Do Silencers Lose Their Light

teenagegunwacho · 02-11-2008, 08:09 PM

Do silencers eventually stop working after a long time?
Just wondering.

texnmidwest · 02-11-2008, 08:29 PM

Hmmm, Good question. Not sure why they would. I used to make 22 silencers out of baby bottle nipples and a hose clamp. After a few hundred rounds of 22 shorts the nipple would be so shredded that it wouldn't work. Also did that with empty plastic milk bottles but could not see the sights. Same thing.

A metal silencer with baffles should not wear out over time. However, I am not a gunsmith nor do I have much experience with silenced firearms so maybe someone who does will chime in.

rondog · 02-12-2008, 12:23 AM

No experience with them either, but I've heard of some of them needing to be "wet", or something like that. Something that's always intrigued me, yet I still know nothing about.

GlockMeister · 02-12-2008, 12:44 AM

You know, that's a good question. My opinion, like everything else, nothing lasts forever. lol
But as rondog mentioned, some silencers are wet, or require liquid in them or have liquid in them to work. When that liquid gets dirty, because what normally comes out of the muzzle, still does, it now passes through the silencer first. So you'd think if you can't drain or change that liquid, over time and usage, it wouldn't work properly or as good over. But if you can drain it and refill it, I suppose it might last until, who knows when?

I tried to look it up, but only found books you have to buy. I can suggest you maybe contact this place, and ask them? Welcome to Advanced Armament Corp.
I'll have to keep an eye on this thread/post and see what the right answer is? lol Not sure if I'm right/wrong or half right or half wrong? lmao

G-Meister

wunhunglo · 02-12-2008, 02:32 AM

Hi,
In the UK silencers are very common but so far I haven't come across any wet ones. I have them my my 22lr and my .223 AR15. Properly fitted and regularly cleaned they'll last for years, especially the 22 calibre ones, maybe their efficiency does deteriorate over the years, but I've never really noticed with mine, had the 22 for over 30 years & it's still working fine! Biggest failure I have seen with them is them working loose and a bullet striking the baffles, so clean, inspect and fit properly and you should have no problem.
They will alter your POI a little.
Probably the most popular type we tend to use on fullbore rifles is the "Reflex"" type which extends back over the barrel, it will only add a few inches to the weapons overall length.

Just a little further info on Silencers in the UK

THE LAW: In Great Britain, detachable suppressors or "sound moderators" which are intended for use as accessories for Section 1 or Section 5 (prohibited) weapons are subject to Section 1 licensing controls and cannot be purchased directly by mail order. We can only deliver them to your nearset registered firearms dealer, but before that, purchasers are required to obtain prior authorization on a Firearm Certificate in order to possess, purchase or acquire a 7.62 firearm suppressor. Before granting such authorization, the chief officer of police must be satisfied that the applicant has a good reason to possess, purchase or acquire a suppressor. For full-bore rifles, the most obvious "good reason" is that, where reasonably practicable, the use of a suppressor is required by law, namely Regulation 7 of the Noise at Work Regulations, 1989. Details of this and other relevant workplace safety regulations are available on the Health and Safety Executive website. Strictly, the above regulations only apply to employers, employees and self-employed persons at work, although this would include most full and part-time stalkers, gamekeepers or pest controllers. However, for obvious reasons, most chief officers of police will be keen not to impede responsible sporting shooters who wish to comply as far as practicable with HSE workplace safety standards. Other "good reasons" might include reduction of recoil (approx. 30%) and reduction of environmental noise pollution as indicated in the following letter to Chief Constables from Assistant Commissioner James Hart QPM BSc PhD FIMgt on behalf of the ACPO Administration of Firearms and Explosives Licensing Sub-Committee:
8 April 2001 Dear Chief Constable, At the March meeting of the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Sub-Committee there was an important discussion concerning the use of sound moderators with full-bore rifles. Kevin O'Callaghan, of the Forensic Science Service, spoke to the meeting concerning this matter and presented some recent evidence from Finland to guide our decision making. The research, which was commissioned by the Finnish Government, clearly indicates that sound moderators used with full bore rifles have a beneficial effect in reducing damage to the shooters hearing and bringing the noise levels to within safe EU limits. There is also a beneficial effect in reducing environmental noise. As a consequence of this evidence ACPO have revised their guidance to reflect the above findings. This, of course, does not alter the ACPO position that individual applications should be judged on their merits and the final licensing decision rests with the Chief Officer. While the discussion centred particularly around the taking of live quarry, it is also the view of the Sub-Committee that the same argument may be extended to target shooting disciplines and sound moderators would have the same health and safety benefit within this context. I have informed the Home Office of the ACPO view and requested that this view is reflected in any guidance that the Home Office produce. Yours sincerely, James Hart
We understand that the above ACPO

SwedeSteve · 02-12-2008, 04:06 AM

Great info Wun, thanks.

dogman2 · 02-12-2008, 04:18 AM

They lose thier effencincy because the wipes wear out. They have a metal one that they use on 50 BMG rifles that is made of steel and the innards are very similar to a car muffler with baffles that change gas diirection and reduce the sound signature to that of a 30-06. But gets very warm in use. They don't work as well on automatic weapons as semi. Work best with sub-sonic ammo.

02-11-2008, 08:09 PM	#1
teenagegunwacho Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The South Posts: 130	Do Silencers Lose Their Light Do silencers eventually stop working after a long time? Just wondering.

