Muzzle blast difference between AR pistol 556 v. 9mm

460Shooter said:

Meanwhile I was over on the end with my little old 45s, trying not to flinch when those two were shooting.

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"Focus" practice.

I only shoot outdoors and have a 10.5" AR 223 and a 10.5 AR 7.62x39. With ear protection I cannot tell much of a difference between the two. But, my 10.5" AR 9mm is much much quieter than either of those other two AR's. At dusk you should see the muzzle blast on the Short AR's. The visual of the muzzle blast on the 9mm is significantly less. I can only imagine what the short 223 sounds like in an indoor range.

AK103K said:

"Focus" practice.

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Desensitization. As a frequent indoor shooter at places that rent full-auto .223's and 7.62x39's, I can attest that you do eventually learn to tune it out pretty well. Eventually.

It will also make you very serious about getting plugs inserted correctly and good quality muffs over them.

AK103K said:

"Focus" practice.

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ATLDave said:

Desensitization. As a frequent indoor shooter at places that rent full-auto .223's and 7.62x39's, I can attest that you do eventually learn to tune it out pretty well. Eventually.

It will also make you very serious about getting plugs inserted correctly and good quality muffs over them.

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Indeed. After about 15 minutes it wasn’t much of an issue any more. Until I walked past the AR10 guy’s lane. The concussion hit me in the side of the head.

It’s not the first time, but I shoot outside spring summer and fall.

It was a refresher course in concentration.

AK103K said:

I have 10.5" AR's and my son has a 7.5", and just the difference between the muzzle blast with them is very noticeable. All guns have AAC flash suppressor type muzzle devices on them. The 10.5's aren't really all that bad, the 7.5 is obnoxious.

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I have a 7.5 inch and a 10.5 inch AR as well and yes, there is a big difference between the two. LOTS of powder still burning as the bullet exits the 7.5 inch. The 10.5 is loud but much more bearable. 9mm isn't in the same league as either one.

The difference in blast between my CX4 Storm with 124gr +P JHPs and any of my 16" AR carbines is night and day. The difference inside an indoor range is astounding. The 9mm carbine seems far less loud than the same ammunition through a handgun. The AR however is simply unpleasant for all around.

I would imagine the difference when the barrel lengths are reduce will only become more significant.

Being in the lane next to 10" AR pistol is like having somebody rap your skull with a polymer ball peen hammer each time a round is fired. I couldn't help myself but to tell the shooter that mid-magazine. It's a bit annoying but if you are serious practicing it's a great way to learn to tune out distractions because it is a major one.

I am so grateful that our indoor range has a rifle and pistol side. When i bring the 39a for my son to shoot i still request to be on the pistol side because he does not need to deal with the ar pistol at 11 years old. He did it one time and when we left he said that shooting was not so much fun today. I will either not shoot rifle or leave before i expose him to that again. It was a life lesson in respect and something that needs to be experienced so he will know how it feels, and not do that to some one else. Not even a shotgun has the concussion that an sbr 223 puts out. Rent one to try before you decide.

Regardless of barrel length 5.56 is always going to have more blast and noise than 9mm. Rifle round vs pistol round.

A good muzzle break helps but a suppressor is best.

Nothing more annoying at the indoor ranges than a short barrel AR in .223 or .300blk. When the cool guys come in to start rapid firing at 5 yards with 18" groups I have to step back from the line. I am just waiting on a company to do a 1 7/8" short barrel AR in .223 or .300blk for a more annoying noise maker.

As stated above, any rifle round will have much more powder which means much more blast and noise. 9mm AR's are no problem and are fun to shoot.

MattB said:

Nothing more annoying at the indoor ranges than a short barrel AR in .223 or .300blk.

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Back when I shot FALs the 17" barrel and brake seemed to bother people pretty bad. Some people get mad and cant shoot even a couple lanes away and they up and move. Other guys would be "wow" and just watch. I ate enough hot brass from the guns of others at ranges over the years to not care. I can't imagine a braked 12-13" barrel fal. Pointless because you start getting x39 ballistics in such a short barrel. Helluva fireball though!