SSS.6.7 - Rugged Obsidian 45 and the HK P30L
/Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 45 on the HK P30L Full-Size Semiautomatic Pistol
The Obsidian 45 is manufactured by Rugged Suppressors. It is a 45 caliber centerfire pistol silencer, intended to suppress many cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, including .450 Bushmaster, .44 magnum, and subsonic .458 SOCOM on 16-inch barrels. It has a 1.37-inch diameter and is modular, in that it can be configured in the user’s choice of two lengths. The length in the long configuration is 8.6 inches and the length in the short configuration is 6.7 inches. The silencer mounts to the host firearm with an internal inertial decoupling piston assembly available in multiple standard thread pitches. Other mounts are available, including fixed mounts and an internal 3-lug mount module. The silencer’s mount section and baffles are constructed of 17-4PH stainless steel. The main tube is constructed of aluminum. The silencer is user-serviceable and weighs 12.8 ounces or 10.7 ounces in the long or short configurations, respectively. The Obsidian 45 can also use the 9mm end-cap from the Obsidian 9 silencer. The Obsidian 45 can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
This review contains test results using the Obsidian 45 in both its long and short configurations with the .45 end-cap 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 tests.
Summary: When paired with the HK P30L full-size semiautomatic pistol and fired with Speer Lawman 147gr 9mm ammunition in its long configuration with the .45 end-cap, the Rugged Obsidian 45 achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 53.7 in PEW Science testing. In its short configuration with the .45 end-cap, the same host weapon, and the same ammunition, the Obsidian 45 achieved a Suppression Rating of 42.3.
6.7.1 Obsidian 45 Sound Signature Test Results (Long Configuration)
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Obsidian 45 in its 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. 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 Obsidian 45 (Long Configuration) Sound Metric Summary
6.7.1.1 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.
Figure 1 shows the first round sound pressure signature of the Rugged Obsidian 45 in its long configuration as measured 1.0 m left of the muzzle, in a total time scale of 25 milliseconds. There are three significant peak events labeled:
An initial gas pulse out of the silencer causes a 130.1 dB peak.
As gas continues to exit the silencer from the primary combustion event, the measured sound pressure rises to a maximum of 139.7 dB.
After the silencer’s inertial decoupling system (piston assembly) and slide re-seat and the slide returns to battery, action-noise and other events result in a peak of 130.6 dB.
This is the typical sequence observed when firing subsonic 9mm ammunition from the HK P30L semiautomatic pistol with an attached silencer; however, internal silencer design and piston assembly design can significantly influence the measured pressure amplitudes and timing.
Fig 1. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) First Round HK P30L Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 18-APR-2020
Closer views of the first peak (Fig 2a) and second peak (Fig 2b) are shown below. Figure 2a illustrates the time prior to primer ignition and early-time sound signature of weapon function, followed by the initial gas pulse. Figure 2b shows points later in time as the maximum sound pressure occurs from the primary combustion event; note that the total timescale is only 0.07 milliseconds (70 microseconds). PEW-SOFT provides a sampling point every microsecond and the individual data points are shown to illustrate this.
Fig 2a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) First Round HK P30L Muzzle Sound Pressure Peak 1, 18-APR-2020
Fig 2b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) First Round HK P30L Muzzle Sound Pressure Peak 2, 18-APR-2020
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots with the Obsidian 45 are shown in Figure 3a. The sound signature of Shot 2 is shown alone in Figure 3b. Note the same three peak events are labeled for Shot 2 that were previously labeled for Shot 1, above. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 4a. In Figure 4b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1 to that of Shot 2.
Fig 3a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) HK P30L Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 18-APR-2020
Fig 3b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) Second Round HK P30L Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 18-APR-2020
Figure 4a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) HK P30L Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 18-APR-2020
Figure 4b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) HK P30L Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 18-APR-2020
The measured pressure regime first-round-pop (FRP) is evident when comparing Shot 1 (Fig 1) to Shot 2 (Fig 3b). Figure 4a also shows FRP in the impulse regime.
The overall shape of the impulse waveforms measured at the muzzle, from shot-to-shot, are extremely consistent, highlighting 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 note: 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. Ammunition consistency can play a role in the determination of FRP, however, the close examination of measured pressure and impulse waveforms typically excludes ammunition from the possible factors influencing true FRP, due to the relative consistency of most high quality factory ammunition.
