Investigation into the impact of integral suppressor configurations on the pressure levels within the suppressor

This paper reports on an experimental investigation supported by basic modeling in to the performance of an integral suppressor on a low power firearm. A model was developed to determine the pressure within a suppressor chamber using iterative empirical calculations of the gas properties and flow within the system. The design of a reconfigurable suppressor chamber has been undertaken allowing suppressor chamber volume to be varied through the use of baffles. Pressure transducers were used to determine the pressure within the suppressor chamber for a series of firings. The results of the firings with different configurations within the suppressor are presented allowing trends to be established. The modeling and experimental results show an increase in suppressor chamber volume results in a reduction of recorded pressure within the suppressor chamber.