rifle suppressor
What exactaly does a suppressor do?
And are they legal in Oregon?
And are they legal in Oregon?
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Suppressors typically work by slowing the escape of gases when a weapon is fired. They may also bleed off enough gas from a HV round to slow the projectile to a level which will reduce its ballistic signature. Anything that exceeds the speed of sound is going to make a "crack", be it a bullet or a bull whip. Moving below the speed of sound means less noise.
That is a very short overview on a complex subject.
Suppressors are legal to own in Oregon when legally registered. Here are the details in obtaining and registering National Firearms Act weapons:
http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=365687
If you are mechanically inclined, it is legal to build your own suppressor; just be sure to follow the registration process to the LETTER.0 -
At one time I was considering building a "sound box" that would sit on the firing line bench and the muzzle would enter in one side with an opening through to the other side. the box was to be lined with acoustic filler so as to absorb the muzzle blast and "firing line noise". Since it was intended for high velocity rifles there would still have been the snap of the bullet traveling downrange, but the noise on the line, particularly for those using muzzle breaks would have been reduced. I was told that such a device was considered a "silence" and subject to federal regulation- even though it never actually touched a firearm. Oh well, so much for good intentions by politicians.[:(] 0 -
Mark, has nailed it. Slowing the speed of the escaping gas, takes away, and/or reduces the noise of combustion, pretty much like a muffler on a vehicles internal combustion engine.
The only thing left to substantial quantity, is the speed of the projectile, breaking the sound barrier. The shooter, themselves, have a hard time hearing the crack of that happening, but a body down range, can hear it when the projectile goes by...much like a fighter jet going by, while kicking in the afterburners.
By slowing the projectile down to under 1080 FPS, thus eliminating the breaking the sound barrier, or speed of sound, which varies slightly with ambient, atmospheric conditions, you eliminate most all sound, except for the hammer falling, or action cycling.
Most rounds that can be loaded to subsonic level are pistol rounds like 32 ACP, 380, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 38 special, 357, 44 magnum, 22 LR. However some rifle rounds can be dressed to do so, and a popular one that stands out, is the 300 Whisper/Blackout. It was originally designed as a military experiment by J.D. Jones, with a whole series of cartridges from 6.5mm-50 caliber, called, the Whisper series. They used fast twist barrels to stabilize heavy for caliber projectiles, with the parent case sized to where its capacity was just enough to get to around 1040 FPS. The 300 Whisper, was also able, with the right load, to cycle the action on AR-15/M-16 type rifles, when used in conjunction with a sound suppressor.
As Mark, has also stated, it is a very complex matter, with a lot of avenues to explore. Like all things, in order to work properly, they must be maintained, and usually preventative maintenance works best, for longevity.
Regards0 -
Thank you Guys for the helpfull information, this tells me not to bid on a rifle marked "suppressor ready" I.E threaded barrel, just to have more hoops to jump through.
I suppose one could cut off the threaded barrel end and re-crown, but with gun smith fees I would be at or above retail.
Again, thanks for the help.0 -
"suppressor ready" is perfectly legal as long as no suppresor is attached. a non-attached suppresor, like Rayb mentioned, is also legal. 0 -
There is no current federal law against a threaded barrel. "Suppressor ready" is just advertising. You could just as easily screw on a muzzle brake or barrel tuner. Or leave it alone if you otherwise liked the gun.
I think Ray B was told wrong, a baffle box not attached to the firearm does not meet the definition of a silencer.
Trivia tidbit: The baffle type firearms silencer was invented by Percy Maxim, son of Hiram Maxim, the machine gun designer. The Maxim Silencer Co. is still in business making industrial silencers and heavy equipment mufflers, but not firearms silencers.0 -
FWIW, the PUBLIC rifle range, owned by the Va. Dept of Game & Inland Fisheries in Amelia VA has all firing points thru a 3' concrete pipe about 6 feet long, with a tire pressed in to the outer end. Purpose was to control and direct noise of firing. Rifle is inserted into one end. Not connected to the rifle.
NOT a suppressor.0 -
They make thread protectors to screw right on the end of the barrel. 0 -
Clarification: Upon further contact with the sheriff's office I learned that my previous information was the result of a "Prosecuting Attorney Interpretation". the law says suppressors are illegal whether attached to the gun or not. Now a reasonable person would interpret that to mean the object to be a suppressor designed to be attached to the gun, whether it is actually attached or not. What the prosecutor interpreted it to be was anything designed to suppress the sounds from shooting the gun, whether it was attached to the gun or not. It appears the intent of the law makers was to make illegal devices that would attach to a gun to suppress the sounds from firing the gun, adding the unattached part to prevent someone from having a suppressor legally by just keeping it separate from the gun until actually put into use. This intent was twisted by the PA so as to include anything that suppressed the sound of guns whether it was attached to the gun in actual use- such as sound boxes. Presently that PA is no longer in office, but some of the more liberal sheriffs and PAs in the state continue to harass people with the ruling- so you may want to check locally on how they see things. 0 -
Hmmm, sounds like the painful elaboration of the obvious. I think I would look elsewhere for legal advice on guns or suppressors.
My only concern would be: Was the rifle you are considering threaded by the factory, or someone else? If not done by the factory, I would pass on it.
Neal0
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