[Obsidian Artist]

The problem with silencing a revolver is the gap between the cylinder and barrel. Unless in the case of the above mentioned exceptions which seal the barrel to the cylinder in the fire sequence, there is enough "BLOW BY" of high pressure gas that leaks out of this gap to make a considerable noise. Since this gas escaped faster than the speed of sound in most cases, it makes a sonic boom by itself. The rest of the gas fills the chambers of the silencer then escapes after or as the bullet leaves the silencer. The silencer will reduce noise for a revolver somewhat for it does absorb a lot of the high pressure gas then releases it under lower pressure, but not as well as, say, if used in a closed system such as a semi auto hand gun or rifle.

Most revolver cartridges don't push the bullet faster than the speed of sound (1100 ft/sec approx.) in the first place so there is not sonic boom as the bullet exits the silencer, however, .22 jet SW, .357mag from a six inch barrel or more, (snub barrels most often don't permit enough time for the powder to burn fully resulting in a much lower muzzle vel), some 44mag and .41 will exceed the speed of sound if using factory ammo. If you reload then you can buff down the charge to something under the speed of sound. But all in all, silencers don't work well attached to a revolver. Also, revolvers have a front sight which doesn't permit threading of the muzzle unless a gunsmith moves the sight back about an inch to permit barrel threading. Some barrels are not round, they have a sight ramp or rib and that must be machined off to permit threading. Bottom line, select a semi auto to silence if you want a silenced hand gun.

Uh oh I think I went a bit too much into context >.>