Kaaaaa BOOOOOOM

[STS]

I witnessed a suppressor blow up today. A clear case of weld failure. This is not about blaming the manufacturer, so I will not reveal the name. I bring this here solely for educational purposes. This was a 50 caliber suppressor about 3 inches in diameter, or a bit more, and 15 or 16 inches long. Stainless steel welded baffle stack construction. I saw this huge rifle and wanted to see the gentleman shoot it. I got my moneys worth to say the least. The front 12 inches of the can flew like it came out of a grenade launcher and landed about 40 yards down range. No injury to shooter or rifle.

 

[PopCharlie]

Holy Smokes! Glad nobody was hurt.

PopCharlie

 

[pdog06]

Wow! Those 50cals are impressive to watch without that happening. You definitely got a show! Glad all were ok

 

[jdh47]

Glad nobody was hurt.

 

[mattri]

Have seen the blast created from a muzzle brake on one of those, can only imagine the amount of pressure inside that can.

 

[GetReal]

The pressure inside a 50 cal can must be enormous.

 

[STS]

And if you take a close look at the wall thickness of the baffle where the weld failed it looks like it isn't over .040 to .050 thick. I would be willing to bet if that suppressor cover hadn't been on there, it might have been possible to see a crack, or some other sign of pending failure, before the final shot.

 

[mattri]

Not a metallurgist by any means but could heat cycling be a contributing factor?

 

[STS]

In this case, I doubt it. He hadn't had that suppressor very long. I think the weight of the thing probably added to the failure. The front 2/3 of the can had to weigh 2+ pounds so there was quite a bit of leverage on the weld joint.

 

[mattri]

Ah,. makes sense.

 

[Fuj]

The pressure inside a 50 cal can must be enormous.

Adding the huge volume of gas being held back in suppressor design.
I seen a wrecked one from a .223 The end cap looked like it was ripped
off the threads and the first stack went down range.

 

[GetReal]

My Google search said Rifle suppressors are typically 1000 to 3 000 PSI internal pressure.

I remember once riding my bicycle behind somebody else riding a bicycle and their tire popped and the pressure hit me right in the forehead. I definitely felt that. And that was maybe only 50 psi

It's a wonder more suppressors aren't grenading

 

[shoot4fun]

While possible that a weld failed it is not likely. The most likely issue causing this failure is a baffle strike caused by the incorrect/loose attachment of the suppressor to the rifle. I've seen this happen though, in other cases, the strikes didn't do the amount of damage here. That is from a 50BMG strike.

 

[mongo chicago]

Could it be possible it was made for a different fifty cal. round other than a BMG?

 

[Pawnee Bill]

How much does something like that cost?

 

[jaclthr]

This same thing happened to me with a .338 Laupa can. The front weld came apart sighting in a rifle on the third shot. Never found the end cap and the shell stayed on the rifle and found the baffle stack 4 days later about 150 yards down range helping to cut grass on the range.

 

[STS]

While possible that a weld failed it is not likely. The most likely issue causing this failure is a baffle strike caused by the incorrect/loose attachment of the suppressor to the rifle. I've seen this happen though, in other cases, the strikes didn't do the amount of damage here. That is from a 50BMG strike.

There was no baffle strike. I looked through the bore of the can and there was clearly no baffle strike.

 

[STS]

Could it be possible it was made for a different fifty cal. round other than a BMG?

No, it was a 50 caliber hole. He had fired the rifle previous to this event.

 

[STS]

How much does something like that cost?

A pile!! These cans are ordered with the number of baffles that the end user wants. Thumbnail I would guess in the 2k range.

 

[shoot4fun]

There was no baffle strike. I looked through the bore of the can and there was clearly no baffle strike.

I hesitate no name the brand because I have never owned or had any dealings with them but, in the interest of safety, I will.
Thunder Beast has had issues with this type problem over the years and currently have recalls on some models. I find it strange that it appears the outer shell came apart and the baffle system is still intact.