Gunsmithing Book on Suppressor Designs/Theory/Construction?

[Wannashootit]

Decided to get my 02 SOT as I've got a couple of suppressed projects (.45-70 subsonic is one) in mind. May or may not construct (probably will a few for the hell of it, but mass produced will be cheaper than what I could build them for), but want to learn the science/theory, design types, materials etc.

Tried "Googling" for reference books but coming up with questionable possibilities.

Any suggestions for technical references appreciated...I can always get my son the Aerospace Engineering major to tutor me lol...

 

[Ledzep]

I'm going to hazard to guess that there's probably not much out there that's on the level that doesn't require 2-3 years worth of calculus and differential equations background. Your best bet is to see if your son has access (check legality first, esp. if you intend to sell the product) to and knows how to use computational fluid dynamics software that will let you make 3d models of your designs and test/tweak them. Fluid flow is one of the more complicated things out there.

For a less math intensive approach, just for basic designs/execution, honestly google and youtube will probably teach you just as much as anything else.

 

[GH41]

Not a how to article but an interesting read for a wana be suppressor builder. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/07/09/build-silencer-part-1/ The odds of you being able to build something as efficient as what you can buy are slim to none. It would be a fun project if you could build, test, modify, and fine tune before registering but it doesn't work like that.

 

[Wannashootit]

Thanks. Building would be for experimental/personal if I do it at all. This is more for getting a basic education on types and methods to help in making a determination in what would be optimal design/construction for specific applications, not as a means to construct. As I said, no way I could do it for the cost proven products can be purchased, but I certainly need to have an understanding of the basic theory.

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[MTFalconer]

There is a website called "silencer talk", surprised it hasn't been mentioned. THey have forums, builds and whatnot and seems like a wealth of design and performance discussion. Also research "Practical Machinist" website. There is a good amount of those guys designing their own and some really good data to there for you.

 

[Mordamer]

I have built 6 Form 1 cans out of Titanium. I have achieved excellent results using advice and information gained mainly from 2 sources. First source was Silencer Talk forum, and second source was observations of successful suppressor designs on the market.

 

[mcfred]

I agree with Mordamer, poll successful designs (including their patent applications), see where you can innovate, then invest in prototyping/testing. I imagine that more complex shapes that trap and cool the gasses can be made more cost effectively with additive machining instead of cutting from bar stock.

Last I looked, it seems like K-baffles and clipped 60˚ cones are where the industry's sitting in terms of 'easy' designs.

Goodl luck

 

[GottMitUns]

Try doing a library search for books written by Hiram Maxim, as in Maxim machine gun. He started the ball rolling on suppressors back in the 1800's and I think he published one book on them. I was told that the old Blayloc suppressor I have came straight out of drawings from that book, but i never saw the book.

 

[J!m]

You could also try the local library- they may be able to pull patents without the huge fees to pull patents normally... That will also tell you what is patented design-wise. Note drawings in patents are typically very vague, not to scale and have no dimensions.

I also saw a small book on making suppressors at the local army-navy recently... I didn't grab it but I leafed through it. It had illustrations from an old patent which was probably an expired one.

Note you can 'copy' expired patent designs- that is not infringement. It is called "prior art" in the patent world. some newer design patents may build on the prior art so if you tweak an expired design, be sure you are not inadvertently making someone else's design that is still protected by patent.

And finally, patents really only matter if you are commercial- i.e. selling the finished product. If it is for personal use, that is generally fine. If you do come up with something you want to market, hire a patent attorney to help you out. Bear in mind that obtaining a patent generally takes 3-5 years too. That's why you will sometimes see "Patent Pending" or "Patent Applied For" on some things, to try and slow the copy-cats.

I used to invent stuff for the company I worked for and we had a patent attorney on staff. I learned a lot about this stuff in those few years.

 

[Strykervet]

I'm going to hazard to guess that there's probably not much out there that's on the level that doesn't require 2-3 years worth of calculus and differential equations background. Your best bet is to see if your son has access (check legality first, esp. if you intend to sell the product) to and knows how to use computational fluid dynamics software that will let you make 3d models of your designs and test/tweak them. Fluid flow is one of the more complicated things out there.

For a less math intensive approach, just for basic designs/execution, honestly google and youtube will probably teach you just as much as anything else.

I have the math knowledge so I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt you don't want to work any of that out by hand. The fluid dynamics and 3d modelling is a good idea if you wanna go that route, but just copying a known design will give you known results. FWIW, a monocore design would be super simple and they work really well for .22's.

There's a military manual called "Silencer Principle and Evaluations" or along those lines. I have it somewhere, it's out of date but interestingly some of the "modern" designs in it are still popular today.

If I had the shop I'd Form 1 some myself but what I'd try to do is copy the Welrod pistol in a bolt action rifle format --it still holds the world record for quietness I believe.

Good luck!

 

[MarinePMI]

Another vote for Silencertalk.com A lot of good information there from a design perspective (or at least, used to be). Haven't been to that forum in quite some time, but it had a pretty interesting crowd, with some really sharp folks (even one kid, who designed stuff while in school, that ended up being hired by one of the large suppressor manufacturers).

A monolithic baffle or monocore would work, though I'd argue a simple "K" baffle design would be easier to make (and repair, as the baffles erode over time).