"Wet Suppressor"

TXAZ · June 14, 2021, 01:56 PM

I've read several articles on 'wet suppressors', adding a few cc's of water or wire pulling gel can dramatically reduce the sound out of a suppressor.
I have a QDL suppressor for my M107A1 and would love to reduce the report substantially.

Has anyone here who has a suppressor actually tried adding a few cc's of water or gel to their can? If so, what were the results?

Scorch · June 14, 2021, 05:51 PM

Not water or gel. Light machine oil? Yes, it works. Substantial reduction? Don't know, don't have a dB meter.

zukiphile · June 15, 2021, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Light machine oil? Yes, it works.

The pressure within a suppressor is so slight that the oil doesn't turn the suppressor into a diesel cylinder?

I thought the idea of moisture in a suppressor that that some of the energy that manifests in heat is taken up in evaporating the water.

TXAZ · June 15, 2021, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the feedback, ...
Putting any combustible in a suppressor is asking for trouble, and I'm pretty sure the pressures can be substantial, 2-3 KPSI as noted in the article below, where dieseling / combustion is likely a bad hair day recipe.
I also agree that adding moisture in the form of sprayed in water or gel form absorbs substantial heat (heat of vaporization), and expect there's an sweetspot.

Quote:

http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/t...ted%20to%201.9.

Jim Watson · June 15, 2021, 03:41 PM

Do you have to wash out your wet suppressor or does the additive itself clean the innards?

GarrettJ · June 15, 2021, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXAZ

I've read several articles on 'wet suppressors', adding a few cc's of water or wire pulling gel can dramatically reduce the sound out of a suppressor.
I have a QDL suppressor for my M107A1 and would love to reduce the report substantially.

DO NOT ADD ANY FLUID TO YOUR RIFLE SUPPRESSOR!!

You can get a substantial sound reduction by adding some fluid to a pistol-caliber suppressor. The energy from the burning gasses heats and vaporizes (boils) some of the liquid. This robs energy from the gas, reducing the energy available to make sound.

The reaction in a can from a low pressure / low volume pistol can makes a noticeable difference. However, the much higher gas pressures and gas volume generated by rifle cartridges has resulted in damaged suppressors. I can only imagine what the much greater gas volume of a .50 BMG would do if you try to shoot your can wet.

If in doubt, check with the suppressor manufacturer. But I would expect you to trash your .50 cal can in short order if you were to try shooting it wet.

TXAZ · June 16, 2021, 12:12 PM

Realizing Garrett had a good idea (thanks), I checked with Barrett this morning and received a reply back in less than 1 hour:

"We do NOT recommend introducing any foreign substance into the suppressor. Foreign substances can lead to flight deviations of the bullet and can cause baffle strikes in your suppressor. Also, if you were to forget that this substance was in the suppressor and tilted the gun up you may end up with a "semi barrel obstruction" from the substance getting poured down the barrel. This would have a high probability for a flight deviation and could damage the gun and or the suppressor."

ghbucky · June 16, 2021, 03:26 PM

Well, now you HAVE to do it and post the results on Youtube.

Scorch · June 17, 2021, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Well, now you HAVE to do it and post the results on Youtube.

Here, I'll hold your beer.

TXAZ · June 17, 2021, 12:13 AM

Dear ghbucky
Your are cordially invited be the wet test pilot. Scorch has agreed to hold your beer, and 2 local news Channels are bidding for exclusive video rights.
Best regards
TXAZ

Double K · June 17, 2021, 07:06 AM

First round pop is the result of there being oxygen in the suppressor, I've heard of people spraying co2 into the barrel from the breech end, in a 22 a blank can be fired first before regular ammunition which is very effective.
For whatever reason Silencerco suppressors have very little to no first round pop depending on model.

ghbucky · June 17, 2021, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Dear ghbucky
Your are cordially invited be the wet test pilot. Scorch has agreed to hold your beer, and 2 local news Channels are bidding for exclusive video rights.
Best regards
TXAZ

Somehow this went off the rails. I was supposed to be watching TXAZ blow up his can and instead now I gotta do it AND provide beer!?

TXAZ · June 18, 2021, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghbucky

Somehow this went off the rails. I was supposed to be watching TXAZ blow up his can and instead now I gotta do it AND provide beer!?

Yessir!
Scorch is holding the beer (and bets), and Channel 4 won the broadcast right.
Please be here 1/2 hour early so the paramedics can get baseline vitals, the lawyers get your John Hancock on the contract and liability waver, and Channel 4 can ask you some questions while you have all your body parts connected.

BornFighting88 · August 13, 2021, 05:52 PM

Used a "wet" can one time on a .22lr. Big fan. Factory standard velocity ammo, too. Had 0000 steel wool in the outer baffles packed with white lithium grease. It sucked up all the expanding gas, didn't ignite, but was completely saturated with burnt powder and gas residue. Had to take it apart, stuff new packed wool in there, but other than that it was great. I don't know about bigger calibers, but that was just the bees knees. I have heard of water filled ones for .45 Auto. Steamed off the water after a magazine and had to be topped off. But for a quick and dirty job of someone like 007, would be great. Long day at the range??? Bring a garden hose, too.

June 14, 2021, 01:56 PM	#1
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	"Wet Suppressor" I've read several articles on 'wet suppressors', adding a few cc's of water or wire pulling gel can dramatically reduce the sound out of a suppressor. I have a QDL suppressor for my M107A1 and would love to reduce the report substantially. Has anyone here who has a suppressor actually tried adding a few cc's of water or gel to their can? If so, what were the results? __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

June 14, 2021, 05:51 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Not water or gel. Light machine oil? Yes, it works. Substantial reduction? Don't know, don't have a dB meter. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 16, 2021, 12:12 PM	#7
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	Realizing Garrett had a good idea (thanks), I checked with Barrett this morning and received a reply back in less than 1 hour: "We do NOT recommend introducing any foreign substance into the suppressor. Foreign substances can lead to flight deviations of the bullet and can cause baffle strikes in your suppressor. Also, if you were to forget that this substance was in the suppressor and tilted the gun up you may end up with a "semi barrel obstruction" from the substance getting poured down the barrel. This would have a high probability for a flight deviation and could damage the gun and or the suppressor." __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

June 17, 2021, 12:13 AM	#10
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	Dear ghbucky Your are cordially invited be the wet test pilot. Scorch has agreed to hold your beer, and 2 local news Channels are bidding for exclusive video rights. Best regards TXAZ __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

June 15, 2021, 03:41 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Do you have to wash out your wet suppressor or does the additive itself clean the innards?

June 16, 2021, 03:26 PM	#8
ghbucky Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2020 Posts: 1,177	Well, now you HAVE to do it and post the results on Youtube.

June 17, 2021, 07:06 AM	#11
Double K Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 486	First round pop is the result of there being oxygen in the suppressor, I've heard of people spraying co2 into the barrel from the breech end, in a 22 a blank can be fired first before regular ammunition which is very effective. For whatever reason Silencerco suppressors have very little to no first round pop depending on model.

August 13, 2021, 05:52 PM	#14
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	Used a "wet" can one time on a .22lr. Big fan. Factory standard velocity ammo, too. Had 0000 steel wool in the outer baffles packed with white lithium grease. It sucked up all the expanding gas, didn't ignite, but was completely saturated with burnt powder and gas residue. Had to take it apart, stuff new packed wool in there, but other than that it was great. I don't know about bigger calibers, but that was just the bees knees. I have heard of water filled ones for .45 Auto. Steamed off the water after a magazine and had to be topped off. But for a quick and dirty job of someone like 007, would be great. Long day at the range??? Bring a garden hose, too.