Suppressors on bolt or semi auto guns. Difference?

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Pond James Pond

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I'm just trying to establish from anyone who has had real world, side-by-side experience if there is any noticeable difference in suppressor effectiveness when on a semi auto or bolt gun.

For example:

If the same suppressor were fitted to a CZ 527 in 7.62x39 and then to a VZ58 would one be noticeably quieter than the other?

Leaving aside barrel length, my guess is the opening breech of the semi auto and the thinner chamber section would make it a bit louder but am I wrong?
 
The biggest noise from the semi-auto is the sound of the action. Thinness of the chamber has nothing to do with it. Keep in mind that suppressors are exceptionally thin by comparison.
 
The sound difference is minimal. I've heard two similar suppressed calibers discharge next to each other, one gun being a bolt and one a semi auto, and I couldn't tell which gun was which.

The biggest issue is the gas blowback. No matter what steps you take to minimize the blowback, a semi auto will always have some amount of blowback that gets in the shooters face.
 
The biggest issue is the gas blowback. No matter what steps you take to minimize the blowback, a semi auto will always have some amount of blowback that gets in the shooters face.
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That is good to know.

That might be one argument for buying a shorter can.

My only experience is on a .22 and on a .308 bolt gun. The .308 is still loud but well within tolerable ranges without ear protection (I do still wear protection, but wanted to hear it once without).

A VZ58 is a lower pressure cartridge, so I imagine the shockwave is lower to begin with and so if I get similar suppression to the .308 it should be much quieter but with more blowback, or a shorter can will be louder but perhaps reduce blowback.

Would that be correct reasoning?
 
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I don't notice much "blowback" with the AR platform. We use "gas buster" charge handles on the most often used host rifles but really don't notice a problem even with mil-spec CH. The most noticeable is the 22 lr pistols.
 
I know for 22lr it does make some difference. I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Chipmunk single shot. The single shot is quieter. But unless you are comparing them side by side I doubt you will hear it. Especially if your not the shooter (the action is very close to your ear).
 
If it's a blowback action then you will notice a difference 9mm AR's are louder than HK MP5's with their delayed roller action.

.22 semis are louder than .22 bolt actions.

But, it seems that most of this "noise" is worse for the shooter than the people observing. If that makes a difference.
 
Some background to my question:

As some may know I've repeatedly come back to the VZ58 and as it happens one shop would do me a decent deal on the rifle and a suppressor.

The offer was based around a stubby 4" can (22-24dB drop), but I could spend a very modest amount more and get a full 8" can (26-28dB drop) as I already have on my .308.

My question was to give me an idea if the short can could give me suppression to comfort levels or do I still need to go to the big can, sacrificing weight and length advantages, to get adequate sound levels.

And of course the M'guntony's point about blowback:

My guess is that the longer can, offering more resistance to gas expansion, will result in more blowback.

Any thoughts on those specifics?
 
Wouldn't the increased internal volume of the longer can create less blow back?

Not a silencer guy, so don't rally know... but I am curious.
 
Is blowback into the shooters face really an issue with anything but the direct impingement guns like the AR's?

I have a number of AR's that are hosts for my AAC M4-2000 suppressor, and Ive had to deal with gas in the face with all of them. Some are worse than others, but all have some level of gas seal type treatment used to keep it to a minimum.

At least for me too, the issue doesnt really crop up, or at least isnt near as bad, unless Im shooting a lot of rounds quickly.


As far as the original question about difference in sound between them. I also have a bolt gun that takes the same suppressor as the AR's, and I dont notice any real difference in sound as far as the shot goes, and thats shooting them without ear protection.

The only thing I do really notice is, the mirage coming off the suppressor when its on the bolt gun becomes an issue very quickly with the scope and trying to acquire the target. My one AR also has a scope, and I dont have the issue with it.

I suppose it may be time for one of those mirage reducing can covers.
 
With DI guns, the nice thing is you can tune the gas and the load to reduce the gas the shooter has to deal with...to irrelevant levels.

Blowback guns are going to be a little louder than DI guns which are going to be a little louder than manually operated guns.
 
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