schapman43
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I dont think I have ever seen a suppressor on a revolver. Is there a reason for this? Is it maybe because of the barrel cylinder gap?
Suppressed revolver
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MagKnightX
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Yes, the explosive sound of the gas can escape through the cylinder gap, although I belive the Nagant revolver had a gas seal to allow it to be suppressed.
Nightcrawler
Member
There are ways of doing it. The ones you see in movies are typically hollywood nonsense (I mean come on, how many revolvers have threaded barrles for screwing on a suppressor anyway?), but it is possible.
In order to do it, you have to close the cylinder/barrel gap. The Nagant revolver did this by design when it fired, so suppressing it was of little difficulty (and the anemic 7.62mm Nagant cartridge it fired was subsonic at the muzzle anyways).
In another instance, I believe, a Dan Wesson revolver was used, with the barrel screwed in extra tight to close the cylinder gap.
The big question is, why? Why suppress a revolver when it's so much easier to do it to autos?
Well, there are a few advantages. If you're doing the kind of pistolcraft that calls for a suppressor, then it's probably better if you don't leave spent brass laying around.
Also, revolver cartridges are often more powerful and/or have greater case volume than auto cartridges, allowing a much heavier bullet to be used (if your bullets have to be subsonic, heavier is always better). A 325 grain bullet at 1050 fps (out of a subsonic .45 Colt load) beats a 230 grain bullet at 950 fps (typical .45ACP +P load) any day.
I don't think you can suppress your typical Smith & Wesson or Ruger revolver, though.
(I think having a suppressed revolver would be just bad @$$, but that's me and I'm weird.
)
In order to do it, you have to close the cylinder/barrel gap. The Nagant revolver did this by design when it fired, so suppressing it was of little difficulty (and the anemic 7.62mm Nagant cartridge it fired was subsonic at the muzzle anyways).
In another instance, I believe, a Dan Wesson revolver was used, with the barrel screwed in extra tight to close the cylinder gap.
The big question is, why? Why suppress a revolver when it's so much easier to do it to autos?
Well, there are a few advantages. If you're doing the kind of pistolcraft that calls for a suppressor, then it's probably better if you don't leave spent brass laying around.
Also, revolver cartridges are often more powerful and/or have greater case volume than auto cartridges, allowing a much heavier bullet to be used (if your bullets have to be subsonic, heavier is always better). A 325 grain bullet at 1050 fps (out of a subsonic .45 Colt load) beats a 230 grain bullet at 950 fps (typical .45ACP +P load) any day.
I don't think you can suppress your typical Smith & Wesson or Ruger revolver, though.
(I think having a suppressed revolver would be just bad @$$, but that's me and I'm weird.
)schapman43
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I think it would be really fun to try it out. I wonder just how much sound is made by gasses escaping between the gap. I would be cool to do some experiments but I dont need to go to jail. I'm sure something in 38 SPL would be real easy to suppress.
Johnny Guest
Moderator In Memoriam
Yeah, it can be kinda interesting - - -
- -- And fairly simple, as well. Therein lies the danger - - Simple and cheap, and lotsa information available. Please, though,
DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO TRY IT OUT WITHOUT OBSERVING THE LAW!
Don't know your location, but make sure possession/use of suppressors is legal in YOUR state. Then explore the purchase of a properly registered supressor from a licensed dealer or private owner. Once you have your BATFE paperwork in order and get a proper "can" in hand, you can experiment to your heart's content. You can make all the adaptors you want to mount the LEGAL suppressor on various guns.
Best of luck - -
Johnny
- -- And fairly simple, as well. Therein lies the danger - - Simple and cheap, and lotsa information available. Please, though,
DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO TRY IT OUT WITHOUT OBSERVING THE LAW!
Don't know your location, but make sure possession/use of suppressors is legal in YOUR state. Then explore the purchase of a properly registered supressor from a licensed dealer or private owner. Once you have your BATFE paperwork in order and get a proper "can" in hand, you can experiment to your heart's content. You can make all the adaptors you want to mount the LEGAL suppressor on various guns.
Best of luck - -
Johnny
SDC
Member
I've also seen pictures of a WW2 Enfield revolver that could be enclosed in a separate suppressor, sort of like a "clamshell holster" (though I can't imagine the seal would've been too good); another track along this train of thought is to use suppressed ammunition in a revolver; this idea was actually used at one point in Vietnam.
Hkmp5sd
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Nagant 1885
Standing Wolf
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In exactly two words: Midas Muffler.
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