Episode 290 - Dillon DRC308 Testing on the 7.62 NATO KAC SR-25 with 14.5 Barrel Intro (14-JAN-2026)

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Episode 290 - Dillon DRC308 Testing on the 7.62 NATO KAC SR-25 with 14.5 Barrel Intro (14-JAN-2026)

Today’s Topics:

  1. Public Research Supplement 6.210 – the 14.5-in 7.62 NATO KAC SR-25 Combat Carbine (CC) as a silencer test host. Semiautomatic 7.62 NATO testing is here. As typical, let’s look at the combustion propagation characteristics of the new host and see what the silencers will have to deal with as they tackle this new suppression challenge! (00:09:07)

  2. Sound Signature Review 6.211 – Dillon DRC308 on the 14.5-in SR-25. Kicking off the SR-25 research progression, the larger brother of the previously evaluated DRC556 is put through its paces on this challenging host. In this introduction to today’s report publication, we’ll talk about the general performance and what we may expect going forward with semiauto 7.62 NATO testing, in general. Can the Dillon tame the beast? (00:25:16)

  3. Hazard Map Brief 8.1.8 - Dillon DRC308 on the SR-25 7.62x51mm 14.5-in Barrel Automatic Rifle. Boy oh boy. When viewed spatially, how hazardous is the blast overpressure field from a suppressed 7.62 NATO system compared with a 5.56 NATO system? Big brother is here to show you why 7.62 is a different animal. Treat it with respect. (00:36:43)

  4. Hunting medium size game with 300 BLK? A lot of you do. I am happy to report that I finally tried it, and it was successful. I’ll give you some of my initial thoughts on using the 6.75-in Sig MCX Rattler LT (LVAW analog) to take whitetail deer and what I would do differently next time, some pros, cons, etc. (00:43:23)

Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

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Episode 287 - Sig MCX LVAW Lessons Learned and SilencerCo Sparrow Technical Deep Dive (17-DEC-2025)

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Episode 287 - Sig MCX LVAW Lessons Learned and SilencerCo Sparrow Technical Deep Dive (17-DEC-2025)

Today’s Topics:

  1. Sound Signature Review 6.208 – SilencerCo Sparrow on the subcompact Beretta 21A Bobcat. Historically significant silencer, by popular demand. Long overdue. The Sparrow was SilencerCo’s first product and has enjoyed significant proliferation. Let’s dive into this FRP-famous silencer, technically. This accompanies last week’s report and Silencer Hazard Map Brief 8.1.6.

    a. Introduction (00:07:35)

    b. Sparrow Design (00:13:14)

    c. Sparrow performance (00:21:08)

    d. Spatial hazards (00:43:38)

    e. Final thoughts (00:46:57)

  2. The 300 BLK MCX, or Rattler LT, or LVAW, or whatever you want to call it… is really fun! Like any cool small arm weapon system, you want to make it “your own.” I am busy doing that. Wanted to share some thoughts about my own personal gun and what I have discovered I like, don’t like, and how it’s working for me. (00:48:59)

Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

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Episode 275 - Dead Air Wolverine AK Testing, Wolfpack Armory Disruptor 556, MCX Heat (17-SEP-2025)

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Episode 275 - Dead Air Wolverine AK Testing, Wolfpack Armory Disruptor 556, MCX Heat (17-SEP-2025)

Today’s Topics:

  1. Sound Signature Review 6.199 – Wolfpack Armory Disruptor 556 on the 14.5-in M4. There are a lot of new silencers and new silencer companies entering the space, and we say – the more the merrier. How does this conventionally designed offering stack up in the performance pedigree? This is the combined intro and technical discussion for the report published on 06-SEP. (00:08:23)

  2. Public Research Supplement 6.200 – Unsuppressed 7.62x39mm AK-Pattern Rifles as Silencer Test Hosts. Zastava ZPAPM70 (16.3-in barrel), Arsenal SAM7R (16.3-in barrel), and Arsenal SAM7C (12.6-in barrel). In Soviet Russia… silencer suppresses… you? Ha! Let’s take a look at this interesting and historic platform. And… how do we make it quieter?! (00:28:11)

  3. Sound Signature Review 6.201 – Dead Air Wolverine on every AK. How does this U.S. tribute to the venerable Soviet PBS silencer system perform? How does AK action noise manifest? How much does it matter? Can the Wolverine suppress your AK to levels of a modern suppressed AR-15? All that, and more, in this intro to today’s multi-test research publication. (00:36:28)

  4. SIG MCX Suppressor Compliant Handguard Heat Mitigation. Just a note that the effort has started. Work in progress. Check out the progress here. (00:45:33)

Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

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Episode 273 - Microtech Defense R2K9 Testing and SIG MCX LT Heat Mitigation (27-AUG-2025)

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Episode 273 - Microtech Defense R2K9 Testing and SIG MCX LT Heat Mitigation (27-AUG-2025)

Today’s Topics:

