HW97 moderator, does it do anything?

[jimaok]

I have a question on the HW97 in .22, it is available with an optional moderator. But since the velocity is under 800 fps, there is no sonic crack. Is the discharge quieter with the moderator? I always thought the sound in a springer was all from the powerplant thunking as the spring released. 

Where I live, I have a neighbor 30 yards on one side, and another 40 yards behind me. I am able to shoot an HW30s with no problem, but my R9 is a little too loud and would attract unwanted attention.

 

[Motorhead]

yes it does a LITTLE .... with a few baffles or hair curler mod it is better yet

 

[Glenroiland]

Yes, it helps some. I would personally opt to get it even though it only helps a little.

 

[Odoyle]

It makes it super long and does take the slight crack echo out inherent to springers. It won't silence it like how a good LDC does to a PCP. Buy it of you have the means. You at least need the end cap threaded adapter though. Haven't tried a hair curler in the stock brake though. That's a good idea!

 

[r1lover]

Here's a youtube video comparing the decibel levels of an HW97 with and without.

NOTE: This gentleman is in Hungary where he says air guns are limited to only 7.5 joules so his 97 likely generates a different decibel level than more powerful 97's.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RpA7-vRKeE

 

[Deepbass9]

As others have said, it does make a difference. When shooting in or outside, my .22 HW97K has noticeably less "crack" than my .177 D430L and my previous R9 .22 and now current D52 .22. Enough that I will at some point try to get one on the D52.

Thanks to the posters here, Motorhead and Knife especially, I wasn't afraid to take a propane torch to the barrel just behind the moderator to get it un-epoxied from the "factory". It took more than I thought it would, but it twisted off without a mark anywhere. Just make sure you have a welding glove on hand. There are 1/2x20 adapters, too, if you want to get them on ebay (as it seems impossible to actually get a HW97K brake end cap) so you can take the mod off and shorten the length. Either for carry, to try another moderator, or to lose it altogether and still have a finished end.

 

[Jamesbythebay]

Nice video. Although he didn't appear to be using the measuring/recording devices in a way that would give accurate results, his results are nonetheless meaningful. There seems to be ~10dB difference, which is very noticeable reduction. One can certainly hear the difference.

 

[DutchMike]

I had one on my 97k. The difference in noise was not worth the hassle of the extra length, for me. I found a Maccari tunekit to getter better results in noise.

 

[Deerstalker]

HW95L .22 shot cycle after ARH kit & Krytox lube.



https://youtu.be/bywPFmB2_ZM

 

[brad870]

https://youtu.be/qsfJARzuWH4

Steve talks about it at 30:17 mark.

 

[shausen]

Glad I found this thread. I live in a densely populated area, but my backyard is a tree and foliage dense ravine that slopes steeply upward as it moves back. I feel like I could shoot without too much issue, but using a moderator like this would help. Interesting that it looked like 10 db drop in that guy's house and then only 3 db drop in that other guy's back yard. Go figure. For my situation it would be worth it.

 

[pdxFrank]

oh, i'll participate in this fine zombie thread.

i can't speak for the4 HW97 (wish i could!), but in my limited experience, having a proper moderator does lower the report. a solid 10dB for me with a Donny FL koi on a walther parrus .177 break barrel. and a more consistent pop. may have even improved accuracy.

does make for a long gun, but if that doesn't matter, IMO keep the muffler, or add one if ya don't on other guns.

gl!

 

[shausen]

Thanks for playing! And sharing that video. More data points are always helpful. I'll only be shooting .177 but every bit helps. I think it was Mr. Roger's who said to be a good neighbor, always use a moderator.

 

[funkermunker]

I have a .22 HW97 and put a DonnyFL Tanto on it for the same reasons as jimoak. I purchased the thread adapter from AOA. It's short enough (barely) to fit in my plastic case without taking it off. It just looks a little funky as the Tanto has a matte finish with machined flats, but I don't mind it.

 

[shausen]

I just tried to order the Weihrauch HW77 moderator from Krale and it doesn't seem that the US is somewhere it will ship to if you do that. They're out of stock at AoA so perhaps I'll look into the DonnyFL.

 

[funkermunker]

Tinbum sells a baffle kit, but looks like he's out.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Springers can definitely benefit from a moderator. I posted some test results a while back on GTA using a TX200HC. The rifle is comparable to the HW97K and should give similar results.

That being said, I’ve had much better results putting a moderator on a Walther LGV due to the lower mechanical noise of the LGV versus the TX200.

TX200HC - The Tanto Project - Airguns & Guns Forum

TX200HC - The Tanto Project, Air guns, Airgun Forum

www.gatewaytoairguns.org

-Marty

PS. Unfortunately to view the GTA pictures and tables viewers need to be logged into that site.

 

[shausen]

Thanks Marty, that thread is pretty informative. Besides my neighbors, I suffer from debilitating tinnitus so I can't shoot any of my guns and recently discovered pellet guns. I see this as a way to enjoy something I thought I'd lost. I figure any extra noise suppression I can do will make it more pleasant for me.

 

[Struckat]

My HW95 benefits greatly from a moderator. It is very necessary where I live in the burbs. Even so I make sure no one is around when I shoot in the backyard.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Thanks Marty, that thread is pretty informative. Besides my neighbors, I suffer from debilitating tinnitus so I can't shoot any of my guns and recently discovered pellet guns. I see this as a way to enjoy something I thought I'd lost. I figure any extra noise suppression I can do will make it more pleasant for me.

If costs are not too much of a concern I think you might be better off with a PCP than a springer. A lot of the noise people experience from a springer is by conduction from the stock to the cheek bones, not a good thing for tinnitus. I have a PCP with a moderator that is more powerful than my springers and it is mouse fart quiet, I think it may serve you better unless you are like me and have a soft spot for traditional mechanical devices.

-Marty