SSS.6.143 - Otter Creek Labs Polonium-30 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.143 - Otter Creek Labs Polonium-30 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Otter Creek Labs Polonium-30 is a compact to mid-size 7.62mm rifle silencer. When compared to 5.56mm rifle silencers, it may be considered full size. The Polonium-30 possesses somewhat less suppression performance than its sister silencer, the Polonium. It exhibits performance that is competitive with several other 30 caliber silencers of similar size on the MK18 platform.

In this review, the Otter Creek Labs Polonium-30 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Otter Creek Labs Polonium-30 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.139 - AAC M4-2000 Mod 08 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.139 - AAC M4-2000 Mod 08 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The legacy AAC M4-2000 Mod 08 is a full size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits high sound suppression performance and is competitive with modern designs.  The silencer exhibits a high degree of durability, as well as high back pressure.  It is important to note that there have been several design iterations of M4-2000 rifle silencers through the history of the original Advanced Armament Corporation.

In this review, the AAC M4-2000 Mod 08 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the AAC M4-2000 Mod 08 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.135 - PTR VENT 3 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.135 - PTR VENT 3 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The PTR VENT 3 is a full size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits significant sound suppression and back pressure reduction.  It is lightweight, possesses adaptable mounting, and exhibits some of the highest signature suppression performance on the standard MK18 weapon system of any silencer evaluated by PEW Science, to date.  The performance of the Purposely Induced Porosity (PIP) technology in the silencer, along with other portions of its design, is notable and represents further 3D-printed advancement in the suppressed small arms state of practice.

In this review, the PTR VENT 3 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the PTR VENT 3 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.134 - SilencerCo Velos LBP and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.134 - SilencerCo Velos LBP and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The SilencerCo Velos LBP is a full size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits significant back pressure reduction and blast load hazard reduction for the weapon system operator on standard automatic rifles. The silencer is of hybrid design, utilizing both traditional silencer baffle elements and vent arrays to manage gas flow. For the SilencerCo system to accomplish high gross suppression performance at the operator’s position with its relatively simple design, is notable. The silencer is partially 3D-printed from Inconel alloy and is reported to exhibit significant durability.

In this review, the SilencerCo Velos LBP performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the SilencerCo Velos LBP perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.133 - BOSS Silencers Guillotine and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.133 - BOSS Silencers Guillotine and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The BOSS Silencers Guillotine is a dedicated 5.56 caliber rifle silencer that possesses competitive suppression performance in its size class, in a lightweight envelope. The silencer uses heat treated stainless steel internals with a titanium outer tube, allowing for use on barrels 10.5 inches of length and greater. The BOSS Guillotine, along with its larger 30-caliber sister silencer, the Chairman, possesses a modular rear mounting interface that may be used with a variety of mounting solutions and muzzle devices.

In this review, the BOSS Guillotine performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the BOSS Guillotine perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.129 - Combat Application Technologies CAT/WB/A1/718 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.129 - Combat Application Technologies CAT/WB/A1/718 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The CAT/WB/A1/718 (CAT WB) is a compact and extremely advanced 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits significant back pressure reduction and sound signature suppression performance, for its size. Its sound suppression performance on a short barrel 5.56x45mm rifle is significant. Notably, the CAT SURGE BYPASS technology in the silencer appears to balance high flow rate behavior with superior overall signature suppression. The silencer is available in two 3D-printed material options; proprietary Inconel alloy and Titanium. The weights of both models are notable. The CAT WB represents one of the most advanced systems evaluated by PEW Science, to date.

In this review, the CAT WB performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the CAT WB perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.127- Research Supplement: Unsuppressed Rifles; the 14.5-in M4A1 Mid-Gas as a Silencer Test Host (Public Article)

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SSS.6.127- Research Supplement: Unsuppressed Rifles; the 14.5-in M4A1 Mid-Gas as a Silencer Test Host (Public Article)

Bolt-action weapons allow for the elimination of variables to study pure sound signature suppression phenomena. PEW Science is continuing bolt-action weapon testing, analysis, and research. Automatic weapons introduce additional sources of overpressure to atmosphere, namely from their breach during function, which is necessary for ejection. Since the introduction of automatic rifle signatures into the Standard in Public Research Supplement 6.51, and automatic subgun signatures in Public Research Supplement 6.85, additional weapon system variables have been introduced that influence the sound fields, as mapped by the measured muzzle and at-ear signatures. The purpose of this Public Research Supplement is to present a first-look at muzzle blast phenomenology for a new addition to the published host weapon systems in the Standard; the 14.5-in M4A1 Mid-Gas automatic rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO.

