Silencers or suppressors for firearms have been around since the early 1890’s. They were legal in the United States until the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. This was the first “knee-jerk” gun control legislation brought on by Gangster Era criminals like Al Capone and John Dillinger. This act mandated a background investigation and a $200 Transfer Tax in order to obtain a silencer. This was of course designed to discourage potential silencer buyers. This was the law for some 92 years until Jan. 1, 2026 when the tax was removed for this and several other NFA items. Since then, suppressors sales have skyrocketed, although there is still a somewhat lengthy process involved to get purchase authority from the BATFE.
In America, the first commercially successful silencer was invented in 1902, by Hiram Percy Maxim and patented in 1909. It provided sound suppression, recoil absorption, and arrested muzzle flash as unburned powder that would ordinarily burn in the air was contained within the silencer. Recoil reduction resulted from the slowing of propellant gases that contribute to 30–50% of recoil velocity. One feature really appreciated by users of the Maxim Silencer was its off-set bore. As optical sights in the early 1900’s were still relatively rare, the Maxim design allowed the user to use the rifles factory iron sights.
Now, Inland Manufacturing, in Dayton, Ohio, the company that makes M-1 carbines and 1911 pistols, is offering a suppressor line that is dubbed the Inland Model 1910. It’s based on the Maxim Silencer of 1909-10, and will be offered in several versions to cover popular cartridge calibers. I was contacted by Ron Norton, president of Inland Mfg. in mid-March and was told these new suppressors were going to debut at the 2026 NRA Annual Meeting. Their most interesting feature would be the same off-center bore like the original Maxim models. Ron invited me to meet him at the Knob Creek Range, near Louisville, Kentucky and try his newest product. He told me the about the Model 1910 suppressors he was bringing, so I selected two suppressor-ready firearms, a Henry Homesteader 9mm PCC, and a Henry Lever Action Supreme rifle in .223/5.56mm to bring with me. He had a Model 1910 for .22 RF-.357, 9mm/.357, 5.56mm, and .30 caliber rifles and carbines. We tried them out using the two guns I brought, plus Ron’s Marlin 336 in .30-30, and an Inland M-1 Carbine in .30 caliber. At the end of our shooting session, I requested a 9mm/.357 model for further evaluation.
With a weight of just 8 oz., the Inland Model 1910 in 9mm/357 is fabricated from 6061 aluminum, with a length of 6.25”, and a 1.5” diameter. It has a one-piece monobloc core that forms 6 baffles, and has a base thread pitch of 5/8-24 on the rear end of the core. The core can be direct-thread mounted and it also comes with an adapter. Two jam-nuts are also provided to enable correct alignment with the firearms bore. With the core screwed onto the barrel muzzle, a tubular casing threads onto the core; it can be had with a black or clear anodized finish. This casing is easily removed and the core left in place on the gun barrel for cleaning. Presently the Model 1910 isn’t full-auto rated. The Model 1910 arrived packed in a small wooden box with a sliding cover, and has a limited lifetime warranty.
Ron Norton made arrangements to ship a Model 1910 suppressor to Next Level Range in Louisville, Kentucky. I planned to evaluate it on their 25-yard indoor range, and then do the paperwork to acquire the suppressor for my own use. If you haven’t been through this process, it is quite daunting. A kiosk inside the range showroom allowed me to submit my electronic ATF Form 4, my fingerprints, and photo. I also did some other paperwork required by the range for eventual transfer of the suppressor to me. These folks were really super, and I’m grateful for their assistance.
At Knob Creek I did a short video using the suppressor on my Henry Homesteader 9mm PPC. Using subsonic 9mm cartridges, most of the noise heard sounded like a .22 rimfire without the “crack.” Plus, the suppressors light weight had no effect on the carbines balance or heft. I queried Ron about actual noise reduction, and he sent me some information showing the measured the decibel levels of a Federal 9mm 147 gr. subsonic load out a carbine-length barrel; with and without the Model 1910 suppressor. Using a Firearms Acoustic Analysis Model 821 1H-QPR sound level meter, 10 shots without the suppressor averaged 144.06 dB; while 10 shots with the suppressor averaged 117.76 dB.
