SSS.6.108 - Rugged Razor762 and the Q mini FIX 300 BLK Subsonic
/Rugged Razor762 on a Q mini FIX 300 BLK with 8-in Barrel
The Razor762 is manufactured by Rugged Suppressors. It is a 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, intended to suppress most cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, up to and including 300 Remington Ultra Magnum. It has a 1.5-inch diameter and is 6.4 inches in length. Multiple endcap options are available for use with the Razor, including a flash hider endcap. The user may also choose from various Rugged muzzle devices on which to mount the silencer to the host weapon with its welded proprietary dual-taper locking mount. The outer tube and mount are stainless steel and the cast Stellite baffles of the inner core are fully-welded. The silencer weighs 18.2 ounces with the R3 flash hider but can be used with the Rugged M2 brake for a total system weight of 16.8 ounces. The Razor can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
This review contains single-test results using the Rugged Razor762 mounted with the R3 Flash Hider to the Q mini FIX bolt action pistol, chambered in 300 BLK with an 8-inch barrel. Discreet Ballistics 190gr ammunition was used in the test.
Note that the use of various ammunition types, even if still subsonic, may result in different overall system signature. PEW Science Members are encouraged to review this phenomenon in Research Supplement 6.109 - Rugged Razor with Discreet Ballistics vs. S&B Subsonic 300 BLK.
- Section 6.108.1 contains the Rugged Razor test results and analysis.
- Section 6.108.2 contains Suppression Rating comparisons with selected .30 rifle silencers in the subsonic flow regime.
- Section 6.108.3 contains the review summary and PEW Science opinions.
Summary: When paired with the Q mini FIX 8” 300 BLK and fired with Discreet Ballistics 190gr Subsonic Target ammunition, the Rugged Razor762 achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 39.5 in PEW Science testing. As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
The supersonic .308 performance of the Rugged Razor762 is detailed in previous Sound Signature Review 6.16, in which it achieved a Suppression Rating of 28.4. The supersonic 5.56 performance of the Rugged Razor762 is detailed in previous Sound Signature Review 6.58, in which it achieved a Suppression Rating of 21.1.
Relative Suppression Rating Performance is Summarized in SSS.7 - PEW Science Rankings
6.108.1 Rugged Razor762 Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Rugged Razor762 is shown in Table 1. The data acquired 1.0 m (39.4 in) left of the muzzle is available for viewing to all. This is a members-only review and includes pressure and impulse waveforms measured at the shooter’s ear. PEW Science thanks you for your support; further testing, research, and development of PEW-SOFT and the Silencer Sound Standard is made possible by members like you!
Table 1. Rugged Razor762 Sound Metric Summary
6.108.1.1 SOUND SIGNATURES AT THE MUZZLE
Real sound pressure histories from a 5-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT™ are shown below. 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, here.
Figure 1 shows a 2.4-millisecond long sequence of events during the first test shot with the Rugged Razor762, as measured 1.0 m left of the muzzle. There are five significant events labeled:
During combustion within the weapon system, a 116.3 dB peak is measured.
Precursor flow through the silencer is suppressed, and a peak of 118.1dB is measured during this initial jetting.
The first major jet peaks at an amplitude of 146.2 dB.
Primary jetting results in a peak overpressure amplitude measured to be 150.9 dB, which is the highest of the first shot.
Decay is exhibited relatively expediently in the signature, and a latent pulse of 145.3 dB is noted.
This is a typical sequence observed when firing subsonic 300 BLK ammunition from a bolt-action weapon system with an attached silencer that exhibits relatively low flow restriction (low back pressure); internal silencer design can significantly influence the measured timing and pressure amplitudes. Supersonic 7.62x51mm and supersonic 5.56x45mm test data using the Rugged Razor762 were subjects of Review 6.16 and Review 6.58, respectively. A derivation of the PEW Science Back Pressure Metric, Ω [Pa-1], is presented in PEW Science Public Research Supplement 6.40.
