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Suppressed AR
A few questions:
1. Just how quiet is a suppressed AR with a 16 in. barrel using M193 type ammo?
2. Is it quiet enough to shoot w/o ear protection?
3. Any opinions on the best / quietest can to use?
A few answers:
1. It's about as quiet as an unsuppressed AR using high quality hearing protection (-35 dB).
2. Yes
3. I shot about half a dozen different cans ranging in price from $600 to $1,400 (plus tax), and I decided on the YHM 7.62 Phantom with QD flash hider because a) I couldn't hear the difference between it and cans costing over twice as much, and b) I can only shoot one gun at a time, so the QD + multi calibre feature really appeals to me -- I shoot it on my AR10 as well.
cue to yhm haters
Originally Posted by gcrookston
A few answers:
1. It's about as quiet as an unsuppressed AR using high quality hearing protection (-35 dB).
2. Yes
3. I shot about half a dozen different cans ranging in price from $600 to $1,400 (plus tax), and I decided on the YHM 7.62 Phantom with QD flash hider because a) I couldn't hear the difference between it and cans costing over twice as much, and b) I can only shoot one gun at a time, so the QD + multi calibre feature really appeals to me -- I shoot it on my AR10 as well.
A few notes:
1. A lot of sound comes back through the action. A suppressed AR-15 will seem louder than a bolt rifle with the same bbl length, ammo, and can.
2. Claims aside, I don't think we've metered a .223 suppressor that had a report of 130 dB or less (mil-spec procedure and meter).
The best reviews I've seen are at www.silencerresearch.com. Using M193, they've gotten a few down to 137db (14.5" M4), using subsonic they report 119 dB (suppressed) or so out of the same rifle. When you consider a hammer strike on an empty chamber of a Ruger 10-22 or Browning Buckmark is over 100dB, that's not too shabby.
I was referring to full power ammunition. 137 dB is not really hearing safe.
For my ears? -no. But there are manly types out there that can shoot a .50bmg without ear protection so it's a bit of a judgement call. My hearing is something I take care of.
I think its funny people arguing with the suppressor manufacturer, because they know more than Zak, lol. I have a couple cans and the 308 subsonic out of a bolt gun is almost movie quiet (Zak's can) but what really surprised me is that it doesn't matter if the bullet is 1fps supersonic or 2000fps over its too loud without plugs. The AR you can shoot a couple without plugs but the ears start ringing pretty quick. The 22 is really the only one that doesn't seem to ever make my ears ring.
I think in many instances it's a case of people having spent the considerable time & money necessary in acquiring a centerfire rifle suppressor and thereafter being unwilling to admit, even to themselves, that in spite of the expense it's still a fairly loud device they are shooting.
Were I to have the ability to turn back the clock, I'd have stopped my NFA stamp collecting after my first two rimfire cans.
actually i think its more personal opinion. you can cite actual noise levels, and people won't try to tell you its a lie. but we are talking about an opinion. does it seem loud to you? what seems loud to you might not sound loud to me, or to your neighbor, or to your friend, etc. its all relative. just because someone is a manufacturer doesn't mean their opinion on what is loud and what is not is more justified. what is SAFE and what is not is a different issue. fact is, many people in the military go through years of battle with no hearing protection and are fine years later. im not saying its recommended, but it happens. shooting now and again with a suppressor and no hearing protection isn't going to blow your ear drums out. i wouldn't do it daily, or even weekly, for 50 years, but short term it isn't going to hurt you. and frankly i can't see how people shoot with them without protection and find it painful or uncomfortable. maybe i listened to music louder as a child i don't know, but i don't think its bad at all. the only time ive ever had it actually hurt was when i was spotting for a friend and my ear was right by the muzzle. last time ill do that.
i don't really know why people get their panties in such a bunch over issues like this.
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