AFTE Store - The Construction and Relative Efficiency of a Homemade Sound Suppressor vs. a Commercial Model

A select fire SWD M11/9mm submachine pistol was fired in three modes; unsuppressed, suppressed with a commercially manufactured sound suppresser and suppressed with a homemade model. For each shot fired the sound reduction, velocity of the projectile and relative accuracy were measured. Identical experiments were carried out using subsonic and supersonic ammunition to illustrate the aspects of sound due to the bullet travelling a speeds greater than 1125ft/s (343m/s). The purpose was to determine not only what effect each silencer had on the attributes of discharge but also to determine if there is a marked difference as a result of using a professional suppresser as opposed to more crude model. The professional suppresser used was a Jonathon Arthur Ciener Inc. model SM10/9mm-47. A major part of the project included the construction of a silencer for use in the study. The home made silencer was constructed in the lab for the expressed purpose of the study herein. Common hardware items were used and lightly machined to fit specifications. Aluminum tubing, metal washers and rubber baffles were the primary components involved. No specific relationship between sound and velocity could be found. The home made silencer reduced sound more efficiently, however, the Ciener was more accurate and managed to cut noise while increasing velocity. The homemade suppresser slowed the supersonic shots to speeds below that of sound.