GoldenWebb has been known for burning it down with AR uppers to see how many rounds they can sustain before giving up. While these aren’t full-auto tests, they consist of magazine after magazine with the trigger pulled as fast as possible and in a standard cadence. It’s as close as you are going to get with a semi-auto carbine.
Lewis Machine & Tool Advanced Technologies (LMT AT) had worked with GoldenWebb in the past and when he approached them to apply the same methodology to suppressors, they asked him to conduct a durability test to their ION 30 suppressor.
The ION 30 is lMT AT’s flagship suppressor so it’s a great place to start.
ION 30 features:
-Multi-caliber with approved use in calibers from .17 to .300 Win Mag
-Xeno/’HUB’ compatible out of the box & KeyMo™ compatible with KeyMo™ adaptor
-Designed to reduce back pressure to both the user and firearm
-Constructed to mitigate sound, flash, and environmental signatures
-Full-auto rated & tested to withstand US SOCOM SURG (Schedule II) testing standard
-Durable being made of a combination of high-temp nickel and steel alloy
-Modular with ability to remove both the base mount & suppressor cap to fit every need
-User-serviceable with easy ability to clean & maintain suppressor through demountable base & cap
-The body is coated with Cerakote Armorer Black C-192 and the removable cap and base are PVD treated
-Laser welded construction
A New Performance Standard
This new performance standard offers the consumer an apples-to-apples comparison for suppressor performance, starting with the full auto rating. It uses the already well established GoldenWebb performance standard for durability and reliability seen with uppers, but now providing a platform for endurance testing for both uppers and suppressors.
Decibel Testing
Decibel tests aren’t standardized and require quite a bit of expensive equipment in a very controlled, consistent environment. There are also lots of ways to skew the results one way or another. SAAMI has been working on a voluntary commercial suppressor standard, but it new and has not caught on.
My advice to consumers regarding decibel ratings is caveat emptor. Mileage may well vary, so if your concern is how quiet a suppressor will make your firearm, do some research. Ask the manufacturer if they publish test results and methodology and seek out independent information. I defer to PEW Science when it comes to independent sound data.
Durability Testing
Now, suppressor durability is something we can all appreciate since they are a fairly expensive investment in both time and money. Consequently, we’d like them to last.
Generally, the gold standard is the USSOCOM SURG Table II Test but few of us have access to full-auto weapons. We also need something that is easily replicated and more standardized than the varying cadence of the SOCOM test. What I like about this new protocol is that it is simple, accessible, and repeatable.
Unlike suppressor decibel tests, the rules created by GoldenWebb are easy-to-follow and can be replicated by anyone with access to a carbine and suppressor, along with ample ammunition, a range, and a means to record the data. You might want some extra protective equipment which you’ll see in the video.
The Durability Test
This is a fun video and I suggest that you watch the whole thing.
In this test, the ION 30 reached 797 rounds in GoldenWebb’s hands before failure, performing better than majority of uppers that GoldenWebb has put through his durability testing to date.
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