02-11-2008, 08:29 PM	#2
texnmidwest They wonder why I drink.. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 7,914	Hmmm, Good question. Not sure why they would. I used to make 22 silencers out of baby bottle nipples and a hose clamp. After a few hundred rounds of 22 shorts the nipple would be so shredded that it wouldn't work. Also did that with empty plastic milk bottles but could not see the sights. Same thing. A metal silencer with baffles should not wear out over time. However, I am not a gunsmith nor do I have much experience with silenced firearms so maybe someone who does will chime in. __________________ The first rule of tinkering is to save all the parts.

02-12-2008, 12:44 AM	#4
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 10,717	You know, that's a good question. My opinion, like everything else, nothing lasts forever. lol But as rondog mentioned, some silencers are wet, or require liquid in them or have liquid in them to work. When that liquid gets dirty, because what normally comes out of the muzzle, still does, it now passes through the silencer first. So you'd think if you can't drain or change that liquid, over time and usage, it wouldn't work properly or as good over. But if you can drain it and refill it, I suppose it might last until, who knows when? I tried to look it up, but only found books you have to buy. I can suggest you maybe contact this place, and ask them? Welcome to Advanced Armament Corp. I'll have to keep an eye on this thread/post and see what the right answer is? lol Not sure if I'm right/wrong or half right or half wrong? lmao G-Meister __________________ "The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." "Edmond Burke"

02-12-2008, 02:32 AM	#5
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 4,830	Hi, In the UK silencers are very common but so far I haven't come across any wet ones. I have them my my 22lr and my .223 AR15. Properly fitted and regularly cleaned they'll last for years, especially the 22 calibre ones, maybe their efficiency does deteriorate over the years, but I've never really noticed with mine, had the 22 for over 30 years & it's still working fine! Biggest failure I have seen with them is them working loose and a bullet striking the baffles, so clean, inspect and fit properly and you should have no problem. They will alter your POI a little. Probably the most popular type we tend to use on fullbore rifles is the "Reflex"" type which extends back over the barrel, it will only add a few inches to the weapons overall length. Just a little further info on Silencers in the UK THE LAW: In Great Britain, detachable suppressors or "sound moderators" which are intended for use as accessories for Section 1 or Section 5 (prohibited) weapons are subject to Section 1 licensing controls and cannot be purchased directly by mail order. We can only deliver them to your nearset registered firearms dealer, but before that, purchasers are required to obtain prior authorization on a Firearm Certificate in order to possess, purchase or acquire a 7.62 firearm suppressor. Before granting such authorization, the chief officer of police must be satisfied that the applicant has a good reason to possess, purchase or acquire a suppressor. For full-bore rifles, the most obvious "good reason" is that, where reasonably practicable, the use of a suppressor is required by law, namely Regulation 7 of the Noise at Work Regulations, 1989. Details of this and other relevant workplace safety regulations are available on the Health and Safety Executive website. Strictly, the above regulations only apply to employers, employees and self-employed persons at work, although this would include most full and part-time stalkers, gamekeepers or pest controllers. However, for obvious reasons, most chief officers of police will be keen not to impede responsible sporting shooters who wish to comply as far as practicable with HSE workplace safety standards. Other "good reasons" might include reduction of recoil (approx. 30%) and reduction of environmental noise pollution as indicated in the following letter to Chief Constables from Assistant Commissioner James Hart QPM BSc PhD FIMgt on behalf of the ACPO Administration of Firearms and Explosives Licensing Sub-Committee: 8 April 2001 Dear Chief Constable, At the March meeting of the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Sub-Committee there was an important discussion concerning the use of sound moderators with full-bore rifles. Kevin O'Callaghan, of the Forensic Science Service, spoke to the meeting concerning this matter and presented some recent evidence from Finland to guide our decision making. The research, which was commissioned by the Finnish Government, clearly indicates that sound moderators used with full bore rifles have a beneficial effect in reducing damage to the shooters hearing and bringing the noise levels to within safe EU limits. There is also a beneficial effect in reducing environmental noise. As a consequence of this evidence ACPO have revised their guidance to reflect the above findings. This, of course, does not alter the ACPO position that individual applications should be judged on their merits and the final licensing decision rests with the Chief Officer. While the discussion centred particularly around the taking of live quarry, it is also the view of the Sub-Committee that the same argument may be extended to target shooting disciplines and sound moderators would have the same health and safety benefit within this context. I have informed the Home Office of the ACPO view and requested that this view is reflected in any guidance that the Home Office produce. Yours sincerely, James Hart We understand that the above ACPO Last edited by wunhunglo; 02-12-2008 at 03:42 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

02-12-2008, 04:06 AM	#6
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 26,343	Great info Wun, thanks. __________________ In the absence of orders, ATTACK !!

02-12-2008, 12:23 AM	#3
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 3,679	No experience with them either, but I've heard of some of them needing to be "wet", or something like that. Something that's always intrigued me, yet I still know nothing about.

02-12-2008, 04:18 AM	#7
dogman2 Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 134	They lose thier effencincy because the wipes wear out. They have a metal one that they use on 50 BMG rifles that is made of steel and the innards are very similar to a car muffler with baffles that change gas diirection and reduce the sound signature to that of a 30-06. But gets very warm in use. They don't work as well on automatic weapons as semi. Work best with sub-sonic ammo.