SSS.6.72 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 2 - Surefire vs. CGS (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.72 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 2 - Surefire vs. CGS (Article Preview)

Two silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The two silencers were selected for their similar average sound suppression performance at the shooter’s ear on the standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system. Both silencers induce similar hearing damage risk to the shooter on this weapon platform, on average.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews, and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between three silencer configurations exhibiting differing sound suppression performance on the MK18 weapon system. Both the FRP and average sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.66 - CGS Helios QD and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.66 - CGS Helios QD and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The CGS Helios QD is a full-size machine gun silencer when compared to the size of typical 5.56mm rifle silencers. However, the bore tapers from 0.36-in to 0.375-in at the exit, allowing safe use with 30 caliber projectiles and potential use with even larger projectiles. In addition to the 3D-printed Inconel version of the silencer, a 3D-printed titanium version is available that significantly reduces the system weight.

In this review, the Helios QD performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Helios QD perform, with its solid or vented end cap, on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.65 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 1 - Surefire vs. OSS (Article Preview)

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SSS.6.65 - Research Supplement: Taming the MK18, Part 1 - Surefire vs. OSS (Article Preview)

Two silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics. The two silencers were selected for their relatively high sound suppression performance; silencers exhibiting a relatively high PEW Science Suppression Rating on the standard MK18.

This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews, and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between three silencer configurations exhibiting high sound suppression performance on the MK18 weapon system. Both the FRP and average sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research.

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SSS.6.64 - HUXWRX HX-QD 556k and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.64 - HUXWRX HX-QD 556k and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The HUXWRX HX-QD 556k is a compact 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits class-leading back pressure reduction with a notable balance of sound signature suppression performance that is competitive with many silencers on the market. It should be noted that the HUXWRX / OSS design requires gas path length to achieve efficacy. As a result, this “k” silencer is similar in overall length to some full-size dedicated 5.56mm rifle silencers on the market.

In this review, the HX-QD 556k performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the HX-QD 556 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.61 - Q Trash Panda and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.61 - Q Trash Panda and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Q Trash Panda is a relatively compact and lightweight 30 caliber silencer that is most efficient when used to suppress intermediate rifle cartridges exhibiting lower combustion pressure and duration. Relative to dedicated 5.56mm bore silencers, it may be considered “full size.” The silencer is intended to be mounted to the host weapon using the Cherry Bomb muzzle brake.

In this review, the Trash Panda performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Trash Panda perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.60 - KGM R556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.60 - KGM R556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The KGM R556 is a full-size 5.56 mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that possesses competitive sound signature suppression performance for a silencer with reduced back pressure. Users should note that full-size 5.56mm rifle silencers are often smaller than their full-size 7.62mm (.30) counterparts.

In this review, the R556 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the R556 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.58 - Rugged Razor and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.58 - Rugged Razor and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Rugged Razor is a “semi-compact” 30 caliber machine gun rated rifle silencer that possesses moderate sound signature suppression performance with relatively low back pressure. Relative to dedicated 5.56mm bore silencers, it may be considered “full size.” The silencer is advertised to have extreme durability and has a reasonable weight for extreme duty-use silencers of its size, at a total system weight of 18.6 ounces as tested.

In this review, the Razor performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Razor perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.54 - OSS HX-QD 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.54 - OSS HX-QD 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The OSS HX-QD 556 is a full-size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits class-leading back pressure reduction with a notable balance of sound signature suppression performance that is competitive with many silencers on the market. The HX-QD 556 is also offered in a titanium version which reduces the weight of the system by 4.4 ounces. Users should note that full-size 5.56mm rifle silencers are often smaller than their full-size 7.62mm (.30) counterparts.

In this review, the HX-QD 556 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the HX-QD 556 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.53 - SilencerCo Saker 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.53 - SilencerCo Saker 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The SilencerCo Saker 556 is a full-size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that possesses competitive sound signature suppression performance with many silencers on the market, while possessing significant flow restriction (back pressure) compared to some designs. Users should note that full-size 5.56mm rifle silencers are often smaller than their full-size 7.62mm (.30) counterparts.

In this review, the Saker 556 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the Saker 556 perform on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.52 - Surefire SOCOM556-RC2 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

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SSS.6.52 - Surefire SOCOM556-RC2 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)

The Surefire SOCOM556-RC2 is a full-size 5.56mm machine gun rated rifle silencer that possesses competitive sound signature suppression performance with many silencers on the market, while possessing reduced back pressure compared to some designs. Users should note that full-size 5.56mm rifle silencers are often smaller than their full-size 7.62mm (.30) counterparts.

In this review, the SOCOM556-RC2 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. How would the SOCOM556-RC2 perform, with a WARCOMP or Flash Hider mount, on your AR15 short barrel rifle?

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SSS.6.51- Research Supplement: Unsuppressed Rifles; the 10.3-in MK18 as a Silencer Test Host (Public Article)

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SSS.6.51- Research Supplement: Unsuppressed Rifles; the 10.3-in MK18 as a Silencer Test Host (Public Article)

Bolt-action weapons allow for the elimination of variables to study pure sound signature suppression phenomena. PEW Science is continuing bolt-action weapon testing, analysis, and research. The purpose of this Public Research Supplement is to present a first-look at muzzle blast phenomenology for a new addition to the published host weapon systems in the Standard; the short-barrel automatic rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO.

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