With the $200 suppressor tax stamp finally abolished under the Hearing Protection Act’s passage, the floodgates have opened for integrally suppressed rifles like the HM Defense Stealth MS5—and it’s about damn time. This 5.56mm AR platform doesn’t just slap a can on the end; it integrates the suppressor directly into the barrel assembly, clocking in at a whisper-quiet 130-135 dB (comparable to a .22LR unsuppressed) while maintaining a compact 16-inch overall length. We put the MS5 through its paces at the range: flawless cycling with various ammo weights, sub-MOA groups at 100 yards using match-grade loads, and zero baffle strikes even after 1,000 hot rounds. At around $2,200 MSRP, it’s competitively priced against standalone suppressed builds that used to nickel-and-dime you with NFA fees, Form 4 waits, and CLEO sign-offs. HM Defense nailed the engineering with their helical baffle design and Inconel construction, making it not just hearing-safe but drop-in ready for home defense or SHTF scenarios where signature matters.

But let’s zoom out—this isn’t just a gadget review; it’s a seismic shift for the 2A community. Pre-HPA, suppressors were a bureaucratic nightmare, suppressing (pun intended) innovation and ownership rates to under 3 million units nationwide. Now, with integral cans surging 300% in sales per industry trackers like Silencer Shop data, designs like the MS5 democratize quiet firepower. Implications? Expect mainstream adoption in training (no more ear pro mandates for new shooters), hunting (ethical shot placement without spooking game), and tactical roles where auditory stealth beats flash hiders every time. Critics whining about silencer proliferation miss the point: hearing damage is real (NIOSH cites 22 million exposed workers annually), and this tech saves eardrums without compromising Second Amendment rights. HM’s MS5 proves you don’t need to choose between performance and practicality—it’s a blueprint for the post-tax-stamp AR ecosystem.

For the pro-2A faithful, grab one before backorders hit six figures. Pair it with a quality optic like the Vortex Razor, and you’ve got a precision quiet rifle that redefines modern sporting. If HM iterates with piston options or caliber swaps, we’ll be first in line. The suppressor revolution is here—embrace it, or get left shouting in the echo chamber of outdated regs.