Handgun Silencers

One hand gun sound suppressors.

Suppressor, silencer, muffler, muzzle-can is expressions used when describing devices fitted to a gun aimed at lowering the noise.

Gun sound suppressors.

One hand guns offers a somewhat different aspect to sound suppression compared to long guns like target rifles.

Revolvers will not be discussed here as they with few exceptions (for example the Nagant) is unsuitable for sound suppression, because of gas leakages principally between the chambered round and the barrel.

The usually quite short barrel of a pistol gives a very high and sharp sound signature, even with in mind that the typically used calibre 9x19 Parabellum is not at all as powerful as for example a .308 Nato round. Shots fired from a pistol compared to shots fired from a hunting rifle in these two different calibres, gives a signature where the dB measurements from the noise of the pistol is higher than from the rifle.

Pistols can also have a high sound level from the ejection port, this can also be the case with semi- or full automatic rifles. Bolt action, or other non automatic opening actions rifles is the ones recommended for sound suppression.

A short barrel therefore produces very high sound levels and the means to lower this sound must be dealt with according to the following thoughts.

One must consider the uses for pistols compared to rifles i.e. short guns to long guns when discussing handgun silencers.

A comparison could look something like this:

A long gun ( hunting rifle ) has the following characteristics:

1. Long barrel that fires a comparatively high powered round.
2. Precision at long distances is required.
3. Usually ample time to take aim.
4. Weight regard is not paramount.

A short gun ( police type pistol ) has the following characteristics:

1. Handiness is paramount.
2. Usually very short time to take aim.
3. Shots is fired at very short distances max 25 m. and usually shorter (2-10 meters).
4. Light weight is important.

Due to these characteristics in use one must consider what the specific firearm is made for when constructing - and when buying a sound suppressor.

With regards to the rifle, the weight is not as important as with the pistol but precision is very important, no baffles must impede with the precision of the gun.

With regards to the pistol, handiness is very important, that is length, size and weight, but precision is not as important.

Pistol sound suppressors may be made with for example E.Ve-Tech ( Elastomer Valve Techonology ) baffle elements, that is special rubber elements that wears out after about 50 – 75 shots according to ammunition used. Precision is impeded by these elements, but only with about the double spread than normal spread, this will not affect the ability to hit the target at the very close ranges where a pistol is usually used. Expendable baffle elements of the E.Ve-Tech type offers a very good sound suppressing effect, and is at the same time very light and this means that the handiness of the pistol is preserved. The set-up of a pistol sound suppressor is equal important as the ejection port noise must not be too high and the ability of the pistol to reload is important and must not be prevented.

Re-loading problems - normally not with handgun sound suppressors.

Some pistols have problems reloading with soft loads like sub-sonic ammunition, but fitting a sound suppressor to the pistol can solve this problem, as the set-up of baffle elements can be done as not to give excessive ejection port noise but still manage to reload even with soft loads.

Fitting.

Barrel thread is normally used when fitting a sound suppressor to a pistol, in most cases a longer than usual barrel has to be used, but as sound suppressing is becoming increasingly important most manufacturers offers standard barrels with thread. Thread types used includes M14x1, M13,5x1LH, and several other types.

SAI pistol sound suppressors.

SAI offers sound moderators and muzzle cans for all kinds of firearms, including MPS tunnel silencers and integrated silencers. As producers of a full programme in firearms silencers call us for your specific need.

More on sound suppressors

Firearms noise : By SAI

One hand guns and silencers : by SAI

Tips when using Sound suppressors : by SAI

Sound suppressors when shoting on target ranges : by SAI