SSS.6.182 - Dead Air Wolfman and the Heckler and Koch SP5 9x19mm Subgun (Free Version)
/Dead Air Wolfman on the HK SP5 9x19mm Subgun with 8.9-in barrel
The Wolfman is designed by Dead Air Silencers. It is a 36 caliber submachine gun silencer, intended to suppress many cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, including 5.56 NATO. It is a modular two-piece silencer and has a 1.62-inch diameter. With the included direct-thread mount, the long configuration of the silencer is 7.8 inches long and the short configuration of the silencer is 5.5 inches long. The Wolfman is compatible with Dead Air P-Series mount accessories, allowing it to be installed on a variety of host weapon systems. The silencer is tubeless and constructed from fully-welded stainless steel baffles. The long configuration of the silencer weighs 14.3 ounces without a mount, and the short configuration weighs 9.4 ounces without a mount. The included direct-thread mount weighs 2 ounces, resulting in total tested system weights of 16.3 ounces and 11.4 ounces, respectively. The Dead Air Wolfman can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
System Evaluation Note: This testing and analysis report contains two unwiped performance evaluations of the Dead Air Wolfman silencer. The silencer is capable of accepting a single distal wipe with the included end cap wipe retainer. Wiped use of a silencer is non-standard and should be performed with extreme caution by the suppressed weapon system operator. PEW Science recommends that the use of wipe materials in a silencer end cap be in accordance with the silencer manufacturer’s instructions. The type, material, geometry, thickness, condition, installation, and other factors may influence system behavior. Wiped silencer use induces purposeful mechanical interaction of the projectile (bullet) with a barrier (wipe), in the weapon system. Accuracy of the weapon system may be negatively influenced by this mechanical interaction. Back pressure is also significantly increased with wipe use. Serious injury or death can result from improper use not in accordance with silencer manufacturer instructions. For analysis of wiped silencer behavior and physics, and the differences in performance between wiped and unwiped systems, the reader is encouraged to examine the wiped Energetic Armament VOX-S testing and analysis report (6.38) and the wiped B&T Station SIX 9 testing and analysis report (6.174).
This Sound Signature Review contains two sets of testing and analysis results using the Dead Air Wolfman in both its long and short configurations with the direct-thread mount on the semiautomatic Hecker and Koch SP5 subgun, chambered in 9x19mm NATO with a 8.9-inch barrel. Speer Lawman 147gr ammunition was used in the tests, in which its velocity was subsonic. The standard PEW Science HK SP5-A2 test host weapon system is described in Public Research Supplement 6.85.
Section 6.182.1 contains the Wolfman long configuration test results and analysis.
Section 6.182.2 contains the Wolfman short configuration test results and analysis.
Section 6.182.3 contains Suppression Rating comparisons of both configurations of the Dead Air Wolfman with the CAT MOB, PTR VENT 2, Otter Creek Labs Lithium, HUXWRX CA$H 9K, Resilient Suppressors RS9, and GSL Phoenix fired on the Heckler and Koch SP5-A2.
Section 6.182.4 contains the review summary and PEW Science laboratory staff technical opinions.
Summary: When paired with the 8.9-in barrel HK SP5-A2 with 80-deg locking piece and fired with Speer Lawman 147gr, the long configuration of the Dead Air Wolfman mounted with the direct-thread mount achieved a composite Suppression Rating™ of 60.1 in PEW Science testing.
Mounted to the same weapon system, the short configuration of the Dead Air Wolfman achieved a composite Suppression Rating of 49.8.
As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
Relative Suppression Rating Performance is Summarized in SSS.7 - PEW Science Rankings
6.182.1 Dead Air Wolfman Long Configuration Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Dead Air Wolfman in the long configuration is shown in Table 1. The data acquired 1.0 m (39.4 in) left of the muzzle is available for viewing to all. The data acquired 0.15 m (6 in) right of the shooter’s ear is only available to membership supporters of PEW Science and the Silencer Sound Standard. You can support public PEW Science testing, research, and development with a membership, here. State-of-the-art public firearm sound signature testing and research conducted by PEW Science is supported by readers like you.
