SSS.6.153 - SilencerCo Omega 9K and the HK P30L
/SilencerCo Omega 9K on the HK P30L Full-Size Semiautomatic Pistol
The Omega 9K is manufactured by SilencerCo. It is a compact 9mm centerfire pistol silencer, intended to suppress many cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, up to and including supersonic 300 BLK; barrel length and cartridge restrictions are given on the SilencerCo website. The Omega 9K has a 1.48-inch primary diameter and is 4.9 inches long with its inertial decoupling piston assembly installed for reciprocating handgun use. The Omega 9K may also be attached to host weapons with a variety of mounts compatible with the so-called SilencerCo Alpha thread pattern (1.125x28tpi). The silencer is tubeless and constructed of welded heat-treated stainless steel baffles, with a Stellite (Cobalt 6) blast baffle. The Omega 9K weighs 6.5 ounces and the inertial decoupling piston and spring assembly weighs 2.1 ounces, for a total system weight of 8.6 ounces, as tested. The Omega 9K can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
This Sound Signature Review contains single-test results using the SilencerCo Omega 9K on the HK P30L full-size semiautomatic pistol, chambered in 9mm with a 5-inch factory HK threaded barrel. Speer Lawman 147gr ammunition was used in the test. Note that the piston used in the test is a metric 13.5x1mm LH HUXWRX model, to interface with the standard host weapon. Several SilencerCo/HUXWRX/Rugged/etc pistons are, for all intents and purposes, interchangeable in many systems. The piston used in the test does not contain longitudinal machined grooves like the SilencerCo piston and therefore may result in less “blowback” to the weapon operator.
Section 6.153.1 contains the Omega 9K test results and analysis.
Section 6.153.2 contains Suppression Rating comparisons of the Omega 9K with the Inert Haze Ti-P, AAC Ti-RANT 9M-HD, AAC Ti-RANT 9M, AAC Ti-RANT 9, HUXWRX CA$H 9K, Resilient Suppressors RSP, CGS MOD9 FS, Rugged Obsidian 45, and SWR Trident-9 silencers, fired on the Heckler and Koch P30L.
Section 6.153.3 contains the review summary and PEW Science subjective opinions.
Summary: When paired with the HK P30L full-size semiautomatic pistol and fired with Speer Lawman 147gr ammunition, the SilencerCo Omega 9K achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 43.6 in PEW Science testing. As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
The subsonic 300 BLK performance of the SilencerCo Omega 9K is detailed in previous Sound Signature Review 6.62, in which it achieved a Suppression Rating of 37.4.
Relative Suppression Rating Performance is Summarized in SSS.7 - PEW Science Rankings
6.153.1 SilencerCo Omega 9K Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the SilencerCo Omega 9K in tested on the HK P30L 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. SilencerCo Omega 9K Sound Metric Summary
6.153.1.1 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 and the weapon was fired until the magazine was empty, and the slide locked back on the slide-release lever actuated by the follower of the empty magazine. 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. 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 SilencerCo Omega 9K 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 6-shot test are shown in Figure 2a. In Figure 2b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1 through Shot 3.
Fig 1a. SilencerCo Omega 9K subsonic 9x19mm HK P30L Semiautomatic Pistol Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
Fig 1b. SilencerCo Omega 9K subsonic 9x19mm HK P30L Semiautomatic Pistol Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 2a. SilencerCo Omega 9K subsonic 9x19mm HK P30L Semiautomatic Pistol Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 2b. SilencerCo Omega 9K subsonic 9x19mm HK P30L Semiautomatic Pistol Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
The SilencerCo Omega 9K is a compact 9mm pistol silencer that possesses a larger than typical initial expansion volume in its blast chamber, when compared with some other designs. The conventional curved cone baffle geometry of the silencer efficiently stagnates flow; with only 6 baffles, the later time flow rate is somewhat increased. This combination of design features results in the following behavior observed in the above test data:
Blowdown time is not expedient, but is also not significantly long duration (Fig. 1a).
The first major coupled jets from the muzzle are very consistent in both pressure and impulse space (Fig. 1b and Fig. 2a, respectively). The baffle quantity and spacing produces this uniform performance.
First-round-pop (FRP) severity is somewhat typical for the design but not severe (Fig. 2b).
The impulse from mechanical shock does present somewhat earlier in the time regime and at a higher amplitude (36 ms, Fig. 2a). This is partially a result of the silencer’s higher early time backpressure, despite its moderate overall flow rate.
