Contract mechanics
A silver lot commonly represents 5,000 ounces. Small moves in the quote translate into large account moves, so lot sizes here are typically the smallest of any instrument a trader holds.
Why silver is harder than gold
Silver has a large industrial demand component layered on top of precious-metal demand, and a much smaller market. The result is sharper spikes, wider spreads and more frequent stop runs.
Practical approach
Trade silver with a stop distance derived from its own average range, not from a habit formed on currency pairs. Check the spread immediately before entry — it varies more through the day than most instruments.