SSS.6.152 - Research Supplement: Surefire RC2 vs. RC3 - What Changed? The Quietest 5.56 Rifle Silencers - Taming the MK18, Part 5 (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.152 - Research Supplement: Surefire RC2 vs. RC3 - What Changed? The Quietest 5.56 Rifle Silencers - Taming the MK18, Part 5 (Article Preview)

Both Surefire SOCOM556-RC2 and RC3 systems are evaluated in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative first round and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. These silencers were selected for comparison due to their similar mounting methods, with different design intents; the high flow rate (low back pressure) of the updated RC3 series, in contrast with the legacy RC2 design, results in different sound suppression performance at the muzzle and shooter’s ear on the standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system.

Commentary on the reason(s) for the design changes in the SOCOM556-RC3 from the SOCOM556-RC2 are provided. Following that commentary is technical discussion regarding the physical differences between the SOCOM556-RC2 and SOCOM556-RC3 rifle silencer systems that Surefire implemented in order to address the desired performance changes. Finally, the efficacy of the changes are discussed, followed by high fidelity signature analysis for PEW Science Members that highlights the changes in performance and resulting actionable detailed signature severity data for end users, to complement the PEW Science Suppression Ratings already presented.

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SSS.6.124 - Research Supplement: Subsonic 300 BLK Suppression Performance - Flow-Through vs. Forward Flux vs. SURGE BYPASS vs. Conventional Silencers. Head-to-Head Comparisons (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.124 - Research Supplement: Subsonic 300 BLK Suppression Performance - Flow-Through vs. Forward Flux vs. SURGE BYPASS vs. Conventional Silencers. Head-to-Head Comparisons (Article Preview)

Five silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The silencers in this group were selected for their relevance to the three rifle silencer technology classes: Conventional, High Flow Rate, and Hybrid Design. The five silencers behave differently, even despite some of them exhibiting similar performance quantified by the PEW Science Suppression Rating. Their subsonic 300 BLK suppression performance provides an excellent case study comparing current rifle silencer technology.

Many silencers exhibit significantly different performance when using supersonic and subsonic ammunition. In general, increasing gross flow rate through a silencer can significantly reduce signature suppression performance, particularly with subsonic ammunition.  However, certain designs may significantly outperform others in this regard.  Quantifying these performance differentials is essential for characterizing hazards to the system operator and bystanders.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between five 30 caliber rifle silencers that use various technologies to suppress subsonic 300 BLK sound signatures. Both FRP and total sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research. PEW Science thanks you for your support.

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SSS.6.115 - Research Supplement: Flow-Through Silencers vs. Conventional Silencers. Head-to-Head Detailed Comparison - Nomad-Ti vs. FLOW 762 Ti vs. Thunder Chicken (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.115 - Research Supplement: Flow-Through Silencers vs. Conventional Silencers. Head-to-Head Detailed Comparison - Nomad-Ti vs. FLOW 762 Ti vs. Thunder Chicken (Article Preview)

Three silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The silencers in this group were selected for their very similar holistic sound suppression performance; their similar PEW Science Suppression Rating on a supersonic centerfire bolt action rifle. The three silencers behave differently, despite their similar performance. Silencers with similar suppression performance sometimes have very different flow restriction, or back pressure, partially characterized by the PEW Science Omega Back Pressure Metric. These are three examples of such silencers.

The Suppression Rating is a Damage Risk Criterion (DRC). As such, it characterizes the postulated risk of hazard to bystanders, or the weapon operator, from a suppressed small arm weapon system. Despite achieving a similar Suppression Rating, some silencers may have certain signature characteristics that differ from others, and those differences are of interest to users.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between three supersonic 308 rifle silencers that possess similar holistic sound suppression performance. Both FRP and total sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.109 - Research Supplement: The Quietest 300 BLK Subsonic Ammunition: Discreet Ballistics vs. S&B with the Rugged Razor762 (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.109 - Research Supplement: The Quietest 300 BLK Subsonic Ammunition: Discreet Ballistics vs. S&B with the Rugged Razor762 (Article Preview)

The Rugged Razor762 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer is evaluated with two types of subsonic 300 BLK ammunition in this members-only Research Supplement to examine its relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. Performance of the Razor762 with Discreet Ballistics 300 BLK 190gr Target ammunition is compared to that with S&B 300 BLK 200gr ammunition. Impacts to the PEW Science Suppression Rating on the standard 8-inch barrel 300 BLK bolt action platform are investigated.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to the specific sound signature characteristics of multiples types of subsonic 300 BLK ammunition. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.103 - Research Supplement: The Quietest 5.56 SBR Silencers - Taming the MK18, Part 4 - HUXWRX vs. Otter Creek Labs vs. CGS vs. Surefire (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.103 - Research Supplement: The Quietest 5.56 SBR Silencers - Taming the MK18, Part 4 - HUXWRX vs. Otter Creek Labs vs. CGS vs. Surefire (Article Preview)

