M107 .50 Caliber COTS/NDI Sound Suppressor Evaluation · 2017-05-19 · M107 .50 caliber suppressor...

ARDECARDECProviding America Advanced Armaments for Peace and War

M107 .50 Caliber COTS/NDI Sound Suppressor Evaluation

Joshua Semick, US Army ARDEC


Objectives• Debrief demonstrated performance of

M107 .50 caliber suppressor samples submitted for government bid sample testing.

• Review general shortcomings, positive performance areas, and soldier feedback.

• Observations on suppressor design and affect on demonstrated performance


Test Lineup• Flash – cross sectional area measured using high speed

photography• Sound – peak SPL recorded using digital oscilloscope at

five (5) positions• Muzzle Blast – ground disturbance area below

suppressor• Recoil – recoil energy (ft-lbs)• Accuracy/Dispersion – five 10 round targets at 500

meters and 1000 meters.• Reliability – 1,000 rounds per candidate, stoppages and

failures were recorded• Limited User Evaluation – Army and Marine Snipers


Flash (baseline)


Flash – Candidate Suppressor


Peak Sound Pressure Level vs. Location

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

shooter downrange (100m) left (5m) behind (5m) back-left (5m)

Location

dB

baselinemin reductionmax reduction

140 dB threshold for hearing protection


Reliability• Overpowering changed the dynamics of

the “well tuned” M107 baseline system increasing operating group velocities and stresses

• Broken extractors and cracked charging handles were common

• Frequent stoppages (FFD, FXT) experienced during TT and by Soldiers during LUE


User Evaluation Feedback• Recoil level in excess

of 45 ft-lbs reflected negatively

• Blowback• Muzzle heavy

situations reported above 5 lbs

• Quick attach/detach a must


Recoil Energy

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Baseline A B C D E F G H I

Candidate

ft-lb

s

No Shoulder Firing Allowed Recoil above

45 ft-lbs reflected negatively in user feedback


Shot Sequence1. 2.

3. 4.


Suppressor Weight

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

A B C D E F G H I

Candidate

Wei

ght (

lbs

Weights above 5 lbs reflected negatively in user feedback


Observations• Drastic increases in recoil energy produced an

overpowering situation resulting in stoppages and premature component failures.

• Expansion tank designs generally produced more blowback than designs that shifted sound frequency outside of the audible frequency range.

• Designs that shifted sound frequency produced excessive recoil energy levels.

M107 .50 Caliber COTS/NDI Sound Suppressor Evaluation · 2017-05-19 · M107 .50 caliber suppressor...

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Transcript of M107 .50 Caliber COTS/NDI Sound Suppressor Evaluation · 2017-05-19 · M107 .50 caliber suppressor...