(via Ammoland.com)
One of the biggest news items in the gun world of late: suppressors and the National Hearing Protection Act. For those not following the news, the NHPA would remove suppressors – a.k.a. “silencers” – from the list of heavily regulated devices, allowing one to purchase them without having to get the tax stamp from the ATF.
This is also the reason a number of people have a threaded barrel for their pistol, whether the threaded barrel goes in their concealed carry holster or not. But just how well do they work?
It’s worth looking at, as one of the biggest selling points of suppressors is that they attenuate noise. The typical gunshot produces 140 to 160 decibels of noise, which instantly damages hearing. Any noise above 140 dB produces instant hearing damage, so anything that brings a gunshot below that threshold is worth looking into.
Just Don’t Call Them Silencers
It’s a myth that suppressors make anything “silent.” A gunshot is still going to sound like a gunshot; it just might be somewhat quieter. That said, how well do they work?
The truth is there’s an economy of scale. Part of it comes down to the suppressor used – is it for the caliber you’re using or is it a generic design for multiple calibers, how long/short it is and how its made – as those factors make an impact. So does ammunition; supersonic ammunition, meaning that traveling at 1,125 miles per hour and faster, makes a sonic “crack” that subsonic ammunition does not. Ambient temperature, humidity and elevation also make an impact.
Put a bit more simply, how well a suppressor works on paper differs from how well it will work for YOU depending on a number of factors, so YMMV (your millage may vary).
A gunshot is still going to sound like a gunshot; it just might be somewhat quieter. That said, let’s try to come up with an average of sorts.
Looking at a few different products, SilencerCo. attests their suppressors reduce the sound pressure of a 9mm gunshot to anywhere from 125.7 dB to 131.5 dB, depending on the model. Advanced Armament Co, another popular supplier, attests a 23 dB to 33dB reduction or down to 127 dB. Liberty Suppressors, another manufacturer, attests a reduction of 24 dB to 38 dB, depending on model and other factors.
In short, we can presume something on the order of 30dB of attenuation as an average. Since the typical gunshot produces about 160 dB of noise, that means a suppressor will still lower the noise to 130 dB. It could be more or less – even much less, in some cases – but this is more of an average rather than for a specific make/model silencer for a specific caliber. You can argue amongst yourselves in the comments if you take umbrage.
Do suppressors work? I still use Ear Protection At All Times…
Presuming an average attenuation of 30 dB and sound level of 130 dB with a suppressor, you should still wear ear protection.
The louder the noise and the longer you’re exposed to the noise level, the more likely hearing damage becomes or the more permanent damage occurs. Hearing loss can be induced by being exposed to a constant 85 dB noise, which is why OSHA mandates 85 dB be as loud as workplaces get – even industrial ones – without mandatory ear protection.
Noises in excess of 120 dB – which is the sound pressure generated by a jumbo jet on tarmac from 100 yards away – can cause permanent hearing loss if exposure lasts just minutes; 15 minutes with a 115 dB sound system will damage your hearing. An afternoon’s shooting, even if attenuated to that low a sound pressure level, can still damage hearing permanently.
However, a pistol or rifle suppressed to 130 dB, with further attenuation from hearing protection, will be safer still.
So, to sum up, suppressors don’t “silence” a gun shot by any means. Though they can be effective and definitely reduce the overall noise level, they still generate – in most cases – sufficient noise to damage hearing. Thus, if you get one, make sure you use it with hearing protection as well.
About Sam Hoober
Sam Hoober is a contributing editor at Alien Gear Holsters, as well as for Bigfoot Gun Belts. He also writes weekly columns for Daily Caller and USA Carry.
Funny to see the left embrace a message that is basically “churchy guy says you’re all idiots” if it supports one of their causes.
If “churchy guy says gays are going hell” was the message oh lordy lord they’d be in a tizzy.
Thats 1125 FPS, not MPH.
I Noticed that too.
The speed in MPH is a less impressive 670.
Anything that reduces damage to my ears has to be a good thing. Ive ben playing the drums for over 40 years and always wore hearing protection while playing live. No so much in my 2-3 hours of playing at home daily in my youth.