6.7.1.2 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 measured at the ear for all 5 shots are shown in Figure 5. 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 showing two of the five shots. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories at the ear from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 6.
Figure 5a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) HK P30L Ear Sound Pressure Signature, 18-APR-2020
Figure 5b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) HK P30L Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 18-APR-2020
Figure 6a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) HK P30L Ear Sound Impulse Signature, 18-APR-2020
Figure 6b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Long) HK P30L Ear Sound Impulse Signature Peaks, 18-APR-2020
The previously observed FRP characteristics measured at the muzzle are evident in the ear measurements in both the magnitude and durations of the overall impulse signatures shown in Figure 6a with the large impulse rise and duration for Shot 1. However, measured at the ear, Shot 4 possesses the highest peak pressure (Figure 5b).
The overall sound signature measured at the shooter’s ear possesses a higher peak average pressure amplitude than that measured at the muzzle but a lower peak average impulse (refer to Table 1). FRP is not noted at the ear in the traditional sense when examining the absolute peak pressure magnitude of Shot 1. Although the impulse signatures shown in Figure 6a indicate a FRP at the ear when considering the magnitude and duration of potential momentum transfer, when examining the details of theoretical physical human inner ear response to these sound signatures, the human inner ear response to Shot 4 is potentially more severe than to Shot 1. The measured duration of the early-time pressure spike measured at the ear in Shot 4, with the addition of the durations of the subsequent pressure pulses during the Shot 4, are high enough to influence human hearing response in a significant way. That analysis will be presented in a future PEW Science member research supplement.
6.7.2 Obsidian 45 Sound Signature Test Results (Short Configuration)
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Obsidian 45 in its 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. As stated in Section 6.7.1, 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 2. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short Configuration) Sound Metric Summary
6.7.2.1 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.
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots with the Obsidian 45 in its short configuration are shown in Figure 7a. The sound signatures of Shot 1 and Shot 2 are shown in a smaller time window in Figure 7b. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 8a. In Figure 8b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1 to that of Shot 2.
Fig 7a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short) HK P30L Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 18-APR-2020
Fig 7b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short) HK P30L Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 18-APR-2020
Figure 8a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short) HK P30L Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 18-APR-2020
Figure 8b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short) HK P30L Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 18-APR-2020
As was shown in the test of the long configuration, the measured pressure regime first-round-pop (FRP) in the short configuration is evident when comparing Shot 1 to Shot 2 (Fig 7b). Figure 8a also shows FRP in the impulse regime.
Again, the overall shape of the impulse waveforms measured at the muzzle, from shot-to-shot, are extremely consistent, highlighting 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 note: 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. Ammunition consistency can play a role in the determination of FRP, however, the close examination of measured pressure and impulse waveforms typically excludes ammunition from the possible factors influencing true FRP, due to the relative consistency of most high quality factory ammunition. Note the differences in pressure and impulse from the first to second shots in the test of the long configuration versus the difference measured in the test of the short configuration. Silencer internal volume, baffle design, overall size, and other parameters influence both the amplitude and duration of FRP in the pressure and impulse regimes.
6.7.2.2 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 with the Obsidian 45 in its short configuration are shown in Figure 9a. A zoomed-in timescale is displayed in Figure 9b, 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 10.
Figure 9a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short) HK P30L Ear Sound Pressure Signature, 18-APR-2020
Figure 9b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short) HK P30L Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 18-APR-2020
Figure 10a. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short) HK P30L Ear Sound Impulse Signature, 18-APR-2020
Figure 10b. Rugged Obsidian 45 (Short) HK P30L Ear Sound Impulse Signature Peaks, 18-APR-2020
The previously observed FRP characteristics measured at the muzzle are evident in the ear measurements in both the magnitude and durations of the overall impulse signatures shown in Figure 10a with the large impulse rise and duration for Shot 1. However, measured at the ear, Shot 5 possesses the highest peak pressure (Figure 9b).
