The Sound of Silence(ers)

[sniperdoc]

So, I've been seeing videos of all these "latest, greatest" Silencers.
THAT ARE NOT HEARING SAFE!!!

Sorry, folks, that ain't silent.

I realize that ATF classifes them as such, but that's just ridiculous.

 

[nhgunnut]

There is a reason the correct title is Suppressor ..

 

[Villafuego]

With proper subsonic ammo, I've yet to see a commercial suppressor that wasn't "hearing safe".....

that being said, most folks will choose something that has enough "oomph" to cycle the action in their semi auto rather than go for maximum sound reduction....

On short bbld. 5.56 / 7.62 guns , they really serve more as "sound moderators" than anything else....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cK9WQeNqN4 (subsonic at 3:00 )

 

[TonyM]

What you're suppressing is at least as important to the sound as what you're using to suppress it.

I've got cans that range from early 70's technology to the latest greatest super cans. With the right ammo and the right hosts, they're all hearing safe. some are quieter than others.

Maxim, who invented them, called the silencers. When the NFA was passed, they were about the only thing on the market, as Maxim still had patents in force.

 

[twzadms]

You can not go off of videos for sound levels either. Cameras normally have microphone gain levels that amplify quieter sounds and decrease louder sounds. It is not a actual representation. That being said none are ever truly silent.

 

[sniperdoc]

While I agree with ALL the above posts, I stand by my statement that it is not "silent" if it damages your hearing
BTW, "LEGALLY', they are "Silencers".

 

[SecondAmend]

With proper subsonic ammo, I've yet to see a commercial suppressor that wasn't "hearing safe".....

that being said, most folks will choose something that has enough "oomph" to cycle the action in their semi auto rather than go for maximum sound reduction....

On short bbld. 5.56 / 7.62 guns , they really serve more as "sound moderators" than anything else....

/QUOTE]

I'm waiting for someone to come out with a firearm muffler with the model name "RoverDave" - he is the apotheosis of a sound Moderator.

 

[Villafuego]

With proper subsonic ammo, I've yet to see a commercial suppressor that wasn't "hearing safe".....

that being said, most folks will choose something that has enough "oomph" to cycle the action in their semi auto rather than go for maximum sound reduction....

On short bbld. 5.56 / 7.62 guns , they really serve more as "sound moderators" than anything else....

/QUOTE]

I'm waiting for someone to come out with a firearm muffler with the model name "RoverDave" - he is the apotheosis of a sound Moderator.

 

[root]

One thing a sonic crack out of a high power rifle with a silencer/suppressor/moderator will do is change the shooters location since it is only making one crack when it breaks the sound barrier instead of two. one from the muzzle blast one from the sonic crack.
Same thing when a super sonic passes by objects. it will bounce the sonic crack off those locations.

I got to experience this 1st hand with a 11.5 AR and a M4 2000.
It was what I consider borderline hearing safe ( 1/2 a mag in and you wanted hearing protection) but you could hear the bullet pass every hard object it went by on the old rail bed we were shooting at.

The two things even a NON hearing safe suppressor does is kill the muzzle flash and mask the shooters position.
So they still have a very useful role.
As someone else mentioned that same non hearing safe can will be 100% hearing safe with the right host/ammo combo.

Rich

 

[twzadms]

A transferable sear, lower, upper or conversion device is called a machine gun legally and I do not think they would be confused for a gun. The legal definition or classification is not to be confused with what it is. So that being said I am aware of what they are legally classified as but that does not mean that a true identifier of what they are.

 

[sniperdoc]

I do understand the Legal definition of "silencer", but a longer barrel also diminishes perceived sound.
IMHO, & I know how much that's worth, if you still need hearing protection, it's not "silent" at all!

This is just a personal observation about how stupid government oversight can ger.

 

[ChuckB]

True, even the quietest suppressed firearms I know of are over 110dB, which is still pretty loud as sound goes.

Silencers will improve the shooting experience to me. If everyone at the range used them hearing hits on steel would be much easier.

 

[sniperdoc]

Chuck, it's true that most silencers aren't "silent" at all;but our fellow shooters sure appreciate them!