Workbench Silencers: The Art of Improvised Designs

By George M. Hollenback

Here is a slew of new and interesting improvised silencer designs featuring innovative couplings plus variations on aluminum cans, oil filters, PVC pipe, plumbing devices, water sprinkler pieces and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873648951
• ISBN13: 9780873648950
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Paladin Press
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Purely theoretical, of course

I haven't made any of the items described, but it surely seems like they'd work. As the author suggested, walking through hardware stores you'll notice a lot of things that will break up a firearm's propellant shock wave.

Concise and Well-Illustrated

I came across references to this work while researching improvised silencers and decided to check it out. The author writes a good introduction to the subject of silencers in general and then goes on to show how objects such as aluminum cans and oil filters can be used as components for improvised disposable silencers. Photos of all the components of the silencers are shown, followed by photos of the assembly process, leaving no doubt that the components can indeed be assembled and attached to the end of a gun barrel as demonstrated. This gives the book a plausibility not evident in works that show only drawings. I also found no evidence of the supposed deficiencies cited by some of the other reviewers. Yes, the author does state that he didn't really make or test any of the silencers in the book (wink, wink, nudge, nudge), that the finished products are just plaster of paris-filled dummies stuck on the ends of guns (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). But I took this as a ruse by the author to keep his butt out of trouble with the ATF. What of the allegations that soda can silencers won't work on larger caliber weapons, that the author doesn't take into account the pressure generated by the larger caliber weapons, and that the author knows nothing about silencer maintenance? Well, the only soda can silencers in the book are for .22 caliber, not larger caliber. The author specifically discusses problems associated with the higer pressures generated by larger caliber weapons in a highlighted section on p. 47. And finally, disposable silencers require no maintenance because they are disposed of (duh!) after use.

Great book to start out on

Ignore the people who say it is illegal or this books is useless. They know not what they say and have likely never even made or owned a suppressor. For the money, this is a great basic book on suppressors. The nay sayers have no idea of the BATF NFA Title II process that legally allows one to make a suppressor using a Form 1 (5320.1) (see www.atf.gov and click on forms then guns for form 1). You need to make sure your state and possibly county/city will allow you to make or possess a suppressor. MOST states allow suppressor ownership! This book gives one a great starting point to understand how a suppressor works. It is not meant as a do-all / know-all. For that, buy some of the others authors well written books. It is easy reading and gives a person the basic knowledge of how they work. Various websites provide information on how to buy or sell suppressors. Use Google to look around for sites, such as www.subguns.com.

good choice

This book is a good choice for anyone who wants basic, easy to follow instructions on building a silencer. The pictures are good quality and the text is easy to follow. I much prefer this to Hayduke's silencer books. My one gripe is that some of the info is very similar, using a small change as a new design. So the book isn't perfect, but it's really close.

Excellent Improvised Designs

This book is full of clear, simple but concise instructions on making working cans that McGuyver would be proud to put his name to.It's the first time I've seen someone address the issue of securely attaching cans to various calibre firearms without having to cut a thread onto the end of the barrel. Plans cover .22 Ruger, 1911 style .45 (longer barrel required) & an SKS (7.62mm) power plinker , the information given should let anyone who knows their basic ballistics to apply the concepts given to all other calibres. All the parts required are clearly listed with lots of clear photographs of the parts, apart & assembled.Parts are easily available at hardware stores & /or plumbing suppliers except for the "clog buster" no sign of it here in Oz (mail order a few from the US ,nothing illegal about them, bar applying the knowledge) No machining required in this book ,only simple hand tools & a battery/power drill are needed. Any good electrician ,plumber ,mechanic or similar handyperson should be able to make a lot of the designs from stock they already have.Short but comprehensive section on why guns are so noisy & how to best shut them up ,an excellent book for beginners who want to visit a government re-education center for 5 years or quality info to fill in the gaps on the practicle side of things for people who have been studying the art of muzzle blast suppression for a while.This book would let you easily figure out how to silence that 9mm SMG you built from PA Luty's , Expedient Homemade Firearms ;)This book also stands head & shoulders above the drivel in "Silent but Deadly" by Hayduke.I liked Workbench Silencers so much I bought the followup book More Workbench Silencers , review to follow......See section 89/14.4 in the US patent office or try No.s 3776093 , 3367055 for some other designs & theory.