5.56mm Suppressor Questions...

General Firearms NFA
1

I’ve been thinking of going to the next level with my collection, and get a 5.56mm rifle suppressor. Unfortunately, I don’t have much opportunity to shoot suppressed weapons, so I’d like to pick your collective brains.

I can’t SBR in WA state, so I’ll be mounting it on 16” guns (semiauto). Therefore, I’d prefer to keep the OAL as little as possible. It will spend 90% of it’s time on one particular rifle (a 6920 or possibly a BM ACR). However, I’d like to shoot without it and also mount it on other guns from time to time. So, a QD or QD-like attachment would be nice (if I can get the can off and on in less than 10 seconds, and the flash hider stays on that is sufficiently QD for me). Minimal POI shift would be nice (if it’s less than 1-2 MOA, I would be happy). Obviously, I’d like to keep the weight down too.

I’d like to shoot the can dry, and would like to go without hearing protection outdoors for at least a few rounds (I’ll wear plugs when messing around on the range). I’d also like to avoid too much permanent hearing loss if I touch off a couple rounds indoors.

As far as cost goes, I know NFA isn’t a cheap game to play. I’d like to get a suppressor and mount for about $1000 (not including the stamp). I know the Surefires are more, and I’d be willing to stretch for it if they offered a compelling advantage over some other choices.

So, I’ve asked for the moon and the stars. Here are my desires in order:
-Minimal addition to OAL
-QDish capability (off and on in less than 10 seconds, but I want the flash hider/mount to stay)
-Good dry sound suppression performance (hearing safe outdoors, for at least a couple of shots)
-Minimal POI shift (1-2 MOA)
-Lightweight (I see most cans are in the 15-20 oz range, so I’d like to stay in there, the lighter the better)

So far, the list of cans I’m researching is:
Ops Inc 15th
AAC M4-2000
Surefire FA556AR

I won’t start another pissing contest by asking “Which is better?”, but I would like to ask some specific questions about them:

I see most guys prefer the Surefire FA556K to the FA556AR model. My assumption is that it’s because the K is better for SBRs. But are there other performance differences between the two that would make the K a better choice for my application? When I looked at the specs, I thought the AR was more suitable because of its reduced overall length added. But it seems there are way more K’s being run than AR models (at least from what I’ve seen on the boards). Am I missing something?

AAC seems to have a dizzying array of cans. I like the size of the SCAR-SD and 416-SD models, but assume that they traded some level of sound suppression for that reduction in size (per the specs from the AAC website). I know the specs say they are louder, but is that a significant difference? For those that have shot them side by side, is the SCAR-SD (or 416-SD) significantly louder than the M4-2000?

Thanks for your time.

2

Check out the latest offerings from AAC they have some nice looking cans. Surefire and OPS might drag you over the 1K mark. You also have to factor in the 200 dollar tax stamp and the cost to get the can transfered.

3

I’ve downloaded the 2008 AAC catalog. Nice!

I’ve set the limit on the budget around $1k without including the tax stamp or transfer costs. I’ll pay them either way, no matter what can I get. I figure I’ll be into this close to $1500 with stamp, can, and an extra mount.

4

Shucks, Cleatus.

For what you’re describing, the M4-1000 would be plenty. The 08 version has full circumfrential welding and more inconel in the construction. Although, I’d get a current model and shave 6-9 months off of the wait for the 08s to get produced.

The $400 savings would pay for your stamp and some ammo.

5

With the cans you’ve listed you are practically splitting atoms it’s so close.

They will all sound about the same, and they all claim minimal POI shift.

I would get a hard quote on the SF cans before moving forward though. If you are guessing at the prices based on MSRP you might be surprised when you get an actual price.

The OPS can may require barrel contouring, or collar installation, so you may want to get quotes on that service if you can’t, or don’t want to do it yourself.

To save a significant amount of money, you should consider the YHM SS Phantom, or the M4-1000. Both cans will hold up under intense semi auto fire, and both claim similarly minimal POI shifts. For about 33% ++ less than the others.

