Real Gun Sound: What You Need to Know
If you have ever fired a gun or heard one being fired, you know that guns are loud. Very loud. But what exactly is real gun sound? How is it produced, measured, affected by various factors, perceived by humans and animals, used in various fields and applications, and different from simulated gun sound?
In this article, we will answer all these questions and more. We will explain everything you need to know about real gun sound in a clear and comprehensive way. Whether you are a gun enthusiast, a hunter, a shooter, a soldier, a law enforcement officer, an entertainer, an educator, or just curious about guns, this article will help you understand real gun sound better.
real gun sound
How Real Gun Sound is Produced
Real gun sound is the result of three main sources of noise that occur when a firearm is discharged:
Muzzle blast: This is the loud bang that comes from the muzzle of the gun when the propellant gas expands rapidly into the air. Muzzle blast is the primary source of noise for most firearms.
Sonic boom: This is the sharp crack that comes from the bullet when it travels faster than the speed of sound (about 343 m/s or 767 mph at sea level). Sonic boom is the primary source of noise for high-velocity firearms.
Mechanical noise: This is the clack or click that comes from the moving parts of the gun when it cycles or reloads. Mechanical noise is usually negligible compared to muzzle blast and sonic boom.
The intensity and frequency of these noise sources depend on various factors, such as the type of firearm, ammunition, barrel length, muzzle device, firing mode. How Real Gun Sound is Measured
Real gun sound is measured in two main ways: sound pressure level (SPL) and sound intensity level (SIL).
real gun sound effects download
free gun sound effects mp3
royalty-free gun sound effects
realistic gun sound effects for video games
real gun sound ringtone
real gun sound app
real gun sound simulator
real gun sound mod for gta sa
real gun sound vs movie gun sound
real gun sound prank
real gun sound pack
real gun sound vs silencer
real gun sound generator
real gun sound vs airsoft
real gun sound vs nerf
real gun sound remix
real gun sound comparison
real gun sound vs paintball
real gun sound vs bb gun
real gun sound vs pellet gun
real gun sound vs blank
real gun sound vs suppressor
real gun sound vs rubber bullet
real gun sound vs laser
real gun sound vs water gun
real gun sound vs firecracker
real gun sound vs fireworks
real gun sound vs cap gun
real gun sound vs toy gun
real gun sound vs gunshot wound
real gun sound vs taser
real gun sound vs stun gun
real gun sound vs electric shock
real gun sound vs explosion
real gun sound vs thunder
real gun sound vs car backfire
real gun sound vs motorcycle exhaust
real gun sound vs balloon pop
real gun sound vs whip crack
real gun sound vs door slam
real gun sound vs hammer hit
real gun sound vs glass break
real gun sound vs metal clang
real gun sound vs wood splinter
real gun sound vs bullet ricochet
real gun sound vs bullet impact
real gun sound vs bullet drop
real gun sound vs bullet casing
real gun sound vs bullet reload
Sound pressure level: This is the measure of the force of sound waves on a unit area. SPL is expressed in decibels (dB), which are logarithmic units that compare the ratio of two sound pressures. The reference sound pressure for SPL is 20 micropascals (µPa), which is the threshold of human hearing. SPL is the most common way to measure gun sound, as it can be easily measured by a microphone and a sound level meter. However, SPL does not account for the directionality or distance of the sound source, which can affect how loud it sounds to a listener.
Sound intensity level: This is the measure of the power of sound waves per unit area. SIL is also expressed in decibels, but with a different reference sound intensity of 10 watts per square meter (W/m). SIL accounts for the directionality and distance of the sound source, as it measures the sound energy that reaches a listener. However, SIL is more difficult to measure than SPL, as it requires a pair of microphones and a sound intensity meter.
The table below shows some examples of SPL and SIL values for different firearms and distances, based on data from and . Note that these values are approximate and may vary depending on various factors.
Firearm
Ammunition
SPL at 1 m (dB)
SIL at 1 m (dB)
SPL at 100 m (dB)
SIL at 100 m (dB)
.22 LR rifle
40 gr, 1080 fps
134
114
84
64
9 mm pistol
115 gr, 1155 fps
160
140
110
90
.223 Rem rifle
55 gr, 3240 fps
155
135
105
85
.308 Win rifle
150 gr, 2820 fps
167
147
117
97
.50 BMG rifle
647 gr, 2810 fps
177
157
127
107
M16A2 rifle (burst mode)
.223 Rem, 55 gr, 3100 fps
165
145
115
95
M4 carbine (full-auto mode)
.223 Rem, 55 gr, 2900 fps
162
142
112
92
M249 SAW (full-auto mode)
.223 Rem, 55 gr, 3000 fps
164
144
114
94
M240B machine gun (full-auto mode)
.308 Win, 147 gr, 2800 fps
172
152
122
102
44f88ac181