Help me understand differences in noise/concussion to the shooter with various setups

General Firearms NFA
1

Hello,

I am thinking about a future home defense specific build for next year and was trying to conceptualize different options.

In my thinking key decisions are really compromise of 3 different variables:

  1. Ballistics (barrel length)
  2. length/weight/balance (barrel length+any suppressor choice)
  3. Loudness/Concussion to the user (barrel length+any suppressor choice)

Any set up needs to be a blend of these attributes that i feel comfortable with.

based on my past experience and research, i can conceptualize ballistics and length/weight/balance variables. I am having a tougher time understanding the variables behind the loudness/concussion. I have no experience with suppressors etc.

Here is my question and i understand this is purely subjective/ unscientific/subject to peoples opinions and I will need check out some options in person to make real decision

Assuming:

  1. DI AR
  2. 556
  3. Strictly for use indoors in a home defense role.
  4. I am primarily concerned with noise level/blast concussion that would either:
    A. Impair hearing either temporarily or permanently
    B. Blast/concussion to prevent me from achieving any specific tactical goal as quickly as possible (i.e so loud and blasty it effects my shooting indoors in a hallway etc). I understand this is also a training issue.
  5. I am less concerned about flash as any HD specific weapon would have a bright LED Light out front
  6. I have no fantasy nor care for a super stealth sniper which sounds like suppressed 22’s. This gun will not be a range toy but a specific tool for a specific purpose of self defense within the confines of my house

Question 1:

On a scale of 1-10 how would your rate the following sets ups:

Baseline:
10=MK18 10.3 barrel with A2 and no other muzzle device (REAL LOUD)
1=16" barrel with full sized suppressor. (pretty darn quite)

  1. 11.5" with Mini suppressor (requires two stamps)
  2. 11.5’ with full sized suppressor (requires two stamps)
  3. 13.7 with Noveske KX3 (Which by the way if you see their website, they are slimming down and they are coming out with a sweet new RSR version which is 15" NSR over their infidel barrel with KX3 pinned)
  4. 14.5 with mini suppressor
  5. 16’ with A2 (more as a reference point on the 1-10 scale since I have a lot of experience with that

Question 2: A what level on the scale does the noise concussion effect your ability to shoot effectively/impair your hearing in a serious manner?

Thanks,
Amur

2
  1. 11.5" with Mini suppressor (requires two stamps)
  2. 11.5’ with full sized suppressor (requires two stamps)
  3. 13.7 with Noveske KX3 (Which by the way if you see their website, they are slimming down and they are coming out with a sweet new RSR version which is 15" NSR over their infidel barrel with KX3 pinned)
  4. 14.5 with mini suppressor
  5. 16’ with A2 (more as a reference point on the 1-10 scale since I have a lot of experience with that

Question 2: A what level on the scale does the noise concussion effect your ability to shoot effectively/impair your hearing in a serious manner?

From my experience:

  1. indoors: loud enough that I’d want earpro, not much for concussion. outdoors: loud enough that I wouldn’t stand next to it, but 10 yards away not bad, nearly no concussion.
  2. indoors: annoying, but not too loud, no real concussion. outdoors: good to go
  3. indoors: kx3 + walls = fuuuuuuuuuu, but wouldn’t mind having it fired next to my ear/head (still need earpro). outside: good to go (earpro and don’t stand in front of it)
  4. same as 2
  5. indoors: earpro + don’t stand next to it. outdoors: same as indoors.

Q2: If you are not wearing earpro and you (or someone else) discharges a firearm (especially a rifle) indoors near or around you, say good bye to hearing for a bit. Unless it is a fullsize suppressor you will have issues, and even then you’ll have issues (potentially). Outdoors you have less issues, since muzzle blasts won’t bounce off stuff, like walls, but unless someone is shooting an A2 directly next to your head, you’ll need earpro, unless its suppressed and then you should be fine depending on the setup.

For a general purpose rifle, say a 16 or 14.5 (for this example consider them the same) without a suppressor which will be used indoors, I’d suggest the kx3, pws cqb or some of the other forward channeling muzzle devices, specially because indoors you want whatever you are sending to be sent straight and not bounce off walls (the sound/muzzle blast). Outside, its really on personal preference and setup of gun for mission.

edit; I purchased a PWS CQB specifically because I was building a gun that I plan on only using indoors (after I get it broken in). While it may not be the best outdoors muzzle device, it works wonders for indoors.