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SSS.6.126 - Liberty Precision Machine Torch and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.126 - Liberty Precision Machine Torch and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Liberty Precision Machine Torch is a full size 6mm centerfire rifle silencer that may be configured with the included solid or vented flash hiding end caps to allow the user to adapt it to various weapon systems. The silencer possesses high gross suppression performance and may also be adapted to mimic holistic signature performance of a Flow-Through silencer.  The Torch is stainless steel, possesses a nested blast baffle, and its gas dynamics allow for less over function of the AR-15 platform. The silencer also possesses a modular rear mounting interface that may be used with a variety of mounting solutions and muzzle devices.

In this review, the Liberty Precision Machine Torch performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Torch perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.123 - PWS BDE 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.123 - PWS BDE 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The PWS BDE 556 is a modular 5.56mm centerfire rifle silencer that may be configured as full-size or compact. The silencer possesses relatively high gross suppression performance in both its longest and shortest configurations, on the standard MK18 weapon system, while possessing higher back pressure compared to some designs. It is a titanium silencer of hybrid design, constructed with both DMLS and traditional subtractive manufacturing. With three different configurations, the BDE 556 is relatively unique as a modular rifle silencer and also possesses a modular rear mounting interface that may be used with a variety of mounting solutions and muzzle devices.

In this review, the PWS BDE 556 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the PWS BDE 556 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.120 - Combat Application Technologies CAT/ODB/A1/718 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.120 - Combat Application Technologies CAT/ODB/A1/718 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The CAT/ODB/A1/718 (CAT ODB) is a relatively compact and extremely advanced 30 caliber machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits significant back pressure reduction and sound signature suppression performance, for its size and caliber designation. Its sound suppression performance on a short barrel 5.56x45mm rifle is significant. Notably, the CAT SURGE BYPASS technology in the silencer appears to balance high flow rate behavior with superior overall signature suppression, even when over-bored for the cartridge. The silencer is available in two 3D-printed material options; proprietary Inconel alloy and Titanium. The weights of both models are notable. The CAT ODB represents one of the most advanced systems evaluated by PEW Science, to date.

In this review, the CAT ODB performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the CAT ODB perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.119 - Aero Precision Lahar-30L and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.119 - Aero Precision Lahar-30L and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Aero Precision Lahar-30L is a mid-size 30 caliber precision rifle silencer that should be considered full-size or oversized relative to dedicated 5.56mm silencers. The Lahar-30L possesses significant sound signature suppression performance in this combustion regime, possesses an Inconel blast baffle, may be used on machineguns, and has no barrel length restrictions. Although high performance, the Lahar-30L exhibits higher back pressure than the shorter Lahar-30 variants, which may require weapon tuning for optimal signature reduction or weapon operation.

In this review, the Lahar-30L performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Aero Precision Lahar-30L perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.116 - Aero Precision Lahar-30 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.116 - Aero Precision Lahar-30 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Aero Precision Lahar-30 is a compact 30 caliber precision rifle silencer that possesses significant sound signature suppression performance for its size, in this combustion regime. The silencer also possesses an Inconel blast baffle and may be used on machineguns, with no barrel length restrictions. The Lahar-30 represents one of the best examples of performance-based design optimization for a conventional baffle 30 caliber rifle silencer on the 5.56x45mm MK18 weapon system, to date.

In this review, the Lahar-30 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Aero Precision Lahar-30 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.114 - HUXWRX FLOW 762 Ti and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.114 - HUXWRX FLOW 762 Ti and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The HUXWRX FLOW 762 Ti is a relatively compact and lightweight 30 caliber machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits significant back pressure reduction and sound signature suppression performance, for its size. Its sound suppression performance on a short barrel 5.56x45mm rifle is significant. Notably, its sound suppression performance at the shooter’s ear on a .308 bolt action rifle is competitive with that of advanced conventional baffle silencers. The silencer is constructed of 3D-printed Grade 5 Titanium and represents one of the most advanced systems evaluated by PEW Science, to date.

