Last week, Nick reported on the layoffs at SilencerCo that saw a sizable portion of their employees left without jobs. There was a good deal of speculation about what prompted the move, but the general assumption by Nick, myself, and others is that Hearing Protection Act, or rather the possibility of it passing, has gutted demand for silencers. Everyone I talk to in the industry agrees that things are down across the board, and they all blame the hype around the HPA. Nearly every consumer seems to be biding their time, thinking, “Why would I buy now? Why not wait for the HPA to pass and save the cost of the tax stamp?”
Clearly recognizing the reality of the situation, SilencerCo announced a rebate program today to give consumers an amount equal to the $200 tax stamp they’d normally have to pay. The rebate can only be used at SilencerCo’s online store and is available to all purchasers of a SilencerCo suppressor from February 1 to April 30, 2017. All you have to do is purchase any of their silencers from your local dealer, register your purchase online, and within 72 hours you’ll get a redemption code good for additional muzzle brakes, three lug mounts, end caps, or apparel.
To give this rebate some context, SilencerCo’s new-for-2017 Saker 7.62 ASR will set you back $835 at Capitol Armory. The Saker ASR line comes with a mount, but the $200 rebate will net you two more mounts to put on your other rifles. One can, three guns. All for a couple Jacksons over $1000 including your tax stamp.
If and when the HPA passes, the legislation as written will refund your tax stamp. In a post HPA world, your $835 plus sales tax gets you a full auto-rated can, three mounts, and the joy of knowing you have a silencer when everyone else who waited is scrambling to buy product that doesn’t yet exit.
I’ve already given my thoughts on why the threat of HPA passing shouldn’t stop you from buying a silencer now, and this deal only sweetens the pot. My local dealer, Capitol Armory, is currently running specials from 9%-54% off select SilencerCo silencers. Stack a $200 rebate to be used for mounts, and the potential for getting your tax stamp back, and you’re talking about a real buyer’s market.