Table 1. Dead Air Wolfman Long Configuration Sound Metric Summary
6.182.1.1 SOUND SIGNATURES AT THE MUZZLE
Real sound pressure histories from a 6-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT™ are shown below. Six cartridges were loaded into the magazine, the fire control group positioned to single-shot, and the weapon was fired until the magazine was empty, and the bolt returned to battery with an empty chamber. The HK MP5 family of submachine guns do not possess a bolt-hold-open feature. Only five shots are considered in the analysis. The signatures of Shot 6 are displayed in the data presentation but are not included in the analysis to maintain consistency with the overall PEW Science dataset and bolt-closing signatures. The waveforms are not averaged, decimated, or filtered. The data acquisition rate used in all PEW Science testing is 1.0 MS/s (1 MHz). The peaks, shape, and time phasing (when the peaks occur in relation to absolute time and to each other) of these raw waveforms are the most accurate of any firearm silencer testing publicly available. PEW-SOFT data is acquired by PEW Science independent testing; the industry leader in silencer sound research. For more information, please consult the Silencer Sound Standard.
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 6 shots with the long Dead Air Wolfman are shown in Figure 1a. The sound signatures of Shot 1 and Shot 2 are shown in Figure 1b, in early time. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 2a. In Figure 2b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1, Shot 2, and Shot 3.
Fig 1a. Dead Air Wolfman Long Configuration subsonic 9x19mm HK SP5-A2 Semiautomatic Subgun Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
Fig 1b. Dead Air Wolfman Long Configuration subsonic 9x19mm HK SP5-A2 Semiautomatic Subgun Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 2a. Dead Air Wolfman Long Configuration subsonic 9x19mm HK SP5-A2 Semiautomatic Subgun Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 2b. Dead Air Wolfman Long Configuration 9x19mm HK SP5-A2 Semiautomatic Subgun Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
The Dead Air Wolfman is constructed from traditional stepped cone baffles, each with a mill-cut notch. In the long configuration, 11 baffles are present. Unlike many hybrid design submachine gun silencers like the CAT MOB (6.148) and PTR VENT 2 (6.131) or coaxial submachine gun silencers like the GSL Phoenix (6.86), the Dead Air Wolfman possesses no secondary expansion volume, no advanced gas management features, and no pressure staging. The signatures measured from the Wolfman on this weapon system exhibit characteristics indicative of such a traditional design, including:
Consistent precursor flow and initial coupled jetting (Fig. 1b).
Relatively significant first-round-pop (FRP) in both pressure space (Fig. 1) and impulse space (Fig. 2).
Somewhat erratic blast momentum accumulation before stabilization (Fig. 2).
In its long configuration, the Dead Air Wolfman possesses a relatively low flow rate in both early and late time. This contributes to higher system back pressure than possessed by the aforementioned competing submachine gun silencer models.
PEW Science Research Note 1: The Dead Air Wolfman exhibits relatively high signature suppression performance at the muzzle, on average, and that is reflected in its high muzzle (bystander) Suppression Rating computation. However, the FRP signature is postulated to be over 80% more severe to bystanders than during subsequent shots, on average, in accordance with PEW Science engineering analysis of the test data. The Wolfman design is relatively primitive, from a blast load management perspective, and possesses both significant flow stagnation and significant blast load impulse accumulation in the first expansion chamber. This accumulation is responsible for relatively significant back pressure, which manifests in increased weapon operator hazard and is further examined in Section 6.182.1.2 of this report. As this is an early-time phenomenon, it also occurs with the short configuration of the silencer, examined in Section 6.182.2 of this report.
PEW Science Research Note 2: The muzzle signature from the long configuration of the Wolfman is somewhat similar to that of the aforementioned GSL Phoenix (legacy Gemtech MK-9k), but with more severe FRP and lower consistency. This is to be expected when comparing the two designs. When performing an in-depth comparison of the more advanced CAT MOB (CAT DiVerge Technology) and PTR VENT 2 (PTR PIP Technology), the Wolfman is unable to achieve the same levels of suppression, consistency, momentum throttling, and momentum decay. The long configuration of the Wolfman does outperform the HUXWRX CASH 9K (6.97), Resilient Suppressors RS9 (6.90), and Otter Creek Labs Lithium (6.102) in pure muzzle suppression. Those silencers are smaller than the long configuration of the Wolfman, and also possess lower back pressure than the Wolfman. Operator hazard comparisons are provided in Section 6.183.3 of this report.
PEW Science Research Note 3: As in most semiautomatic weapon testing, a second pressure pulse originates from the ejection-port signature of the weapon and it occurs early enough in time such that its waves coalesce with that of the muzzle signature. However, in late time (at approximately 85 ms in Figure 1a) the mechanical noise of the bolt closing is observed. The pressure signature of Shot 6 still displays this event due to the bolt not remaining open after the sixth and final round is fired from the magazine on the HK SP5-A2 weapon system. Nonetheless, the bolt is closing on an empty chamber.
