Judging by the reviews, for some fans of shotguns, the question of the ability to carry out silent shooting is relevant. “Is it possible to use a silencer on a twelfth caliber smoothbore gun ?” - many ask. Particularly increased interest in this topic after watching the film "The Old Men Are Not Here" in which the protagonist used a similar device.
The article contains information on what PBS is for a shotgun and how to make a silencer with your own hands on a 12-gauge smoothbore gun. Under Russian law, civilians are not allowed to use firearms equipped with sound suppression devices. Therefore, the information contained in the article is purely theoretical and experimental in nature.
Acquaintance with the device
PBS (silent shooting device) has a rich history. Almost a hundred years have passed since the creation of the first devices. In everyday life, these devices are called "silencers", since their purpose is to muffle the sound of a shot. Equipping a weapon with such a nozzle, you can safely carry out covert shooting, without fear of being detected by the enemy by sound and by flame knocked out of the barrel. For a long time on all the documentation related to the production of silencers, there was a signature stamp. A limited number of PBS was used exclusively by army special forces.
A bit about theory
Before proceeding with the manufacture of a silencer for a 12-gauge smoothbore gun, it is necessary to have an idea of what processes occur in the barrel channel during firing and what causes the sound. So, after firing, a very hot stream of air forms in the barrel, which is a shock wave. The speed of its propagation through the channel exceeds the speed of sound. This causes noise. During movement, the pressure and density of the shock wave increase. Therefore, when it leaves the trunk, a loud pop occurs. Noise can be removed by cooling the powder gases until they leave the bore. For this purpose, a device for silent shooting was created.
Device description
PBS is a hollow copper, aluminum or steel cylinder. Also, plastic is suitable for its manufacture. Inside, the cylinder is equipped with special chambers through which heated powder gases pass and cool.
Devices are mounted on the end of the barrel, equipped with a special thread. Weapons designed for special forces soldiers do not predominantly contain threads, but are equipped with integrated silencers.
PBS for hunters
Judging by consumer reviews, the use of a silencer on a 12-gauge smoothbore gun would improve the hunting process. Despite the fact that shooting with such a nozzle would not scare away the game, which would simplify the life of hunters, it is forbidden in Russia to use devices to suppress sound. Since it is impossible to legally acquire a silencer for a 12-gauge smoothbore gun, many shotgun owners try to make such a device on their own or turn to gunsmiths.
What do you need for work?
Anyone who has decided to make a silencer for a 12-gauge smoothbore gun should prepare:
- A hollow tube 40 cm long, with an outer diameter of 52 mm and an inner 49 mm.
- Aluminum washers. Their thickness should be 0.5 mm. Quantity: 350 pieces.
- Small separation washers. Their thickness is 0.5 mm, the quantity is 1050 pieces.
- Two nuts. One will be used for mounting on the barrel, and the second should be screwed onto the end of the home-made PBS tube.
Assembly
The silencer should ultimately be a metal tube equipped with sections for swirling the air flow. The prepared housing must be filled with aluminum and spacer washers.
They are installed alternately. After the cylinder is fully equipped, it is necessary to tighten the second end with a nut.
Principle of operation
Gases formed during firing will seep into the gaps between the aluminum washers. In this case, the heated air flow as it moves inside the cylinder will break into small flows and cool. The projectile pushed by them will impede their rapid exit from the silencer channel. Therefore, part of the gases, overtaking it, seeps through the gaps in the aluminum washers, where it cools. Small air currents that will be completely cold will overtake the projectile. It is not the entire air stream that pushes the bullet out, but its chilled part. Density and air temperature at the time of exiting the muffler will be significantly reduced.
PBS for American hunters
The SilencerCo Salvo 12 product is presented to the fans of the silent use of shotguns in the US arms market. This device is a silencer for a 12-caliber Saiga smoothbore gun. The device has a modular design. If necessary, the shooter can adjust the noise level. Twelve inches is the full length of a silencer for a 12-gauge smoothbore gun. A photo of this device is presented in the article. PBS is capable of suppressing noise levels up to 137 dB. Use this silencer for 12-gauge smoothbore guns when firing from the Saiga and the Boar and any other hunting shotgun model.
The silencer is manufactured using T6 aluminum and 17-4 stainless steel. Outside the product is coated with a non-reflex anode substance. The American company PBS is equipped with a special adapter, which is an adapter between the nozzle and the muzzle of the weapon. Using an adapter, the silencer is mounted on the shotgun barrel.
The cost of the silencer ranges from 1400-1500 dollars. The scope of SilencerCo Salvo 12 is diverse. Mostly nozzles are used by hunters who want to carry out silent shooting. Silencers are also used in training firing or for self-defense.
Finally
Owners of homemade silencers should remember that shooting with mufflers that suppress sound is contrary to Russian law. Those who are not at all embarrassed by this fact are advised to know that most artisanal silencers are structurally unreliable. Shooting with such nozzles can damage the shotgun or injure the wearer.