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Posted: 5/27/2013 9:08:47 PM EDT
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So I am playing around with the idea of buying a suppressor for my PWS Mk114 (5.56) and I'm looking for input from those who own them.
For use indoors (like a home), how loud would a Gemtech Halo be with supersonic ammo like Hornady TAP (5.56)? Would there be any real benefit here? I may make some custom subsonic handloads for fun, but overall, if I'm not really planning on using subsonic ammo. That said, will the suppressor be worth having as far as enhancing my home defense weapon? Will that supersonic crack counteract any real usefulness I could get from the suppressor? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. As a note: - I have no intention of getting into 300 blk. I'm sticking with 5.56 for a number or reasons that I don't wish to discuss for the purpose of this thread. - My primary application for this suppressor is (potentially) home defense and I don't care about the whole "well the jury may think ____ about having a suppressor on my home defense weapon or you should use a shotgun because _____." I'm not looking to discuss this. |
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It's worth getting one, I think.
Firing a full-power 5.56mm indoors is LOUD! If you are using it for personal protection indoors without hearing protection, you may permanently damage your hearing. From a noise question there is no question that it is worth it. However, there are some draw-backs to consider. A suppressor adds length to a weapon. So if you already have a long weapon, it can become more unwieldy. Closely related to length is weight. Suppressors add weight to the end of the barrel. This too can make the rifle unwieldy. Best to train with it in that configuration to see if it will work for you. Then there is the potential legal issues if you ever shoot someone with a suppressed rifle. It may all be legal, but you will be painted as some evil person/assassin. All judgement calls that you need to make before stepping forward. For what its's worth, I think it's worth all the potential down sides. |
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There's loud and then there's LOUD.
Unsuppressed 5.56 out of a SBR indoors is going to instantly, permanently damage your hearing. 170 dB or more. (Some people will spout off about how adrenaline protects your hearing in the stress of the moment; this is absolute BS. You may not "feel" the pain of your hearing getting destroyed at the time, but there's no magic or "inner ear bone muscle tension" voodoo to stop the shock wave from tearing through your cochlea.) Suppressed, you may get down to the low 140s, still kind of loud and not technically hearing safe, but far less damaging. I would absolutely suppress a 5.56 HD weapon, or any HD weapon for that matter. I do. |
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Quoted: So I am playing around with the idea of buying a suppressor for my PWS Mk114 (5.56) and I'm looking for input from those who own them. For use indoors (like a home), how loud would a Gemtech Halo be with supersonic ammo like Hornady TAP (5.56)? Would there be any real benefit here? I may make some custom subsonic handloads for fun, but overall, if I'm not really planning on using subsonic ammo. That said, will the suppressor be worth having as far as enhancing my home defense weapon? Will that supersonic crack counteract any real usefulness I could get from the suppressor? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. As a note: - I have no intention of getting into 300 blk. I'm sticking with 5.56 for a number or reasons that I don't wish to discuss for the purpose of this thread. - My primary application for this suppressor is (potentially) home defense and I don't care about the whole "well the jury may think ____ about having a suppressor on my home defense weapon or you should use a shotgun because _____." I'm not looking to discuss this. I think absolutely it would help with HD - I can't imagine shooting an AR indoors with no hearing protection. It may sting a bit with the can indoors, but you won't have the ear ringing concussion. I'd definitely try to hear one before you get one. |
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Quoted:
There's loud and then there's LOUD. Unsuppressed 5.56 out of a SBR indoors is going to instantly, permanently damage your hearing. 170 dB or more. (Some people will spout off about how adrenaline protects your hearing in the stress of the moment; this is absolute BS. You may not "feel" the pain of your hearing getting destroyed at the time, but there's no magic or "inner ear bone muscle tension" voodoo to stop the shock wave from tearing through your cochlea.) Suppressed, you may get down to the low 140s, still kind of loud and not technically hearing safe, but far less damaging. I would absolutely suppress a 5.56 HD weapon, or any HD weapon for that matter. I do. I agree with all of this. If your weapon of choice for HD is an SBR, I would without a doubt use one with a can on it. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
There's loud and then there's LOUD. Unsuppressed 5.56 out of a SBR indoors is going to instantly, permanently damage your hearing. 170 dB or more. (Some people will spout off about how adrenaline protects your hearing in the stress of the moment; this is absolute BS. You may not "feel" the pain of your hearing getting destroyed at the time, but there's no magic or "inner ear bone muscle tension" voodoo to stop the shock wave from tearing through your cochlea.) Suppressed, you may get down to the low 140s, still kind of loud and not technically hearing safe, but far less damaging. I would absolutely suppress a 5.56 HD weapon, or any HD weapon for that matter. I do. I agree with all of this. If your weapon of choice for HD is an SBR, I would without a doubt use one with a can on it. X2 Was shooting my new Savage Model 11 that is .223 with my thread on can with a buddy of mine. His father in law walked up and said I got screwed that silencer doesn't silent jack squat. I took the can off, put my ears in and fired one shot unsuppressed. He said nevermind and walked off. It's not going to be Hollywood quiet by no means, but it will be arguably hearing safe which is what I wanted. |
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It's definitely worth suppressing, especially indoors. Just a few shots in an enclosed space can seriously damage your hearing, and cutting out most of the muzzle blast will reduce the potential damage significantly.
