Silencer Saturday #54: 3D Printed Silence Science – Delta P Design

Welcome back decibel dorks and thanks for joining us once again for TFB’s Silencer Saturday, where even supersonic cartridges deserve to be suppressed. Today we are taking a closer look at the suppressors from Delta P Design. As you are probably already aware, Delta P designs and builds their unique silencers through a process called additive manufacturing, more popularly referred to as 3D printed materials. Their models are made from either titanium alloys for impressive weight savings or Inconel for extreme durability. I am lucky enough to have three Delta P silencers in house for testing. Let’s take a look.

Delta P’s customer base is not the consumer-level silencer market. While they are happy to sell their products to us regular folks, their focus is squarely on the government and military sectors who have speciality problem sets. Suppressing a belt fed .50BMG that will get scorching hot and dowsed with cold ocean water? They have you covered. Need a sub six ounce 5.56mm for a select fire SBR? Delta P does that too.

But additive manufacturing with titanium and Inconel comes at a cost. Literally. The Brevis silencers run about twice as much as current traditionally manufactured commercial rifle suppressors. Again, the consumer market is not Delta P’s priority.

So, why review the Brevis models if they are meant for DOD or GOV shooters? Because as I said almost exactly two years ago, I believe 3D printed cans have a real future in the consumer market. Eventually. Besides, these are unique silencers: grown from powdered metal using lasers, the Brevis is straight out of a Star Trek Next Generation episode. Tea. Earl Gray. Hot.

Delta P Design Brevis II Ultra – 6.5mm

While the prototype is a beast, it is still in the spectrum of surrender heavy duty silencers. The prototype also has some features on the front of the silencer that the guys at Delta P asked me to redact.

The titanium models are featherweights, with the 5.56 weighing as much as some flash hiders or muzzle brakes. The 6.5 Brevis is threaded 5/8×24 so for today’s test I needed a 1/2×28 thread insert adapter. I’ll work on getting a 6.5mm host to put it through its paces.

Disclaimer: I am not an audio engineer or a silencer expert. While I believe that decibel metering can be helpful in designing internal geometry and baffle stacks, it is not an optimal technique for either marketing or a consumer deciding on a model to purchase. There are countless variables that can lead to a wide range of observations. The best we can do is use the proper equipment that is placed at standard locations and record the environmental variables. If you use my decibels numbers as the sole deciding factor in which suppressor to purchase, shame on you.

Delta P Brevis II Ultra 556

Upper: BCM 18”

MILSTD Muzzle

Today’s tests were a bit surprising, with all three models metering louder than expected and seen in previous testing. The meter could need calibrating, the environmental variables could be a factor – humidity or the snow cover, or maybe the ammunition made the difference.

All three models metered better at the ear over the muzzle. The larger prototype performed well on the 12” barrel while the 6.5mm seemed to be the sweet spot for the 18” barrel. The titanium versions are so light they nearly disappear on the gun.

The prototype does feature some “gas regulation” that vents gas and pressure forward rather than back into the action. While none of the three Delta P models exhibited much blowback, the prototype was a very smooth shooter, with a delayed, almost pressure-relief-valve venting feel. It is also designed specifically for sustained fully automatic fire.

Specialty silencers for special customers. Are they Brevis suppressors the quietest 5.56mm models I’ve ever shot? No. But each one offers unique capabilities that aren’t usually found on traditionally made silencers.

Thanks for reading. Be safe. See you next week.

Special Thanks:

Dynamic Defense Development: 12” Sierra Barrel

Bravo Company USA: SS410 18” Upper Receiver Group

Allen Engineering: Use Of their decibel meter and home of the AEM5