Having never performed a suppressor T&E, I was curious to see the “with and without” results of the Model 1910 on my Henry Homesteader. For this test, I selected three subsonic 9mm loads. The first was from Choice Ammunition, and was their Cowboy cartridges that have a 124 gr. RNL bullet with a Hi-Tek black coating. I also used Hornady Subsonic that has a 147 gr. XTP-HP, and Midwest Ammunition Subsonic that has a 147 gr. FMJ bullet. To maximize my potential shooting accuracy, I mounted a Mepro 21 Day/Night Illuminated Reflex sight, from Meprolight, on my Henry PCC. My Henry PCC also had a tactical light attached to one of the M-Lok slots.
On T&E Day, I set up on a shooting lane at Next Level Range, and readied my Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph. I’d formulated a test protocol that called for firing two 5-shot groups on oval bullseye targets at 15 yards, with each 9mm test cartridge. The 10 shots would be measured by the chronograph, and this was done both with and without the Model 1910 suppressor attached. I used my Ransom Steady Rest to keep the Henry carbine. My mission was aimed at seeing what if any difference the “can” made on bullet accuracy and velocity. Although this was a somewhat limited test, I felt the information might prove informative.
I made up a performance table to display the data obtained during the shooting session. In summation, the velocity differences amounted to 6-33 FPS faster, with and without the suppressor. As for accuracy, the “official” best 5-shot group at 1.15” was made using the Choice Ammunition Cowboy load without the can. With the can attached, I had a 4-shot 0.35” group using the Hornady Subsonic that was ruined by a flyer. Comparing the numbers alone, there is no substantial loss or gain of accuracy or velocity with or without the suppressor; at least not with my shooting prowess, using this carbine. I wasn’t able to quantify any significant recoil reduction produced by the suppressor on this 9mm PCC.
Obviously, the primary reason for a suppressor is noise reduction. According to Ron’s instrumental measurements, it cut down the sound levels by 26.3 dB. I use my Henry Homesteader as my primary defensive weapon against home invasions or other threats. A reduction is noise level would valuable indoors, plus the suppressor serves as a flash-hider. Installing the Model 1910 on my Henry was a snap and only required removal of the thread protector, attaching the adapter, and screwing on the core. It aligned perfectly with the proper off-set, and the jam-nuts weren’t required. The final step was screwing on the sleeve. With a minimal addition of length and weight, the Inland Model 1910 has no negative effect on the handiness of the Henry PCC. As I received my “Good-to-go” stamp from ATF, I’m look forward to further shooting with this gun/can combo on combat/practical shooting-type courses.
Specifications of Inland Model 1910 Suppressor
Calibers: .22 RF, 9mm/357, 5.56mm, .30 caliber
Construction: 6061 Aluminum
Finish: Black or clear hard anodized
Diameter: 1.5”
Length: 6.25”
Weight: 8.0 oz.
Accessories: 1/2–28 to 5/8-24 adapter, 2 jam nuts and wooden case
Full-Auto Rated: No
Sound Reduction: 26.3 dB (9mm/.357)
MSRP: $699.00
Inland Model 1910 9mm/.357 Accuracy – Velocity Data
| 9mm Cartridge | Velocity w/o Suppressor | Best Group w/o Suppressor | Velocity w/ Suppressor | Best Group w/ Suppressor |
| Choice Ammunition 124 gr. RNL | 908 FPS | 1.15” | 902 FPS | 1.93” |
| Hornady Subsonic 147 gr. XTP-HP | 1132 FPS | 2.13” | 1123 FPS | 0.35” for 4 shots 2.63”* |
| Midwest Ammunition Subsonic 147 gr. FMJ | 1133 FPS | 1.29” | 1100 FPS | 1.34” |
Note: Velocity Measured with Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph for 10 shots average, accuracy based on two 5-shot groups at 15 yards, *= 5 shots flyer included
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