6

Surprised ‘happy’ or surprised ‘sad’? I’ve the Surefire shown on dealer websites in the $1000-1200 range.

I’ll look more closely at the M4-1000. It was longer and heavier than I like, at least per the specs I got off the AAC website (I haven’t looked closely at the 2008 catalog yet). But maybe the cost savings is worth it.

7

If they are showing $1200 for the 556k, that’s pretty close to retail. I’d bet that you could hunt a better price for those.

Check three places:

G&R Tactical
Polite Society Inc
ADCO Firearms

The M4-1000 should be no heavier than 19oz, and it’s now using the same technology and materials as what they used when it was called the 2006 M4-2000.

8

I figured the Surefires were close to $1k, I just have to decide if they are worth it over some of the others, especially the M4-1000.

Are there any performance differences between the Surefire K model and the AR model? I like the additional overlap of the AR model.

ETA: I forgot to ask how significant the difference in sound signature between the SCAR-SD and 416-SD models are relative to the M4-1k and M4-2k models.

The 2008 AAC catalog lists the reduction as follows (no mention of wet vs dry):

M4-1000 30dB
M4-2000 36dB
416-SD 36dB (this is a big difference from last year)
SCAR-SD 28dB

Please note: I know there is a lot of controversy about comparing dB ratings between different manufacturers, and I don’t want to try to do that here. I’m trying to compare and contrast the performance of AAC models only, using the AAC specs, and hear the impressions from users that have shot them side by side.

9

All the AAC numbers should be DRY. Running wet is an exception to the norm (in my opinion) for a 5.56 can.

Keep in mind that those 08 cans are realistically at LEAST 9 months from being in your hands. Maybe even longer.

10

The M4-1000 numbers look low, but I can’t get in to John Titsworth’s site to confirm what he metered it at.

Anyhow the 416-SD is apparently the same can as the M4-2000 for this model year.

In the past the 416-SD was a shorty can, like the SCAR-SD.

11

He metered it at 28db. He did not test the others,

12

Maybe 28-30dB is about right then. 160dB to 132dB is pretty good.

Anyway, I have the older M4-2000, which is essentially the M4-1000 – it sounds pretty darn good.

13

That’s what confuses me a bit. The dimensions on the SCAR-SD and 416-SD models are essentially identical (OAL, weight, diameter). But there is a large discrepency in there ratings, when last years models were identical. It makes me wonder if the 416-SD number of 36dB is a misprint.

14

It doesn’t make sense to me but from I heard from a local shop that stocks AOW’s and suppressors is that in WA state it is legal to OWN a suppressor but not legal to USE a suppressor within the state. So my take is that if you legally own the suppressor you can mount it on your weapon, but cannot fire your said weapon with the suppressor that you legally own. This is a topic that I am following since I really would like to own a Soundtech Pocket Rifle.

15

It is considered a misdemeanor to actually use a suppressor. But you can use it in neighboring states.

16

That still makes no sense to me, but at least we can legally own them here in WA.

17

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=11416

18

When you compare the SCAR-SD and 416-SD specs on the AAC website, they are totally different than the M4-2000. When you look at the specs in the 2008 catalog, they are all the same. I wonder if AAC has consolidated those models to the M4-2000 design and done away with the shorter 5.9in model that used to be what the SCAR and 416 models were.

19

Did you read the link?

In their printed catalog the following is on each page:

M4-2000 Mod08
16.25oz.
6.625" long
4" added to weapon
1.50" diameter
SCARmor finish
Ratcher Fast Attach
36dB sound reduction
Inconcel 718 & 316SS
NSN 1005-01-543-4656
MSRP $895

416-SD Mod08
16.25oz.
6.625" long
4" added to weapon
1.50" diameter
SCARmor finish
Ratcher Fast Attach
36dB sound reduction
Inconcel 718 & 316SS
MSRP $895

The pictures look identical, but from a different angle.

The SCAR-SD does not show the ratchet attachment.

20

I did read the link. What I’m saying is that the 416-SD and SCAR-SD in the 2008 catalog are totally different than what is currently shown on the AAC website.