Episode 274 - Microtech Defense R2K9 Testing Technical Discussion (03-SEP-2025)

Today’s Topic:1. Sound Signature Review 6.198 – Microtech Defense R2K9 on the HK P30L. This modular pistol silencers offers lengths that are a bit longer than typical, but produce an interesting performance opportunity for users interested in such a design. How does the optimized k-baffle technology in the R2K9 stack up with current high performers on the market? Technical discussion for the report published last week. (00:06:53)a. Intro (00:08:02)b. Physical overview (00:15:22)c. Silencer Design (00:37:49)d. System Performance (00:46:42)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topics:1. Sound Signature Review 6.198 – Microtech Defense R2K9 on the HK P30L. It’s been about 5 years or so, give or take, since this silencer hit the market. It’s about as old as PEW Science. Was it ahead of its time? Or was it simply a diamond in the rough that folks glossed over? Check out this interesting modular pistol silencer and the fully-featured accessory package in this Member Funded research – intro talk for today’s white paper. (00:08:14)2. The SIG MCX, or “LVAW” and its variants. 6.75” Rattler LT recreational use continues. Really hammering the system with subs and supers. And, have some ideas for heat mitigation. Let’s continue the discussion we had last week. (00:28:06)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topics:1. Sound Signature Review 6.197 – Combat Application Technologies CAT KK on the 10.3 5.56 MK18. Small silencer with performance that was a little surprising. Hybrid design advanced silencers continue to push the envelope. Technical discussion for the whitepaper published last week.a. Intro and physical characteristics. (00:08:26)b. Design, system performance, and mount considerations. (00:17:11)c. Performance extrapolation. Possible? (00:45:31)2. The SIG MCX, or “LVAW” and its variants. 6.75” Rattler LT recreational use has been underway. Some interesting findings to share from a recent range outing. Approximately 1000 rounds of various ammo brands, subs and supers, fired from the system with the SIG SD handguard. Practical? Absolutely not, if you shoot a lot. Here are some thoughts. (00:54:08)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topics:1. Sound Signature Review 6.196 – Otter Creek Labs Infinity on the 14.5-in mid-length gas M4A1. You’ve seen this durable, versatile silencer on everything from 7.62 NATO to subsonic 300 BLK to short barrel 5.56 NATO. What have we learned about the Infinity, and how its technology works? How does the hybrid Otter Creek Infinity technology respond to lowering blast load input severity with 5.56? Very interesting findings – this technical talk covers them.a. Big Picture and – barrel length? Why does it matter, anyway? (00:09:04)b. Solid 5.56 End Cap Performance (00:24:34)c. Vented 5.56 End Cap Performance (00:50:32)d. Vented 7.62 End Cap Performance (00:53:28)e. Performance comparison and nuance (00:56:28)2. Sound Signature Review 6.197 – Combat Application Technologies CAT KK on the 10.3 5.56 MK18. Hybrid design advanced silencers continue to push the envelope. The past 5 years have been full of tremendous performance gains, particularly in high pressure supersonic cartridge suppression. As the competition continues, how does form factor fit into the mix? The CAT KK, and others, bring that discussion to the forefront. Introductory talk for the whitepaper published today. (01:13:25)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston,Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topics:1. Sound Signature Review 6.195 – FOR Systems Monarch Recce on the 10.3 5.56 MK18. Speaking of form factor… this silencer is a little over 5 inches long, as tested, and it’s ready to party. Hybrid designs continue to be developed, and the status quo just might be changing. Do short 5.56 silencers have to be loud? Technical discussion of this whitepaper published last week.a. Intro (00:06:58)b. Physical overview (00:08:55)c. Silencer design (00:14:28)d. System performance (00:18:58)2. Sound Signature Review 6.196 – Otter Creek Labs Infinity on the 14.5-in mid-length gas M4A1. You’ve seen this durable, versatile silencer on everything from 7.62 NATO to subsonic 300 BLK to short barrel 5.56 NATO. Have we solved its riddle yet? How does the hybrid Otter Creek Infinity technology respond to lowering blast load input severity with 5.56? Very interesting findings – intro talk for today’s publication. (00:41:33)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topics:1. Sound Signature Review 6.194 – Dillon Rifle Company DRC556 on the 14.5 5.56 M4. Oh my goodness – more Purposely Induced Porosity silencers? Yes. PIP is proliferating. How does this adaptation of the technology perform? Technical discussion for this paper published last week – the form factor wars are heating up!a. Intro (00:05:10)b. Physical overview (00:06:38)c. Silencer design (00:09:00)d. System performance (00:11:45)2. Sound Signature Review 6.195 – FOR Systems Monarch Recce on the 10.3 5.56 MK18. Speaking of form factor… this silencer is a little over 5 inches long, as tested, and it’s ready to party. Hybrid designs continue to be developed, and the status quo just might be changing. Do short 5.56 silencers have to be loud? Learn more about why, or why not, in today’s report! (00:36:08)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topic:1. Sound Signature Review 6.194 – Dillon Rifle Company DRC556 on the 14.5 5.56 M4. Oh my goodness – more Purposely Induced Porosity silencers? Yes. PIP is proliferating. How does this adaptation of the technology perform? Form factor is becoming a hot topic lately. Let’s explore this new silencer from Dillon in this introductory discussion to the whitepaper published today! (00:03:58)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topics:1. Sound Signature Review 6.193 – Combat Application Technologies CAT/TSWIF on the 14.5 5.56 M4. This is a “blast diverter” micro silencer; it is intended to be used with blast diverters and flash suppressors from Apparition Instruments, Noveske Rifleworks, and others. Technical discussion of the whitepaper published last week. (00:08:22)2. Sig 6.75 300 BLK Rattler LT backorder came in. How does it differ from the 6.75 Virtus TACOPS? Great question. It’s definitely similar, but also different. Initial observations and thoughts, as requested by many of you. Barrel and valve gas port sizes measured and on the PEW Science Small Arms Technical Data page of the website. (00:45:39)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topics:1. Sound Signature Review 6.193 – Combat Application Technologies CAT/TSWIF on the 14.5 5.56 M4. This is a “blast diverter” micro silencer; it is intended to be used with blast diverters and flash suppressors from Apparition Instruments, Noveske Rifleworks, and others. If you are avoiding SBR registration, does something like this work? Quick intro to the system. (00:07:35)2. Listener Questions are Back! Let’s dive back into the 7th Solicitation. It’s been a minute. Let’s dive back in and answer your queries. (00:25:10)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul

Today’s Topics:1. Sound Signature Review 6.192 – Engaged Industries Operator 5.56 on the MK18. Smaller diameter silencers making a comeback? Potentially. Does this silencer bring competitive performance to a crowded market? Technical discussion for this technical report published last week. (00:08:50)2. Ongoing testing is awesome. New test hosts are awesome. New silencers are awesome. What a time to be alive! Let’s have a quick chat about where we see things going in the industry, as related to technology and performance. (00:41:20)Sponsored by - Silencer Shop, Top Gun Range Houston, Legion Athletics, Capitol Armory, and the PEW Science Laboratory!Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!Magpul: Use code PSTEN to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more at Magpul