PEW Science Research Note 4: The closing time of the HK SP5-A2 bolt is directly related to the flow restriction of a silencer used with the weapon system. PEW Science has determined bolt closing time variation from the unsuppressed state to be a reliable indicator of silencer back pressure, with strong correlation with the PEW Science Back Pressure Metric, Omega with rifle cartridges, particularly on the MK18 weapon system. PEW Science Omega Metric and alpha parameter research in the subsonic 9x19mm combustion regime with the HK SP5-A2 and SP5K-PDW weapon systems is underway. Note that the PEW Science HK SP5-A2 possesses an 80-deg locking piece in its bolt carrier group, which may result in lower bolt carrier group rearward velocity than systems possessing standard angle locking pieces. This lower rearward velocity may result in delayed forward return velocity, when compared with other systems.
It is also important to note that PEW Science has determined bolt closing time to be an unreliable indicator upon upper receiver fouling in some weapon systems, such as the MK18 or M4A1. Sound signatures are typically not influenced by this fouling, as these kinematics occur in late time, after gas venting to atmosphere. Note that the roller-delayed blowback action of the HK SP5-A2 is significantly different than the direct gas impingement operated locked bolt action of the MK18. These factors, in addition to the difference in combustion regime amplitudes of supersonic 5.56x45mm and subsonic 9x19mm, result in a different influence of mechanical weapon noise to the total signature to which bystanders and the shooter is subjected.
As always, it is important to note that momentum transfer, weapon condition (upper receiver fouling), and other factors, can significantly influence bolt closing time. PEW Science urges the reader to exercise extreme caution if using the published bolt closing time to make determinations regarding silencer flow restriction (back pressure) or weapon system kinematics. This type of calculation may provide erroneous results, as the weapon condition at the time of each test is not published data. The time-scale duration showing bolt closing time is only published by PEW Science such that the signature data pedigree may be verified.
The shape, timing, and magnitudes of the early-time pressure pulses and overall shape of the impulse waveforms measured at the muzzle, from shot-to-shot, are relatively consistent. The consistency of the waveform amplitudes highlight the silencer’s overall sound performance consistency at the muzzle after the FRP, as well as the relative consistency of the tested semiautomatic firearm configuration.
PEW Science Research Note 5: Note that the muzzle Suppression Rating of the Dead Air Wolfman in the long configuration with the direct-thread mount is 60.0 and the shooter’s-ear Suppression Rating is 36.4; which are the different zones on the Suppression Rating Dose Chart. This demonstrates a typical performance attribute for high back pressure silencers fielded on submachine guns. The gross suppression of a silencer, as well as its flow rate, influences the holistic signature on the standard HK SP5-A2 weapon system.
The signatures measured at the shooter’s ear with the long configuration of the silencer are presented in the full Member Version of this report.
Testing and analysis results for the short configuration of the Dead Air Wolfman on the MP5 system follow.
6.182.2 Dead Air Wolfman Short Configuration Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Dead Air Wolfman in the short configuration is shown in Table 2. The data acquired 1.0 m (39.4 in) left of the muzzle is available for viewing to all. The data acquired 0.15 m (6 in) right of the shooter’s ear is only available to membership supporters of PEW Science and the Silencer Sound Standard. You can support public PEW Science testing, research, and development with a membership, here. State-of-the-art public firearm sound signature testing and research conducted by PEW Science is supported by readers like you.
Table 2. Dead Air Wolfman Short Configuration Sound Metric Summary
6.182.2.1 SOUND SIGNATURES AT THE MUZZLE
Real sound pressure histories from a 6-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT™ are shown below. Six cartridges were loaded into the magazine, the fire control group positioned to single-shot, and the weapon was fired until the magazine was empty, and the bolt returned to battery with an empty chamber. The HK MP5 family of submachine guns do not possess a bolt-hold-open feature. Only five shots are considered in the analysis. The signatures of Shot 6 are displayed in the data presentation but are not included in the analysis to maintain consistency with the overall PEW Science dataset and bolt-closing signatures. The waveforms are not averaged, decimated, or filtered. The data acquisition rate used in all PEW Science testing is 1.0 MS/s (1 MHz). The peaks, shape, and time phasing (when the peaks occur in relation to absolute time and to each other) of these raw waveforms are the most accurate of any firearm silencer testing publicly available. PEW-SOFT data is acquired by PEW Science independent testing; the industry leader in silencer sound research. For more information, please consult the Silencer Sound Standard.
