So I have some unexpected extra cash headed my direction and I decided to call one of my Class III dealers and pre order an AAC Mini4. I was set on an M4-2000 but I figured that the Mini4 could also be used more practically on my longer rifles. An M4-2000 hanging off of a 16 inch barrel makes less sense than the Mini4. So instead of going with the M4-2000 for 1 rifle I can now have one can for 5 rifles.
Anyway to my question…
Does anyone have any inside info on the AAC Mini4? Any info good or bad would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!
I plan on getting one for shooting 3gun with for a 16" 5.56mm BCM midlength barrel. It adds only 2" to the length of the gun and 13ozs. It’s louder than a M4-2000 Mod 08 but makes great sense for 3gun where brakes cause push off of barricades, dust/mud/water kick up when firing near the ground.
My plan is to keep it mostly on my 10.3 but it may migrate onto my patrol rifle while on shift. I also like to shoot in my yard but the neighbors are a PITA lately about the noise even though it is completely legal to shoot here.
It looks like a great can for a small niche. It offers 26dB reduction on a 14.5" rifle. Like Robb said, its good for running courses to take the brunt of the blast out of the equation.
This is a direct quote from AAC answering a question if they’ve used it on a 12.5" or 10.5" SBR
“Yes, we’ve run it on those, and it is drastically quieter than unsuppressed. it is not hearing safe though. if you are one of those guys that runs a 556 gun and can with a set of SF earpro or single plugs, etc, then this will be great on short guns- light, compact, eliminate the blast and concussion. It’s a cool can in it’s niche.”
IIRC the “winter catalog” that AAC put out had the Mini4 only one dB louder than the SF Mini.
With a $200-$300 price cut over the SF can, I think its a no-brainer.
My use is for a 10.5" SBR primarily used as a HD gun. No it won’t be hearing safe, but it’ll be quieter than shooting an unsuppressed 14.5" indoors…not to mention less flash
I read this quote as well and I just have to ask…when I go shoot at an indoor or outdoor range with my unsuppressed 14.5" all I ever wear is the SF plugs…am I alone here? It doesn’t bother me at all, but am I crazy for only using the plugs?? Don’t mean to derail the thread…
Jason posted on silencer talk that they have tested with 10 and 11 inch barrels and all he stated was that you would at least need to wear Sure Fire Ear Pro or the like with the smaller barrels. I will attempt to get a link…
HERE, post #11: http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=66879&hilit=AAC+Mini+4
Yeah I always wear my clear Oakleys when I shoot and I don’t ever get a good “seal” with ear muffs…but with the SF plugs its no problem…I haven’t noticed any ringing or other problems but I just hope I’m not causing any long term damage…
First, a random thing- i personally find 5.56 (bullets) obnoxiously loud. I like to wear a single set of protection when shooting suppressed for an extended period of time. I find SF EP3 with the ports open to be perfect with a can on a 556. YMMV of course.
The MINI4 has the same reduction as using SF earpro with the ports closed, so if you’re comfortable with that, then it’ll be fine.
It is warranted down to full auto on a 10" barrel. It features our 51T mount (choice of hider, brake, or combo). It’s got a stainless tube and all-Inconel baffles, including the endcap. All 360 degree fully welded like our other rifle cans.
It’s 13.5oz, 5.25" long, adds 2.8" over the hider and will be hearing safe by a meter (under 140 dB) on 14.5" or longer barrels. MSRP is $895, dealers should have it for less.
If your primary concern is sound, the M4-2000 is still a better buy- $155 more, but on a 10" gun it’ll sound like the MINI4 on a 14.5 or 16" gun.
You’re not crazy, if it works for you, it works for you.
Especially indoors though, you’re very close to the hearing damage level- the EPs will bring it down to right around 140dB. depending on the acoustics where you are and the particular ammo, gun, etc, you could easily be over 140. and the effects are cumulative, you might not notice ringing, but you are still doing damage.
