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h i ncoming oming into the rs.Both types reduce noise by
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eardrum. Th e eardrum vibrates from the incoming
sound waves and sends these vibrations to the middle
ear. Th e bones in our middle ear couple the sound
vibrations from the air to fl uid vibrations in the
cochlea of the inner ear, which is shaped like a snail
and fi lled with fl uid. An elastic partition runs from the
beginning to the end of the cochlea, which is called
the basilar membrane. Once the vibrations (sound)
cause the fl uid inside the cochlea to ripple, a traveling
wave forms along the basilar membrane. Hair cells –
sensory cells sitting on top of the basilar membrane
– ride the wave. As the hair cells move up and down,
microscopic hair-like projections that perch on top
of the hair cells bump against an overlying structure
and bend. Bending causes pore-like channels at the
tips of the stereocilia, to open up. When that happens,
chemicals rush into the cell, creating an electrical
signal. Th e auditory nerve carries this electrical signal
to the brain, which translates it into a sound that
we recognize and understand. Most noise-induced
hearing loss is caused by the damage and eventual
death of these hair cells.
Unlike bird hair cells, human hair cells do not
grow back. Once they are dead, they are gone for
good. Which is why it is of the utmost importance to
protect our hearing during shooting. Ear muff s and
plugs do the job but silencers open up a whole new,
better and safer shooting experience.
REDUCE SOUND
Apart from using subsonic ammunition to prevent
sonic boom while shooting, we can signifi cantly
reduce sound levels while shooting by using silencers,
also known as suppressors or moderators. A silencer
works by slowing and cooling the gases emitted from
the muzzle behind the rifl e bullet. Th is dramatically
reduces the sound of the cartridge detonating within
the rifl e chamber and barrel. As we know, an unsilenced
rifl e shot is around 150 decibels. Most
silencers reduce sound levels by 20 to 40 decibels.
Th
ese numbers might not look impressive but, since
the decibel scale is exponential, such a decrease is very,
very signifi cant.
SILENCER DESIGN
A
silencer typically consists of a hollow metal tube
manufactured from steel, aluminium, carbon fi bre or
titanium and contains expansion chambers. Typically
cylindrical in shape, this device attaches to the muzzle
of a rifl e, pistol… Another type is the “integral”
silencer, which typically consists of an expansion
chamber or chambers surrounding the barrel. Th e
barrel has openings or “ports” which bleed off gases
into the chambers. Both types reduce noise by
allowing the rapidly expanding gases from the fi ring
of the cartridge to be decelerated and cooled through
a series of hollow chambers. Th e trapped gas exits the
suppressor over a longer period of time and at a greatly
reduced velocity, producing less noise.
Silencers come in various sizes, weights and
materials. Some sit way back over the barrel while
others protrude from the muzzle. If using the rifl e
mainly for stalking, a lightweight aluminium or
carbon fi bre silencer is probably the way to go. If you
will be shooting a lot as a competition or tactical
shooter, a heavier steel construction will not only help
reduce recoil but will also last longer, with the amount
of shots you are going to be fi ring. Generally speaking,
shorter, more compact silencers are going to be
louder, because they have less volume to soak up the
expanding gases escaping from the muzzle.
ADVANTAGES
Advantage number one, of course, is the reduction of
gunshot-related noise levels, protecting our hearing.
Th ere are, however, many advantages when using a
silencer that are not related to hearing protection. As
well as reducing noise, a silencer reduces recoil and
muzzle-blast signifi cantly, while also enabling the
shooter to follow through calmly on their fi rst shot
and fi re a further carefully aimed shot without delay if
necessary. With high-velocity calibres, recoil reduction
runs in the range of 20 to 30 per cent. Th e added
mass of the silencer, normally 300 to 500 grams, also
helps to manage recoil. For culling purposes, a silencer
proves to be invaluable. Since the game cannot locate,
or recognise, the suppressed sound as a gunshot, they
tend to stay around longer, allowing for multiple heads
to be taken before disappearing. Without a silencer, all
would be gone after the very fi rst shot.
OPENING UP
In most countries, silencers are regulated along with
fi rearms. Some jurisdictions allow and even mandate
the sporting use of silencers, to reduce the risk of
hearing loss and decrease noise pollution in densely
populated areas. Other governments ban them for
civilian use completely. Th ings are starting to look
up though, since more and more countries, such as
Germany, are opening up to the use of silencers by
civilians. Which is why silencer manufacturers no
longer only cater to the military and law enforcement
community. Th ey are increasingly in tune with the
needs of hunters and competition shooters. Silencers
are a market opportunity that is set to grow for years
to come.
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