Looking for a Sound Level Meter to Measure Firearm Noise

Hi everyone, I work for a company producing infantry weapons (pistols and assault rifles) and need a sound meter capable of measuring the noise levels of firearms. The peak noise we expect is around 165-170 dB.
Our primary goal is to measure peak noise levels in decibels without needing the sound signal visualized (e.g., on an oscilloscope or laptop). We’ve been looking into the ATO Sound Level Meter (SKU: ATO-SLM-5661-1C).

However, I have a few concerns:
If the noise exceeds 160 dB (e.g., 162 dB or 164 dB), will the device simply stop providing a reading, or could it be damaged?
Is this meter capable of capturing such short-duration peak sounds, or is it more suited for ambient or longer-duration noise? In our case of measuring the Firearm noise. It is a strong pressure (sound) in a very short time frame. Peak sound in a duration of about 0,1 ms.
How does the calibration process work? Is it something the user can do, or does it require sending the device back to the manufacturer?
Thanks in advance for your input!

Aled wrote:
Hi there,
Thank you for your interest in our sound level meter. Here's a breakdown of your queries:
1. If the noise exceeds 160 dB:
The meter will display its maximum value (160 dB) and activate the overload indicator (red light), but it will not sustain any damage.
2. Regarding short-duration peak sounds:
Yes, this sound level meter SKU: ATO-SLM-5661-1C has several time-weighted measurement modes, including fast (F), slow (S), pulse (I) and other modes. In pulse mode, it can capture the instantaneous peak value of noise, please refer to the attached user manual for instructions.
3. Calibration process:
You can purchase a noise calibrator to handle calibration yourself. There's no need to send the device back to us. Refer to the user manual for detailed steps.
Let us know if you have further questions!

Aled wrote:
In my experience, most meters with a 160 dB limit will just max out without damage when exposed to slightly higher levels. However, they're not suitable for precise measurements beyond their range. If 162-164 dB is common for your use case, you might want to look into microphones rated specifically for high-pressure sound levels (e.g., 1/4" condenser mics).
For calibration, buying a calibrator makes sense if you plan frequent recalibrations. Otherwise, sending it in once a year might be more cost-effective.

Aled wrote:
I've used similar sound level meters for industrial applications, and they're generally robust. However, capturing 0.1 ms peaks might be tricky for some models. Even in pulse mode, you might need to verify its response time in the user manual. If precision is critical for you, you may need a more specialized meter designed explicitly for extreme impulse noise, like firearm tests.