Thread: Gunworks modular Stacker suppressor review

Suppressor tested 41mm braked and non-braked end cap.
I was lucky enough recently to be asked by the team at Gunworks to test a new suppressor they have been developing. I will point out that as part of the testing process I have been gifted the suppressor.
Take from that what you will, but I would have been happy to provide a review even without this incentive. All the ammo used for the test was at my own expense. So this is not a gilded review.
This new suppressor is inline with the current trend of modular suppressors and includes the option of a removable muzzle brake.
One of the changes that is nice to see is knurling on the individual baffles to assist in disassembling the suppressor for maintenance (it should be noted that even with the knurling it may be necessary to use a strap wrench to separate the baffles if they are stubborn). I believe Gunworks are currently developing a kit with a strap wrench and a piece or rubber for getting stuck baffles apart. I did have trouble separating the baffles after they had been sitting in my gun room for a month after previous testing (I did not clean the suppressor or disassemble it between testing), to the point I had to use a set of grips, and a rag wrapped around the body carefully to get them apart despite the knurling.
I was given 6 baffles in total to test with and without the braked end cap.
The day I spent on the range testing there was a light breeze and the occasional misty drizzle.
Below is a chart showing the numbers I recorded on a decibel meter, this was set up next to my right ear from a shooters point of view.




To put some context to those numbers, cycling the bolt resulted in a reading of 60-70db, 3-4 baffles seem to be the sweet spot for noise reduction. Personally, personally I would run 3 just to save weight.
I will also point out that the result of the non-braked cap with 3 baffles was skewed by 1 round that was significantly quieter and had a P.O.I much lower than the rest suggesting it was a light charge at lower velocity (Factory Federal match ammo). If I excluded this round the graph would be inline with the braked version. However I didn’t want to exclude data.
It's interesting that from a shooters point of view the braked cap is quieter/or as quiet but for less perceived recoil (I have no way to test actual recoil). I would never have picked them to be that close.
I was asked to see if adding or removing baffles effected group size. I ran 60 rounds in total. As far as baffles for tuning I didn't see any real correlation and I think any "group tuning" is more of a coincidence than a direct correlation, likewise it would be different for each barrel.
I only tested the shorter version (I was provided with a longer Over barrel version as well) as it seemed irrelevant to waste another 30 rounds on testing the longer heavier suppressor when wind noise and bird song had the dB Meter consistently reading around 40db (from the shooters perspective) before any shot was fired. Even if the longer version was a fraction quieter it is substantially longer and heavier. As previously pointed out cycling the bolt mad more noise than all but the 1 and 2 baffle tests (this required me to reset the decibel meter after cycling the bolt).
I have an earlier testing unit, I understand that Gunworks has since made some modifications to the baffles to further decrease weight in conjunction with adding gas disruptors machined into the baffles to further aid in decibel reduction.
I will update my review when I have the new baffles to test.

here is a pic of the stacker mounted to my 20" 308win Howa

How loud is the bare muzzle to understand the dB reduction? What is the muzzle-forward length with 2 baffles? Or the length added by each baffle

Originally Posted by gimp

How loud is the bare muzzle to understand the dB reduction? What is the muzzle-forward length with 2 baffles? Or the length added by each baffle

I've literally never shot this rifle unsuppressed, next trip to the range I will confirm, I will also add the measurements you have requested, in the next day or 2.....currently working 12hr shifts which doesn't leave a lot of time for much else when you add 1.5hrs travel.

Thanks Danny interesting results so far, wonder how they compare with the older GW suppressor and the oppositions modular one.

While interesting information I doubt the decibel meter is capable of measuring very short duration impulse noise accurately.
The numbers themselves tell you this is most likely true. 40dB is equivalent to a whisper, 60dB is a normal conversation. A suppressed rifle shot is not going to be this quiet.
I'm sure the suppressor nevertheless is very effective. What I can't understand about Gunworks suppressors is they always look monstrous in size compared to the competition.

Originally Posted by Makros

While interesting information I doubt the decibel meter is capable of measuring very short duration impulse noise accurately.
The numbers themselves tell you this is most likely true. 40dB is equivalent to a whisper, 60dB is a normal conversation. A suppressed rifle shot is not going to be this quiet.
I'm sure the suppressor nevertheless is very effective. What I can't understand about Gunworks suppressors is they always look monstrous in size compared to the competition.

you may well be right about the decibel meter it is just an ozito one (i'm guessing from mitre 10) it was provided to me by Gunworks....I think Gimp's suggestion of measuring the report (un suppressed) in the same way is a great idea as it will show he difference as a percentage. which may be of much greater value.
Needless to say it is very effective. you could easily run it with 2 baffles to reduce muzzle forward length and weight if you felt so inclined.
I will point out i am in no way a qualified sound tech and have zero knowledge about the dynamics involved in measuring sound.

Those meters use a sampling time so long that the shot is "averaged out" and likely simply missed because the response rate of the meter simply can't keep up with the the rate of pressure rise (and fall) which is the actual noise. This also likely explains why the brake results are sometimes showing quieter than the non-braked results. Suppressors work by slowing down the escape of gas and a brake allows faster gas escape so the duration of sound is shorter with the brake on meaning a lower reading on the meter as more of the shot won't be captured.
Kit that can measure gunshots impulse is seriously expensive.

I would give your subjective impression of noise levels more credit than the numbers provided. For example, what's your impression is the bolt cycling louder than the shots with more than three baffles? (I'm being facetious to prove a point; of course it's not).

I wouldn't bother measuring an unsuppressed shot, suffice to say I bet it will be considerably louder.

