There is the risk of not being able to physically have the silver, but owning a silver etf is probably the most liquid since all it takes to sell is hitting a sell button. By owning the silver you pay a markup and sell at a marked down price, and while that still exists for the etf, it is significantly less. There are many people claiming the silver isn't there in the etf, while others are saying it is not a problem so understand there may be some risk there.