Jumping into the world of suppressors: Best option for AK-V

[Snowdog]

A coworker of mine informed me of a nearby shop that will walk a person through the process of obtaining a suppressor, something I've been wanting for a while.

I don't want the suppressor for "cool factor" but only to save my ears if I ever needed to fire for defense indoors.

I do have a .300 blackout with 7.5" barrel that I purchased with the sole intention to suppress. Ammunition for the .300 blackout, especially defensive subsonic ammunition, seems hard to find and expensive when I do.

I decided to instead suppress my AK-V as I've been told it's an excellent candidate for a suppressor and I know it's more than capable for defense.

I am currently looking for a 147gr JHP that remains subsonic from a 10.5" barrel (another post on the Automatic forum), but I do have some questions about suppressors in general.

Here are a few:

• I see there are multi-caliber suppressors. Are these as effective in suppressing as a suppressor made for that specific caliber?
• If the 147gr JHP options out there do go supersonic, is hearing loss a real issue indoors just from the supersonic crack?
• If I cannot find a 147gr JHP that will remain subsonic from a 10.5" barrel, would a 124gr JHP be any louder than a 147gr if both are supersonic?
• Any suggested suppressors for my Palmetto State Armory AK-V? Any warnings?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GHinNH]

I'll offer my 0.02c... Choice of silencer is dependent on your barrel. I know what the PSA-V is, but don't know much about them, so....

AK's were never originally intended to have suppressors attached to them and the muzzle threads are notoriously crooked. To address that, the original Russian silencer (that I can't remember the name of at the moment) has increasing baffle hole sizes from where it screws to the barrel muzzle, to exit exit end to compensate for crooked barrel threads. Sort of like sticking a funnel to the end of the barrel.

The DeadAir Wolverine is made the same way and very close in outward appearance. That's why it is generally "the one" for AKM's. All that said, your PSA-V more than likely is US made with CNC machinery so the threads should be good for use with any silencer. I might call PSA and confirm so you know what you can look for.

Supersonic crack...
As far as physics goes, the larger the moving object the larger the noise as the air collapses behind it. A .22 make considerably less noise than a F-15 but they are both experiencing the same phenomenon at the same speed. I don't believe there would be a discernible difference with same caliber bullets of different weights without comparing with sound meters. I have one but never bothered to check.

For the most part, a silencer designed for a particular caliber is made to handle that specific volume of gasses. If you screw it on to a larger caliber it will not be quite as effective, that's why rifle cans are a good bit larger than pistol cans. Plus they need to be able to physically withstand the pressure involved without coming apart.

I hope some of that helps.

 

[mavracer]

Multipurpose cans work well, a larger bore can will be a little louder but I find they have a little deeper tone that's a ok tradeoff.
Supersonic crack is around 130db I wouldn't sweat it too much but YMMV. How much the supersonic crack bothers you is greatly dependent on your tolerance.
The difference between supersonic 124 and 147 will probably be imperceptible, much like it is unsuppressed.
In your situation I would look at something like the dead air wolfman it should work well on both 9mm and 300 Blackout.

 

[dogtown tom]

I'll offer my 0.02c... Choice of silencer is dependent on your barrel. I know what the PSA-V is, but don't know much about them, so....

AK's were never originally intended to have suppressors attached to them and the muzzle threads are notoriously crooked. To address that, the original Russian silencer (that I can't remember the name of at the moment) has increasing baffle hole sizes from where it screws to the barrel muzzle, to exit exit end to compensate for crooked barrel threads. Sort of like sticking a funnel to the end of the barrel.

The DeadAir Wolverine is made the same way and very close in outward appearance. That's why it is generally "the one" for AKM's. All that said, your PSA-V more than likely is US made with CNC machinery so the threads should be good for use with any silencer. I might call PSA and confirm so you know what you can look for.....

This.
With any rifle...bolt action, AR, AK, whatever.......it's never a bad idea to confirm that your threads are concentric to the bore. If they aren't, it can be rethreaded.

 

[RockRat64]

It depends which multical can you get. I bought the Optimus, and didn't realize that you can only shoot 9mm in the short configuration (therefore, louder). When you add the extra baffle, it is a 30 cal baffle. So I went ahead and also bought a Obsidian 9. Will mostly be shooting it on my AR-V with Faxon barrel.

The AK-V is 9mm BTW.

I think some of the tapered QD mounts helps with concentricity? Also you can use alignment rods to check. Something else to think about is the aperture. Some are a little larger than others.

 

[mavracer]

Another cavet about multicaliber suppressors they are a Gateway drug. My first was a Gemtech ONE named because it's the only rifle can you need well 9 cans later I might have all I need lol.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Supersonic crack...
As far as physics goes, the larger the moving object the larger the noise as the air collapses behind it. A .22 make considerably less noise than a F-15 but they are both experiencing the same phenomenon at the same speed. I don't believe there would be a discernible difference with same caliber bullets of different weights without comparing with sound meters. I have one but never bothered to check.

Weight, no, but size, profile and velocity, yes.

The smaller, faster and more aerodynamic the bullet, the less offensive the crack.

I think some of the tapered QD mounts helps with concentricity? Also you can use alignment rods to check. Something else to think about is the aperture. Some are a little larger than others.

Concentricity is a misused term, the real problems result from axial misalignment. Concentricity can be out quite a bit with no issue, but it takes very little axial misalignment to get strikes. Regardless, no mounting system will mitigate bad threads/shoulder.

 

[Mot45acp]

I run the 45Osprey and Rugged Obsidian on my AK-V. 147s stay subsonic. It is noticeably louder when running the Obsidian in short configuration (as to be expected).

I usually just stick with Obsidian, but strictly for looks. A round can just looks better than the rectangle.

Pic. Gun is now plum and with a CNC Warrior triangle brace.

View attachment 1008494

 

[MechAg94]

I recently ran a Bowers VERS 45 on a K-USA KP-9 using Speer 147 grain. It was about the quietest gun I have shot aside from 22 LR. .

Maybe the lower tone from the large volume can hits my ears just right. I need to compare it with other cans mounted. I was surprised how well the AK action sounded.