Dean Maisey has a good write up on this matter: https://www.kaimairiflesuppressors.c...il-std-1474-d/

Originally Posted by Makros

Those meters use a sampling time so long that the shot is "averaged out" and likely simply missed because the response rate of the meter simply can't keep up with the the rate of pressure rise (and fall) which is the actual noise. This also likely explains why the brake results are sometimes showing quieter than the non-braked results. Suppressors work by slowing down the escape of gas and a brake allows faster gas escape so the duration of sound is shorter with the brake on meaning a lower reading on the meter as more of the shot won't be captured.
Kit that can measure gunshots impulse is seriously expensive.

I would give your subjective impression of noise levels more credit than the numbers provided. For example, what's your impression is the bolt cycling louder than the shots with more than three baffles? (I'm being facetious to prove a point; of course it's not).

I wouldn't bother measuring an unsuppressed shot, suffice to say I bet it will be considerably louder.

Dean Maisey has a good write up on this matter: https://www.kaimairiflesuppressors.c...il-std-1474-d/

fair call, I will do the un-suppressed shot anyway. I can say with confidence that the new stacker is every bit as effective and well made as any of gunworks products.
A lot of time and effort has gone into designing and making improvements, happy to demonstrate if anyone wants to do a side by side comparison.

Not wishing to be uncharitable because I applaud innovation, but these don't look like a great leap forward. More of a catch up. The 41mm model which we haven't seen yet looks comparable to the DPT.
Notwithstanding this its well recognised that GW makes really good stuff and these look like they will keep GW competitive.
We are spoiled for choice.

People have been asking Gunworks to do a modular suppressor, so they have bough one to the market.
They have put their own spin on it and whilst not hugely innovative, it is what the consumer has asked for.
It is indeed very well made and a very good suppressor....there are plenty of other manufacturers out there churning out modular suppressors it's nice to see Gunworks respond to what the market wants.
That's my take on it anyway.

Thanks for putting this up, really interesting to read. As part of the review, can you weigh the baffle sections and post up the length and weight of the assembled can with the number of baffles?

Gunworks lists basic numbers, but for some reason lists the diameter in metric and the lengths in imperial and I'm currently too lazy to convert them - and it would be nice to know length and weight for 2, 3, 4, baffles and then the brake baffle fitted as well.

Gimp noted it I think in that it's a bit of a catch up from GW to go where others in the industry have gone, but isn't it nice to be so spoiled for choice! Also, it's not like the GW product was lacking in performance or specs before this. I would have liked the ability to pull the can apart when someone knocked my rifle down a muddy bank and the rifle buried itself muzzle first as it slid and completely plugged itself - but in normal use does it make much difference if the can is modular or solid? The printed titanium cans are one piece as an example.

Originally Posted by No.3

Thanks for putting this up, really interesting to read. As part of the review, can you weigh the baffle sections and post up the length and weight of the assembled can with the number of baffles?

Gunworks lists basic numbers, but for some reason lists the diameter in metric and the lengths in imperial and I'm currently too lazy to convert them - and it would be nice to know length and weight for 2, 3, 4, baffles and then the brake baffle fitted as well.

Gimp noted it I think in that it's a bit of a catch up from GW to go where others in the industry have gone, but isn't it nice to be so spoiled for choice! Also, it's not like the GW product was lacking in performance or specs before this. I would have liked the ability to pull the can apart when someone knocked my rifle down a muddy bank and the rifle buried itself muzzle first as it slid and completely plugged itself - but in normal use does it make much difference if the can is modular or solid? The printed titanium cans are one piece as an example.

I will post weights and dimensions once I have the updated baffles that are being released, the baffles I have done my testing with so far are quite a bit heavier than they needed to be so the design was revised for the final product. I am hoping to have these in the next week or so.

Ok so I recieved the new baffles last night they are 11g lighter per baffle than the original prototype I recieved which is a good reduction in weight.
I will include pics with measurements in mm and inches
Gunworks have modified the isolator tube on the production model, originally the first baffle was going to be permanently sealed to the tube to stop people attempting to run the suppressor with just the tube and an end cap (this would be very ineffective), rather than do this Gunworks have increased the length of the isolator tube to incorporate that first baffle. This has also made the finished product lighter as a added bonus.
The production model in effect is sold with 2 baffles, however the 3rd baffle is incorporated in the isolator tube as per above. You can opt to purchase further baffles if you wish to gain more sound reduction.
The production suppressor with 2 baffles and braked cap is 26.5cm or 10.4 inches

I been a little busy lately but I managed to swing past Gunworks the other day and was given the final version of the stacker that has been released by Gunworks, mine is the 41mm diameter version they have incorporated the 3rd baffle into the overbarrel section this serves 2 purposes it saves weight and stops people running the suppressor with no baffles which wouldn't provide much noise reduction.
Here's a couple more pics.





The test version with 3 removable baffles and a braked cap vs the released version with 2 removable baffles and a braked cap, effectively they've shaved another 19g off the total weight, you could shave even more weight off by running the non braked cap or dropping a baffle but I wouldn't recommend only 1 baffle on a short barrel personally.
Haven't shot the new configuration yet so will report back when I get a chance but I'm told that the performance is equally good.

As far as the decibel reduction test goes, sadly despite the best of intentions I have proved the cheap hand held decibel meter was not up to the task of accurately recording muzzle report from a rifle (suppressed or otherwise) last time out I recorded the same reading suppressed and un suppressed so my earlier test is pretty much invalid.
Unfortunately I don't have the testing equipment to do an accurate decibel comparison but suffice to say it is still a very effective suppressor and braked of un braked it definitely reduces noise and recoil to what I would expect having owned 2 other brands of braked suppressors.
If anyone ever wants to try it out or do a side by side comparison I'd be more than happy to accommodate you.
Thanks for reading lads