Fig. 1 Early-Time Shot History, Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
The Rugged Razor762 is relatively compact for a 30 caliber rifle silencer and shares extremely similar internal geometric features with other Rugged rifle silencers such as the Rugged Surge (Review 6.22; 7.62x51mm bolt action), Rugged Radiant (Review 6.12; 7.62x51mm bolt action), and also its sister silencer, the Rugged Razor556 (Review 6.76; 5.56x45mm semiautomatic). The Razor762 contains 4 baffles, which are of curved-cone geometry. Its baffle count is 2 fewer than the short configuration of the Rugged Surge, and one more than the Rugged Razor556 (and the modular Micro30). Because all of these silencers have similar geometry in their first wave expansion regions (blast chambers), the scaling of their designs results in holistic weapon functional influence that strongly correlates with the PEW Science Omega Metric research parameter referenced above (ref. 6.40.3, Figure 2 and Table 3). The Rugged rifle silencer designs were one of the first case studies used by PEW Science for Omega Metric flow rate validation due to their early-time shock wave reflection and flow characteristics (the so-called PEW Science Alpha parameter) being effectively constant across models.
The Rugged rifle silencer designs, while not as highly advanced as some newer technology, or purpose-built for 300 BLK suppression like some other technology, are still able to significantly suppress subsonic 300 BLK signatures when scaled to a higher baffle count. The Rugged Razor762 represents one of the lowest baffle count Rugged rifle silencers in the lineup; the short configuration of the Rugged Radiant notwithstanding.
PEW Science Research Note 1: The Rugged Razor762, when used with subsonic 300 BLK on the tested platform, shares some signature similarities with that of the YHM Resonator K (Review 6.30), and the SilencerCo Omega 9K (Review 6.62). All three silencers are compact; all use a different type of baffle implementation, expressed in their external early-time signature histories (ref. Figure 1 in each respective article). The relatively severe early time jetting is one commonality observed in the signatures; the duration of amplitude, along with duration of decay, differs across the designs.
PEW Science Research Note 2: The Rugged Razor762 exhibits a PEW Science Suppression Rating on the subsonic 300 BLK mini Fix bolt action test platform that is on par with other silencers of its size tested by PEW Science, to date, other than outliers such as the CGS Hyperion K (Review 6.50). To bystanders, the 300 BLK signature suppression of the Razor762 is on par with that from the Surefire SOCOM762-RC2 (Review 6.46) and Sig Sauer SLH300TI (Review 6.107); two full-size silencers that exhibit relatively high flow rates. To the shooter, the Rugged Razor762 falls in-between the aforementioned YHM Resonator K and SilencerCo Omega 9K in severity, on this platform.
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots are shown in Figure 2a. A zoomed-in timescale displays the region of peak sound pressure in Figure 2b, for the first two shots. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 3. Again, full and short timescales are shown.
Fig 2a. Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
Fig 2b. Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 3a. Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 3b. Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
The Rugged Razor762 produces significantly perceptible first-round-pop (FRP) to bystanders on this platform. This is typical for a high flow rate silencers utilizing a low number of baffles in a relatively short overall design envelope. The severity of the first shot signature, to bystanders, may be up to approximately 200% more severe than subsequent shots, on average. This is important to note, because this test is in the subsonic 300 BLK combustion regime, where overall signature suppression may be of paramount importance for many end users.
The severe FRP is reflected in both early time jetting (pressure space; Fig. 2b and impulse space; Fig. 3b) along with the pronounced early-time positive phase pressure and impulse of the first shot, from primary flow.
PEW Science Research Note 3: The standard PEW Science test ammunition for the subsonic 300 BLK publications presented, to date, has been Discreet Ballistic 190gr Target Ammunition. The consistency of this ammunition is relatively high for factory loadings. Deviations noted in the above signature histories, from shot to shot, most often result from silencer gas dynamics and not ammunition variation. For a more in-depth evaluation of this phenomenon and comparison of ammunition displaying signature differential due to combustion anomalies, Research Supplement 6.109 - Rugged Razor with Discreet Ballistics vs. S&B Subsonic 300 BLK is available for PEW Science Members.
