The third is the bullet striking the target. The last noise associated with the firing of a firearm is the combustion noise hitting the atmosphere when the projectile leaves the barrel. The gasses that pushed the projectile from the barrel are going faster than the speed of sound and typically still burning. The “boom” of the gasses hitting the atmosphere is typically louder than the other noises, which is why the boom generally is all the shooter and those near the shooter hear.įirearm silencers work in the same manner as mufflers for cars and lawn mowers. Both provide a controlled environment in which the gasses can expand and cool before exiting into the air with less energy and noise. Each baffle has a passage through which a projectile can pass.Ī typical silencer has a casing segregated into chambers by partitions called baffles.
When the host weapon is fired, the projectile exits the barrel and passes through the length of the silencer, but the gases that propel the projectile expand into the baffled chambers where they are temporarily trapped. When they do find their way out of the silencer, the gases have slowed considerably and thus produce less sound. What are sound suppressors used for? Silencers are “hearing protection” that attaches to your firearm, not unlike a muffler on an automobile. OSHA limits impulsive or impact noise at 140dB peak sound pressure. “Hearing Safe” in the Firearms Industry refers to a gunshot that produces less than 140dB peak pressure. By way of comparison, a 1911 45ACP pistol or a 16” 5.56mm rifle produce approximately 165dB peak sound pressure. Decibels are logarithmic, meaning that sound pressure doubles or halves approximately every three decibels you increase or decrease the sound.įor recreational shooting, it’s acceptable to wear hearing protection which will block out a portion of the noise produced from shooting firearms. However, this is not really an option for Military, Law Enforcement or Citizens using firearms for home/property defense. As a result, with every shot these individuals are producing noise that can not only permanently damage their own hearing, but those of individuals around them. Imagine if in 1934, the government thought that people buying automobiles might run people over in crosswalks because pedestrians wouldn’t hear the approaching vehicle and imposed a $200 tax to possess a muffler. What would it sound like when you walked out your front door?Īlthough silencers cannot muffle every noise that is associated with the discharge of a firearm, they can greatly reduce some aspects of the process. Silencers primarily reduce the noises associated with “muzzle blast,” by providing the escaping gases baffled chambers in which to expand and depressurize prior to escaping the silencer. Who would want to use a sound suppressor and why? A silenced firearm is eminently more enjoyable to shoot than one without a silencer. Silencers generally increase the accuracy of a host firearm while reducing recoil and eliminating up to 90% of the muzzle signature. Shooters are able to concentrate more on breath control and trigger pull when they are not subjected to the fatigue and distraction of a deafening and bright muzzle report. They are able to easily hear instructions given to them by trainers because the report of a host firearm is reduced to below the OSHA guideline level for hearing damage.īeginning shooters are typically not intimidated when introduced to the shooting sports with a silenced firearm. Silenced firearms are also less likely to disturb people, livestock, or wildlife that may be in close proximity to where you shoot. What are key pieces to know about suppressor ownership and usage? Silencers are legal for civilian ownership in 42 states (and counting). Contrary to popular belief, silencers are and always have been legal to own under federal law.
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