  1. Sound Signature Review 6.198 – Microtech Defense R2K9 on the HK P30L. It’s been about 5 years or so, give or take, since this silencer hit the market. It’s about as old as PEW Science. Was it ahead of its time? Or was it simply a diamond in the rough that folks glossed over? Check out this interesting modular pistol silencer and the fully-featured accessory package in this Member Funded research – intro talk for today’s white paper. (00:08:14)

  2. The SIG MCX, or “LVAW” and its variants. 6.75” Rattler LT recreational use continues. Really hammering the system with subs and supers. And, have some ideas for heat mitigation. Let’s continue the discussion we had last week. (00:28:06)

Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

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Episode 272 - CAT KK MK18 Tech Talk and SIG MCX LT Suppressor Compliant Handguard (20-AUG-2025)

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Episode 272 - CAT KK MK18 Tech Talk and SIG MCX LT Suppressor Compliant Handguard (20-AUG-2025)

Today’s Topics:

  1. Sound Signature Review 6.197 – Combat Application Technologies CAT KK on the 10.3 5.56 MK18. Small silencer with performance that was a little surprising. Hybrid design advanced silencers continue to push the envelope. Technical discussion for the whitepaper published last week.

    a. Intro and physical characteristics. (00:08:26)

    b. Design, system performance, and mount considerations. (00:17:11)

    c. Performance extrapolation. Possible? (00:45:31)

  2. The SIG MCX, or “LVAW” and its variants. 6.75” Rattler LT recreational use has been underway. Some interesting findings to share from a recent range outing. Approximately 1000 rounds of various ammo brands, subs and supers, fired from the system with the SIG SD handguard. Practical? Absolutely not, if you shoot a lot. Here are some thoughts. (00:54:08)

Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

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Episode 267 - CAT TSWIF Testing Technical Discussion and 300 BLK MCX Rattler LT Stuff (16-JUL-2025)

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Episode 267 - CAT TSWIF Testing Technical Discussion and 300 BLK MCX Rattler LT Stuff (16-JUL-2025)

Today’s Topics:

  1. Sound Signature Review 6.193 – Combat Application Technologies CAT/TSWIF on the 14.5 5.56 M4. This is a “blast diverter” micro silencer; it is intended to be used with blast diverters and flash suppressors from Apparition Instruments, Noveske Rifleworks, and others. Technical discussion of the whitepaper published last week. (00:08:22)

  2. Sig 6.75 300 BLK Rattler LT backorder came in. How does it differ from the 6.75 Virtus TACOPS? Great question. It’s definitely similar, but also different. Initial observations and thoughts, as requested by many of you. Barrel and valve gas port sizes measured and on the PEW Science Small Arms Technical Data page of the website. (00:45:39)

Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

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Episode 264 - CAT RAT MCX Technical Discussion and Engaged Industries Operator 5.56 (25-JUN-2025)

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Episode 264 - CAT RAT MCX Technical Discussion and Engaged Industries Operator 5.56 (25-JUN-2025)

Today’s Topics:

  1. Semiauto 300 BLK is here! Sound Signature Review 6.191 – Combat Application Technologies CAT/RAT on the 6.75-in SIG SAUER MCX AR-18 consumer retail LVAW analog in all three of its modular configurations (COVERT, FLOW, and Base). This is the technical talk for the report published last week.

    a. Technical Intro (00:07:24)

    b. SIG MCX technical performance factors (00:10:33)

    c. CAT RAT COVERT performance (00:42:38)

    d. CAT RAT FLOW performance (01:01:51)

    e. CAT RAT Base performance (01:09:29)

  2. Sound Signature Review 6.192 – Engaged Industries Operator 5.56 on the MK18. Smaller diameter silencers making a comeback? Potentially. Weight savings can be real – does this silencer bring competitive performance to a crowded market? Introductory discussion for this technical report published with today’s episode. (01:21:28)

Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

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Episode 263 - CAT RAT 300 BLK MCX Testing Intro and PWS BDE 22 Tech Discussion (18-JUN-2025)

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Episode 263 - CAT RAT 300 BLK MCX Testing Intro and PWS BDE 22 Tech Discussion (18-JUN-2025)

Today’s Topics:

  1. Sound Signature Review 6.190 – the Primary Weapon Systems PWS BDE 22 on the subcompact Beretta 21A (Bobcat). A little rimfire palate cleanser for you! Monocore, 3D printed, user serviceable. Technical discussion of this lightweight silencer’s performance that was characterized in last week’s report (00:09:09)

  2. Semiauto 300 BLK is here! Sound Signature Review 6.191 – Combat Application Technologies CAT/RAT on the 6.75-in SIG SAUER MCX AR-18 consumer retail LVAW analog. The CAT RAT is modular – but not how we typically see. This is also more than an end cap change. Let’s introduce both this new test host and this new silencer system designed specifically for the SIG MCX and Rattler family of PDWs.

    a. Topic Intro (00:35:33)

    b. SIG MCX System Intro (00:39:40)

    c. CAT RAT System Intro (00:51:33)

    d. CAT RAT Program Intro (01:03:26)

Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

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