How Suppressors Work: A Closer Look

Introduction

Firearm suppressors, often colloquially referred to as "silencers," have captivated the imagination of both gun enthusiasts and Hollywood for decades. These devices are designed to reduce the noise generated when a firearm is discharged, making shooting quieter and less disruptive. Contrary to their portrayal in movies, suppressors do not eliminate the sound entirely, but they do significantly muffle it. In this article, we will explore how firearm suppressors work and the science behind their operation. At High Caliber Guns and Optics in Florence, SC we can help you add some quiet to your game with a Q LLC Suppressor.

The Basics of Sound

Before delving into suppressor mechanics, it's crucial to understand how sound is produced when a firearm is discharged. When a gun is fired, several components contribute to the noise:

1. The Supersonic Crack: The bullet travels at supersonic speeds, creating a shockwave and a distinctive crack as it breaks the sound barrier.

2. The Action Noise: The cycling of the gun's action, such as the slide on a semi-automatic pistol or the bolt on a rifle, generates noise as well.

3. The Gases: The expanding gases from the ignited gunpowder and the bullet leaving the barrel produce a significant portion of the sound.

Suppressor Components

Firearm suppressors consist of several essential components that work together to reduce the noise generated during the firing process:

1. Outer Tube: The suppressor is typically cylindrical, with an outer tube that encases the other components. This tube is made of materials like aluminum or stainless steel and provides structural support.

2. Expansion Chamber: Inside the suppressor, an expansion chamber allows high-pressure gases to expand and cool. This reduces the velocity of the escaping gases, which is a primary source of firearm noise.

3. Baffles: The expansion chamber contains a series of baffles or partitions. These baffles redirect and slow down the gases, causing turbulence and further reducing their velocity. This process helps in minimizing the sound produced by the escaping gases.

4. End Cap: The suppressor has an end cap that seals one end of the expansion chamber. This helps control the direction of the expanding gases and keeps them within the suppressor.

5. Blast Baffle: The first baffle, known as the blast baffle, plays a crucial role in reducing the noise generated when the bullet exits the barrel. It is often designed to withstand the high-pressure blast.

Suppressor Operation

When a firearm equipped with a suppressor is fired, the operation is as follows:

1. Ignition: As the trigger is pulled, the gunpowder inside the cartridge ignites, propelling the bullet down the barrel.

2. Bullet Movement: The bullet travels through the barrel, generating a minimal amount of noise as it passes through the rifling (grooves inside the barrel) and exits.

3. Gas Expansion: After the bullet leaves the barrel, high-pressure gases are expelled behind it. These gases enter the suppressor's expansion chamber.

4. Baffle Interaction: Inside the expansion chamber, the baffles redirect and slow down the gases, creating turbulence. This turbulence reduces the velocity of the gases and lowers their pressure.

5. Suppressed Sound: The reduced gas velocity results in a quieter and less disruptive release of gases from the suppressor's muzzle, decreasing the overall noise generated by the firearm.

Limitations of Suppressors

While suppressors are highly effective at reducing the noise produced by firearms, it's essential to understand their limitations:

1. Supersonic Crack: Suppressors can't eliminate the supersonic crack created when a bullet breaks the sound barrier. This crack remains one of the loudest components of a gunshot.

2. Action Noise: Suppressors do little to mitigate the noise generated by the gun's action, such as the cycling of the slide or bolt.

3. Caliber Differences: Suppressors are typically designed for specific firearm calibers. Using a suppressor on a firearm with a different caliber can reduce its effectiveness.

Conclusion

Firearm suppressors are ingenious devices designed to make shooting quieter and less disruptive. By redirecting and slowing down the high-pressure gases generated during a shot, they significantly reduce the noise produced by firearms. However, they do not eliminate all sources of noise, such as the supersonic crack of a bullet. Understanding how suppressors work and their limitations is essential for responsible and safe firearm use.

Kevin Brittingham: Revolutionizing Firearm and Suppressor Design

In the world of firearms and silencers, one name stands out as a true innovator and game-changer: Kevin Brittingham. Known for his pioneering work in the firearms industry, Brittingham has played a significant role in the development of cutting-edge firearm technologies and accessories. His relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to pushing boundaries have earned him a well-deserved reputation as a visionary in the field. As one can see...we at High Caliber Guns and Optics love any and everything Q and, thus by proxy, Kevin Brittingham.

Kevin Brittingham's first notable contribution to the firearms world came through his founding of Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) in 1994. AAC quickly gained recognition as a leader in the design and manufacture of suppressors, commonly known as silencers. Brittingham's vision was to revolutionize firearm sound suppression technology, making it more accessible and efficient for both military and civilian use. We think he has succeeded with Q LLC yet can't wait for the future because we know he's raising the bar.

Under Brittingham's leadership, AAC developed a range of innovative suppressor designs that set new industry standards. His dedication to research and development led to groundbreaking advancements in suppressor technology, resulting in quieter, more efficient, and durable suppressors. These innovations helped AAC establish itself as a dominant force in the suppressor market.

