Ask A Firearms Question:
Thinking of buying a Suppressor for my Glock. What do I really need to know?
Thank you Randy Malone.
Disclaimer:
This
is a helpful outline for anyone who is thinking of Purchasing or Who
All Ready Owns a Suppressor (Silencer).
This
Topic Page is made simple to read and understand using common terms
and language. Sound Engineering is complex and performed by Acoustic
Engineers. This coupled with the Physics of Shooting make Suppressors
somewhat complicated to understand.
UPDATED - February 4, 2015
Read The Following Carefully ...
Determining
the Sound of a Suppressor:
Suppressor
versus Silencer - Suppressors are often referred to as a Silencer a
named produced by Hollywood. The fact is that there is NO such thing
as a Silencer because all Suppressors have some sound associated with
them, therefore they are not totally silent.
Db
Rating - Decibels - Combination of sound pressure waves which include
both background (ambient noise), and the object producing a noise
level (machine, firearms, aircraft, etc,). Example: When a firearm is
discharged it produces a sound but there is all ready an ambient
sound in the background, i.e. wind, people talking, etc.
Firearm
Decibels may change slightly with each round fired because the
cartridge is slightly different, especially on manufactured ammo.
Also the suppressor is cold on the first round which may have a
higher Db than the next round. The bullet is passing through metal.
i.e. Steel, Titanium, or Aluminum. The type of metal and baffles used
will effect the sound. Most Suppressor Manufacturers list the average
Db Rating, or show the average reduction of sound in Db of there products.
Vibrations
- Also contribute to sound or unwanted noise. Simply put the better
something is designed and built the less vibration you have. Example:
Gears on a machine that are precision made and well oiled produce
less vibration.
Pitch
- Is essentially the quality of sound governed by the rate of
vibrations producing the degree of the tone, generally described in
Hertz (Hz). This is also known as the frequency of the sound wave.
This is very important in music.
Sound
Echo - The sound waves that bounce off another object.
Speed
of Sound - The distance a sound wave travels per unit of time: 1,126
Ft/s (feet per second); 768 Mph (miles per hour). Sound Waves in the
Air can vary with Temperature, Atmospheric Pressure, Humidity, and
Distance.
If
a Bullet or Aircraft exceeds this speed it is breaking the Sound
Barrier. Bullets or Planes that travel below this sound are referred
to as Sub-Sonic.
Human
hearing will notice a sound closer to them than farther away in a
distance. So if you are standing next to the firearm when discharged
it is much louder than if you are a block away.
Muzzle
Velocity – The speed of the bullet at the time it leaves the muzzle
of the gun. In todays firearms these range from 390 Ft/s to over
3,900 Ft/s (Feet per Second).
Examples:
Black Powder Firearms like a Musket compared to a modern day 50
Caliber Rifle.
Bullet
Weight – Refers to the Grain of the Bullet. This is commonly used
in Center Fire Rifles and Handguns commercially produce with ranges
from 150 Grains to 250 Grains. Some Examples of Center Fire
Cartridges are: 45LC; 45ACP; 9mm; 40 S&W; 38 Special; 357 Magnum;
7mm; 8mm; 30-06; 223/556; 308 NATO; 300 Win Mag; and 50 Caliber.
Rim
Fire Cartridges such as 22 Caliber are smaller therefore less bullet
grains (weight).
Important:
The smaller the grain bullet the faster the speed, i.e. 150 grain
bullet travels faster than a 250 grain bullet. In large calibers like
a 300 Winchester Magnum, this can vary as much as 500 feet per
second. A 300 Winchester Magnum Round using standard commercially
produced ammo like Remington or Federal can vary from 2,650 to 3,250
Ft/s.
The
speed (muzzle velocity) is a key in suppressing sound using a
Suppressor (silencer).
Notes:
1)
45 ACP rounds are naturally sub-sonic, therefore they are easier to
suppress than most other calibers. Common commercially produced 45
ACP bullet grains range from 185 Grains to 230 Grains with a velocity
of 1,225 Ft/s to 830 Ft/s. Generally using 185 grain or larger bullet
is sub-sonic.
2)
22 Caliber 40 Grain Solid Nose Ammo is near sub-sonic levels with the
average bullet round being produced commercially at 1,200 Ft/s.
3)
This makes standard issue 45 ACP and 22 Caliber ammo the preferred
ammo calibers best suited for suppression of sound, i.e. the use of a
Suppressor (silencer).
4)
To further complicate the sound issue many calibers can be purchased
commercially in sub-sonic ammo, these include readily available 22LR,
45ACP, and 9mm.
