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.6.153 - SilencerCo Omega 9K and the HK P30L

SSS.6.153 - SilencerCo Omega 9K and the HK P30L

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.

In this review, the SilencerCo Omega 9K performance metrics depend upon suppressing a full-size handgun firing a full-power subsonic centerfire pistol cartridge. How would the SilencerCo Omega 9K pistol silencer perform on your self-defense handgun?

Read More

SSS.6.134 - SilencerCo Velos LBP and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle

SSS.6.134 - SilencerCo Velos LBP and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle

The SilencerCo Velos LBP is a full size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits significant back pressure reduction and blast load hazard reduction for the weapon system operator on standard automatic rifles. The silencer is of hybrid design, utilizing both traditional silencer baffle elements and vent arrays to manage gas flow. For the SilencerCo system to accomplish high gross suppression performance at the operator’s position with its relatively simple design, is notable. The silencer is partially 3D-printed from Inconel alloy and is reported to exhibit significant durability.

In this review, the SilencerCo Velos LBP performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the SilencerCo Velos LBP perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

Read More

SSS.6.62 - SilencerCo Omega 9K and the Q mini FIX 300 BLK Subsonic

SSS.6.62 - SilencerCo Omega 9K and the Q mini FIX 300 BLK Subsonic

The SilencerCo Omega 9K is a compact 9mm pistol silencer that is relatively versatile in potential application and durable enough for hard use. Although rated for automatic use with both supersonic and subsonic 300 BLK on barrels greater than or equal to 8 inches in length, its sound suppression performance on these platforms may be lower than that of dedicated 30 caliber silencers or longer over-bored 9mm pistol silencers.

How would the Omega 9K perform on your personal defense weapon?

Read More

SSS.6.53 - SilencerCo Saker 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle

SSS.6.53 - SilencerCo Saker 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle

The SilencerCo Saker 556 is a full-size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that possesses competitive sound signature suppression performance with many silencers on the market, while possessing significant flow restriction (back pressure) compared to some designs. Users should note that full-size 5.56mm rifle silencers are often smaller than their full-size 7.62mm (.30) counterparts.

In this review, the Saker 556 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Saker 556 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

Read More

SSS.6.33 - Research Supplement: 30 Caliber Hunting Silencers - First Round Pop (Members Only)

SSS.6.33 - Research Supplement: 30 Caliber Hunting Silencers - First Round Pop (Members Only)

Eight silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) performance characteristics. The silencers in this group were selected for their applicability and market popularity for use as hunting silencers; silencers possessing length and/or weight characteristics making them conducive to field use on bolt-action rifles.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between the eight silencers in the FRP signature regime. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

Read More

SSS.6.31 - SilencerCo Harvester 300 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308

SSS.6.31 - SilencerCo Harvester 300 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308

The SilencerCo Harvester 300 is a full-size 30 caliber rifle silencer that possesses light weight, good sound signature suppression performance for its design envelope, and built-in recoil reduction with its attached anchor brake. The silencer is smaller diameter than many rifle silencers; in fact, it is similar in diameter to many 9mm pistol silencers.

In this review, the Harvester 300 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge; no easy task. How would the Harvester 300 perform on your .308 deer rifle?

Read More

SSS.6.18 - Intermediate Results Summary: Compact and Mid-Size .308 Rifle Silencers - Suppression and Back Pressure

SSS.6.18 - Intermediate Results Summary: Compact and Mid-Size .308 Rifle Silencers - Suppression and Back Pressure

The previous Sound Signature Reviews, up to and including Review 6.16, have featured various silencers on several host weapons. Eight of those reviews feature centerfire rifle silencers; two of which were tested in two configurations each due to modularity of the silencer body or end-cap. This is a comparative summary of the objective performance of those ten total configurations.

This Results Summary is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

The data herein references the Suppression Rating and relative back pressure metrics which have been reported throughout the centerfire rifle reviews, to date, in order to frame objective flow rate characteristics of the silencers for their prospective use on semi- and fully-automatic small arms. This data is the first of its kind in the public domain and represents a direct contribution of PEW Science member-funded research to the state of practice.

Read More

SSS.6.14 - Research Supplement: Radiant, Omega 300, and Sandman-S Further Analysis

SSS.6.14 - Research Supplement: Radiant, Omega 300, and Sandman-S Further Analysis

The previous Sound Signature Reviews of the Rugged Radiant (6.12), SilencerCo Omega 300 (6.10), and Dead Air Sandman-S (6.11) presented typical sound signatures of the silencers on a .308 bolt-action rifle with an 20-inch barrel. In PEW Science testing, the Radiant achieved a Suppression Rating of 32.9 in its long configuration. The Omega 300 achieved a rating of 38.3. The Sandman-S achieved a rating of 32.6.

This members-only 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 three silencers. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

Read More

SSS.6.10 - SilencerCo Omega 300 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308

SSS.6.10 - SilencerCo Omega 300 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308

The SilencerCo Omega 300 is a compact 30 caliber rifle silencer that possesses high sound signature suppression performance with measured consistency. The silencer has many mounting options, making it a relatively versatile silencer for centerfire rifle use.

In this review, the Omega 300 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge; no easy task. How would the Omega 300 perform on your .308 deer rifle?

Read More