Some say a silencer reduces the sound, while a suppressor eliminates muzzle flash. However, suppressors also reduce some of the sound. Nothing completely silences a gun, so technically, a silencer is an incorrect term, but most people use it.
The simple answer is that both words can be used interchangeably – meaning the terms Silencer and Suppressor refer to the same thing. Hiram Percy Maxim invented the suppressor, referring to it as the ‘Maxim Silencer’ in his patent and marketing materials.
How much do suppressors reduce sound?
Modern-day silencers can reduce the noise by about 14.3-43 decibels, depending on various factors. These include the type of bullet, length of the barrel/silencer, etc. According to tests, the average suppression level is around 30 dB. This is similar to typical ear protection gear used when firing guns.
How Do Gun Suppressors Work?
Firearm suppressors work by slowing the propellant gas release from shooting a bullet, transforming the noise energy into heat. This is accomplished by trapping or directing the noise through specially designed baffles or chambers, similar to a vehicle muffler. The sound is then ultimately transformed into heat in these chambers. You attain this by expanding the cavity and making the chamber larger than the barrel’s diameter. This produces turbulence as the air hurries through the suppressor.
Some of the most advanced suppressors will eliminate some sonic crack. They do this by moving the sound stage to get it out of human range or reflecting it onto itself, canceling it out. This is frequency moving and phase cancellation, respectively. However, neither of these techniques is efficient to date. Stage cancellation is particularly hard because it deals with an extensive range of acoustic waves rather than pure tones. Silencer manufacturers declare to have effective phase cancellation. However, independent scientific evidence doesn’t support this and appears to be more of a marketing tool.
Using A Suppressor for Hunting
There are multiple benefits associated with using firearm suppressors for hunting purposes, including reduced noise pollution, reduced recoil, reduced muzzle flash, reduced hearing damage, and increased accuracy.
The OSHA states the limit for a hearing-safe impulse noise is 140 dB. Most well-engineered .30 caliber suppressors will minimize the noise by 25-30 dB, taking the sound level under 140 dB. Suppressors make shooting more pleasant. We still recommend ear protection because hearing damage is cumulative over time.
There are contending perspectives as to whether a suppressed rifle is more accurate. Some think suppressors improve accuracy by promoting the harmonic stabilization of the barrel and reducing gas-caused instability when the bullet exits the muzzle, permitting more accurate shots and faster follow-up shots. Suppressed rifles considerably increase precision among inexperienced and new shooters because suppressors significantly lower recoil and muzzle flash. When the firearm produces less recoil and less sound, newbie shooters might not form bad habits triggered by flinching and instinctive shot anticipation. A more enjoyable experience encourages the additional range time and target practice needed to train breath control, sight alignment, and trigger capture.