November 28th, 2022
5minute read
Sound suppressors for handguns offer unique benefits as well as comparably unique challenges.
The modern handgun sound suppressor sports about as much technology as the space shuttle.
Pistol Physics
The speed of sound in dry air is about 1,125 feet per second.
Sound suppressors, like this one on the Springfield XD-M Elite Tactical OSP, are a great tool for reducing the negative impacts of noise and recoil.
Anything traveling faster than that magic number is going to make a troublesome sonic crack.
That means standard 9mm is supersonic, while.45 ACP is not.
However, its not quite that simple.
Unlike the image created by Hollywood, sound suppressors are safety devices that help protect your hearing and reduce the likelihood of nuisance noise complaints from your neighbors.
Fortunately, subsonic 9mm rounds are both readily available and relatively inexpensive these days.
Mechanical Practicalities
Autoloading handguns are relatively delicate little machines.
Pistol rounds just dont have a great deal of excess spunk to drive an action.
They’re not just for spies anymore. Inflation has taken the teeth out of the $200 transfer tax, so sound suppressors are now the toys of the Common Man.
An answer to this sticky quandary is the Linear Inertial Decoupler, or Nielsen gadget.
The Nielson equipment is the most inspired human contrivance since the flush toilet.
Different pistons inside the rig will allow the same can to swap between different platforms.
The addition of a sound suppressor like this Gemtech GM45 to the muzzle of a superlative combat handgun like this Springfield Armory XD-M .45 makes the gun quieter and more easily controlled.
Wire-pulling gel works well but is messy.
WD40 is good for a few shots but doesnt last.
This facilitates disassembly and cleaning for a mild reduction in efficiency.
The baffles are removable for cleaning, and the can uses standard GM9 mounts.
The Lunar 9 is full-auto rated and truly hardcore.
The SilencerCo Omega 45K is a sealed suppressor that cannot be disassembled at the user level.
However, I have run a zillion rounds through mine with no degradation in performance.
Im not really sure that sound suppressors much need cleaning.
I still wear earplugs with mine when Im just out having fun.
Go to forum thread
Gemtech
SilencerCo
XD-MElite 4.5" OSPTM Threaded
