″ of POI shift at 100 yards when shooting suppressed vs unsuppressed. Keep this in mind and do not just throw a suppressor on a rifle and hit the woods without checking your zero.

Additionally, the Banish 30 can be a little long and bulky in its longest configuration. Especially on hunting rifles with longer barrels, it can stick up pretty high over your head when slung and potentially make the rifle more prone to getting hung up in branches, tree limbs, etc.

Having all that weight at the end of your hunting rifle can also make it more awkward and difficult to carry. This is an especially important consideration on backcountry hunts, when used with certain slings, and when trying to maneuver in tight conditions.

Spend some time experimenting with your rifle: try to quietly maneuver it into a shooting position inside your box blind or walk a few miles through the woods with it slung over your shoulder.

If you have any problems maneuvering or carrying it in the 9 inch configuration, take advantage of the silencer’s modular design and remove the baffle extension tube to see how it performs in the short configuration.

There’s a surprisingly big difference between a 9-inch suppressor and a 7-inch suppressor and that extra 2 inches of length and 3 ounces of weight can make large difference in ease of handling. You probably won’t notice a big drop off in sound suppression or recoil reduction afield though.

For those reasons, strongly recommend that most people use the Banish 30 in the shorter 7 inch configuration while actually hunting.

How do I buy a Banish 30 suppressor?

Like I mentioned earlier, Silencer Central has streamlined and simplified the silencer purchasing experience.

Here’s how it works:

Step One: Verify that you live in one of the 42 states where silencers are legal to own, then purchase your silencer through the Silencer Central web site.

Step Two: A representative from Silencer Central will contact you and provide assistance with the necessary paperwork to create your NFA trust, take your fingerprints, and take passport photos.

Silencer Central will create an ATF trust for you free with any silencer purchase. If you’d like, Silencer Central can assist you in the process of adding additional members to your trust at a later date (it’s not as complicated as it sounds).

They’ll mail you a fingerprint card so you can take your own fingerprints in the comfort of your own home. You can also take your own passport style photo at home and submit it digitally as well.

In each case, they’ll provide detailed instructions so you can ensure you do things properly.

Step Three: Submit your eForm 4 to the ATF. Once again, a representative from Silencer Central will contact you and provide assistance submitting all the required information digitally to the ATF. If necessary, they’ll help you set up your account with the ATF and then walk you through the process of purchasing your $200 tax stamp and digitally signing and submitting your eForm 4.

Step Four: Wait for approval! This is by far the hardest part of the process.

Fortunately, this part doesn’t take as long as it used to with the old paper system. Additionally, Silencer Central also offers a no interest EZ-Pay plan where you can finish paying for your Banish 30 in installments while you wait for approval.

Silencer Central will also send you monthly emails keeping you informed of the progress of your application.

When you receive approval, Silencer Central will ship your suppressor and any additional accessories you purchased (like a silencer cover or baffle removal tool) straight to your front door.

So, how long does it take? Well, wait times can vary.

I initially purchased my Banish 30 (which was my first suppressor) using the old paper application in March 2021. My Banish 30 finally arrived at my home 15 1/2 months later. However, that was using the old (and much slower) paper system during a time of unprecedented demand for silencers.

Things went much faster with my Banish 46. I used the new eFile system with that one and I actually received it just over 9 months later.

Your mileage may vary with wait times and I’ve heard everything from 90 day turn arounds to guys waiting even longer than I did for my Banish 30.

Remember: the hardest part of the process here is waiting on the government to process your form 4 and there’s nothing you can do to speed that process up.

For that reason, the best advice I can give someone wanting to start hunting with a suppressor is to buy it and start the process sooner rather than later. Send the folks at Silencer Central all the requested information as soon as they ask for it, get that application submitted as soon as possible, and then sit back and wait for ATF approval.

Banish 30 Suppressor: Final Thoughts

All things considered, I think the Banish 30 is an outstanding suppressor that has completely changed the way I operate. As long as it’s legal to use where I’m hunting, I’ll never hunt without a suppressor ever again.

It does a great job of suppressing the report of my rifle, noticeably reduces recoil, and often provides a slight improvement in the accuracy of whatever rifle I’m shooting.

Plus, it will work with a wide range of rifles and I can configure it to the size appropriate for the conditions I’m using it under.

In my personal opinion, Silencer Central’s Banish 30 is the most versatile suppressor currently available today and I think it’s well worth the money and the wait for most hunters and shooters.

If you want a single suppressor with a user-serviceable design that can be used in either a short or long configuration and will function on a variety of rifles .30 caliber or smaller, then the Banish 30 is the perfect silencer for you.

Click the button below to purchase your Banish 30 today.

BUY A BANISH 30 SUPPRESSOR HERE

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