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.