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 6 shots with the short Dead Air Wolfman are shown in Figure 5a. The sound signatures of Shot 1 and Shot 2 are shown in Figure 1b, in early time. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 6a. In Figure 6b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1, Shot 2, and Shot 3.
Fig 5a. Dead Air Wolfman Short Configuration subsonic 9x19mm HK SP5-A2 Semiautomatic Subgun Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
Fig 5b. Dead Air Wolfman Short Configuration subsonic 9x19mm HK SP5-A2 Semiautomatic Subgun Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 6a. Dead Air Wolfman Short Configuration subsonic 9x19mm HK SP5-A2 Semiautomatic Subgun Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 6b. Dead Air Wolfman Short Configuration subsonic 9x19mm HK SP5-A2 Semiautomatic Subgun Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
When the distal module of the Dead Air Wolfman silencer is removed, and its length is reduced from 7.8 inches to 5.5 inches, there is also a reduction in the number of baffles. The short configuration contains 7 baffles; 4 fewer baffles than the full (long) configuration. This reconfiguration of the silencer to the short configuration results in the following gross performance changes:
Blast load propagation amplitude and blast load momentum propagation are elevated (Figure 5 and Figure 6).
FRP severity is significantly elevated in both pressure space (Fig. 5a) and impulse space (Fig. 6a).
Post-FRP consistency is somewhat elevated (Fig. 6a. compared with Fig. 2a).
PEW Science Research Note 8: The significant FRP phenomenon in (2) is a result of pure ancillary combustion propagation suppression being removed with the distal end of the silencer. In this type of traditional silencer design, the only FRP-quenching suppression mechanism is brute force baffle addition; the reduction in flow rate with continued chamber expansions until FRP signature drops to nominal levels. That mechanism is removed by reconfiguring the Wolfman to the short configuration. Its early time flow rate remains unchanged; the late time flow rate of the Dead Air Wolfman in its short configuration is elevated when compared to that of the long configuration.
PEW Science Research Note 9: The phenomenon in (3) is most likely due to the overall increased blast load amplitude, as well as the expansion differential at the interface between the two silencer modules when in the long configuration; any temperature-driven expansion differential in that interstitial is exacerbated by the lack of ancillary flow paths. Primary bore expansion is the only present flow mechanism.
The signatures measured at the shooter’s ear with the short configuration of the silencer are presented in the full Member Version of this report.
The operator hazard level from the Wolfman in both configurations on this weapon system remains elevated compared to several other tested systems. These systems are compared in the following section.
6.182.3 Suppression Rating Comparison (Subsonic 9x19mm from the HK SP5-A2)
Figure 9 presents a comparison of the PEW Science Suppression Rating of both long and short configurations of the Dead Air Wolfman with direct-thread mount to that of the CAT MOB, PTR VENT 2, OCL Lithium, HUXWRX CA$H 9K, Resilient Suppressors RS9, and GSL Phoenix on the HK SP5-A2 system. The standard PEW Science HK SP5-A2 test host weapon system is described in Public Research Supplement 6.85.
Figure 9. Suppression Rating Comparisons of the Dead Air Wolfman with the CAT/MOB/A1, PTR VENT 2, Otter Creek Labs Lithium, HUXWRX CA$H 9K, Resilient Suppressors RS9, and GSL Phoenix on the HK SP5-A2, Using PEW-SOFT 9x19mm Subsonic Test Data and PEW Science Analysis
Figure 9 presents an overall summary of the postulated hazards to the operator and bystanders when fielding a Dead Air Wolfman in both its long and short configurations on the HK MP5 weapon system. Data is also presented for the fielding case of the GSL Phoenix (6.86), the Otter Creek Labs Lithium (6.102), the Resilient Suppressors RS9 (6.90), the PTR VENT 2 (6.131), and the CAT MOB (6.148). Hazards are expressed with the Suppression Rating; a holistic parameter that captures human inner ear damage risk potential from a measured impulsive complex overpressure signature during the entire time regime of weapon operation, including combustion, complete blowdown, and all mechanical operation, including the carrier group returning to battery, in the true free field. The parameter may be used with the dose chart at the beginning of this report. The PEW Science Suppression Rating is a damage risk criterion (DRC), a lower Suppression Rating indicates a higher personnel hazard in the free field - it is not a subjective quantity; it is an objective quantification of hearing damage risk potential. Due to its true free field test data origin and complete waveform analytical calculation basis, it is the only known universal suppressed weapon system signature comparison metric available.
