Silencers for local at home target practice?

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That device I think is a better idea for what the original poster wants... I have not read all the responses, but has anybody mentioned that he is looking at spending probably close to a thousand dollars total to have a legal suppressor on an SR9?

 

[Ghost Tracker]

The previously provided European designs all seem to attempt something portable. This man owns the property. I would suggest a dedicated shooting station with walls that absorb & deflect the muzzle blast, but the shooter is INSIDE the station. For example, imagine a wooden shed or simple block building. It wouldn't REQUIRE a roof but I'd have one anyway, for shooting in the rain. You could then actually "store" stuff in it (mower, wheel barrow?) when not shooting and it would appear perfectly normal out on the property. You could even convert a stall in an existing barn. But inside this structure, a dedicated bench and/or station opens to an outdoor target area. Around that bench and/or station you create a "cocoon" by acoustically insulating the closest reflective surfaces (walls & ceiling). Build closer walls if you need. There are HUNDREDS of common, inexpensive methods to absorb/deflect sound. Google how guys cover cheap, quiet walls for home theaters or recording studios. Pink fiberglass insulation in the airspace trapped by stapled-carpet 2x4 walls, egg-crate foam mattress covers covered by Army Surplus wool blankets hung like furrowed drapes, 3" wide strips of corrugated cardboard stacked in alternating rows, the list is almost...infinite. The muzzle blast is muffled inside the structure with the shooter (and it's still MUCH quieter to him as well). The neighbors won't hear squat. Just make sure you have a nice, clear wide-angle view of the target area & "point" that noise source away from areas of concern.

 

[Ranb]

WaywardPilgrim,

I do not know of any extended barrels for your pistol, but I have read that Tornado Technologies will thread your existing barrel. http://www.tornado-technologies.com/ . I make silencers as a hobby and feel they are very effective at reducing noise, but they are expensive. I bought about $2000 in lathe and other tools to make my own and it is a rewarding hobby, but not for everyone. With the cost of the lathe/tools included, my silencers cost about $200 each not including the ATF's $200 tax.

An enclosed shooting position may be best solution for you as it works for everything. There are several ways to do this. You can use an insulated drum to stick the muzzle into. I have also seen small buildings built that have a small shooting port lined with baffles and foam. I built a shooting box from three foam filled steel doors to help contain the very loud blast of 50 bmg rifles for my local range.

A box or drum that encloses the barrel will reduce blast noise heard by those people downrange or to the side but not reduce noise for the shooter. If you are inside of a shooting house, then you will most likely need double hearing protection to protect your ears.

Try checking out the internet for enclosed shooting rooms and other enclosures. http://silencertalk.com is the best place for info on silencers. Feel free to PM me for details on either method.

Ranb

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

Thanks, GhostTracker.

Those are some great ideas. I'm concerned that--one neighbor in particular--is too close, and in the direction, generally, that I'd be most concerned about. I'd answered your previous posts in detail--but they vanished, not sure how---anyway, your ideas got me thinking of my basement room. It's a low ceiling 12x12, but it has a cupboard style door, about chest high, that leads to dirt crawl space---another 12 to 15 feet, tapering up to where the cabin is footed into the hillside. Still, I don't know how much sound projects forward (the crawl space is only semi closed in, with gaps; also, the bsmt room is just 2x4 with 1/4" paneling. That's why I kinda liked the tire contraption. Not much fun, but at least I could maybe put a few hundred rounds through the gun to properly break it in, and become more familiar with handling it. It's do-able, but I gotta think on it. Your ideas have moved that thinkin' ahead considerably! Thanks again. Bill

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

Deleting this and any of my posts non-related to thread, specifically, as a courtesy to participating members.

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

Trying to delete non-pertinent posts by me.

 

[Ranb]

Don't go just yet. After you are done writing your post and before you click the "post reply" button, drag the mouse over the text you wrote and right click to copy it to the clipboard, or copy it to a word processing program so it can be spell checked.

Then if the website leads you to log in again and your window of text is lost, you just need to paste the words you wrote back into the reply window and hit post again. Nothing is lost. Operating the website is like loading ammo, just need to learn how to do it properly.

Ranb

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

Dear Ranb; Thank you. The hi-lite and clipboard is the perfect solution. Happy New Year! B.

 

[Saakee]

Cut removes, Copy leaves original info there.
It's like picking up a story during assemblage phase of making a paper. It's still there, it's just in abeyance until you paste it (or copy/cut something new and erase the abeyanced data)

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

Thanks, Saakee. I'm thinking 'abeyance', in this sense, means "suspended". The problem was--repeatedly---that the site would force me to resign in, when I was actually working on the site, non stop, in the quick response box... But there's no warning nor explicit indication that your times is somehow "up" and it's about to negate one's being signed in...