We are just going to skip over the whole Remington fiasco. This is old hat. The story can be found all over the web. Suffice it to say that it was quite refreshing to see a large company try to screw someone over and end up getting screwed themselves in court. Kudos to Kevin Cheers, mate!!!

Beyond suppressors, Kevin Brittingham has been involved in several other groundbreaking projects related to firearm design. One of his notable contributions is the development of the Honey Badger firearm platform. This compact and lightweight weapon system, initially chambered in .300 AAC Blackout, gained popularity for its versatility and effectiveness in close-quarters combat. The Honey Badger has been adopted by various military and law enforcement agencies and is highly regarded by firearms enthusiasts. The Honey Badger is one of the most prized weapons in the video game "Call of Duty." And that's just really, really cool.

Brittingham has also played a significant role in pushing the boundaries of traditional firearm design. His creative approach to firearms has led to the development of unconventional yet highly effective weapon systems, earning him a reputation as a forward-thinking firearms designer. Just check out the Fix by Q. 'Nuff said?

Kevin Brittingham's influence extends beyond his role as an innovator and entrepreneur. He has actively worked to promote the responsible use of firearms and to advance the understanding of suppressors and their benefits. His advocacy for the Hearing Protection Act, which seeks to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act's (NFA) regulatory restrictions, underscores his commitment to making suppressors more accessible and widely used for hearing protection.

Brittingham's influence can also be seen in the broader firearms industry, where his work has inspired other designers and companies to explore new technologies and rethink conventional firearm designs. His willingness to challenge the status quo and drive innovation has had a ripple effect throughout the industry, leading to improved products and experiences for firearm enthusiasts. He demands nothing short of making the best even better.

Kevin Brittingham's contributions to the firearms industry have left an indelible mark on both the technology and culture surrounding firearms. His relentless pursuit of innovation, commitment to excellence, and dedication to improving firearm safety and accessibility have made him a respected figure in the field. As a visionary entrepreneur and designer, Brittingham's work continues to shape the future of firearms, leaving a legacy that will be felt for generations to come. Q is just the tip of the iceberg that is to come.

 

8.6 Blackout...The New Kid in Town

 

We are constantly in awe of Kevin Brittingham and his wonderful ideas. You can thank him for the 300 Blackout. Be prepared to thank him again for then 8.6 Blackout...300 Blackout's big brother with an attitude. We'll focus on the 8.6 Blackout round in this post and maybe our next post will be about Kevin.

Q LLC is Kevin's brainchild and they never cease to amaze. Go to their website and see for yourself. But, alas, we veer off subject because each firearm and suppressor that Q manufactures is worthy of its own post...trust me, we'll get to them.

Straight from Wikipedia: 

8.6mm Blackout (8.6×43 mm), also sometimes referred to as 8.6 BLK,^[1] is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed by the firearms manufacturer Q, LLC.^[3] It utilizes a shortened case from the 6.5mm Creedmoor necked up to an 8.6 mm caliber (8.585 mm or 0.338 in diameter) projectile and designed for use in bolt action rifles or as a caliber conversion for AR10 and AR-308 rifles. The 8.6 Blackout has been designed for barrels using a 76 mm or 102 mm (1:3 in or 1:4 in) twist rate and bullet weights between 10.4–14.6 g (160–225 gr) for supersonic loads and 18.5–22.7 g (285–350 gr) for subsonic loads.^[4]

^{In layman's terms it's a .338 bullet in a 6.5 Creedmoor case. Yup. Wow. Typically, it's shot through a barrel with a 1:3 twist ratio. Again...another "Wow." That much twist makes supersonic ammo incredibly hard to manufacture so that it doesn't disintegrate mid flight. Maker's Bullets and Gorilla Ammunition are the only two makers that have rounds that can endure such a violent twist ratio in supersonic loads. Both companies also have the best subsonic bullets as well. Here's a video of ballistic gel tests by Gorilla and another by Maker's. 'Nuff said?}

^{The 8.6 is definitely not a precision round and it wasn't ever designed to be. It was designed to kill whatever it hits. And, big game test hunts worldwide leave no doubt to its power. The subsonic 8.6 has more energy transfer on impact at 300 meters than a .308 supersonic...all thanks to that 1:3 twist rate. Check out this short video. Shall we say, "Wow." Again, it's amazing round. Silencer Shop has a great blog post about it...just in case you'd like a bit more in-depth information.}

^{The rumor mill is certainly abuzz with whispers of semi-automatic platforms and various builds industry wide. It's certainly a round that's getting ready to...pardon the pun, but it's getting ready to explode. At High Caliber Guns and Optics in Florence, SC we are ready for it.}

So What About Those Q Suppressors?

 

It doesn't get much better than Q. Their entire arsenal of suppressors is quite impressive. What can we say? Other than we simply love everything and anything Q. The Q Erector series is manufactured from titanium and the internal piston is stainless steel which will case harden with use. The Erector 22 is one of the absolute most versatile small caliber suppressors on the market.