The following gross conclusions can be made from the above:
In its full (long) configuration, the Dead Air Wolfman achieves significant hazard reduction to bystanders directly adjacent to the HK MP5 weapon system, in the free field. This pure suppression performance almost reaches that of the GSL Phoenix and PTR VENT 2. This occurs despite the relatively severe bystander FRP from the long configuration of the Wolfman, which is discussed in Research Note 1 of this report. The performance of the long configuration of the Wolfman falls short of the performance of the CAT MOB by half a Suppression Rating category.
The free field operator (shooter) hazard reduction with the long configuration of the Dead Air Wolfman on the MP5 weapon system is less robust than of all of the other systems in the dataset. This performance characteristic is due to its higher early time back pressure resulting from its conventional design. These performance factors are discussed in the full version of this report, in Section 6.182.1.2 and Section 6.182.2.2. All other silencer models shown in Figure 9 possess some type of purposeful design features to reduce system back pressure and reduce ejection port blast hazards to the weapon operator.
In its short configuration, the Dead Air Wolfman achieves hazard reduction to bystanders directly adjacent to the MP5 weapon system, in the free field, that is higher than that of the HUXWRX CASH 9K, but lower than that of the Resilient Suppressors RS9. This is to be expected, based on the traditional cone baffle design of the Wolfman being truncated to a configuration with only 7 baffles. Relative FRP suppression performance is somewhat better than with the long configuration, albeit still somewhat severe. This is discussed in Research Note 8 of this report.
The free field operator (shooter) hazard reduction with the short configuration of the Dead Air Wolfman does not appreciably increase over that of the long configuration of the silencer. This is largely due to early time flow rate remaining the same between the two configurations, along with benefits of the elevated late time flow rate of the short configuration being somewhat nullified by the more severe blast load propagation from the muzzle. These blast loads coalesce at the operator’s head. These phenomena are examined in the full version of this report.
Unlike many hybrid design submachine gun silencers like the CAT MOB (6.148) and PTR VENT 2 (6.131) or coaxial submachine gun silencers like the GSL Phoenix (6.86), the Dead Air Wolfman possesses no secondary expansion volume, no advanced gas management features, and no pressure staging. These factors contribute to the aforementioned silencers exhibiting significantly higher performance than the Wolfman on a submachine gun like the HK MP5. Silencers like the CASH 9K and RS9 have purposely designed elevated early time flow rate features to reduce operator hazard. Even the Otter Creek Labs Lithium is designed to manage early time flow rate, and despite its relatively small size, meets or exceeds the levels of operator protection exhibited by the Wolfman on the MP5, regardless of configuration.
As detailed in this report, the Suppression Rating at the shooter’s ear may be significantly influenced by both the muzzle signature and the ejection port signature from reciprocating weapon system; all other things equal.
PEW Science Research Note 12: The signature to which the shooter’s ear is subjected is a function of both ejection port and muzzle signature. When the silencer’s endcap is in closer proximity to the shooter, the severity is increased. The coalescing of the ejection port overpressure with the primary muzzle blast may exacerbate the severity of the signature at the shooter’s head position. It is not ejection port signature, alone, that dictates the signature measured at the shooter’s head position. As noted in the full Member Version of this article, mechanical noise factors also play a role in shooter hazard.
As the published suppressed HK MP5/SP5 dataset continues to grow, two significant conclusions drawn in previous articles once again hold true in this data and analysis:
The roller-delayed blow back MP5 operating system is still a blow back system. The delay, even when maximized with the 80-deg locking piece, still does not completely eliminate gas sensitivity during suppressed use. Silencer back pressure still influences the signature at the shooter’s ear on this suppressed weapon system.
The Flow-Baffles in the HUXWRX CA$H 9K, early-time venting in the Resilient Suppressors RS9, PIP technology in the PTR VENT 2, and DiVerge technology in the CAT MOB all significantly reduce back pressure. The suppression performance of those four silencers to the shooter in the subsonic pistol cartridge regime is notable, and the MP5 is gas sensitive enough for their back pressure reduction to have efficacy. The data presented with the Dead Air Wolfman in this report further illustrates the benefit of high flow rate designs, even on the pistol-caliber roller-delayed blow back system, and also illustrates the degree to which legacy technologies have been surpassed in MP5 suppression performance to both the operator and bystanders.
Further study of the suppressed roller-delayed blow back system is a subject of internal PEW Science research.