Regardless of ammunition consistency, first-round sound signatures always differ from subsequent shots, as the atmosphere within the silencer changes. The FRP phenomenon cannot always be shown by viewing only the peak sound pressure. This is one of the reasons why The Silencer Sound Standard requires examining multiple sound signature metrics.
With subsonic 300 BLK from an 8-inch barrel, the Rugged Razor762 is noticeably louder to bystanders than most silencers on this host weapon. Direct comparisons with other silencers are provided in Section 6.108.2.
6.108.1.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 5-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT at the shooter’s ear are shown below. Again, 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 primary sound signature pressure histories at the ear for all 5 shots are shown in Figure 4. The primary sound signature history is shown on the left. A zoomed-in timescale is displayed on the right, in the region of peak sound pressure. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories at the ear from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 5. Full and short timescales are shown.
Figure 4a. Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Ear Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 4b. Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 5a. Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Ear Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 5b. Rugged Razor762 Bolt Action 300 BLK Ear Sound Impulse Signature
Like the severity of the FRP at the muzzle to bystanders, the severity of the FRP at the shooter’s ear with the Rugged Razor762 is severe, in accordance with PEW Science inner ear response analysis. In fact, it is postulated to be up to twice as severe to the shooter, as it is to bystanders, relative to subsequent shots. The FRP is expressed in both the pressure regime (Figure 4b) and impulse regime (Figure 5). Note the double-peak impulse accumulation in the primary positive phase during FRP (Fig. 5b).
Overall, the signature to the shooter is on par with compact 30 caliber rifle silencers of traditional design. The Razor762 is typically marketed as a machine gun silencer for 5.56 use or shortened 30 caliber silencer for 7.62mm rifles; the performance with subsonic 300 BLK, while comparable to other compact silencers, is lower than that of typical 30 caliber silencers.
PEW Science Research Note 4: The Razor762 does possess a relatively high flow rate; internal PEW Science testing indicates that its functional influence on semiautomatic 7.62x51mm weapons is lower than the Rugged Surge and the Rugged Radiant, for example. Nonetheless, the method by which the Razor762 achieves this higher flow rate is its reduction in the number of baffles. It is this mechanism that also sacrifices sound suppression performance. Since the inception of this silencer, there have been further advancements in achieving higher flow rate without as much suppression performance compromise, even in the subsonic suppression regime. Research is ongoing.
Comparisons with other silencers in the subsonic flow regime are shown in Section 6.108.2, below.
6.108.2 Suppression Rating Comparison - Subsonic 300 BLK
The Rugged Razor762 was developed without a significant focus on sound reduction (PEW Science Suppression Rating) in the subsonic combustion regime, with a high flow rate (low back pressure). As previously discussed, its subsonic sound signature suppression performance is onpar with traditional silencers of its size. Figure 6 shows a performance comparison of the 18 .30 rifle silencer configurations tested with the subsonic 300 BLK cartridge shown in public PEW Science testing, to date. Unsuppressed and suppressed Suppression Ratings are shown for both the shooter and bystanders.
Figure 6. Suppression Rating Comparisons Of .30 Rifle Silencers Using PEW-SOFT 300 BLK Subsonic Test Data
From the above data, it can be concluded that the Rugged Razor762 exhibits lower overall suppression performance in the subsonic 300 BLK combustion regime than most silencers presented in the PEW Science dataset, to date, especially compared to full size rifle silencers. However, to bystanders, the 300 BLK signature suppression of the Razor762 is on par with that from the Surefire SOCOM762-RC2 (Review 6.46) and Sig Sauer SLH300TI (Review 6.107); two full-size silencers that exhibit relatively high flow rates. To the shooter, the Rugged Razor762 falls in-between the YHM Resonator K (Review 6.30) and SilencerCo Omega 9K (Review 6.62) in severity, on this platform.
