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Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new YHM Turbo T3 5.56 rifle suppressor. Last week we ripped some suppressor headlines from the news. This week we get an initial look at the Daniel Defense Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 rifle suppressor. Since the big brown truck only pulled up yesterday, this will just be an introduction to the SoundGuard lineup and we’ll time the second part to drop around the same time James “gunshorts” Reeves releases his SG-30 video at TFBTV. Let’s take a look.
More Daniel Defense @TFB:
- [SHOT 2023] Daniel Defense Soundguard Silencers
- [SHOT 2023] New SOUNDGUARD Suppressors and Chassis Adapters from Daniel Defense
- NEW RELEASE: The Daniel SoundGuard Suppressor Lineup
- Daniel Defense Talks More About The DD Wave 3D Printed Silencer
- Daniel Defense DDWAVE 3D Printed Suppressor | NRA 17
Guns and gear in this article:
- Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW SBR – 300BLK
- Daniel Defense DD5 V4 – 6.5CM
- MAVEN Optics RS3.2
- DURAMAG Stainless Steel Magazine – AR-15
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 – First Impressions
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 – First Impressions
I am always impressed and delighted when a major firearms manufacturer releases a silencer. To me it is a signal from the market movers that suppressors and other NFA items are important to everyone, and not just relegated to military and law enforcement contracts. Recently we have had FN USA release a suppressor lineup and others like Smith & Wesson and Ruger introduced their own lines in the last few years. Of course, companies like SIG, B&T, and others have always offered suppressors alongside their weapons platforms. When big manufactures talk, people listen.
Daniel Defense’s first entry into the rifle suppressor market was the DDWave line which featured additive manufacturing (3D printing). Although it had its detractors, the DDWave was an attempt by a big manufacturer to use additive manufacturing on a large scale to produce an innovative design. Never a bad thing in my opinion.
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 – First Impressions
The Daniel SoundGuard is manufactured using traditional machining techniques but uses internal geometry and porting to redirect gases to address some common issues in semiautomatic rifle platforms. Reading the user manual, Daniel Defense and KGM, the SoundGuard designers, were looking to address five major points over other manufacturer’s offerings.
- Accuracy
- Flash Reduction
- Recoil Reduction
- Gas Optimization
- Sound Reduction
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 – First Impressions
The biggest of these five categories, in my opinion, is gas optimization. Most shooters would like a host-neutral suppressor that requires little to no adjustment to the gas system. Referred to as back pressure, suppressors with tight bores and geometry can redirect gases back into the action causing blowback into the shooters face failure to feed/eject cycling errors. Previously requested mostly by military and law enforcement customers, flash reduction has gained importance with shooters and hunters who utilize night vision devices. Obviously accuracy and sound reduction should be important for all quality suppressors.
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 – First Impressions
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
Specifications:
- Model: Daniel SoundGuard SG-30
- MSRP: $750
- Product Page: https://danieldefense.com/soundguard
- Owner’s Manual: https://danieldefense.com/media/asset/d/d/DD_SoundGuard_manual_1.0.pdf
- Weight: 22.5 oz
- Length: 7″
- Diameter: 1.75″
- Caliber: .30
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Cartridge: Up to 300 PRC
- Mount: 5/8 x 24 direct thread included (1.375 x 24 universal mount adapter)
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel Soundguard SG-30 – First Impressions
The titanium version, the Daniel Soundguard SG-30Ti, includes an adjustable port end cap that can be closed off with set screws to channel gas in the direction of the recoil impulse. This feature is probably more suited to a precision rifle platform and would have introduced unnecessary cost for a carbine suppressor, especially if the suppressor would be routinely added/removed, changing the port locations.
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel Soundguard SG-30 – First Impressions
Initial Impressions:
I am really happy to see that gas regulation and universal mounting capabilities is included in the Daniel SoundGuard lineup. These are probably two of the most important characteristics of a modern rifle suppressor. I also like the fact that the diameter is 1.75″ as opposed to the more standard 1.5″, which should help with noise reduction and tone, especially with subsonic 300BLK rounds.
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 – First Impressions
One of the most glaring concerns is the weight of the SG-30. At almost one and a half pounds, this ranks up with the heaviest .30 caliber suppressors on the market. It is not a deal breaker – if the SoundGuard SG-30 has stellar performance, I can overlook the extra ounces, especially on a short barrel. The titanium version weighs in at a very respectable 15 ounces which is the sweet spot for a high-performing silencer.
I’ve fired exactly 10 shots through the new SoundGuard, so you will have to stay tuned for a full performance report in the next few weeks.
SILENCER SATURDAY #286: DD Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 – First Impressions
Have a great week. Be safe, have fun, and we’ll see you back here next weekend for another Silencer Saturday.
SILENCER SHOP – HANSOHN BROTHERS – DEADEYE GUNS
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ALL YHM PRODUCTS AT BROWNELLS
DEALERS: If you want your link to buy YHM suppressors included in future Silencer Saturday posts, email: silencers@thefirearmblog.com
