Silencing Firearms: Can a 12 Gauge Rifle Quietly Destroy a Microwave?

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you shot a 12 gauge rifle at an old microwave and hit it? Would it make a noise or not? What if it could be muffled to make it quieter? Or is this an impossible and impractical idea? Let's dive into the details.

Understanding the Question Through Metaphor

Imagine asking an age-old question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to see it, does it still make a noise?

The answer, to no surprise, is always a resounding yes. This question reflects a common logic puzzle but the original firearm question isn't so straightforward. Would a 12 gauge rifle or shotgun at a microwave create noise, or could it be silenced?

The Reality of Sound Suppression for Shotguns

Currently, there is a lack of widely available silencers specifically for shotguns. If you were to use your .410 gauge firearm for home defense, you would want it to be heard as loudly as possible—potentially alerting others and creating chaos. The more screaming, the better.

Shooting a 12 gauge rifled slug from a 12 gauge slug gun is an option, but the firearm is technically a shotgun. While you might be able to suppress a shotgun as you would a rifle, the suppressor would be large and heavy. This is not practical for quietly destroying a microwave.

Alternative Methods and Suggestions

For a silent way to tackle a microwave, you might consider a crossbow. It is an unconventional but effective method for this purpose. Doing so requires a bit of skill and discretion.

To clarify, when we discuss a weapon's gauge, we generally refer to a shotgun. For rifles and pistols, the term is caliber. There is a type of shotgun that can shoot a rifled slug, meaning it is slightly rifled to impart a spin on the projectile. However, this is far less powerful than a standard rifle.

Legal and Practical Considerations

Trying to quiet a gun is illegal, at least to actually use the device. If you were to ask how to quiet a gun, one answer would be to not pull the trigger. This is both the lawful and practical response to the question.

Shooting a microwave with a 12 gauge shotgun is extremely loud, especially if you shoot it from a close range. It would not only make a huge noise but also destroy the microwave almost immediately. Really savvy home defense people use 12 gauge tactical semi-automatic shotguns for this reason. The sheer volume of the noise would be a significant deterrent.

Conclusion

There is no straightforward way to effectively suppress a 12 gauge shotgun or rifle to reduce its noise. You can't simply muffle the sound with a conventional silencer, and shooting a microwave would be both impractical and illegal.

If you are contemplating such actions, it is advisable to explore legal and ethical alternatives and consider the potential consequences.