The Real Science of Airgun Suppressor Selection
- By FelixS
- Industry News
- 33 Replies
You pretty much hit the main points.Hey there airheads!
The other day we sent out an email talking about all the years of experience we’ve had working with airgunners around the world—chasing down the best sound suppression possible in the airgun game. We got some great responses back, and thought, why not bring the conversation here to Airgun Nation and keep it going?
One of the big topics that came up was how air volume and internal design, whether it’s a monocore or traditional baffle stack, actually affect the shot report. Sure, there are computer models that can predict airflow and potential decibel reduction, but the reality is airguns behave very differently than firearms. They have their own quirks in how large volumes of air get expelled and how we tame that sound. Even though DonnyFL and airgun suppressors in general have been around for a while now, the science of airgun silence is still very much evolving.
When Donny first started this company, it was a lot of good old-fashioned trial and error. Just the other day, Yolanda was reminiscing about those early days, how she and Donny would stand out in the field doing A/B tests, swapping moderators back and forth, and listening closely to the differences in tone and volume. No meters. No fancy charts. Just honest, real-world feedback about what our ears told us worked best.
Over time, we’ve added sound meters and other R&D tools to the process, but we’ve learned something important: feedback from real shooters still matters more than any number on a screen. A meter might tell you it’s “quieter,” but your ears can reveal something completely different, especially downrange.
So how do you choose the right suppressor? It’s not as simple as picking the “quietest” one on the list. Caliber and power tuning matter, a hot-rodded .22 PCP can be just as loud, or louder, than a .22LR rimfire. Barrel system design plays a role too. Shorter barrels often have a sharper, louder report, while longer barrels can be sensitive to weight on the muzzle and may not play nicely with a heavy suppressor.
Then there’s how you actually use your rifle. In competition, suppression might not be the top priority, you might be more focused on how a suppressor can influence barrel harmonics. On the other hand, if you’re pesting in your backyard or working in a sound-sensitive area, maximum suppression becomes a must-have.
The quick and dirty rule is that more internal volume usually means better airgun suppression. But that’s oversimplifying it. Tone matters just as much, and in some cases, going with a really long moderator may hurt the balance or handling of your rifle.
We’re working on a comprehensive air rifle suppressor selection guide to help make those decisions easier. In the meantime, we want to hear from you. The best part about the DonnyFL community has always been the feedback we get from real shooters. We started out as a grassroots company right here in the online forums, and that community-first approach will always be part of who we are.
So, how do you judge airgun suppressor effectiveness? Is it tone, volume, group size, or a mix of everything? Got a favorite testing method you trust? Let’s make this thread a go-to resource for anyone looking to get the most out of their airgun sound suppression. Also, check out our full lineup of airgun moderators and air rifle suppressors!
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As a consumer, I believe education would help one make decisions based on all those variables you mentioned.
Perhaps you can provide "tune specific" iterations, or kits as accessories to modify existing models to match current tunes.
For example, I just acquired a .25 GK1 and even your Shogun did not moderate it enough for my back yard. However, once I tuned it (WAY down), the Tatsu worked great.
So, education for the masses, available iterations, and hardware to accommodate needs.
Thanks for communicating!
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