In totality, the above performance factors result in a system that produces a sound field that is not overly harsh to the shooter or bystanders, but may still produce a shooter experience that results in particulate / blowback phenomena to present on some handgun hosts. Further information is provided in the Member Version of this article.
PEW Science Research Note 1: The above conclusion may be somewhat counterintuitive to the reader, due to the compact size of the Omega 9K. Blowback, both in particulate matter and gaseous combustion byproducts, is a relatively common phenomenon that presents with suppressed centerfire handguns. Oftentimes, longer pistol silencer systems possessing more baffles produce harsh ejection port signatures due to low overall flow rate. However, similar to the case of reciprocating rifles, handgun ejection port hazard is dependent upon both early time blast load behavior near the muzzle orifice, as well as the later time gas flow dynamics. The SilencerCo Omega 9K possesses no venting in the initial expansion chamber. This exacerbates blast load impulse accumulation in early time, which in turn increases the propensity for breech ejecta.
PEW Science Research Note 2: Despite the propensity for blowback on some pistol hosts, the SilencerCo Omega 9K provides extremely competitive overpressure hazard reduction to the shooter and bystanders, when compared to other compact configurations. For example, the bystander Suppression Rating of the Omega 9K eclipses that of the short configuration of both the AAC Ti-RANT 9M (6.118) and Ti-RANT 9M-HD (6.118), as well as the short configuration of the Rugged Obsidian 45 (6.7) on this host weapon. The Omega 9K also presents a less intense signature in the free field than the HUXWRX CA$H 9K (6.96) and Resilient Suppressors RSP (6.87).
The SilencerCo Omega 9K does not possess the gross muzzle suppression capability of larger conventional silencers like the CGS MOD9 FS (6.6), full-length AAC Ti-RANT 9 or Rugged Obsidian 45 variants, or the SWR Trident-9 (6.8). This should be expected, due to the silencer’s length and technology. However, it should be noted that the Omega 9K does provide superior risk reduction to the shooter in the free field, when compared to some of those silencers, as displayed in its shooter’s ear Suppression Rating. This is due to its higher late time flow rate, which somewhat lowers the severity of ejection port blast hazard to the weapon operator. Overall suppression performance on the HK P30L semiautomatic pistol is summarized in Section 6.153.2 of this article, as well as in the PEW Science Rankings Section.
Again, the shooter’s ear hazard reduction with the SilencerCo Omega 9K on this host weapon is competitive with that of standard full-size pistol silencers, in the free field. Environments containing reflecting surfaces (berms, walls, trees, vehicles) alter the pressure field and result in a lower degree of hazard reduction.
PEW Science Research Note 3: Note the decreased amplitude of free field positive phase impulse accumulation as the shot string progresses (Figure 2). This reduction in peak momentum, along with the consistency of the Omega 9K from shot-to-shot, is notable. Despite its compact size, the SilencerCo Omega 9K produces one of the most consistent signatures observed in testing on this host weapon, post-FRP.
PEW Science Research Note 4: 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 75 ms in Figure 1a) the mechanical noise of the slide closing is observed. The pressure signature of Shot 6 does not display this event due to the slide remaining locked to the rear after the sixth and final round is fired from the magazine.
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 SilencerCo Omega 9K used on the full-size HK P30L semiautomatic handgun test host is 39.4 and the shooter’s-ear Suppression Rating is 40.8; which are in extremely similar regions of the Suppression Rating Dose Chart. The gross suppression of a silencer, as well as its flow rate, influences the holistic signature on a semiautomatic host weapon. The signatures measured at the shooter’s ear are presented below.
6.153.1.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 6-shot test of the SilencerCo Omega 9K 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 6 shots are shown in Figure 3. The primary sound signature history is shown in Figure 3a. A zoomed-in timescale is displayed in Figure 3b, in the region of peak sound pressure for Shot 1, Shot 2, and Shot 4. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories at the ear from the same 6-shot test are shown in Figure 4. Again, full and short timescales are shown.
Figure 3a. SilencerCo Omega 9K subsonic 9x19mm HK P30L Semiautomatic Pistol Ear Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 3b. SilencerCo Omega 9K subsonic 9x19mm HK P30L Semiautomatic Pistol Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 4a. SilencerCo Omega 9K subsonic 9x19mm HK P30L Semiautomatic Pistol Ear Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 4b. SilencerCo Omega 9K subsonic 9x19mm HK P30L Semiautomatic Pistol Ear Sound Impulse Signature Peaks
The signatures measured from the Omega 9K on this weapon system are significantly different than some other compact silencer configurations at the shooter’s ear, like the short configuration of the AAC Ti-RANT 9M-HD (6.118). The impulse accumulation in later time from the Omega 9K system remains in the positive phase (~33 ms, Figure 4). The coalescence of ejection port blast and muzzle blast loads prolong the duration of positive phase impulse, producing greater momentum. As a result, the shooter’s ear Suppression Rating with the Omega 9K is somewhat lower, despite peak impulse amplitudes being similar. It is interesting to note that the short configuration of the legacy Ti-RANT 9M produces a slightly more severe shooter’s ear signature. This is partially due to much more significant FRP with the short legacy Ti-RANT 9M.
