SAR 18#6
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SAR 18#6

graciewingert
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VP9 Above: The VP9 broken down into its major components. Normal maintenance will never require disassembly down to this level. Veterinarians often use an injection to euthanize sick animals, but there are many cases where this cannot be done without risk. This is especially true with larger or more dangerous animals. Of course, a normal firearm, in such a case, can be used, but for a vet who is not experienced in dealing with weapons, a single shot and easy to use weapon presents a significant safety advantage. In addition, the integrated silencer is also a safety benefit. It not only prevents hearing damage of those present, but will also ensure that other animals in the area are not panicked. The reduced sound of the gunshot will also greatly aid in communication between the people present. Hearing also will not be encumbered by hearing protection. Another salient point is the appearance of the weapon. The VP9 looks more like some kind of tool than a weapon. The handle (magazine) disappears completely in the hand and the otherwise characteristic trigger guard is missing. It doesn’t look scary in the mind of the good citizens in the area or other unrelated third parties. The sound of an unsuppressed gunshot could create unwanted attention or anxiety. The low report that is muffled and disguised will alleviate this. Additionally, the lowered velocity of the 9mm FMJ has a much lower risk of doing greater damage if exiting the head of the animal. The Suppressor Normally a weapon is constructed and the silencer is then adapted to the weapon itself. In this case with the VP9 it was vice versa. The B&T suppressor designers were able to draw on the wealth of their suppressor experience in the company and the optimal suppressor was designed and constructed first. Only afterward was the appropriate weapon developed to be put behind the suppressor. The suppressor itself has a diameter of 35 mm and a length of 154 mm. At the rear end, it has a threaded socket for mounting on the barrel. The connector is located in the rear of the suppressor by a 35 mm long expansion chamber, which we can refer to as the second expansion chamber. In front of this there are three further chambers; each chamber being 17 mm long. The chambers are separated from each other by synthetic discs 6 mm thick. These discs are pre-cut in the center crosswise in order to allow a projectile to slip through the suppressor, while the remaining gases are trapped behind. This system works extremely well for sound reduction but what is really interesting is when one opens the action of the VP9 for a follow up second shot there is actually a slight jet sound as the trapped gases escape. This indicates how tight the system is contained and how well it functions in gas retention. Although the synthetic discs maximize the sound reduction, these have a short service life as the reduction capacity will decrease after about ten shots. One can expect to fire a maximum twenty rounds with the operational field suppressor before changing the discs are required. It makes little sense to train with these types of baffles as one would be forced to change the baffles regularly. To encourage practice, B&T offers a training suppressor system. This baffle system is made of alloy and though is not as dramatic in sound reduction it is still well below the 140 dBA. (dB measures sound pressure levels that are unweighted. dBA levels are “A” weighted according to the weighting curves that approximate the way the human ear hears.) It is virtually maintenance free and can be shot for thousands of times. It is practically identical to the external dimensions of the operational baffles but consists of four different pieces and corresponds to the well-known and widely used Impuls IIA suppressor – the same suppressor that B&T sells to most of Europe’s pistol producers. The Suppressor’s Performance Many times statements made by some producers about the sound reduction of certain products often seem rather ambitious. Suppressor reduction claims always needs to be treated with extreme caution; not to mention the general public is “tainted” by cinema and television in terms of the sound a suppressed weapon will produce. In reality, the method of measuring sound reduction is governed by a Mil-Std (Military Standard). The only serious and scientifically recognized method of conducting this type of testing is governed by Mil-Std-1474 D. When measured according to this test protocol, the actual report of the VP9 is well below 129 dBA when using standard FMJ ammunition. This corresponds to noise of an air rifle. As a matter of fact, the sound of the operator manipulating the action makes more noise than the report the weapon produces. The Gun The receiver of the weapon itself and various attachments actually forms different components of the system. The first part of the system is the receiver. It is in cylinder form and SAR Vol. 18, No. 6 44 Nov., Dec. 2014

A B C A. Field Suppressor 10 Meters. B. Training Suppressor 10 meters. C. The two different suppressor designs here can be observed. The one on the left is the training version and the one on the right is the field version. www.smallarmsreview.com 45 SAR Vol. 18, No. 6

A<br />

B<br />

C<br />

A. Field Suppressor 10 Meters.<br />

B. Training Suppressor 10 meters.<br />

C. The two different suppressor designs here can<br />

be observed. The one on the left is the training version<br />

and the one on the right is the field version.<br />

www.smallarmsreview.com 45 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 18, No. 6

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