Are you really an independent lab?

Yes, the PEW Science laboratory is independent. All Sound Signature Reviews published on this website are independent tests.

We do not make, sell, design, or distribute silencers.

If a client solicits us for laboratory evaluation services, and we receive payment for those services, any publication of results affiliated with such an effort will contain a disclaimer. Similar to all testing laboratories in all industries, the test results from paid services become the property of the customer. In other words - if a client pays for a test, and you see it on this website, that means they are releasing their own property to the public.

Again, if anything you see on this website receives any client funding, you will know!

The PEW Science laboratory also publishes internal research (IR), publicly. This IR is funded directly by the public research cooperative.

All private evaluations are private and remain so unless otherwise directed. PEW Science holds all client data in strict confidence unless it is formally released by the owner of said content. Again, this is similar to how all testing laboratories operate in all industries.

This question and answer is kept at the top of this page so you know it is up to date. Your trust is important to us.

What is the Suppression Rating™?

Imagine using one number to compare every silencer on every host weapon to each other and getting the best real estimate of “hearing safe” for your use case. That’s the Suppression Rating; it’s the most accurate and comprehensive small arms sound signature rating, available - only from PEW Science! We won’t stop until the Rating is available for every silencer and weapon.

Who are you?

We are a U.S. testing laboratory specializing in the evaluation and characterization of energetic, blast, and other hazards. The PEW Science laboratory also possesses a public-facing research component. You can learn more about professional qualifications and details, here.

Why do this for the public?

Consumers have demanded this for years! The U.S. consumer silencer industry has lacked sufficient independent testing since its inception, so rather than just test silencers, we decided to fully contribute to the state of practice. Read our open letter to the public in the introduction to the Silencer Sound Standard, here. We’re here to innovate by bringing professional laboratory evaluations to the masses.

Why PEW-SOFT™?

The PEW Science laboratory uses a variety of apparatus and instrumentation as tools for the characterization of system behavior. PEW-SOFT™ is one of those tools. It possesses cursory features, such as:

  • Fast sample rate (1,000,000 samples per second or greater)

  • Unfiltered data-stream (doesn’t shift waveforms in amplitude or time phasing)

  • Fast data storage (doesn’t involve a cumbersome data transfer method after testing)

  • Unlimited microphones (modular expandability)

  • Customizable software (ability to add features as required)

  • Reliability (able to be used in the field and have the requisite component redundancy)

In general, most commercially available systems do not meet our requirements, so the PEW Science laboratory created PEW-SOFT to meet these needs. By using this and other innovative tools, in conjunction with real engineering knowledge and experience to conduct research and development, the PEW Science laboratory is leading the industry in small arms sound signature testing and characterization. Continuous R&D is part of the PEW Science mandate and has not stopped with the creation of the public-facing Silencer Sound Standard. Tools such as PEW-SOFT and the Standard continue to evolve and continue to define the cutting edge of hazard characterization technology.

There are free sources of test data! Why do you charge for Membership?

Much of PEW Science laboratory public research data is freely available on this website, subject to our terms of use.

The development of PEW Science technology, testing, reporting, and research are significant efforts. The type, quality, and rigor of the data reporting you consume on our website is not present anywhere in the world, outside professional engineering, scientific, and laboratory arenas; we know this because we operate in those arenas. Such parties seldom test silencers, and if they do, you won’t see the data.

When we started, it quickly became clear that nobody else was willing (and/or able) to put forth the effort we have to make public-facing independently produced laboratory quality data and analysis a reality. If they were, they would have done it by now. This is the impetus for the public Silencer Sound Standard research pedigree. Major industry third parties, by their own admissions to us, have abandoned such efforts before the conceptual phase, even prior to making attempts. When presented with our methodology, they told us it is too difficult and the consumer isn’t smart enough to understand it.

We disagreed, and still do. PEW Science has risen to the challenge and succeeded from original concept to final implementation, independently. The Standard is live, and the research pedigree is public. All major industry parties involved in discussions, at the inception, conceded that it is best for an independent entity to present such information to the public; one not tied to silencer manufacturing or distribution.

Membership fees contribute to the further development of everything you see on this website; the cutting edge of small arms sound research. Remember - you incur a $200 tax every time you purchase a silencer. The cost of a PEW Science membership is pennies per day.

What about data from other sources?

The PEW Science laboratory has dialog with many of the major silencer manufacturers, distributors, and sales organizations, and is not aware of any system, data set, or collection of test results that comes close to meeting the requirements and pedigree of the Silencer Sound Standard, or that will for the foreseeable future. PEW Science is fully aware of all commercial sound measurement systems, they do not meet our laboratory standards, and the parties conducting testing are not independent; they are product manufacturers, vendors, or distributors.

Data obtained from sources other than PEW Science laboratory independent testing should be carefully scrutinized by the consumer; not only due to technical concerns but due to possible industry party bias, influence, and control. This is reality.

Data may be submitted for consideration for use/incorporation into the Silencer Sound Standard by contacting PEW Science. The data must be independently acquired, meet strict requirements, and to iterate the above, the PEW Science laboratory is not aware of any other entity within the firearms industry capable of providing such data, publicly. This situation is not likely to change. PEW Science is an independent laboratory and not an R&D center for manufacturers. Silencer manufacturers perform internal R&D which has no bearing upon data for the public or data produced by independent laboratories.

We urge the reader not to misconstrue our caution with cynicism or prejudice; there are several U.S. commercial industry entities responsible for significant advancements in the NFA regulatory/logistics arena and also in various areas of small arms R&D. There exist labs, worldwide, that provide excellent hazard characterization. We welcome professional discourse regarding innovation from third parties. That type of communication can be sent here.

How else can I support PEW Science?

Your membership is greatly appreciated and supports ongoing research and development for the public-facing effort. You can also spread the word, which is equally important. Ask for the Suppression Rating for the products you purchase! Ask the manufacturer, dealer, or distributor to show you the Suppression Rating for the silencer you want to buy on the gun you want to use. If they can’t, then tell them how they can! Contact PEW Science!

Together, we can push the industry forward, one test at time.