PBS-1 Suppressor

AKM assault rifle with NSP-3 night sight, and PBS-1 silencer.

The PBS-1 Suppressor is a silencer that was designed for use with the AK-47 Soviet rifle.[1] It is 40mm in diameter and 120mm in length.[2]

History

The purpose of a firearm suppressor is to reduce the noise generated by the expansion of ammunition gasses after firing.[3] The way this objective is accomplished is through dispersing muzzle gasses through a tube of diameter larger than the barrel in which baffles of various kinds are secured that redirect and slow the expansion of muzzle gasses, thereby reducing the shock wave and resulting sound emanating from the muzzle after firing. Although such devices are frequently referred to as "silencers," they cannot in fact silence a firearm discharge, but rather they reduce the overall decibel (dB) level of the discharge.[3]

The PBS-1 suppressor, designed for use with the AK-47,[4] is a two-chambered suppressor utilizing baffles and a rubber wipe.[5] It was designed for use in conjunction with subsonic rifle ammunition[5] and has been extensively tested by the United States Army Foreign Weapons Test Lab.

Used mostly by Spetsnaz forces and the KGB, the rubber wipe in the PBS-1 requires replacement after 15 rounds. With a rubber wipe in place the PBS-1 reliably reduces the sound of an AK-47 discharge by 15 dB.[2]

Gas pressures in Kalashnikov rifles are known to be high and further complicating reliable performance of suppressors mounted on Kalashnikov rifles is inconsistency in bore centering and suppressor threading at the end of the barrel.[3] Bores in Kalashnikov rifles are frequently off-center. In addition, the threading at the end of the barrel may frequently be at an axis not parallel to the bore.[3] Both of these conditions tend to cause projectiles to exit the barrel at a slightly opposed angle to the bore of a suppressor.[3] As a result, the PBS-1 Suppressor body is prone to baffle strikes in the interior of the suppressor.[6][7]

Legacy

Dead Air Silencers, a US-based manufacturer, offers an updated version of the PBS-1, requiring no wipe. In spite of this, the silencer provides improved sound reduction, ease of mounting and durability due to the manufacturing process and materials used in its assembly. This silencer is called the Wolverine PBS-1.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Brayley, Martin J (22 April 2013). Kalashnikov AK47 Series: The 7.62 x 39mm Assault Rifle in Detail. Crowood. pp. 263–265. ISBN 978-1-84797-526-3.
  2. 1 2 Rottman, Gordon L. (1 April 2011). The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series assault rifles. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-84908-462-8.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Merrill, David (2016). "Dead Air Wolverine PBS-1 & Gemtech Arsenal, Inc. AK – Soviet Styling, American Execution". RECOIL. 4 (26): 102–110.
  4. ↑ Vorobiev, Marco (15 June 2016). Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to AKs. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media. pp. 27–29. ISBN 978-1-4402-4647-0.
  5. 1 2 Walter, John (25 March 2006). Rifles of the World. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 203. ISBN 0-89689-241-7.
  6. ↑ Kokalis, Peter G.; Parker, N. R.; Paulson, Alan C.. Silencer History and Performance, Vol 2: CQB, Assault Rifle and Sniper Technology. Paladin Press, 1996. ISBN 978-1-58160-323-1. P. 286
  7. ↑ Natsvaladze, Yu. A.; & Paranin, B. V.. Kalashnikov Arms. Military Parade, Ltd., 1997. P. 241.
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