Suppressors and semis. What adjustments?

Pond, James Pond · January 10, 2017, 03:36 PM

I understand that if you just put on a suppressor on a regular semi-auto and running over a long period, you will damage the gun as the gas pressure running through the gas system is higher than it would be without the suppressor.

Some semis have a valve that allows you to select the appropriate aperture for the gas system to run loud or suppressed. But most do not.

So, what would/could/should you change to ensure that the suppressor's presence will not damage the gun?

Stronger spring on the piston? Stronger recoil spring? Both?
Something altogether different?

Willie Lowman · January 10, 2017, 03:56 PM

Well you are asking about screwing around with the action of a gun without saying what gun.

Common practice with an AR would be to use a heavier buffer or an adjustable gas block.

Pond, James Pond · January 10, 2017, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Well you are asking about screwing around with the action of a gun without saying what gun.

Fair point.

In my case it's a VZ58.

I'm still toying with the idea of getting a can for it or an adaptor to run my bolt gun can on it when the mood takes me, but the realisation that prolonged use would damage the gun prematurely certainly dampened me enthusiasm for running a suppressor with any regularity in standard trim and if I don't use it often, I'm not sure I want to spend the money. Hence exploring other options...

Mobuck · January 10, 2017, 05:32 PM

With some backwoods ingenuity, a sort of adjustable relief port might be fabbed into the gasblock (some gas operated shotguns use a spring loaded relief) or the barrel port/gas block threaded and bushed to smaller diameter gas port. Neither is going to be cheap and would require some intricate machine work.

Willie Lowman · January 11, 2017, 09:11 AM

Well, from the little bit I have seen of the Vz...

Some folks have drilled little holes and put set screws into their gas blocks to allow some measure of adjustment.

Others have simply screwed a large volume suppressor on and didn't look back.

If you are worried about the action of your semi auto, why don't you get a can you could mount on both your bolt gun and the Vz? Keep the suppressor on the bolt gun and if you get the Vz figured out the way you like, trade the suppressor over.

Pond, James Pond · January 11, 2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

If you are worried about the action of your semi auto, why don't you get a can you could mount on both your bolt gun and the Vz? Keep the suppressor on the bolt gun and if you get the Vz figured out the way you like, trade the suppressor over.

That is probably my ideal choice, but it will require an adaptor with M14 internal thread and a Sako M19 to match CZ550's can thread.

I'll wait to see how it shoots first!!

highpower3006 · January 13, 2017, 04:34 PM

I only have experience with a suppressor on an AR. Both of the guns I run it on have carbine length gas systems and I have been unable to notice any difference between the recoil with it off or on.

It actually helped cycling on the rifle that has a 10.5" barrel as I think the dwell time past the gas port was not long enough and I was getting weak ejection.

I know that AK's are typically over gassed, but haven't heard about whether a VZ58 is. I did have a severe over gassing problem on my PSL54c and I solved it by tapping the gas port in the gas block and installing a set screw with a smaller hole drilled in it.

Like the PSL, the vz58 has a 45 degree gas block and I bet you could drill and/or tap into it from the top. Measure the hole and if a tap can be used without having to drill out the hole it will be a very easy modification if you wind up needing to do it.

Pond, James Pond · January 13, 2017, 04:46 PM

That's a nice, simple idea there, HP!!

I like it. If I do get the can on it and working I'll give it serious consideration if I see any signs of the gun being hammered by the added gases.

Mobuck · January 13, 2017, 09:04 PM

I think most gas operated battle rifles are "over-gassed" just to make sure they function under extreme conditions. A gunfight is NOT the place to be worrying about the long term longevity of your rifle--you just want it to WORK at that particular moment.

January 10, 2017, 03:36 PM	#1
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Suppressors and semis. What adjustments? I understand that if you just put on a suppressor on a regular semi-auto and running over a long period, you will damage the gun as the gas pressure running through the gas system is higher than it would be without the suppressor. Some semis have a valve that allows you to select the appropriate aperture for the gas system to run loud or suppressed. But most do not. So, what would/could/should you change to ensure that the suppressor's presence will not damage the gun? Stronger spring on the piston? Stronger recoil spring? Both? Something altogether different? __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

January 10, 2017, 03:56 PM	#2
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	Well you are asking about screwing around with the action of a gun without saying what gun. Common practice with an AR would be to use a heavier buffer or an adjustable gas block. __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

January 11, 2017, 09:11 AM	#5
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	Well, from the little bit I have seen of the Vz... Some folks have drilled little holes and put set screws into their gas blocks to allow some measure of adjustment. Others have simply screwed a large volume suppressor on and didn't look back. If you are worried about the action of your semi auto, why don't you get a can you could mount on both your bolt gun and the Vz? Keep the suppressor on the bolt gun and if you get the Vz figured out the way you like, trade the suppressor over. __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

January 13, 2017, 04:46 PM	#8
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	That's a nice, simple idea there, HP!! I like it. If I do get the can on it and working I'll give it serious consideration if I see any signs of the gun being hammered by the added gases. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

January 10, 2017, 05:32 PM	#4
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	With some backwoods ingenuity, a sort of adjustable relief port might be fabbed into the gasblock (some gas operated shotguns use a spring loaded relief) or the barrel port/gas block threaded and bushed to smaller diameter gas port. Neither is going to be cheap and would require some intricate machine work.

January 13, 2017, 04:34 PM	#7
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	I only have experience with a suppressor on an AR. Both of the guns I run it on have carbine length gas systems and I have been unable to notice any difference between the recoil with it off or on. It actually helped cycling on the rifle that has a 10.5" barrel as I think the dwell time past the gas port was not long enough and I was getting weak ejection. I know that AK's are typically over gassed, but haven't heard about whether a VZ58 is. I did have a severe over gassing problem on my PSL54c and I solved it by tapping the gas port in the gas block and installing a set screw with a smaller hole drilled in it. Like the PSL, the vz58 has a 45 degree gas block and I bet you could drill and/or tap into it from the top. Measure the hole and if a tap can be used without having to drill out the hole it will be a very easy modification if you wind up needing to do it.

January 13, 2017, 09:04 PM	#9
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I think most gas operated battle rifles are "over-gassed" just to make sure they function under extreme conditions. A gunfight is NOT the place to be worrying about the long term longevity of your rifle--you just want it to WORK at that particular moment.