How Loud is a Silencer?

/ Ben

Here’s a handy chart detailing the noise levels of silenced (aka “suppressed”) firearms. This is excerpted from an infographic from Silencerco.

The takeaway: silencers/suppressors aren’t as convenient as fiction would like to think. Get creative in those stealthy scenes. What other ways are there to be silent but deadly? (er, wait…)

silencer-noise-levels

If you’re having a hard time reading that chart, here’s the breakdown (in decibels).

  • Library whisper – 30 db
  • Emergency vehicle siren – 115 db
  • Silenced .22 rifle – 116 db
  • Thunder – 120 db
  • Silenced 9mm pistol – 125 db
  • Dish breaking – 129 db
  • Jackhammer – 130 db
  • Silenced .223 rifle – 134 db
  • Silenced 12 gauge shotgun – 137 db
  • Jet taking off – 150 db
  • Non-silenced 12 gauge shotgun – 160 db
  • Non-silenced .223 rifle – 165 db

Get the Book

The Writers Guide to WeaponsThe Writer’s Guide to Weapons: A Practical Reference for Using Firearms and Knives in Fiction (Writer’s Digest Books) comes with everything but the ammo. Pick up a print or digital copy from these fine retailers:

8 thoughts on “How Loud is a Silencer?”

  1. Thanks for your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed
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    now on. I want to encourage continue your great posts, have a nice weekend!

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  4. Thanks Ben for the chart on showing how silencers really work in reality. Now I can hopefully convince my states senator to vote yes on the H.R.367 – Hearing Protection Act of 2017.

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