The difference in sound signature performance from a silencer like the Rugged Razor762 and full size silencers like the Q Full Nelson (Review 6.99), CGS Hyperion (Review 6.71), or Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-L (Review 6.94), is extremely significant. 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.
For an in-depth evaluation of how the use of different subsonic 300 BLK ammunition may result in different silencer signature suppression performance, Research Supplement 6.109 - Rugged Razor with Discreet Ballistics vs. S&B Subsonic 300 BLK is available for PEW Science Members.
6.108.3 Review Summary: Rugged Razor762 on a Q mini FIX 300 BLK with 8-in Barrel
When paired with the Q mini FIX 8” 300 BLK and fired with Discreet Ballistics 190gr Subsonic Target ammunition, the Rugged Razor762 achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 39.5 in PEW Science testing. As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
The supersonic .308 performance of the Rugged Razor762 is detailed in previous Sound Signature Review 6.16, in which it achieved a Suppression Rating of 28.4. The supersonic 5.56 performance of the Rugged Razor762 is detailed in previous Sound Signature Review 6.58, in which it achieved a Suppression Rating of 21.1.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The Rugged Razor is a “semi-compact” 30 caliber machine gun rated rifle silencer that possesses moderate sound signature suppression performance with relatively low back pressure. The silencer is advertised to have extreme durability and has a reasonable weight for extreme duty-use silencers of its size, at a total system weight of 18.2 ounces as tested. System weight is reduced to 16.8 ounces with the M2 brake. On the short barrel 300 BLK platform, the Razor possesses suppression performance on par with other traditionally designed compact 30 caliber rifle silencers.
The Rugged Razor uses an iteration of a feature-reduced and modified curved-cone baffle, similar to the feature-reduced curved-cone baffle used in the Omega 300 from SilencerCo and other companies. The Razor possesses only four baffles, in an attempt to increase gas flow rate and reduce back pressure. This is in contrast with the method used by similar silencers from Dead Air (the Sandman series) that reduce back pressure by increasing axial orifice area and modifying cone geometry. PEW Science test data indicates that back pressure reduction by increasing flow area may be more efficient for back pressure reduction than reducing the number of baffles for a given cartridge. However, when significantly “over-bored” for a cartridge, sound suppression may decrease in such designs. In the case of the subsonic 300 BLK test results described herein, the increased flow rate is shown to induce a performance penalty in its current implementation, particularly in regard to first round pop suppression performance.
The Rugged rifle silencer designs, while not as highly advanced as some newer technology, or purpose-built for 300 BLK suppression like some other technology, are still able to significantly suppress subsonic 300 BLK signatures when scaled to a higher baffle count. The Rugged Razor762 represents one of the lowest baffle count Rugged rifle silencers in the lineup; the short configuration of the Rugged Radiant notwithstanding.
The dual-taper locking proprietary mount welded to the rear of the Razor that interfaces with Rugged muzzle devices is relatively simple to operate. To install the silencer, the user must thread it onto a coarse-thread mount, which engages a forward taper, and then engage the locking collar which compresses cam levers onto a secondary rear taper. The mount is very secure. PEW Science anecdotal experience with the Rugged mount across various Rugged rifle silencers and host weapons has been overwhelmingly positive and trouble free.
The Rugged Razor is marketed to be durable and is advertised to not have any restrictions on barrel length; therefore, it may be used with aggressive semiautomatic and automatic firing schedules. The combination of durability, small size, and relatively low back pressure compared to that of full-size silencers makes the Razor a reasonable choice for semiautomatic and automatic centerfire rifle use, particularly for cases in which both size and back pressure are a concern.
Users may compare the Razor to the YHM Resonator K due to their similar performance on this tested weapon system.
In this review, the Rugged Razor762 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a subsonic intermediate rifle cartridge. 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 rifle cartridge suppression claims. The gas volume and combustion products created by firing a subsonic intermediate rifle cartridge such as 300 BLK are still significant; the measured pressure and impulse magnitudes, and their durations, illustrate this fact.
The hearing damage potential of subsonic rifle 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.
