If I didn’t include your favorite can, I apologize. If you wouldn’t want to use a suppressor in combat at all, I’d like to hear that reasoning as well. I tried to list standard and K-size cans to see which length is more popular.
For the sake of argument, let’s make your issued weapon an M4A1. Would your answer change if your issued weapon was of the Mk18 variety or any other 5.56 weapon? Do you prioritize dB reduction or length and weight? Do you think entire divisions should be issued cans if they had the money?
My biggest priority is connection/mount. With that Surefire has a very tight and very solid lockup. I used to care about dB but now its connection and weight.
Voted Surefire Mini, but I would be ok with a Sandman K, also. The Mini can’t be disassembled so it is more Soldier-proof. I’ve carried the M4A1 with ~7” cans and always felt like they were as long as a M16A4, and muzzle heavy. Mk18 not as bad. Still a good setup, but I would prefer short and light regardless of Mk18 or M4.
I don’t think suppressors should be issued widely for general combat usage, specialized use they do serve a purpose. Couple of reasons are combat is a noisy business, what do you gain suppressing individual rifles? Sound is only one signature, a hot can is going to really stand out in thermal sights like a near peer enemy will have and that signature is persistent, it does not go away the minute you stop shooting. IMO money would be better used giving every solider active hearing protection.
I pick the new flavor of the month called the Energetic Vox-S. Uses a material called C300 Maraging which you can read about below. Direct thread or Dead Air Key Mo. Wipes. 30cal, full auto, no barrel restrictions. Pretty badass if you ask me.
reduce the dust signature that can block / hinder seeing the target
Hearing damage and tinnitus are number 1 and 2 most common reasons for new compensations paid to U.S. servicemen and women. They are also the all time top 1-2 in total number of compansation recipients.
This according to the 2016 report by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Similar figures can be seen elsewhere in the world.
Yes, suppressors cost money and have their +/- features
I am not saying all hearing damage claims could be removed with suppressors, but many have issues caused by their personal weapon/weapons,.
Many militaries who issue them for SOF can easily find out the experiences and apply them then into conventional side use
How much does it cost to?
To train a soldier or law enforcement officer during his career
How much does it cost not only in money, but loss in capability/knowledge if the same person is moved to other role from operations due to the disability or permanently retired due to it?
How much does it then cost to pay him/her the compensations after retirement? Not to mention the quality of life for someone with permanent tinnitus.
You are making my point that active hearing protection is needed. A soldiers personal weapon is not the only noise maker on the battlefield and not the loudest by any means. Muzzle flash and dust are handled quite well by the A2. I like suppressors, I just don’t think every swinging d@ck on the battlefield needs one, and give one to a snuffy and hearing safe or not he is likely to stop using his ear pro.
You are making my point that active hearing protection is needed. A soldiers personal weapon is not the only noise maker on the battlefield and not the loudest by any means. Muzzle flash and dust are handled quite well by the A2. I like suppressors, I just don’t think every swinging d@ck on the battlefield needs one, and give one to a snuffy and hearing safe or not he is likely to stop using his ear pro.
Most, if not all, Soldiers that are issued suppressors are also issued Sordins or Peltors. Also, A2’s still kick up dust when your @&$# is really in the dirt.
Edit: if it hasn’t been said yet, the biggest value for cans in the Mil are to aid in not giving away your position.
Watch a squad assault range with and then without cans. Huge difference. Internal comms improved, SA improved, as well as other issues. I was apprehensive about this as well until I saw it, and all for it now. You bring up a decent point with signature, pros and cons with anything. This would not be very high on my list of concerns in a squad though.
Still waiting on how they’re gonna keep some lance coconut from laying his can on his leg and ending up in bas.
I assume you mean why I like the Vox? If you just look at the specs, it’s clear that what they’re working with is special. C300 Maraging has more tensile strength at 1,000 degrees F than stainless steel or titanium do at room temperature. In short, this can ain’t breakin. The material is also lightweight and has a thinner outer profile, which allows for more internal baffles. I believe The Wound Channel weighed it at around 15 ounces?
Additionally, due to the construction it has no minimum barrel length requirement and is of course full auto rated.
Edit: ALSO it uses already excellent and popular mounting systems like the Dead Air Keymo.