The overall sound signature measured at the shooter’s ear possesses a lower peak average pressure amplitude than that measured at the muzzle and a lower peak average impulse (refer to Table 2). FRP is not noted at the ear in the traditional sense when examining the absolute peak pressure magnitude of Shot 1. However, it it is important to note that the impulse signatures shown in Figure 10a indicate a clear FRP at the ear when considering both the magnitude and the duration of potential momentum transfer. When examining the details of theoretical physical human inner ear response to these sound signatures, the FRP is also clearly present. This is in contrast to the phenomena observed in the test of the long configuration, in which the magnitude of measured impulse of a later shot resulted in more severe human ear response than in the first shot. Human inner ear response analysis of the short configuration test will also be presented in a future PEW Science member research supplement for comparison.
6.7.3 Review Summary: Rugged Obsidian 45 on the HK P30L Full-Size Semiautomatic Pistol
When paired with the HK P30L full-size semiautomatic pistol and fired with Speer Lawman 147gr 9mm ammunition in its long configuration with the .45 end-cap, the Rugged Obsidian 45 achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 53.7 in PEW Science testing. In its short configuration with the .45 end-cap, the same host weapon, and the same ammunition, the Obsidian 45 achieved a Suppression Rating of 42.3.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The Rugged Obsidian 45 is a 45 caliber pistol silencer intended for multiple uses. In semiautomatic handgun applications, it shows versatility in that it exhibits high performance when suppressing a full-size 9mm handgun in its long configuration. The silencer performance decreases when used in its short configuration. A comparison of that performance and the performance of purpose-built compact 9mm pistol silencers is forthcoming.
Although a 9mm end-cap (shared with its “sister” silencer, the Obsidian 9) may be used with the Obsidian 45, PEW Science does not recommend doing so in the long configuration. Due to possible alignment, tolerance-stacking, and internal ballistics anomalies, users may experience end-cap strikes when using the 9mm end-cap on the Obsidian 45 in the long configuration on 9mm hosts. This has occurred during PEW Science testing of the silencer on both modified Browning tilting-barrel action pistols (such as the HK P30L and Glock 19) and on fixed-barrel 300BLK weapons with the 3-lug mount. PEW Science testing of the Obsidian 45 in the short configuration with the 9mm end-cap has not resulted in end-cap strikes. The Obsidian 45 tested by PEW Science may have a specific issue that may be able to be rectified, but the aforementioned conclusions stand. This highlights one of the potential drawbacks of modular silencers. However, it is important to note that the Obsidian 45 in its long configuration with the .45 end-cap on the HK P30L 9mm host still exhibits high performance.
The internal piston assembly functions reliably and possesses physical features that may limit blow-back of particulate matter noted by the shooter on semiautomatic pistol hosts; evaluation of those features is a subject of continued research interest. The silencer does possess First Round Pop (FRP) which manifests itself in not only measured sound pressure and impulse, but in calculated physical human ear response. (The FRP is analytically predicted to be noticeable to the unprotected human ear and this conclusion agrees with PEW Science anecdotal observation. However, PEW Science testing and analysis of the Obsidian 45 indicates that the FRP observations by the shooter and bystanders may differ when the silencer is used in the long configuration.)
The Obsidian 45 is not relatively heavy or long for a full-size 45 caliber pistol silencer. This indicates a degree of design efficiency, as the silencer possesses traits that result in weight increases (e.g. modularity and a fully stainless steel baffle stack). However, when compared to 9mm pistol silencers, it is heavier and longer. That type of comparison may be relevant for users who wish to use the Obsidian 45 on multiple calibers.
The construction of the Obsidian 45 is intended to be significantly robust. It is important to note that in addition to the baffles, the aft “mount” portion that threads into the main tube is constructed of stainless steel and the silencer is user-serviceable. The Obsidian 45 is intended for use on both semiautomatic and automatic host weapons. While it is intended for pistol use, it is also intended to possess requisite durability for dual-use on pistol caliber carbines and it is also rated by the manufacturer for use on higher energy cartridges, including .450 Bushmaster, .44 magnum, and subsonic .458 SOCOM on 16-inch barrels. Durability of the silencer during aggressive firing schedules on fixed barrel weapons has not been comprehensively evaluated by PEW Science. Note that a fixed-barrel-spacer must be used in lieu of the inertial decoupler spring for use on fixed barrels, or the user can opt for a dedicated fixed mount.
In this review, the Obsidian 45 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a full-size combat handgun firing a full-power subsonic 9mm 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. Note that the use of the Obsidian 45 in its short configuration significantly increases its sound signature when compared to the use in its long configuration.
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 perceived by both the shooter and bystanders.
