I was reading the AAC Mini4 suppressor thread and was interested to see that people are shooting their AR’s suppressed without earpro.
Is that common? I just ordered an AAC SDN-6 but was not thinking I could shoot it without ear protection on a auto-loading rifle without risking hearing loss. I going off the idea that OSHA limit for impulse noise is 140db and most can tests show sound pressure levels at the ear over 140db for pretty much every can out there. So what am I missing? Are you guys just saying f*ck it and shooting without earpro?
So its just people that are risking their hearing that are shooting semi-auto carbines suppressed without earpro.
If I have to wear ear protection for a .223 carbine whether I’m shooting a huge quiet can or small loud can what is the draw of the quiet cans? Is the 5 db difference at the muzzle translate much to big differences in the other benefits of a suppressor? ( aka reduced recoil, lower muzzle blast, low dust signature and difficulty locating the direction of fire.) To me that changes the value equation for suppressors in general as well as what suppressor to buy. It also explains the attention the new 300blk is getting although a 220grain bullet at 900fps sounds a lot like a 45acp +p ballistics to me.
Yeah. It also depends on the outdoor conditions on any given day. Sometimes my suppressed AR is uncomfortable to shoot… Other days it’s not noticeable at all.
If you get out front and to the side of a guy shooting a suppressed AR, It’s FRIGGIN LOUD. It hurts my ears for sure.
Suppressors on an AR are not “quiet” but the difference is noticeable between one that brings the noise down to the lower 130’s vs higher 130’s (though not much if any to the shooter since it’s going to be louder at the ejection port than the muzzle. A difference of 10 dB is perceived as twice as loud so if you get a MINI (AAC or SF), you give up suppression for weight and length. I would only get the MICRO if added length is #1 on your priority list.
As far as 300 BLK vs .45ACP goes, you get a shoulder fired weapon that can use high capacity mags which to me is worth it. Just gotta wait for factory subsonic expanding ammo.
I was super hot to go on a can, as in absolutely had to have one; until a shot a couple. The rifles are still loud a fuck, adds length and weight, costs money, increases recoil over using a muzzle brake, spits shit back in my face (left handed) and I have to wait months to actually receive it.
I’ll still eventually get a suppressor but in the mean time some decent hearing protection is going to be fine for me.
My MK760 with a Mossad II suppressor is fairly quiet outside, especially with sub-sonic ammo. I can shoot it without ear protection and feel no pain. My AR with a 10 1/2" bbl and the YHM stainless suppressor, well, not so much. I wear plugs when I fire it.
Big difference is the .45 ACP has a ballistic coefficient of .130-.165-ish with hollow points (XTP used for example because the Hornady manual was on my desk) and the .30 caliber 220gr SMK has a BC of .608 (Sierra’s site reference). Huge difference in external ballistics resulting in increased effective range, accuracy, and terminal ballistics at extended range (200y) for the cartridge.
An AR-15 can have a lot of port noise so, hearing protection is important if you care to preserve what’s left.
Then there are the other folks who may not have a good suppressor or any suppressor at all. Ear plugs with a suppressor is nicer then ear plugs and muffs without.
The only thing I will shoot without ear pro is subsonic .22lr with a can. I can barely pass a hearing test already due to the amount of hearing damage Ive taken over the years around helicopters and firearms. My advice is to wear plugs outdoors and double up with muffs at the slightest hint of discomfort (guy next to you shooting a rifle with a brake for example…) Suppressed bolt guns arent bad as long as you are the shooter behind them, but suppressed ARs arent hearing safe regardless of suppressor design.
As noted above there are other reasons to use your suppressor. On a square range, sure I’ll take my can off. On the farm, the muted report away from myself is what I want.
