SAAMI Issues Firearm Sound Suppressors Voluntary Standards

SAAMI is the organization that setsindustry stnadard for sporting arms and ammunition in the US. SAAMI is why (for the most part) we can safely buy a firearm or ammunition for a firearm and know that it's a safe combination. The silencer/suppressor world has thus far been largely untamed, with few standards aside from ATF compliance, most of what we hear about an silencer/suppressor is either advertising or opinion. Even the decible-reduction claims haven't had a set standard for how they are measured. Some manufacturers follow guidelines the government uses, others don't. By SAAMI issuing voluntary standards a step has been taken in the right direction for things to become more normalized if manufacturers want to comply.

Below is the original press release as I originally saw on The Outdoor Wire

"The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute,® Inc., (SAAMI®), has issued the first “Voluntary Industry Performance Standards Criteria for Firearm Sound Suppressors for the Use of Commercial Manufacturers.”

SAAMI is the organization at the forefront of promoting firearm safety by creating standards that ensure safety, reliability and interchangeability of firearms, ammunition, suppressors, and their components.

“These new SAAMI suppressor standards have been eight years in the making and involved a great deal of research, testing and hard work by the SAAMI team and SAAMI member companies,” said Joe Bartozzi, SAAMI President and CEO. “Sound suppressors have become standard equipment for many firearm owners, and with more manufacturers producing these hearing-protection devices to meet consumer demand, SAAMI manufacturing standards were requested by industry.”

The “Voluntary Industry Performance Standards Criteria for Firearm Sound Suppressors for the Use of Commercial Manufacturers” contains thread and socket drawings, recommendations on how to communicate intended cartridge, minimum barrel length, maximum firing cadence and maximum rounds before required cooling, procedures and equipment required for suppressor sound measurement, measuring suppressor-to-bore alignment, testing for abusive mishandling, overpressure testing and stress testing.

About SAAMI

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government, is dedicated to creating and promulgating technical, performance and safety standards for firearms, ammunition, suppressors, and components, and is committed to being the preeminent global resource for the safe and responsible design, manufacture, transportation, storage and use of these products."