Suppressing an AR-15

[HankB]

A couple of years ago I was at a carbine match (think IDPA with rifles) and one of the participants was shooting a suppressed AR. Though he wasn't using subsonic load, the residual "crack" from standard .223s was not bad at all - subjectively, it was less than a standard velocity .22 out of a long barrel. Spectators in the peanut gallery (about 15 yards behind the firing line) could carry on a normal conversation, with no need for ear protection.

The shooter wasn't wearing ear protection, either . . . though he wished he was when his rifle malfunctioned and he had to finish the stage using his.40 loaded with Cor-Bon.

 

[Correia]

Headless, read Zak's post. I don't need to trust you, I've done both.

Having shot lots of rounds through a suppressed .223, or been standing behind/next to somebody with one, they are much much much quieter than a pistol shot.

Having one zhing right over your head is a whole lot different. Kind of a THOOOOOOMMMM noise. Subsonic is more of a zzzzziiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Like a really angry bee.

There is a difference between being the shooter vs. being on the receiving end. But since I'm only worried about my ear drums, I don't really care about the guy I'm shooting at.

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

That would explain it. Anyone inline with the filght of the bullet will not hear the crack. That means the shooter is safe from the noise, but anyone else on the firing line is not.

Heh! That's kinda cool.