Do you really wanna be shooting a rifle that’s gonna be gassing you out? I had the opportunity to shoot a full auto suppressed AR that was well sorted out and tuned with an an adjustable gas block. It was a beautiful thing. I’ve also shot suppressed ARs that with standard sized unregulated gas ports. It was rather unpleasant
One of the concerns I see when people want to build a 50/50% suppressed/unsuppressed guns is the base parts they want to build upon.
Take for an example. Different cans have different effects on bolt carrier speed increases and an additional reversion that effects the amount of fouling that comes back into the upper. A can that reduces the carrier speed increase, doesn’t mean it doesn’t blow more fouling back than one that is slightly faster. Most people buy cans based on their sound reduction, but that’s not the whole story. It is very possible that the best can for an application that is 50/50 or similar could be louder and foul more or less depending if carrier speed gain is the main concern or fouling is. There’s a lot of cans available that have many different attributes, different ones for different priorities, sound level, POI shift consistency, weight, length, ease of use, carrier speed change, fouling, etc.
There are other factors for the upper of an AR type rifle. Barrel length and gas system length and gas port size. Generally barrel length is no longer than the maximum needed for the application, AR’s are actually too short in general for many reasons, but that’s another discussion. Gas systems can potentially be elongated beyond what is considered normal, as in 14.5" mid gas, 18" rifle gas, and the similar.
The bolt carrier type can have a huge influence in operation. The ones that alter cam pathway can and in other methods can help reduce the cyclic rate gain. It should be noted that many of those actually have a base speed increase over the standard carrier and would require a smaller base port to start with, regardless of what what application are they are in.
As far as action system, carbine Vs the rifle type and A5 type. There are more than than just indications that show that a much wider range of operation for the rifle/A5. The wider range of operation may not always be a priority, as faster shooting is possible with the carbine and lower mass systems. So the choice really depends on the application.
So, what does all this mean? With a quality adjustable gas block,you can obviously tune a specific gun and load to a particular situation, sure you can normally. With multiple buffer weights you can tune it to run different ways, sure with that as well. Looking at extremes though, it is very possible that it could take a very light buffer to run unsuppressed and a very heavy buffer when it does have the can. There are ways to minimaliz
This is nuts, I lost the bottom 3/4 of my post again.
What the hell!
Type it up in wordpad or something first, then paste it in when you’re done. I hate to see you lose some of your posts because I like reading them.
I agree. We need more info from Tom, not less.
Dammit I want to read Toms post… … Didn’t give up
For what it’s worth, a WAR adjustable upper might work for you. If you don’t already know, it’s a ‘switchblock’ of sorts, but the valve is on the upper, not the gas block. It never gets hot (that I’ve experienced), so it can be operated with fingers after shooting. It makes shooting much more pleasant suppressed (less gas to face), and seems a bit quieter, too. The WAR upper has a ‘normal’ position, and a ‘suppressed’ position, that has a reduced passage for the gas. It does have a few non-standard parts in it, the gas tube being one of them… but it’s a standard gas tube that has been shortened, and you can chop it yourself.
I also have uppers with adjustable gas blocks, and adjustable gas keys. For other than ‘permanent’ suppressor install, the WAR upper works well for me.
No affiliations with anyone, just tried a bunch of stuff and that’s what works for me.
I would try it without gas block first, it may run great without. A lot of people enjoy enough success with them. markm likes all that fancy stuff, I keep mine simple. 
I remember eyeballing one of those at a local gun store a year or two back. Kind of interesting.
I am running a Syrac Adjustable GB right now, but like has been stated, it is a 90% suppressed weapon. It suits my needs perfectly. The reasons I went with an adjustable gas block were, to avoid lube burnoff and gentler cycling. Although i could have accomplished the gentler cycling with heavier buffers. For it to run how I want it to, I would have to change out the buffers when running unsuppressed. To me it was easier to adjust the gas block than to carry around another weight. The Hex key is always on the rifle, in the grip. It takes 2 clicks of the AGB for it to function with m193.
How much of a PITA was it removing the gas block on the BCM BFH barrel? I have only put about 100 rounds through it and am hoping it comes off easily.
This is the same set-up I am running on a dedicated suppressed 10.3. My DD upper was horribly over gassed and causing me a ton of headaches. I tried different buffers but no go. The difference after installing the Gen 2 Syrac is night and day and I actually enjoy shooting it now and it’s been 100% reliable.
nevermind
I have an AAC SDN6 in jail at the moment. Going to play dual use on a .300 and 5.56. Lots to figure out. I think a micromoa may be in the future for at least the 5.56
Purchased an slr sentry 6 melonite yesterday. Should be here on Saturday!
A little data for those interested -
Just got back from the range with my newly installed Syrac Gen 2.
BCM ELW 11.5
Griffin M4SD II Suppressor
BCM lower with A5/Green SpringCo
This gun is always run suppressed.
I had initially used an A5H4 prior to the AGB. Cycling and lock back was no issue with 193/855 and some AE223. It gassed me pretty well though - Enough so that running drills was not enjoyable.
With the Syrac and 855 today I needed only 2 clicks from closed to lock back with the A5H4 and suppressor ON. Not sure if that’s typical - it has over a dozen positions and I got to position 2 from closed in order to function. I’m not sure if the closed position is actually ‘Closed’ though - it did feel like the carrier moved slIghtly when it was fired in the closed position. It could just be my imagination though. Took suppressor OFF and still locked back. Position 1 would not cycle, suppressed or not.
With the A5H4 I swear I could feel they buffer moving in my jaw/cheek. Very sluggish but smooth. It just felt ‘wrong’ for lack of a better word. Others have recommended the A5H2 and I will need to acquire one soon. Felt recoil was ridiculously low. Just silly, really. Gas was no issue at all.
Threw in an A5H3 I had and it felt better. Faster cycling and the feeling of the buffer moving was not apparent. Left AGB at position 2. Recoil was still ridiculously low.
As I said, I need an A5H2. As others more knowledgeable noted, the extra mass of the 3 & 4 is not needed due to the AGB and makes the cycling very sluggish.
End of the day - I’m not going to be converting any 16" guns to an AGB as they rarely will run suppressed (hunting only).
ALL suppressed SBRs will have them. Period. It was THAT noticeable in regards to gas and felt recoil.
Anyone looking to sell an A5H2?
Harold
Edited to add - gun was MUCH cleaner and stayed wet longer.
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