äänenvaimentaja

An äänenvaimentaja, commonly known as a silencer or suppressor in English, is a firearm accessory designed to reduce the sound produced by a gunshot. It functions by trapping and slowing down the expanding gases that escape the barrel after a bullet is fired. This rapid expansion of gases is the primary source of the loud noise associated with firearms.

The design of an äänenvaimentaja typically involves a series of baffles or chambers within a cylindrical tube that attaches to the muzzle of a firearm. As the hot, high-pressure gases exit the barrel, they are forced through these chambers. The baffles create a tortuous path for the gases, causing them to expand and cool, thereby reducing their velocity and the intensity of the sound wave they generate.

While often referred to as "silencers," these devices do not completely eliminate the sound of a gunshot. Instead, they significantly dampen it, making the report less noticeable or potentially within safe listening levels without hearing protection. In addition to noise reduction, äänenvaimentajat can also reduce muzzle flash and, to some extent, recoil. Their legality and availability vary significantly by country and jurisdiction.