 The other Q entry in the 22 game is the Q El Camino...a full auto rated little powerhouse. Did we say 22? Well...it can handle full auto up to 5.7x28. Crazy good. Crazy quiet. Plus, the stainless-steel baffles form a sealed stack, which helps protect the titanium tube from dirty .22 ammo and makes cleaning truly a breeze. Additionally, the El Camino is known for its easy maintenance and user-serviceability. As a bonus, it's just bad to the bone to look at!!!

 

Then there's the flagships of the Q line and that's the Trash Panda and the Thunder Chicken. The Trash Panda is 1" shorter than the Thunder Chicken. However, both are 7.62 or .30 caliber full auto rated suppression behemoths. These suppressors use the Q Cherry Bomb quick connect system and that makes moving them from rifle to rifle just about as easy as it comes. The Cherry Bomb is a proprietary muzzle piece designed to thrust gas sideways in the main chamber of the Thunder Chicken or Trash Panda. It's certainly an intelligent approach to a muzzle connector for a silencer. Both are all Titanium builds and are completely maintenance free. Hearing is believing...

 

 

The Q Line also includes  a couple of other suppressors. The Porq Chop (8.6 Blackout) and Jumbo Shrimp (6.5 Creedmoor).8.6 Blackout, you say?!? But that's another post altogether...maybe tomorrow...who knows?

The Four Rules of Gun Safety...Plus Some...

 

We don't talk about firearm safety nearly enough. Oftentimes, when we discuss firearms the topic is often about specific guns, ammunition, accessories...or, God forbid, politics. But, rarely is firearm safety the topic of discussion and, if so, the conversation isn't very long. Sure, we'll touch on it but what we really need to do is drive the topic home...and do it often.

Sure, talking about specific firearms is great. But, when seasoned gun people talk that's par for the course. What about when these seasoned gun folk talk about firearms with those with little or no experience? Safety should absolutely be the most important topic on the table but, alas, it rarely gets more than a passing mention. As Second Amendment supporters we have a responsibility to be safe and to educate others about firearm safety at every opportunity.

 So, please, take the time when you meet someone new to the shooting game to talk about the single most important topic with regards to firearms. And, safety is that very topic. 

 Besides the four basic rules there's also maintenance and storage. Proper maintenance and storage are part of overall firearm safety. Firearms must be kept clean and in proper working order. But, they must also be stored safely as well. Proper storage means that they are kept out of the reach of children and, unfortunately, thieves. Proper storage in locked, hidden safes can prevent firearms getting into the hands of those who have no business handling a gun. Children are a no-brainer. Kids should never have unfettered access to anything dangerous...guns included. But, as responsible gun owners, we cannot bury our collective heads in the sand when it comes to thievery. We live in a crime riddle society where thieves can strike at any moment. Thus, leaving firearms in a place where anyone can steal them is not an option with responsible ownership. Places like a car's glove box or trunk only invite thievery. In every major city every single night, guns are stolen from trunks and glove boxes that would not have ended up in criminals' hands if they would have been stored properly.

So, do your part. Educate others on the importance of gun safety and storage. It's probably the most important conversation about guns that you will ever have. So, make safety a part of your everyday gun talk. Who knows? Maybe a life will be saved...couldn't hurt. 

We Love Everything Q!!! Live Q or Die!!!

 We at High Caliber Guns and Optics in Florence, South Carolina love everything about Q. Just what is this "Q" we speak of? The origin of firearms began with gunpowder...let's not go that far back.

Let's just copy from EverybodyWiki

Q, LLC is an American firearms manufacturer located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire owned by Kevin Brittingham^[1] which produces rifles, stocks and silencers. Brittingham was the founder of Advanced Armament Corporation responsible for the creation of 300 AAC Blackout as well as the honey badger PDW. A notable product is their innovative bolt-action rifle called "FIX", which has a lightweight bolt carrier slide, has been designed with a large degree of user adjustability, and with a 45 degree bolt lift.^[2][3] In 2017 the FIX rifle was ranked as the "innovation of the year" by the firearms website Truth About Guns.^[4] The FIX rifle model is chambered for .308-length cartridges such as .308 Winchester and 6.5 mm Creedmoor. The Mini FIX model is chambered for .223-length cartridges such as the .223 Remington, .300 Blackout, and .224 Valkyrie..^[5] Q has also developed the cartridge 8.6 mm Blackout as well as various models of suppressors.^[6][7][8]

 ^{I suppose that's the dry overview of Q but it can't really capture the magic that is in every single Q product. They are the Cadillac of the firearms industry. While every other major manufacturer is trying to cut costs and seems to be complacent with the inferior aspects of their weapons...you will find no such attitude from Q. It's quality or nothing. Just see for yourself. Go check out their website. You'll either be buying a Q or wishing you could!!!}

 

^{Come check us out at High Caliber Guns and Optics and on Facebook.}