Quick and cheap trigger silencer

[Tin Man]

I came across a few of these little rubber rivets while cleaning up my bench, and realized that I had never posted this here. So . . .


I really don't know if a trigger silencer has any real advantage. But if you want to give it a try, this is a pretty easy way to go about it. I found these EPDM rubber rivets at http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/setof4fanrid.html They are used as fasteners / vibration isolators for computer cooling fans. Anyway, the shape is perfect for installing in the top of a trigger mechanism to cushion the sear from making the sharp metallic contact with the top of the mech when fired.
Here are the rubber rivets:

They couldn't be any easier to install. A 9/64" hole in the top of the mech is a snug fit. Then cut off the bottom half of the rivet, and pull the thin top of the rivet through the mech, from the inside out. Then trim the remainder. Done. The mech is almost dead silent on the benchtop. Just a dull, cushioned "bump" when fired. I have no idea how well they will hold up long term, but at $1.75 plus postage for 4, they are cheap and easy to replace.

 

[jtkwest]

what an interesting idea! would that work on neptonics mechs? what kind of mech is in the pic? where exactly do you drill the hole? how do you come up with this stuff? amazing!

 

[Tin Man]

That's an older Poseidonsub mech in the picture, but it is very similar to the Neptonics mech. I have also done something very similar with an Alexander.

I just remove the internals, and loosely assemble the pieces on the outside of the mechs, using the pins to hold them in position.

Then just estimate a suitable location for the rubber rivet so that it will keep the back of the sear from hitting the top of the housing.