I also have been shooting since Ive was 10 years old weekly.
I have to say I have NO hearing loss at all. If anything above average hearing.
My reason for wanting a suppressor is for shooting handguns. In an indoor range even with plugs and mufflers. I get the yips sometimes from the idiots next to me firing 44magnums.
My main thing is if the Hearing Act passes. Prices come down and even the idiot with the 44 magnum might just buy a suppressor. I know I know they don’t work on revolvers. Or maybe I should say work well. Even with a gap they would have to do some thing, right??
But it would be nice if all indoor shooters used them.
PS: Thanks for fixing the adding the info at least on my comment box……
Fantastic information for buying a suppressor.
I look forward to the future vids. Especially using a .30 cal suppressor on a .223 rifle.
I agree that the first important step is to get it away from the ATF and treat it like any other gun “furniture.” Then the manufacturers will have plenty of incentive to push the technology forward and offer plenty of options. Personally, I’ll wait until I can holster a gun with a suppressor and use it pretty much the same as I do my current daily carry gun… During a DGU would be the only time I’d really need a suppressor. Ear muffs work fine at the range.
The HPA/HUSH/SHARE acts are more personal for me as I have hearing damage in one ear from a negligent discharge, and since I shoot frequently I do my best to prevent any further hearing loss. Since I shoot indoors about 90% of the time I still wear hearing protection, typically doubled up (plugs and muffs), even with my suppressors. The few times Ive shot my pistols with my Dead Air Ghost 45m in 9mm and 45 with subsonic loads, it was still uncomfortably loud for me, but it was indoors and I’m more sensitive to loud noises now. I will also not shoot my 10.5in Ar15 without my Sandman-S on it! As a hunter as well Id love to be able to take my cans with me so I dont have to wear hearing protection while pushing hedgerows.
Well then, regulate (train) the militia….
“Most concealed-carry permit holders understand the potential pitfalls of traveling with a firearm, given the outrageous patchwork of state laws involved in even a short interstate trip”
I disagree with that. Unless a person has traveled around with their firearm, many have no clue what a mess it is traveling. If a person lives in Idaho and never leaves, or they only travel to Washington, Montana, they have no clue how bad it is going east, especially with the consequences of making a mistake rather serious.
I’ve worked in health care for decades and really hate that they’re asking this shit.
If you lie and it’s proven, they can cancel your insurance coverage :/
Isn’t asking why they want to know another way of saying “yes I do, why do you care?”
“The training ammunition is to be treated as a dangerous item if found and members of the public are urged not pick up or handle the training ammunition.”
The Derp.
It *hurts*. Yes, it does, my precious…
An usher confronted the shooter while inside the church and was violently pistol whipped, Aaron said. During the confrontation with the usher, the gunman shot himself in the left chest, Aaron said. The gunman is in non-critical condition and is under guard at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he said.
After the struggle, the usher exited the sanctuary, got a gun from his vehicle and guarded the shooter until police arrived, Aaron said.
Approximately 50 people were inside the church at the time of the shooting, officials say. All victims, including the shooter, have been taken to the area hospitals.
http://www.wwltv.com/news/nation-world/nashville-police-responding-to-shooting-at-antioch-church/478254815
Just one complaint about the reporting:
Would you people please quit calling murderers “victims”??? If you want to lump the murderer in with the victims, just call them “wounded” or “injured”.
It sounds like the idiot used the slide/barrel for a handle and tried to use his gun as a blunt instrument, but hit the trigger and/or hammer in the process. When the grip is pointing at the victim, the muzzle is pointing at you, Fool.
Out of control snowflakes with badges are targeting all Americans. It is well past time to remove most of the privileges we the citizens have given cops. No more immunity of any kind. A higher level of danger before they are allowed to use force against a citizen. Or we can cut pay and force them to work until age 72 before they touch one penny of pension money.
Why not just go outside and ask the clown what’s the heck is going on?
I mean there are very few killer clowns but how many do you run into a day?
It is obvious if the clown is still standing outside it is not what Hollywood would have you believe.
Dang if Common sense hasn’t left the building these days.