Does a noise suppressor on a firearm affect the accuracy?

Modern suppressors do not negatively impact accuracy *if* the gun has been zeroed with the suppressor attached. If the rifle is zeroed before the suppressor is attached there will be a Point Of Impact (POI) shift, but this shift will be consistent and reliable, so you could compensate for it accurately if necessary. read more

Shooting Sports Editor Chip Lohman tests three rifles from the bench and found that sound suppressors did not harm accuracy. In fact, all three test rifles (one each in .223 Rem, .308 Win, and .338 Lapua Magnum), shot slightly better 5-shot groups at 200 yards when a suppressor was fitted to the barrel. read more

Modern suppressors allow the use of full-power ammunition, do not reduce the muzzle velocity, do not contact the bullet during flight, and often aid accuracy. On high-power rifles, a suppressor acts like a muzzle brake and reduces recoil, and of course, the “ka-BOOM” report of the shot is reduced 25-30 dB, yielding a sound not unlike high-pressure gas escaping from an air hose being disconnected. read more