The Real Science of Airgun Suppressor Selection

[DonnyFL]

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!

 

[beerthief]

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 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 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 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.

View attachment 585435

I am all in ! this is a great useful thread . But we still need to follow the Forum rules pertaining to mod's .

 

[6gun]

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!

View attachment 585435

I've got a selection of Donnys and a couple higher power guns. The yoko is a miracle worker for my 22 700mm 75fpe no shroud impact. It's a click

I buy a yoko for my 43 fpe dreamline 25 380mm(after trying a Ryu) and it's quieter in a way and noisier in a way than the winner that was on the dreamline. The donny fx licensed smaller mod has the best results and I can't explain why. It's a "thumpy poof" with no pellet ping/squeal. Yoko has no poof but it's got a bit more metallic note to it even though it's much higher tech in design. No it isn't the mod ringing, but each one moderates a different sound quality.

The ronin is the largest, and loudest on both guns, but it really brought my semi auto aea in check.

For a marauder or some crosmans, my home brew plastic lathe creations were quieter than my Donnys. Much lower tech baffles and cheap materials but they suited the cheap guns they went on.

It's a wild world in how moderators work on different airguns. The design and build quality on the yoko and Ryu is straight machinist smut. They're things of pure beauty to me and worth every penny just to enjoy the design and machine operations that went into them.

Well done donny, well done.

 

[cavedweller]

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!

View attachment 585435

To date the Weihrauch moderators rule in sound suppression for .177 and .22 in the sub <20 fpe range. I own every Donny FL made, every impulse air made, every Silent Thunder Ordnance made, and every Zero DB made, several Huggets also.
Oddly what you would expect to work better isn’t always the case.
The absolute best sound suppression comes from a airgun equipped with both a shroud AND a moderator.

 

[FelixS]

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!

View attachment 585435

You pretty much hit the main points.
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!

 

[6gun]

You pretty much hit the main points.
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!

I wonder if there's a way to roughly corellate air noise to fpe, to ballpark consumers into a selection of models? I know caliber plays a role, but it doesn't have to be overly complicated.

 

[maxburdine]

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!

View attachment 585435

good idea

 

[DonnyFL]

I wonder if there's a way to roughly corellate air noise to fpe, to ballpark consumers into a selection of models? I know caliber plays a role, but it doesn't have to be overly complicated.

You are spot on. The higher the power tune, the louder the airgun shot report will be. Some of the other factors also include the valve design of the given airgun in question. If you have ever seen the internals for a .72 cal AEA Zues for example, vs. an Air Arms S510 .177 cal the difference of the size of compoenents and mechanical design are signficicant. The sound of the massive spring and hammer slap in the .72 cal is quite loud as compared to the .177 due to the force needed to open the valve. The sound of the expanding air released at the muzzle is only part of the sound profile of each particular airgun. The massive amount of air released in a big bore airgun is significant which is why we came out with a larger expansion chamber for the DonnyFL Zuess that helps quiet down the shot report at the muzzle. Quieting down the mechanical valve noise though is something an airgun supressor can't do.

 

[DonnyFL]

You pretty much hit the main points.
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!

Thank you for the feedback and your experience with the GK1. Suppressing a .25 cal in an air pistol format is a bit more challenging than a .177 or .22 for sure. The GK1 presents even more challenges with the massive amount of power that it has. One of the coolest things though from a shot report supression perspective about the GK1 is the lack of hammer noise to deal with because there is no hammer. The sound you get is purely the expanding air shot report sound and at over 60 FPE in a .25 cal pistol, that is a lot of PEW! to tame. That is why we like using the GK1 to test our DonnyFL suppressors to analyze the sound reduction without the hammer slap variable. In the DonnyFL 1.22 inch diameter options which asthetically look the best with airgun pistols, the Tanto - Koi - and Ryu are our top reccomendations. The 1.22 diameter allows you to still use the fiber optic sight on the GK1 as well. The Ryu typically is our go-to recommendation if you are running the .25 cal at the high end of a power tune whereas the GK1 in .22 in medium to lower power tunes can go with a Tanto or Koi fro great sound reduction without the bulk of a larger OD suppressor.

 

[DonnyFL]

I've got a selection of Donnys and a couple higher power guns. The yoko is a miracle worker for my 22 700mm 75fpe no shroud impact. It's a click

I buy a yoko for my 43 fpe dreamline 25 380mm(after trying a Ryu) and it's quieter in a way and noisier in a way than the winner that was on the dreamline. The donny fx licensed smaller mod has the best results and I can't explain why. It's a "thumpy poof" with no pellet ping/squeal. Yoko has no poof but it's got a bit more metallic note to it even though it's much higher tech in design. No it isn't the mod ringing, but each one moderates a different sound quality.

The ronin is the largest, and loudest on both guns, but it really brought my semi auto aea in check.

For a marauder or some crosmans, my home brew plastic lathe creations were quieter than my Donnys. Much lower tech baffles and cheap materials but they suited the cheap guns they went on.

It's a wild world in how moderators work on different airguns. The design and build quality on the yoko and Ryu is straight machinist smut. They're things of pure beauty to me and worth every penny just to enjoy the design and machine operations that went into them.

Well done donny, well done.

The thumpy poof! That is our goal when we are testing and sometimes we call it the dull thud. You hit the nail on the head about the tone and it is an interesting phenomenon we see in our testing and hear from our users. One thing no one ever talks about is the resonance of the suppressor can itself. The length and diameter and materials used in an airgun suppressor all contribute to the sound profile of an airgun suppressor to specific airgun combination.

 

[kwaping]

****

Does the Skout stripper weigh less than the Shogun?

 

[MSR Workshop]

Does the Skout stripper weigh less than the Shogun?

Actually the Skout it’s a fair bit heavier but about 1/2 the length

 

[kwaping]

Actually the Skout it’s a fair bit heavier but about 1/2 the length

I have no idea then.

 

[FelixS]

Thank you for the feedback and your experience with the GK1. Suppressing a .25 cal in an air pistol format is a bit more challenging than a .177 or .22 for sure. The GK1 presents even more challenges with the massive amount of power that it has. One of the coolest things though from a shot report supression perspective about the GK1 is the lack of hammer noise to deal with because there is no hammer. The sound you get is purely the expanding air shot report sound and at over 60 FPE in a .25 cal pistol, that is a lot of PEW! to tame. That is why we like using the GK1 to test our DonnyFL suppressors to analyze the sound reduction without the hammer slap variable. In the DonnyFL 1.22 inch diameter options which asthetically look the best with airgun pistols, the Tanto - Koi - and Ryu are our top reccomendations. The 1.22 diameter allows you to still use the fiber optic sight on the GK1 as well. The Ryu typically is our go-to recommendation if you are running the .25 cal at the high end of a power tune whereas the GK1 in .22 in medium to lower power tunes can go with a Tanto or Koi fro great sound reduction without the bulk of a larger OD suppressor.

Thank you for the detailed reply, good to know.

Well, here is what I ended up with, and I really like the look

 

[Moderator3]

Gentlemen, there has been no revision to the AGN prohibition on discussion of Moderator design and construction. Simply put, Don't go there, amigo.

Moderator use and effectiveness of moderators both are permitted for discussion topics.

 

[Moderator3]

Gentlemen, there has been no revision to the AGN prohibition on discussion of Moderator design and construction. Simply put, Don't go there, amigo.

Moderator use and effectiveness of moderators both are permitted for discussion topics.

For those that missed the warning I posted a few hours ago.. here it is again.

 

[rwsmike]

I have had a few donny moderators and I have very good look with the fx donny.

 

[cavedweller]

You are spot on. The higher the power tune, the louder the airgun shot report will be. Some of the other factors also include the valve design of the given airgun in question. If you have ever seen the internals for a .72 cal AEA Zues for example, vs. an Air Arms S510 .177 cal the difference of the size of compoenents and mechanical design are signficicant. The sound of the massive spring and hammer slap in the .72 cal is quite loud as compared to the .177 due to the force needed to open the valve. The sound of the expanding air released at the muzzle is only part of the sound profile of each particular airgun. The massive amount of air released in a big bore airgun is significant which is why we came out with a larger expansion chamber for the DonnyFL Zuess that helps quiet down the shot report at the muzzle. Quieting down the mechanical valve noise though is something an airgun supressor can't do.

The absolute best sound suppression you can achieve comes from an airgun that has both a shroud and a moderator, provided it has been tuned to use air properly. IMO. I'm not a big fan of BIG cans hanging from my barrel and they do cause a POI drop. I prefer the Svelte sleek nature of the Weihrauchs and Huggetts and Zero DB's. Of course reducing the diameter of a moderator means you need to maintain moderator air volume by adding more length; to me this is why a shroud really works well as the length can be kept minimal.