So, really, the goal is to slow the gasses in a linear fashion, and to balance "average velocity" with cycling/back-pressure issues?
At first I thought that maybe it would be smart to slow the gasses faster toward the end of the can, but it really doesn't matter as the pressure in the can, as a whole, is the issue (Bullet is gone/pressure fills the whole can before cycling is complete) and volume retains pressure no-matter how you slice it (ROF increases show this) as long as the velocity of the gasses is controlled the same.
Thus, the smaller the can, and the closer you can slow the gasses (without having flash/powder burning in the latter chambers/out the muzzle) to the optimal velocity for function vs. suppression (varies by mission requirement, caliber, barrel length, etc....hence you offer a Mini, Full-size, etc...), the "better" things are.
Internal venting and fluid/gas flow dynamics and advancements made via these studies allow smaller and smaller cans to come closer and closer to balancing this act of retarding gas velocity vs. function.
For example, a 3', 1.5" diameter pipe with 2 washers in it would function great, and suppress like crap. Compared to a Surefire 556 SOCOM, which will suppress great, but cause a LOT more back-pressure than the junk-yard pipe above.
Really, the only thing that CAN advance are materials (lighter/stronger), and how they are used (knowledge based on experience, trial and error, and flow dynamics) to better achieve the optimal release of gasses for a given task. On that note, the industry is moving closer and closer to "improvements" being statistical rather than observable to the human senses, as best I can tell.
Many people argue Surefire vs. SWR vs. AAC. I feel that if you take the cans, account for their volume difference, the sound suppression will be almost identical. Some (AAC) are in the middle on size, while Surefire and SWR tend to pick opposite ends of that spectrum.
At least, this is this medical guy's understanding of the engineer's plight, although I may have it all wrong.
Hence I buy Surefire, because the mount is unarguably superior, and while I have not used the CS of AAC, SWR, or others, Surefire has impressed me beyond belief. For that reason alone, I have no reason to buy another suppressor unless the competitor's are made of unobtanium, remove weight from the rifle, and are plated in dried unicorn blood. Not affiliated with Surefire in any way but as a customer, but damn, if a company treats me as well as Surefire has, I cannot help but give them a bit of a plug in posts about their cans.



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