In addition to longer duration positive phase impulse at the shooter’s ear, the mechanical shock impulse from silencer-piston-barrel impact is of higher amplitude (~35 ms, Figure 4). It is possible that somewhat higher initial rearward slide velocity also occurs with this silencer. More research is needed. The measured test data indicates that the overall suppression performance of the Omega 9K is balanced toward higher muzzle flow restriction than typical for its size. This lets the silencer produce free field signatures that are less intense than other compact models, but does potentially result in higher ejection port blast hazard.
As with several other silencer systems on this host weapon, note the early time shock loads occurring at approximately 28.5 ms during Shot 4 and Shot 5. These shocks are pressure leaks from early weapon unlock, originating from the breech. It is important to note that system kinematics may be influenced by early time internally reflected shock loads at the muzzle which propagate significantly differently depending upon silencer characteristics.
PEW Science Research Note 6: The external early-time shock loads occurring during Shots 4 and 5 do result in slightly elevated hearing damage risk potential to the shooter with this weapon system. Despite this increased hearing damage risk, the Suppression Rating at the shooter’s ear with the Omega 9K still enters the 40-zone. As discussed in similar rest reports using the HK P30L, PEW Science postulates that an extremely low rate of fire may reduce the propensity of such shocks with this weapon system.
PEW Science Research Note 7: Like with some other tested silencers, the FRP from the SilencerCo Omega 9K on this host weapon, to the shooter, is negligible. The performance of the Omega 9K on a pistol, at the shooter’s ear, is driven by both muzzle signature and ejection port signature. The higher late time flow rate of the Omega 9K, coupled with its larger than typical initial expansion volume and high efficiency baffles, results in a relatively balanced suppressed sound field on the P30L.
When compared to configurations with much higher muzzle Suppression Ratings, like the CGS MOD9, the Omega 9K provides superior shooter’s ear risk reduction, but still may sound louder to the shooter in late time. This late time phenomenon does not influence hearing damage risk in the free field.
Factors that may increase the actual objective loudness (the risk to you, the operator) of using a system with a lower muzzle Suppression Rating, despite the same or higher shooter’s ear Suppression Rating, include shooting the suppressed weapon system:
Indoors.
In a vehicle.
Next to a building, berm, or treeline.
This is the same phenomenon that presents when shooting a high flow rate centerfire rifle silencer on a reciprocating semiautomatic or automatic rifle. Reference the test report of the HUXWRX FLOW 556K (6.83) and FLOW 762 Ti (6.114). Even if not indoors or adjacent to reflecting surfaces, late time signatures propagated from lower muzzle suppression rating systems will influence shooter perception in late time. This does not influence the shooter’s ear Suppression Rating because it does not increase the hearing damage risk potential to the shooter in the free field.
The following section presents overall comparisons on the HK P30L semiautomatic pistol.
6.153.2 Suppression Rating Comparison (Subsonic 9x19mm from the HK P30L)
Figure 5 presents a comparison of the PEW Science Suppression Rating of the SilencerCo Omega 9K with other silencers on the full-size HK P30L semiautomatic pistol using subsonic Speer Lawman 147gr 9mm ammunition.
Figure 5. Suppression Rating Comparisons of the SilencerCo Omega 9K, the Inert Haze Ti-P, AAC Ti-RANT 9 Series, HUXWRX CA$H 9K, Resilient Suppressors RSP, Rugged Obsidian 45, CGS MOD9 FS, and SWR Trident-9 on the HK P30L, Using PEW-SOFT 9x19mm Subsonic Test Data and PEW Science Analysis
The SilencerCo Omega 9K produces an extremely balanced sound field on this host weapon, similar to that of the Inert Haze Ti-P (6.125), albeit more severe than that from the Ti-P. The performance of the Omega 9K on this weapon system is very similar, overall, to that of the short configuration of the legacy AAC Ti-RANT 9M (6.118).
