Baffle K and M Type and Length observations

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VX666
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Baffle K and M Type and Length observations

Post by VX666 »

Been testing a couple of designs and need verification of results, all using 9mm ammo on 11mm bores.

I've noticed that K baffles produce a higher pitch than M baffles (lower pitch) on the same lengthed bodies/tubes with same number of baffles.

Lower pitch seemed to sound quieter to my ear.

Amplitude of suppression didn't change much from K vs M baffles.

Length of the tube increasing did decrease amplitude / volume, provided baffle types and number are constant.

M baffles seemed to have better suppression over length, as the tubes got longer (tested 8, 10, and 12 inches). K baffles see, to have optimul suppression at 10in.

Can anyone else confirm if these observations seem accurate?
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whiterussian1974
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Re: Baffle K and M Type and Length observations

Post by whiterussian1974 »

Have you thought of testing 2 M followed by the rest K?

K is best at "working" low velocity, low pressure rds like pistol or .22 lr.

Low tone DOES seem quieter. But it also carries longer distance from the shooter. So low tone is better for the shooting range, but worse for long range observers.

Both lengthening the tube OR thickening the wall will lower the tone. That is due to the material effects damping the frequency. And lengthening the tube has some other reasons why they are more effective for the same volume than a shorter tube w larger ID.
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Capt. Link.
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Re: Baffle K and M Type and Length observations

Post by Capt. Link. »

I don't agree across the board. The K type baffle is the most difficult to build yet even in its original form provides more suppression per baffle than any other to date. As for tone the AWC Thundertrap in 308 is still legend for its unique low tone using the K type baffle. Stating a 10" tube is optimum using K baffles is pretty meaningless as the number of them changes with tube diameter. Now if you stated 10 K baffles was a maximum where return loss negates adding another I would agree.

Cone and M baffles are virtually the same the latter having a built in spacer fixed to its length.Cones are more useful as spacing can be adjusted to suite velocity and spacing. They are also very strong and light, not needing re-enforcement in high pressure loading's in most cases. The inherent strength makes them a natural for high powered rifle calibers. whiterussian1974 is correct in if you use a Cone or M before a stack of K's is just about ideal for lowering pressure to where a K can handle it mechanically. There is another advantage to mixing baffles if you switch between super's & sub munition like in the Whisper class of cartridges. The hybrid suppressor stack will cover the range better than if you optimize spacing using cones favoring high or low velocity.

* A few things have changed over the last 37 years of building suppressors. One is the Omega baffle and the other is clipping/porting of Cone/M baffles. The inventor of the Omega allows reproduction with permission, thank you Joseph Daniel Gaddini. The Omega has attributes of both the K & M. The strength and spacing is similar to the M and the suppression is better than the K......if you get the porting correct. The clipping/porting of Cones/M type increases efficiency and gas retention. You still need at least a third more in number than K baffles but suppression may be greater in similar sized suppressors using clipped cones.

-CL
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