I want to gather some suppressor data but I don’t want to drop major coin on a piece of gear that I will only use once or twice. Beggars can’t be choosers, but I am hoping for something digital which can measure the extremely high peak sound pressure levels generated by short duration impulse events.
I would like to borrow it for about a week, but I would be open to renting as well. I know some outfits rent this gear, but I figured I’d try here first.
What type of test do you want to do? You may want to take a look at www.silencerresearch.com. There’s a lot of data there. Also, someone there might also have the equipment you need.
have an iphone? sound meter app
another sound level meter app
I do not have an iPhone.
…and those will be worthless for gunshot noise measurement, suppressed or not.
If you are going to rent a meter for example, only look at;
B&K 2209
Larson-Davis 800-B
If I was going to actually drop the money to rent one, I figured I would get a Larson Davis SoundTrack LxT…
The two meters I mentioned above, when used with the correct microphones etc., are pretty much the two industry standards for sound suppressor companies.
The SoundTrack LxT does not appear to have a high enough peak level for unsuppressed noise for example.
I’ll have to take your word for it, as I have no practical experience in these matters. The brief research I did via Google indicated that several individuals and organization felt that the SoundTrack LxT was ideal for recording gunfire.
This may wind up being a flight of fancy, but I would like to gather some reasonably accurate data if I can.
You might want to contact John Titsworth for good info, he does independent sound suppressor testing at www.silencerresearch.com
Also, Gemtech publishes a sound measurement booklet that costs only a few dollars.
FWIW, unless you are using sub-sonic rounds you will probably not get very relevant supressor data because the sound meter will pick up the round’s sonic crack each time.
Ask me how I know? 
However, the sound pressure level ( of the muzzle blast ) can be suppressed to under the bullet flight noise level, when measured from the 1 m to the side location as per the MIL STD 1474D.
Of course in the front sector the suppressor will not have an effect purely based on dBs…
Guys - awesome suggestions but I just want to collect some basic data.
I highly doubt there is good data on 12.5" Kalashnikov guns, otherwise I wouldn’t be interested in trying to do this.
Katar,Please post your results when you get them done I think it would be Good to know.Thanks:D