Object
and Obstructions to Sound – Sound waves in human hearing ranges are
severely effected by objects such as walls. So the use of a 22
caliber handgun with a suppressor inside a house with all the doors
and windows closed would be hard to hear outside in passing traffic.
Add to the fact there may be external ambient sound inside the home
when the firearm is discharged such as a TV, Radio, or Stereo
playing.
The
Human Ear and Sound - Humans basically hear sound in three levels,
Low, Medium, and High Pitches caused by vibration. Sound may be heard
through three distinctive forms – Solids, Liquids, and Gaseous.
Hearing
is one of the traditional five senses.
Hearing
loss or partial loss is defined into four categories: Mild, Moderate,
Severe, Profound.
Your
hearing can be easily damaged that is why it is important to wear
hearing protection around noisy engines, machines, and firearms. The
best protection is hearing muffs. Generally most humans cannot hear
ultra sonic noise, but most animals can such as dogs, cats, deer,
etc. Some animals hear in the lower sound range referred to as
infrasonic such as snakes. The typical hearing range for humans is
between 20Hz and 20,000 Hz. Most humans lose some of their hearing
capabilities as they grow older. Many humans have difficulty in
hearing upper noise levels if they have been exposed to loud
operating plant machinery or aircraft like jet engines or
helicopters.
In
addition, some humans are Tone Death. This means they have problems
differentiating tone levels and sound such as music because all of
the sounds seem the same. This is also why they cannot sing
professionally.
Other Factors That May Contribute to the Suppressor Sound - Type of Gun Barrel, Length of Barrel, Rifling (Number of Twist), Age or Rounds Fired through Weapon.
Conclusion,
Human Hearing - The most important aspect of using a Suppressor
(silencer). This is what you personally hear. The difference between
a firearm with and without a suppressor. It combines all the sound
factors described above to a simple point of - Is it quiet to you.
Answer:
Blog Administrator -
Purchasing a Suppressor should not be a rush in and buy it sort of thing.
One should evaluate what firearm the Suppressor is to be used on, and are there any other firearms compatible for use with the same Suppressor.
In addition, is your firearm ready to have a Suppressor added?
If COST is an issue, read the following below carefully ...
Types
of Suppressors:
There
are two types - Dry and Wet/Dry.
The
DRY Suppressor is the most common.
The
Wet/Dry Suppressor allows the user to shoot using the suppressor in a
Dry Mode or by adding Water making it a Wet Suppressor. All Wet
Suppressors must be cleaned and have maintenance issues.
Also some of the newer Suppressors especially for 22LR allow the user to take the end cap off that goes onto the firearm, and spray Lithium Grease into the chamber area. This further reduces the sound, but again this requires maintenance (cleaning) of the suppressor.
There
are Three Basic Suppressor Categories:
Handguns,
Rifles, and Shotguns.
Do
NOT confuse a Suppressor with either a compensator or flash hider.
Materials
used in Commercial Suppressors available to private civilians are:
Steel including alloys.
Titanium
Aluminum
Factors
to Consider:
Weight
is just as important as sound reduction.
Wet/Dry
Suppressors are generally heavier than a Dry Suppressor.
You
don't want to put a steel rifle suppressor on a handgun, they simply
weigh too much. Large caliber firearms such as a 300 Winchester
Magnum probably should have a Steel Suppressor, these weigh the most.
Smaller
Caliber Rifles such as 30 Caliber, 300 Blackout, 243, 270, and
223/556 can use a Titanium Suppressor. The NATO 308, 7mm, and 30-06
border line between Steel and Titanium.
22
Caliber Handguns are usually Aluminum, the lightest of the three
metals generally used.
Suppressor
Size:
Diameter
and Length are also things to consider especially for use with a
handgun.
There
are the typical round suppressors and some are rectangle shaped.
A
Suppressor being used on a 22 Caliber Handgun such as a Ruger SR22 is
best made lightweight, round, and short. The Ruger SR22 semi auto
handgun is primarily all polymer type plastic construction, and is
very light so putting a long heavy suppressor on the end makes no
sense.
Multiple
Caliber Use Suppressors:
New
technology is allowing Suppressors to be made for multiple calibers -
1)
A Rifle Suppressor can now be obtained that works on 223/556 though
300 Win Mag, these are generally steel. Titanium is available but not
recommended for the 300 Win Mag. One suppressor manufacturer offers
these in both steel and titanium that screws onto their Flash
Compensator. The compensator costs $65.00 and you would need one for
each caliber rifle, i.e. 223/556; 7mm; 308 NATO; 300 Win Mag. This is
an additional cost over and above the Suppressor Cost.
