Why .45 ACP suits suppressors
A suppressor controls the gas from the muzzle, but it cannot stop the crack of a bullet traveling faster than sound. The speed of sound is roughly 1,125 feet per second at sea level in mild weather, and lower in cold air. Standard 230-grain .45 ACP loads travel well below that, so most .45 ammunition is subsonic out of the box. That makes .45 one of the quietest pistol cartridges to suppress without special ammo. Our subsonic ammo guide covers the physics.
FN 545 Tactical
The 545 Tactical is FN's .45 ACP from the same family as the 509 Tactical. The catalog listing shows 18+1 capacity, a threaded barrel and an optics-ready slide with suppressor-height sights. If you already know the FN 509 Tactical, the controls carry over.
FN 545 Tactical
.45 ACP · 18+1 · threaded, optics-ready
FN 510 Tactical
The 510 Tactical brings the same layout to 10mm with a 22+1 listing. 10mm is a powerful cartridge, and most loads are supersonic. To run it quietly, choose heavy bullets loaded to subsonic velocities, and use a suppressor rated for 10mm. Even supersonic 10mm is more pleasant suppressed, since the can still reduces muzzle blast. Our sister site DutyHandguns covers the 510 as a duty gun.
FN 510 Tactical
10mm · 22+1 · threaded, optics-ready
Carbine alternative: CMMG Dissent .45 ACP
CMMG's Dissent line in .45 ACP gives you a short, side-charging platform in a subsonic cartridge. Check the listing for configuration, since pistol and rifle versions have different legal rules. A longer barrel adds velocity, but standard .45 loads generally stay subsonic.
CMMG Dissent .45 ACP Compact
.45 ACP · side-charging
Choosing a can
- Caliber rating: a can rated for .45 ACP generally covers 9mm too, but check. 10mm needs a can rated for it.
- Thread pitch: .45 ACP hosts often use .578x28 rather than 1/2x28. Confirm on the listing and use the matching piston. See our thread pitch cheat sheet.
- Booster: these are tilting-barrel pistols, so a booster is needed for reliable cycling.
- Sights: the Tactical models include suppressor-height sights.
Pistol suppressors
Full category
.45 vs 10mm suppressed
| FN 545 (.45 ACP) | FN 510 (10mm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard loads subsonic? | Mostly yes | Mostly no |
| Ammo choice for quiet | Almost anything | Heavy subsonic loads |
| Recoil | Push | Sharper |
| Capacity (listing) | 18+1 | 22+1 |
Bottom line
If quiet is the priority, the FN 545 Tactical is the easy recommendation. The FN 510 makes sense if you want 10mm power first and suppression second. A threaded barrel alone does not make a host compatible. Confirm the suppressor's caliber rating, thread pitch, mount and the manufacturer's host limits.
Frequently asked questions
Is .45 ACP subsonic?
Standard 230-grain .45 ACP loads travel below the speed of sound, which makes most .45 ammunition subsonic.
Can you suppress a 10mm?
Yes, with a can rated for 10mm. Most 10mm loads are supersonic, so use heavy subsonic loads for the quietest results.
What thread pitch does a .45 ACP pistol use?
Many .45 ACP hosts use .578x28 rather than 1/2x28. Confirm on the listing.
Does the FN 545 Tactical come with suppressor sights?
The Tactical models are sold with suppressor-height sights and optics-ready slides. Confirm on the listing.
Keep reading
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