AFTE Store - A Study of Gunshot Sounds Measurements: The Variation of the Sound Amplitudes Under Close to Real Conditions

An experiment was conducted in an open, outdoor shooting range regarding the recording of the sound of gunshots. Shots were fired using various types of firearms (seven pistols, five revolvers, two submachine guns, one rifle, and one shotgun) in different calibers, from selected distances relative to the recording devices. Both a conventional sound level meter (SLM) and a measurement microphone were used. These were placed at selected points behind the shooting position, and the sound of each shot was recorded. At the same time, the signal received by the microphone was transferred to a computer connected through an appropriate audio interface with a pre-amplifier. The peak amplitude of the gunshot was calculated in the accepted engineering units (Decibels or dB) of Sound Pressure Level (SPL). The shortest distance for the recordings was 31.5 ft and the furthest one was 126 ft. The experiment was carried out by using the following calibers: .22LR, 6.35mm (.25 Automatic), 7.62mm TOKAREV (7.62X25mm), 7.65mm (.32 Automatic), 9 mm PARABELLUM (9X19mm), 9mm Short (.380 Automatic), 9 mm Makarov 9X18mm), .45 AUTO, .32 S&W, .38 S&W, .38 SPECIAL, .357 Magnum, 7.62 mm Kalashnikov (7.62X39mm) and a 12-ga. shotgun. The results were tabulated for a total of 168 gunshots (158 single shots & 10 full-automatic bursts).