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

To ALL: I'm wanting to share a few images from Bud's Guns and Tactical Life; also one from NutnFancy---but am not sure if it's OK. Not too sure what the "URL" is, related to images. I have these as jpg's which I've copied to show friends, and I always name the publication. Guess they'll cut 'em if I crossed some line. Meanwhile: Enjoy. [Note the first two are with alternate mags; 10+1 & 17+1 options]

The Bud's article (first two images) was one reason I bought this particular handgun. Tho't you all might like to see these images. With its awesome trigger and carry/range versatility, not to mention the great look of this gem among Rugers, how can ya not love it?!!

 

[mtrmn]

sweet looking gun

 

[GreySmoke2]

For those thinking about basement shooting...Don't forget ventilation! Airborne lead is almost as bad as being struck by it....

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

Tried to edit this post out. Just another site glitch that dumped another post I was working on. My reaction was off thread, but I was irritated. Site is forcing me to write---I don't know what.

Wish they had an "eject post" button. Wasting your interest, dammit.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

re: Airborne lead in confined spaces. Becoming increasingly restricted (by law) at commercial shooting ranges for good reason. Non-lead ammo is available to specifically address the issue. While that ammo is more expensive than conventional fodder, it may be less expensive than the ventilation alternative. Depends on the volume of practice. BTW, vent fans "can" have a sound suppression effect!

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

For all of you who responded with great ideas, helpful considerations, warnings, and such: I answered every one---two or three times---but they vanished for reasons that make no sense to me, yet.

To Mtrmn: Yes! This great little pistol IS a beauty! I like the safety features (cept for the mag safety) particularly, being a beginner. I think it's a perfect first gun; definitely more forgiving, relatively speaking. I LOVE the much raved about trigger!! the exceptional carry attributes; the surprising yet flex capacity mags. Even the round in chamber warning is great---even in the dark---for a new shooter who's more at risk of making dumb mistakes. Skilled shooters are commonly amazed that they shoot better with this compact, the first time, than all the guns they shoot all the time. May be overstating, but I've heard and seen the reactions in a bunch of posts and videos from the range saying similar things. It's also mentioned repeatedly that the compact is far less snappy than others comparable compacts. It's reflecting pretty on Ruger; no question about that.

The images I posted really do well by it.

 

[Mike OTDP]

WRT indoor practice, consider an air pistol. It might not be as sexy as NFA, but it's very convenient.

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

Very much appreciate the heads-up comments regarding lead dust. If I have to go to indoor ranges, I thinks I'll be taking premium dust masks in my range bag! Just hadn't tho't of lead dust. Glad you guys brought it up!

 

[tallpaul]

If you want practice that won't freak the neighbors out do not forget pellet n bb guns, they can help with site use and shooting. Also ruger has some .22lrs that are factory threaded and I paid less tha 300 for my last 22 silencer with the 200.00 tax... It was a used one but even new ya could get under 500 for the legal can....

Find out if it is legal where your cabin is and making a short range setup should be doable safely, talk to the neighbor, maybe they have a spot they ewould rather ya use .

 

[WaywardPilgrim]

Thanks, TallPaul

I appreciate ideas along lines of AirSofts, and small caliber or BB/pellet type practice. I'm just so new to pistols that I feel very strongly that I need to become completely familiar with "real thing". Gotta know the bangs, the snaps, the recovery of sight---all those sort of things.

I've pretty much determined that a silencer is just too cost prohibitive. Obviously, I have yet to figure out where I can afford to go to put several hundred rounds through this remarkable little compact; I just know I need to make this thing a part of me, so to speak. I need to become so familiar with it that shooting with it is natural as throwing a ball or going dancing. I want to learn to shoot it both lethally--god forbid--or less than lethally if a situation allows for that. I certainly do not think that'll happen with a few hundred rounds---but that's the least I can do to begin to become accustomed to handling and firing it manageably. Competence will come with commitment and practice--and paying attention to those far more skilled than me.

I need to find a place where I can shoot the real thing so I become completely competent with it---even if I may not become tactically expert. I'm SO not used to guns that I promised myself that if ever I got one I'd work hard and spend as necessary, within what's possible, to have it become an extension of my arm---AND an extension of calm inner surety, free from any lack of familiarity. So, I'm just going to HAVE to find a gun club or someone with a REALLY rural canyon on their land ---well, we'll see.

Sure appreciate all the feed-back and smart suggestions.

My deepest desire would be to become so skilled with it that I won't ever be worried about NOT using it. Ya know what I mean? To feel competent enough that I can be calm in taking in the situation, not worrying whether I can handle it well;---second nature, if that's do-able. Hope that's not being too naive.

 

[MasterSergeantA]

Brings to mind a saying that I have heard over the years:

Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.