You don't really need a supressor. It's all about your sneaking skill. You can even use a rocket louncher. NPC doesn't react to the sound of weapon, they only do react on sight or dead bodies. Well... dead bodies attract them in the wrong way:
two soldiers guarding the gates. You kill one of them silently. Another guard doesn't see you, but he can see the body. Guess what he's thinking about it? 'Oh jeez, a dead body! I better loot it before anyone do it before me'. So he goes and loots a body. And then keeps on guarding the gate, waiting for you to kill him.
They are that stupid, yes. No wonder NCR got themselves irradietad at the Searchlight.