2)
A Handgun Suppressor can be obtained from 9mm through 45ACP for
semi-auto handguns with threaded barrels. Some may be available for 22
Caliber through 45ACP. The Suppressor is chambered for the larger
45ACP requiring an adapter for each of the smaller calibers to thread
onto the barrel. The average adapter cost is around $30.00.
Note:
22 Caliber should have a dedicated suppressor preferably in Aluminum
for lightweight. 22's are also a dirty ammo and many suppressors
require cleaning which will need tools and some getting use too
methodology.
Suppressor
Manufactures:
There
are basically two types sold. One is sealed and cannot be opened or
cleaned, Gemtec, as an example, currently produces suppressors in large calibers that are permanently
sealed but the 22LR suppressor the end cap can be removed. Many manufacturers allow you to take the suppressor apart and
clean them or replace the baffles. Many manufacturers that sell sealed suppressors have you return the item to them for maintenance, repair, or replacement.
Note: Manufacturers do not sell Baffles separately because this is a controlled item by the ATF. End cap replacements and caliber size adapters are commonly sold by suppressor manufactures.
Gun
Barrels and Using a Suppressor:
If
your handgun does not all ready have an extended threaded barrel you
will need to either get your barrel threaded or buy an after market
barrel that is threaded. This is an additional cost and extended
threaded barrels can run from $130.00 to $350.00 or not even be
available for your handgun.
Single
Barrel Rifles such as Hunting Rifles can easily be threaded for
around $65.00 to $120.00.
Assault
Rifles such as the AR15 .223/5.56 Platform or the 308 NATO usually
have removable flash hiders and the suppressor can be screwed
directly onto the rifle barrel, or an adapter for about $30.00 can be
purchased to make it fit.
Shotguns
are whole another set of criteria and not covered here except to say
Suppressors are available for some shotguns.
Utilizing
Youtube as a source of information on Suppressors, i.e. how quiet
they are is a bad idea for two reasons:
1)
Private individuals can manipulate the sound simply by turning the
sound volume up or down on the Video Camera or Cellphone. Also these
random Sound Suppressor Test have too many variables such as
background noise and wind.
2)
Manufacturers often test there Suppressor Sound in a controlled
environment such as an indoor range.
Sales
Pitch:
Please
remember when talking to any FFL they promote the Suppressor brand(s)
they are licensed by the manufacturer to sell. If more than one
brand, they probably will promote the one with the best mark-up
profit to them.
Suppressor Caliber Use:
Warning: Never fire a round through a suppressor larger than the suppressor is designed for,
Example: You cannot fire a 223/556 round through a 22 Caliber Suppressor. But you can fire a 22LR through a 223/556 suppressor.
Choosing
a Suppressor:
Simply
comes down to what firearm are you going to put it own, how quiet is
acceptable to you, how much money do you want to spend?
Legally
Owning a Suppressor:
Finally
the BATF (ATF) controls Suppressors and you need a Tax Stamp for
every Suppressor you own. The Federal Tax Stamp cost $200.00 for each
suppressor. Also Suppressors maybe illegal in the State, County, or
City you live in so check with your FFL to see if you can own one and
what is the criteria.
To
obtain an ATF Tax Stamp an application must be processed with a
payment in advance to the ATF for $200.00. This also requires
purchasing the Suppressor in advance because the Tax Stamp is
assigned to the Serial Number (S/N) on the suppressor.
The
suppressor is held by the FFL (Federal Firearms Licensed) Dealer
until approval comes back that your purchase is approved by the ATF.
If denied there is no refund from the government for Tax Stamp
application but the dealer will refund your money for the suppressor
purchase.
There
are many ways to file for a Tax Stamp which include a Family Trust,
Gun Trust, Corporation, or as an Individual. Ask someone qualified in
your area what is the best method of filing. Many use a Gun Trust and
that is another cost which runs from $99.00 to $150.
Finally
there is the waiting period for approval from the BATF and this
varies from 10 weeks to 14 months. Ask your FFL what time frame they
are experiencing in your area.
Some Examples of Silencers
GemTech 22LR Aluminum Suppressor ....
Surefire Multi-Alloy Rifle Suppressor ....
Silencero Suppressors ....
Yankee Hill Rifle Suppressors ....
Using an Oil Filter with an Adapter for a Suppressor ....
Important: These are not licensed as required by the ATF for any device that muffles or silences firearm sound.
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