You may also find that in an HD situation, the sonic crack isn't as bad as you would expect. In my experience, with short range shots (10-15 yards) and super sonic ammo, the crack is nowhere near as loud, since the round is traveling such a short distance and the sound wave doesn't "build" any. I don't know the technical reason for this, but if you shoot a suppressed 5.56 round into a berm from 10 yards away, you'll notice a lot less crack than shooting at 10 yards with the same round. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
There's loud and then there's LOUD. Unsuppressed 5.56 out of a SBR indoors is going to instantly, permanently damage your hearing. 170 dB or more. (Some people will spout off about how adrenaline protects your hearing in the stress of the moment; this is absolute BS. You may not "feel" the pain of your hearing getting destroyed at the time, but there's no magic or "inner ear bone muscle tension" voodoo to stop the shock wave from tearing through your cochlea.) Suppressed, you may get down to the low 140s, still kind of loud and not technically hearing safe, but far less damaging. I would absolutely suppress a 5.56 HD weapon, or any HD weapon for that matter. I do. I agree with all of this. If your weapon of choice for HD is an SBR, I would without a doubt use one with a can on it. X2 Was shooting my new Savage Model 11 that is .223 with my thread on can with a buddy of mine. His father in law walked up and said I got screwed that silencer doesn't silent jack squat. I took the can off, put my ears in and fired one shot unsuppressed. He said nevermind and walked off. It's not going to be Hollywood quiet by no means, but it will be arguably hearing safe which is what I wanted. EJ Owens talking about using a suppressor for home defense and a little shooting mixed in . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHSB4HVCg88 |
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I've got a Halo and like all other 5.56 suppressors it is LOUD. It is much more quiet than shooting without a can but it will ring your ears while shooting outside without hearing protection. I wouldn't want to even attempt inside without hearing protection.
Also, 5.56 cans are HEAVY. Imagine putting a brick at the end of your barrel and you will get the idea. It drastically reduces transition times from target to target. There is a reason you will not see any serious 3 gun competitors with a can on their rifle. (they all have very effective comps such as the SJC Titan). For fun, the Halo is awesome. For home defense probably not so much. Also, if you were ever unfortunate enough to actually have to use your AR15 as a home defense weapon you will for surely, without a doubt be painted as a "Rambo". While it may be legal it will not help your case one bit. And if it for some reason made the major news you would be done, just like Zimmerman. Just my .02 |
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Quoted:
I've got a Halo and like all other 5.56 suppressors it is LOUD. It is much more quiet than shooting without a can but it will ring your ears while shooting outside without hearing protection. I wouldn't want to even attempt inside without hearing protection. Also, 5.56 cans are HEAVY. Imagine putting a brick at the end of your barrel and you will get the idea. It drastically reduces transition times from target to target. There is a reason you will not see any serious 3 gun competitors with a can on their rifle. (they all have very effective comps such as the SJC Titan). For fun, the Halo is awesome. For home defense probably not so much. Also, if you were ever unfortunate enough to actually have to use your AR15 as a home defense weapon you will for surely, without a doubt be painted as a "Rambo". While it may be legal it will not help your case one bit. And if it for some reason made the major news you would be done, just like Zimmerman. Just my .02 I have an "el cheapo" HTG Aris .223 Thread on can and from my dad who is 68yo to a 9yo have NEVER complained of their ears ringing after an extended range session. I believe these cans reduce decibles to sub 140 which is hearing safe. Granted in an enclosed environment I can only imagine how much louder it would be, but I would rather engage a target suppressed than unsuppressed if that unfortuante situation ever happened. |
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Quoted:
I've got a Halo and like all other 5.56 suppressors it is LOUD. It is much more quiet than shooting without a can but it will ring your ears while shooting outside without hearing protection. I wouldn't want to even attempt inside without hearing protection. Also, 5.56 cans are HEAVY. Imagine putting a brick at the end of your barrel and you will get the idea. It drastically reduces transition times from target to target. There is a reason you will not see any serious 3 gun competitors with a can on their rifle. (they all have very effective comps such as the SJC Titan). For fun, the Halo is awesome. For home defense probably not so much. Also, if you were ever unfortunate enough to actually have to use your AR15 as a home defense weapon you will for surely, without a doubt be painted as a "Rambo". While it may be legal it will not help your case one bit. And if it for some reason made the major news you would be done, just like Zimmerman. Just my .02 Um....no. And for Zimmerman...well...he's doing it wrong. CMS |
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