The bystander Suppression Rating of the Omega 9K eclipses that of the short configuration of the Rugged Obsidian 45 (6.7) on this host weapon. The Omega 9K also presents a less intense signature in the free field than the HUXWRX CA$H 9K (6.96) and Resilient Suppressors RSP (6.87).
As previously discussed, the SilencerCo Omega 9K does not possess the gross muzzle suppression capability of larger conventional silencers like the CGS MOD9 FS (6.6), full-length AAC Ti-RANT 9 or Rugged Obsidian 45 variants, or the SWR Trident-9 (6.8). This should be expected, due to the silencer’s length and technology. It should be noted that the Omega 9K does provide superior risk reduction to the shooter in the free field, when compared to some of those silencers, as displayed in its shooter’s ear Suppression Rating. This is due to its higher late time flow rate, which somewhat lowers the severity of ejection port blast hazard to the weapon operator.
The signature to which the shooter’s ear is subjected is a function of both ejection port blast loads and suppressed muzzle blast loads. When the silencer’s endcap is in closer proximity to the shooter, the severity is increased. The coalescing of the ejection port blast overpressure with the primary muzzle blast exacerbates 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.
6.153.3 Review Summary: SilencerCo Omega 9K on the HK P30L Full-Size Semiautomatic Pistol
When paired with the HK P30L full-size semiautomatic pistol and fired with Speer Lawman 147gr ammunition, the SilencerCo Omega 9K achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 43.6 in PEW Science testing. As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The SilencerCo Omega 9K is a compact 9mm pistol silencer that possesses balanced performance for both the shooter and bystanders on semiautomatic handguns, with somewhat higher backpressure than some designs. At approximately 5 inches long, fully welded with durable construction, and rated for supersonic 300 BLK, the silencer is uniquely versatile for a variety of centerfire system applications. The overall sound field suppression performance of the Omega 9K, for its size, is notable.
The Omega 9K possesses a larger than typical initial expansion volume in its blast chamber, when compared with other designs. The conventional curved cone baffle geometry of the silencer efficiently stagnates flow; with only 6 baffles, the later time flow rate is somewhat increased. This combination of design features results in efficient performance with somewhat higher ejection port blast and blowback than purpose-built high flow rate designs.
Despite the propensity for blowback on some pistol hosts, the SilencerCo Omega 9K provides extremely competitive overpressure hazard reduction to the shooter and bystanders, when compared to other compact configurations. For example, the bystander Suppression Rating of the Omega 9K eclipses that of the short configuration of both the AAC Ti-RANT 9M and Ti-RANT 9M-HD , as well as the short configuration of the Rugged Obsidian 45, on this host weapon. The Omega 9K also presents a less intense signature in the free field than the HUXWRX CA$H 9K and Resilient Suppressors RSP.
The SilencerCo Omega 9K does not possess the gross muzzle suppression capability of larger conventional silencers like the CGS MOD9 FS, full-length AAC Ti-RANT 9 or Rugged Obsidian 45 variants, or the SWR Trident-9. This should be expected, due to the silencer’s length and technology. However, it should be noted that the Omega 9K does provide superior risk reduction to the shooter in the free field, when compared to some of those silencers, as displayed in its shooter’s ear Suppression Rating. This is due to its higher late time flow rate, which somewhat lowers the severity of ejection port blast hazard to the weapon operator when compared to some full length designs.
The Omega 9K is fully welded. Disassembly of the rear end cap of the silencer may be accomplished by hand. The silencer is compatible with SilencerCo “Alpha” thread pattern rear cap accessories.
Of particular note is the durability of the SilencerCo Omega 9K. The blast baffle of the silencer is Stellite (Cobalt 6) in the full-welded stainless steel baffle system. The manufacturer specifies that the silencer may be used with firing schedules including fully-automatic supersonic 300 BLK. For particular firing schedule limitations, the user is encouraged to contact SilencerCo.
In this review, the SilencerCo Omega 9K performance metrics depend upon suppressing a full-size combat handgun firing a full-power subsonic centerfire pistol cartridge. This type of evaluation provides a potential upper-bound for typical real handgun silencer performance due to the barrel length and action dynamics of the host weapon. PEW Science encourages the reader to carefully consider action dynamics, barrel lengths, and other characteristics in the selection of centerfire pistol silencer hosts.
The hearing damage potential of centerfire pistol use is significant. PEW Science encourages the reader to consider the Suppression Rating when deciding on an appropriate silencer and host weapon combination for their desired use. Note that the presence of nearby reflecting surfaces, as well as ammunition choice, can influence the sound signature to which both the shooter and bystanders are subjected.
