Suppressors for Rifles
DEVICES to muffle the muzzle report of rifles and pistols are called silencers, suppressors or sound moderators. These names can be a bit confusing so which is correct? To be honest, they are all acceptable, and refer to devices that work on the same principle – many people simply call them silencers.
When were silencers developed?
The first commercial silencer was developed in America in 1902 by Hiram Percy Maxim, the son of Hiram Stevens Maxim, the firearms inventor. Maxim Jnr received his patent for the Maxim Silencer, as he called it, on 30 March 1909. Interestingly, the original silencer or muffler for internal combustion engines was also developed by Maxim in the early 20th century.
When discussing silencers, you must first understand that no suppressor can completely silence a high-velocity calibre’s muzzle report. The name ‘silencer’ is thus not entirely correct but it is commonly used. The supersonic crack of a bullet as it breaks through the sound barrier cannot be silenced at all and is quite loud. A person
