I've Tried A Few Silencer Mods

[derf]

Let us rejuvenate this old topic of the mystical silencer. With the help of someone else, i've been trying to make one but have not yet come across an effective solution. NB: This is specific to an A5! Not a low pressure marker. I really really really need you input on this guys.

Attempt #1: We fixed a plastic cylinder of approx 2 inches diameter and half a foot in length to the end of an unported barrel. Inside the cylinder was a rolled up layer of scrubbing pad much to the same texture as scouring pads for cleaning plates and cutlery.
Result: Did not work. Balls were chopped inside the cylinder and there was virtually no noise reduction. We came to the conclusion that air was travelling faster than the paintball and overtaking it in the cylinder due the increase in space. It would then shove the paintball aside and cause it to break inside. The sound was assumed not to have been silenced because the air was allowed to escape almost at normal speeds.

Attempt #2: We assumed that we must therefore try and keep the air behind the ball as much as possible. So we fitted the same cylinder over the porting of a 20 inch barrel with about 8 inches porting. The cylinder was fixed above the 8 inches of porting.
Result: Did not work. Virtually no sound reduction. We came to the conclusion that due to the large bore size of the barrel (.695") the air was still escaping past the paintball. We also assumed that the porting holes were either too few or too small.



Attempt #3: We will try and make a trial barrel with .685" bore and alot of big porting. We will fix the cylinder over the porting and will try and shoot paint through it and see what happens.

[pizzaluvr]

The one I made worked pretty well... I just held it over my flatline barrel and it reduced the high-pitched "Crack" and made it into more of a low pitched "Bump".
Linky

[scphantom9195]

That is strange. I have done this with good results. Of course it was not 'silent', but the report was reduced. It basically made it more difficult to hear where the shot came from. Maybe try a longer section of tubing, and go with a 1 1/2" diameter vs the 2" diameter. Also try using foam instead of the scrubbing pad.

I had the idea once to try that black pipe insulation as the medium, but never got around to it. I do not think it would 'absorb' the gas enough. I just thought the shape would be perfect.

I would advise using steel wool, but once it got wet it would rust all to pieces. Maybe stainless steel wool if they make it?

[derf]

I want more than a reduction in "report". I know it's unlikely to become silent.

[Pagano]

Originally Posted by scphantom9195

...I would advise using steel wool, but once it got wet it would rust all to pieces. Maybe stainless steel wool if they make it?

Resturant's use 'em. Any cash-and-carry supply store (Maines or Sysco in the NE) will have em. Look to spend about 3-5$ each.

I used 'delta' rings (rigid rubber gaskets that are inserted into faucets) to seperate the silencer into chambers.

[firemedic140]

Try useing "batting" or speaker fill material. Stores have the product in the crafts section of the stores.

I used these plans: http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Ri...4/silence.htmlfor one for an SL-68 II, I tired it on the A5 and it worked pretty well.

[Shade]

Do a search on google for how real silencers are designed. Maybe you can get some ideas from that?

[shadow51]

I know someone who used a Briggs&Statton muffler that work fare. about 6" long 2-2 1/2" Dia.

The old 80-90s silencers had big (injected plastic) square holes in the 1" inside tube's and used the green scratch pads.

[Jaron]

One quick note in case anyone doesn't already know. Paintball markers are classified as either firearms or air rifles, depending on the state, and as such are usually under ATF jurisdiction. That means they cannot have silencing items on them unless you have a federal permit to do so. This includes any home-brew items as well those available on the market. This is why the vast majority of silencer mods are only cosmetic.

That said, here's the basics, again for those that don't already know. The report from a firearm and paintball marker comes from rapidly expanding gas. This expansion has a concussion wave that then slams into the still air around it producing sound waves. The stronger and faster the concussion wave the louder and sharper the report. Weaker waves are quieter while slower ones produce a "phmff" rather than a pop. So silencers slow the venting of the exhaust gas. Silencers have an inner wall that extend off the barrel with small holes that vent into an inner chamber. This inner chamber has some type of ballast inside to dampen the concussive waves. Materials like quilt batting, rubber shavings, and others slow down the expanding gas and even cause it to bounce around in the chamber. The outer wall also has some venting holes for the slowed gas to finally escape.

A very basic silencer could be made by slipping some 2" PVC pipe around the ported section of a barrel. Port the outside of it a bit, stuff some old rags inside, then seal both ends. It may not work like a professional one but it will dampen the report.

[TrinitiCustom]

This is not gospel here, but my understanding of the situation is that if the silencer (more properly termed a suppressor)will actually work and survive on a ballistic firearm (powder operated) it's illegal, if you make it from materials that cannot be attached to or survive those high breeech and muzzle pressures, it is legal, if it can be made to attach to a real gun, and operate without self destructing, it is illegal to own without a 200$ federal permit, the ATF has jurisdiction over these kinds of things, so it really doesn't matter what the individual state defines anything as, as the only entity with the authority to issue a permit for a real suppressor / silencer is the ATF (feds)

Edit: I found a link last week to an out of country site that recommended the use of a refrigerators water filter replacement, though I have bought a couple and intend to try, I haven't found one that is a proper fit inside a pvc pipe, the best one to fit on the ID is a filter that's roughly 2.5" OD which doesn't fit any produced pvc pipe I cna find, but I set the one I have up, and have not yet had enough time this week to see how well it disperses the sound without the outside pipe, I expect it will work somewhat, this is actually design try #2 for me... I've been making attempts for a couple weeks now, and I will eventually get this thing licked :evil scientist grin: