Why are 22. LR cans SO small?

[zreed042]

To be honest, I've never really had any first-hand experience with commercial cans, though I've used a couple Form 1 cans now and then. I was at Impact Guns the other day and was blown away by how tiny the 22 Sparrow and (I think) the YHM Mite cans were. I'm no engineer or physicist, but wouldn't making the cans a little bit bigger help suppression levels? I mean, I always thought that the general rule of thumb was "the more volume the better." Is there a point of diminishing returns with a 22. LR suppressor in terms of volume? I mean, I wouldn't mind a substantially larger can if it were to be quieter.

[doubloon]

Because they don't need to be any bigger.

[kalikraven]

Spikes Tactifcal use to either make or market a larger diameter rimfire can...

[SuperChuck]

Thompson Machine has a CHD model that is beefier, made to mount under the handguard and look more proportional to the rifle.

I think its 1.5" diameter, and 7" long. I have one ordered now, and will be able to give my impression in about 7-8 months, I guess...LOL

SC

[Sigproshooter]

Well,, because the cartridge is SO small I would venture

[Historian]

To be honest, I've never really had any first-hand experience with commercial cans, though I've used a couple Form 1 cans now and then. I was at Impact Guns the other day and was blown away by how tiny the 22 Sparrow and (I think) the YHM Mite cans were. I'm no engineer or physicist, but wouldn't making the cans a little bit bigger help suppression levels? I mean, I always thought that the general rule of thumb was "the more volume the better." Is there a point of diminishing returns with a 22. LR suppressor in terms of volume? I mean, I wouldn't mind a substantially larger can if it were to be quieter.

Please go to a YouTube presentation by the estimable Member on this site
and you will see that your intuition is correct. Get approved by ATF and
then build your own "... things are always bigger in Texas" can.

<< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GbjXvH7 ... re=related >>

The joy of Silence! .

[Wahnsinn]

Isn't there something about the larger volume creating a louder FRP? Not necessarily noticed on other caliber cans because the shot itself is so loud, but on a 22 can it will be more noticeable?

[TROOPER]

Isn't there something about the larger volume creating a louder FRP? Not necessarily noticed on other caliber cans because the shot itself is so loud, but on a 22 can it will be more noticeable?

In my (useless) opinion, the larger volume doesn't lead to a louder FRP exactly... its a larger first chamber.

In answer to the OP's question, its because the volume of the can is the third most important feature. The first two features are baffle design.... and baffle number. I don't remember which is most important, but I guess that its baffle design.

A different thread a long time ago questioned this same thing, and it was explained that making the can longer and adding baffles leads to decreasing returns very quickly... that the difference between a 16 count baffle stack and a 15 count baffle stack is not meaningful... but that the difference between 3 and 4 baffles is quite significant. That same relationship exists with regards to volume.

[LavaRed]

I once made a modular tubeless .22LR suppressor where you could simply keep adding or subtracting baffles to whatever length you desired. Basically I found out that after 11" of length it didn't sound significantly quieter. There was a significant difference from 6" to 8", but that difference could be easily replicated in a 5.5" monocore suppressor of better design. I think with good baffle design it gets to the point that after 5.5" long and 1" OD, the ejection port noise is 95% of the noise component you hear.

[BretJ]

Picked up my CHD a few weeks ago and am extremely happy with it. No difference between it and an Outback in my opinion. For what it is worth, I dig the look of an old 70s style can on the end of my FVSR. (Will post pics when I can grab the camera) Building a 6" .22 upper for my SBR. Figure the can will look even better recessed in 7" hand guards...

[ghostdog662]

The main thing is they do not need to be wider. Added weight, added material and added length are not what people are looking for and it is still perfectly safe.

The loudest host of course is the pistol and 6 well designed baffles will get it nice and quiet. After that the benefit curve falls dramatically.

[hertz654]

I used to wonder the same thing and came to the conclusion they are made small enough in diameter so as not to block out the sight picture when used on a 22lr pistol.

[garandman]

I used to wonder the same thing and came to the conclusion they are made small enough in diameter so as not to block out the sight picture when used on a 22lr pistol.

This ^

More volume HAS to be better. But bigger diameter would make the can a rifle only can, limiting marketability.