In this review, the FLOW 762 Ti performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the HUXWRX FLOW 762 Ti perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.111 - Maxim Defense DSX SURG 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.111 - Maxim Defense DSX SURG 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Maxim Defense DSX is a full-size 5.56 machine gun rated rifle silencer. With a manufacturer-rated barrel length minimum of 5.5 inches for fully automatic firing schedules, the DSX is appropriate for extreme duty use. The signature suppression performance of the silencer incorporated into the SURG exhibits the highest holistic suppression performance on a 10.3-in system tested by PEW Science, to date. Note that the DSX has also been evaluated by PEW Science on the standard MK18.

Suppressed Upper Receiver Group (SURG) systems are often fielded by end users requiring an optimized upper receiver system paired with a silencer. How would the Maxim Defense DSX SURG perform, compared to your AR15 short barrel rifle? Does tuning an AR-15 for a silencer make a difference?

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SSS.6.110 - Maxim Defense DSX and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.110 - Maxim Defense DSX and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Maxim Defense DSX is a full-size 5.56 machine gun rated rifle silencer. With a manufacturer-rated barrel length minimum of 5.5 inches for fully automatic firing schedules, the DSX is appropriate for extreme duty use. The signature suppression performance of the silencer on the short-barrel MK18 is very high at the muzzle; however, the silencer is relatively large compared to other dedicated 5.56 silencers. Nonetheless, the performance is significant, and its weight is on par with that of some other duty silencers. It should be noted that an identical version of the silencer is offered with a modular rear mount interface.

In this review, the DSX performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Maxim Defense DSX perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.105 - Thunder Beast Dominus-SR and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.105 - Thunder Beast Dominus-SR and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Thunder Beast Dominus-SR is a mid-size and lightweight 30 caliber machine gun rated rifle silencer. As a 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer, it may be considered full-size. The Dominus-SR reportedly exhibits significant durability for a titanium rifle silencer, through the use of its engineered sacrificial steel muzzle brake mount. The signature suppression performance of the silencer on the short-barrel MK18 is not as balanced as some other tested rifle silencers, due to its flow rate and other signature factors, examined in this test report.

In this review, the Dominus-SR performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Thunder Beast Dominus-SR perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle? Bonus Surefire SOCOM556-RC2 and TBAC Dominus-SR detailed comparative case study included for Members!

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SSS.6.104 - KAC 5.56 QDC and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.104 - KAC 5.56 QDC and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The KAC 5.56 QDC is a full-size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that possesses competitive sound signature suppression performance with many silencers on the current market, and achieves balanced performance on the MK18. Like its predecessor, the QDSS-NT4, the 5.56 QDC may now also be considered a legacy design. The silencer system weighs 19.9 ounces; lighter than its predecessor due to possessing one less baffle.

In this review, the 5.56 QDC performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the KAC 5.56 QDC perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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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.6.101 - CGS SCI-SIX and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.101 - CGS SCI-SIX and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The CGS SCI-SIX is a is a full-size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer constructed of DMLS (3D-printed) Inconel 718. It exhibits high performance on the MK18 weapon system and is demonstrated to be one of the most balanced high performance designs on the current market, with extreme durability and lighter weight than some legacy designs. The production variant is the result of a multi-tiered third party performance evaluation process in a solicitation that was created by the end-user entity SC IRREGULARS. It is the first CGS production rifle silencer to feature a dedicated muzzle device mount.

In this review, the SCI-SIX performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the SCI-SIX perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.100 - Dead Air Nomad-30 (1st Gen) and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.100 - Dead Air Nomad-30 (1st Gen) and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Dead Air Nomad-30 is a mid-size, relatively light weight, and relatively durable .30 rifle silencer. As a 5.56x45mm rifle silencer, it can be considered full-size, relative to dedicated models for the cartridge. The Nomad-30 has been refined since its 2018 release, and is also offered in an updated titanium version which reduces the weight of the system by over 4 ounces. Users should note that the supersonic suppression and back pressure characteristics of the Nomad-30 (1st Gen) highlighted in this review represent lower bound performance of the silencer. Nomad-Ti 5.56x45mm data and analysis publication by PEW Science is forthcoming.

In this review, the Nomad-30 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Dead Air Nomad-30 (1st Gen) perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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