Source: Matt Szabaga (Webmaster)
WHY SILENCERS RUIN ACCURACY
Silencers do their job of silencing a paintball gun barrel quite well, but
there is, however, a major downfall to them. Silencers, barrel extensions,
and even elongated muzzle brakes can ruin the accuracy of your paintball gun.
The reason why is very clearcut: Turbulence.
Air pushing a ball out of the barrel is suddenly given
a more open space to pass through. The air suddenly goes off its path and
eventually travels around the ball. Currents of air mix to cause turbulence
which throws the ball off its path (See #1 on image). This can happen even
if the inside of the silencer is almost the size of the ball.
IMPROVED SILENCERS
There is a great way to create a silencer that will not hinder your guns performance.
It involves a barrel with quite a bit of porting at the end. Probably the
best barrel for this would be a Smart Parts Progressive barrel. You may also
have success by porting a stock barrel. Once you find a barrel, cover the
porting by using PVC pipe and PVC reduction fittings (See #2 on image).
NOTE: On any silencers I make, I drill some air relief holes in the back to
direct more of the air/noise toward me and not the target (See #2 on image).
