SSS.6.169 - Research Supplement: Low Back Pressure 5.56 Silencer Performance - Flow-Through vs. SURGE BYPASS, PIP, and LBP. Head-to-Head Detailed Comparisons (Members Only)

/
SSS.6.169 - Research Supplement: Low Back Pressure 5.56 Silencer Performance - Flow-Through vs. SURGE BYPASS, PIP, and LBP. Head-to-Head Detailed Comparisons (Members Only)

Six 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 flow rate characteristics and relatively high operator (shooter’s ear) Suppression Ratings on the untuned MK18 5.56x45mm NATO MK18 weapon system. The six silencers behave differently, even despite some of them exhibiting similar performance quantified by the PEW Science Suppression Rating. Their 5.56 MK18 suppression performance provides an excellent case study comparing current “low back pressure” rifle silencer technology

Typically, silencers possessing a high flow rate also possess lower sound suppression performance with subsonic ammunition and potentially lower bystander suppression performance, in general. However, there are significant exceptions. Hybrid designs have the potential to exhibit high performance in multiple regimes.

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 analytical test reports and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between six low back pressure 5.56 rifle silencers that use various technologies to suppress AR15 weapon 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.

Read More

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

/
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.

Read More

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

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

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.

Read More

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 (Members Only)

/
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 (Members Only)

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.

Read More

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

/
SSS.6.93 - Research Supplement: The Dead Air Sandman-S with the 5.56 Endcap (Members Only)

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.

Read More

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

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

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.

Read More

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

/
SSS.6.59 - Research Supplement: The Rugged Razor with the 5.56 Endcap (Members Only)

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.

Read More

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

/
SSS.6.56 - Research Supplement: The Quietest 308 Rifle Silencers - Detailed Sound Comparison (Members Only)

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.

Read More

SSS.6.51- Research Supplement: Unsuppressed Rifles; the 10.3-in MK18 as a Silencer Test Host (Public Article)

/
SSS.6.51- Research Supplement: Unsuppressed Rifles; the 10.3-in MK18 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. 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 short-barrel automatic rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO.

Read More

SSS.6.42 - Research Supplement: Balancing Back Pressure and Suppression Rating (Members Only)

/
SSS.6.42 - Research Supplement: Balancing Back Pressure and Suppression Rating (Members Only)

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.

Read More

SSS.6.41 - OSS HX-QD 762 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308

/
SSS.6.41 - OSS HX-QD 762 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308

The OSS HX-QD 762 is a mid-size, relatively heavy, and durable .30 rifle silencer that exhibits class-leading back pressure reduction with a notable balance of sound signature suppression performance in the supersonic flow regime. Users should note that most silencers exhibit significantly different sound suppression characteristics in different flow velocity regimes, i.e. when suppressing supersonic vs. subsonic cartridges. This sound suppression performance variation, across different flow regimes, is more pronounced with silencers possessing high flow rate (low back pressure) characteristics, like the HX-QD 762.

In this review, the HX-QD 762 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge; no easy task. How would the silencer perform on your .308 deer rifle?

Read More

SSS.6.40 - Research Supplement: The PEW Science Omega Back Pressure Metric (Public Article)

/
SSS.6.40 - Research Supplement: The PEW Science Omega Back Pressure Metric (Public Article)

Firearm silencers reduce muzzle blast sound signature by restricting the rate at which combustion products exit the weapon system and are exposed to atmospheric conditions. Various silencer designs exhibit different flow rate restriction, dependent upon initial combustion product flow rate and amplitude, internal geometry, and even mounting characteristics that influence entrance aperture into the silencer assembly and flow interaction with internal geometry.

The subject of this publication is to present a non-intrusive method of flow restriction quantification, using existing externally measured data. A preliminary research quantity is presented: The PEW Science Back Pressure Metric, Omega.

Read More

SSS.6.36 - Griffin Armament Explorr EX3 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308

/
SSS.6.36 - Griffin Armament Explorr EX3 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308

The Griffin Armament Explorr EX3 is a compact and relatively lightweight and durable .30 rifle silencer. The Explorr EX3 is versatile in that it may be used on many cartridges with a variety of Griffin Armament taper mount adapters.

In this review, the Explorr EX3 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge; no easy task. How would the silencer perform on your .308 deer rifle?

This review also includes updated PEW Science Back Pressure Research and a Rugged Rifle Silencer Case Study!

Read More