The user is encouraged to be mindful of the degree to which sound signature suppression, and resulting personnel hazards, can vary across designs. Small arm weapon system suppression performance is a spectrum. The PEW Science Suppression Rating and the Silencer Sound Standard help quantify this spectrum for end users and industry, objectively.
6.182.4 Review Summary: Dead Air Wolfman on the HK SP5 9x19mm Subgun with 8.9-in barrel
When paired with the 8.9-in barrel HK SP5-A2 with 80-deg locking piece and fired with Speer Lawman 147gr, the long configuration of the Dead Air Wolfman mounted with the direct-thread mount achieved a composite Suppression Rating™ of 60.1 in PEW Science testing. Mounted to the same weapon system, the short configuration of the Dead Air Wolfman achieved a composite Suppression Rating of 49.8.
As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
PEW Science Laboratory Staff Opinion:
The Dead Air Wolfman is a modular submachine gun silencer possessing mounting flexibility and durability metrics that provide a high degree of versatility. In addition to sub-caliber use, the silencer may be used with rifle cartridges such as 5.56 NATO. The silencer is constructed of fully-welded stainless steel baffles and may be adapted to both long and short configurations. Further utility is provided through the use of an optional wipe, which may increase gross suppression performance at the cost of decreased precision and increased back pressure. The pure suppression performance of the Dead Air Wolfman is high and consistent with its traditional design. System operators may be subjected to elevated hazard, relative to some competing models, due to its back pressure.
The Dead Air Wolfman exhibits relatively high signature suppression performance at the muzzle, on average, and that is reflected in its high muzzle (bystander) Suppression Rating computation. However, unlike hybrid design submachine gun silencers like the CAT MOB and PTR VENT 2 or coaxial submachine gun silencers like the GSL Phoenix, the Dead Air Wolfman possesses no secondary expansion volume, no advanced gas management features, and no pressure staging. Also, the silencer does have relatively significant FRP in this tested combustion regime, and has a relatively primitive design, from a blast load management perspective. It possesses both significant flow stagnation and significant blast load impulse accumulation in the first expansion chamber. This accumulation is responsible for relatively significant back pressure, which manifests in increased weapon operator hazard.
Despite the performance shortcomings, the overall suppression performance of the Wolfman in the long configuration is high. When adapting the Wolfman to its short configuration, operator hazard reduction on the MP5 weapon system remains largely unchanged, though the gross signature severity to bystanders does increase. This may be attractive to some users who are utilizing the system in the true free field with no bystanders present, for the reduced length and weight benefits.
The Dead Air Wolfman utilizes Dead Air “P Series” mount threading, and is therefore compatible with certain Dead Air Xeno, Keymicro, inertial decoupler, 3-lug, and fixed mount accessories. The user is advised to contact Dead Air to ensure the chosen mounting schema is compatible with their weapon system, both mechanically and in system performance potentials.
The Dead Air Wolfman is fully-welded stainless steel and may be used with aggressive firing schedules. PEW Science has not evaluated the durability of the Dead Air Wolfman with automatic fire. The user is encouraged to contact the manufacturer to ensure their desired use case is supported.
In addition to fixed-barrel weapons, it is possible that the Dead Air Wolfman may be used on semiautomatic handguns. The use of a silencer on such a weapon, for example, a modified tilting-barrel Browning action, may often be accomplished through the use of an inertial decoupler assembly. PEW Science has not evaluated the Wolfman in such a configuration. Again, in general, PEW Science recommends the user contact both the silencer manufacturer and weapon manufacturer prior to creating and operating a suppressed weapon system from these components.
In this review, the Dead Air Wolfman performance metrics depend upon suppressing a subsonic centerfire pistol cartridge on a roller-delayed blowback submachine gun. While the sound signature of such cartridges can be suppressed to levels that may result in the desire of the shooter and bystanders to not wear hearing protection, PEW Science encourages the reader to remain vigilant with regard to all subsonic pistol cartridge suppression claims. The gas volume and combustion products created by firing a subsonic centerfire pistol cartridge such as 9x19mm are still significant; the measured pressure and impulse magnitudes, and their durations, illustrate this fact. Silencer performance on automatic (reciprocating) weapons depends on many factors. Weapon configuration may significantly influence total suppressed small arm system performance.
The hearing damage potential of subsonic submachine gun use is not insignificant. PEW Science encourages the reader to consider the Suppression Rating when deciding on an appropriate silencer and host weapon combination for their desired use.
