Performance Analysis of Different Firearm Suppressor Structures

Abstract

A powerful soundwave from shooting a firearm can travel great distances harming the shooter as well as anyone or anything standing nearby. To address this a firearm suppressor is used. A suppressor muffles the soundwave to a level that is usually safe for the shooter and its environment. A suppressor usually has 3-4 main parts that highly influence its effectiveness. The study aims to investigate how baffle design and placement selection influences the suppressor's effectiveness. The study consists of 162 different baffle design configurations. Suppressors with 3 to 9 baffles, angled from 30 to 60 degrees are simulated in a CFD environment. Slightly rounded baffles as well as different chamber volumes are tested as well. Suppressors with the best designs were then produced and tested on a firing range. At the firing range, a result of 32,24 dB delta was achieved and was only 4,67 % different than the result presented in the CFD study which was 30,8 dB respectively.  The 9 straight geometry baffle angled at 30 degrees suppressor with an average chamber volume proved to be the most efficient and combined with a large initial chamber was the most efficient design in this study.