Five silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The five silencers were selected for their high average sound suppression performance at the muzzle or shooter’s ear on the standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system. All five silencers induce differing hearing damage risk to the shooter and bystanders on this weapon platform, on average.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews, and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between five silencer configurations exhibiting differing sound suppression performance on the MK18 weapon system. Both the FRP and average sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.93 - Research Supplement: The Dead Air Sandman-S with the 5.56 Endcap (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.93 - Research Supplement: The Dead Air Sandman-S with the 5.56 Endcap (Article Preview)

The Dead Air Sandman-S 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer is evaluated with the 5.56 mm end cap in this members-only Research Supplement to examine its relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics on the MK18. Performance of the Sandman-S is compared to that with the standard 30 caliber end cap. Impacts to the PEW Science Suppression Rating on the standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system are investigated.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to the specific sound signature characteristics of 5.56 end cap use with the Dead Air Sandman-S on the MK18 compared with those from use of the standard 30 caliber end cap. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.84 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 3 - HUXWRX vs. Otter Creek Labs vs. Surefire (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.84 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 3 - HUXWRX vs. Otter Creek Labs vs. Surefire (Article Preview)

Four silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The four silencers were selected for their high average sound suppression performance at the muzzle or shooter’s ear on the standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system. All four silencers induce differing hearing damage risk to the shooter and bystanders on this weapon platform, on average.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews, and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between five silencer configurations exhibiting differing sound suppression performance on the MK18 weapon system. Both the FRP and average sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.77 - Research Supplement: The Rugged Razor556 vs. Razor762 with 7.62mm and 5.56mm Endcaps on the MK18 (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.77 - Research Supplement: The Rugged Razor556 vs. Razor762 with 7.62mm and 5.56mm Endcaps on the MK18 (Article Preview)

The Rugged Razor556 centerfire rifle silencer is compared to the Rugged Razor762 in this members-only Research Supplement. Parameters investigated are relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics on the MK18. Performance of the Razor762 with the standard 30 caliber endcap, as well as the standard Rugged 5.56mm endcap is highlighted, as was done in previous Member Research Supplement 6.59.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to the specific sound signature characteristics of the Rugged Razor556 on the MK18 compared with those of the Razor762 with its standard 30 caliber endcap and 5.56mm endcap. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.72 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 2 - Surefire vs. CGS (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.72 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 2 - Surefire vs. CGS (Article Preview)

Two silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The two silencers were selected for their similar average sound suppression performance at the shooter’s ear on the standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system. Both silencers induce similar hearing damage risk to the shooter on this weapon platform, on average.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews, and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between three silencer configurations exhibiting differing sound suppression performance on the MK18 weapon system. Both the FRP and average sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.65 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 1 - Surefire vs. OSS (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.65 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 1 - Surefire vs. OSS (Article Preview)

Two silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The two silencers were selected for their relatively high sound suppression performance; silencers exhibiting a relatively high PEW Science Suppression Rating on the standard MK18.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews, and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between three silencer configurations exhibiting high sound suppression performance on the MK18 weapon system. Both the FRP and average sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.59 - Research Supplement: The Rugged Razor with the 5.56 Endcap (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.59 - Research Supplement: The Rugged Razor with the 5.56 Endcap (Article Preview)

The Rugged Razor 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer is evaluated with the 5.56 mm endcap in this members-only Research Supplement to examine its relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics on the MK18. Performance of the Razor is compared to that with the standard 30 caliber endcap. Impacts to the PEW Science Suppression Rating on the standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system are investigated.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to the specific sound signature characteristics of 5.56 endcap use with the Rugged Razor on the MK18 compared with those from use of the standard 30 caliber endcap. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.56 - Research Supplement: The Quietest 308 Rifle Silencers - Detailed Sound Comparison (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.56 - Research Supplement: The Quietest 308 Rifle Silencers - Detailed Sound Comparison (Article Preview)

Four silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The silencers in this group were selected for their high sound suppression performance; silencers maximizing their PEW Science Suppression Rating on a supersonic centerfire bolt action rifle. Silencers with suppression performance in this range typically have relatively high flow restriction, or back pressure, characterized by a relatively high PEW Science Omega Back Pressure Metric.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between the four quietest supersonic 308 rifle silencers in the FRP and total sound signature suppression regimes. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.42 - Research Supplement: Balancing Back Pressure and Suppression Rating (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.42 - Research Supplement: Balancing Back Pressure and Suppression Rating (Article Preview)

Four silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The silencers in this group were selected for their ability to balance sound suppression and flow restriction (back pressure); silencers maximizing their PEW Science Suppression Rating while minimizing their PEW Science Omega Back Pressure Metric. These silencers all possess characteristics allowing them to keep flow restriction to a minimum while still keeping sound suppression above a minimum threshold.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between the four low back pressure silencers in the FRP and total sound signature suppression regime. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.33 - Research Supplement: 30 Caliber Hunting Silencers - First Round Pop (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.33 - Research Supplement: 30 Caliber Hunting Silencers - First Round Pop (Article Preview)

Eight silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) performance characteristics. The silencers in this group were selected for their applicability and market popularity for use as hunting silencers; silencers possessing length and/or weight characteristics making them conducive to field use on bolt-action rifles.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between the eight silencers in the FRP signature regime. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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