AR SBR and Compensators

General Firearms NFA
1

Alright, I’m not new to ARs or shooting them. I have a 16" Midlength BCM with an A2. I’m happy with an A2 on this gas length and this barrel length.

Now I’m waiting for an approval stamp for an 12" BCM SBR. Here’s my question, I’m starting to consider a compensator or other muzzle device, for multiple reasons. I’m asking for input/recommendations/experiences.

I’m going to go ahead and disclaim, I don’t see the point for a Suppressor for an (ETA: SBR) AR15 in 5.56mm (.300 BLACK is a different animal) for my uses the blowback in the face (I’m left eye dominant and shoot rifles left handed, it gasses you right in the mouth/face/glasses), the not so impressive sound reduction, the increased length (I wanted shorter), higher heat on the gun (more lube its burning up from hot gas coming back in the gun, and the hardening of carbon and increasing of the amount, making it harder to clean), increased muzzle weight (I like the more compact packaging of the native gun, and I don’t want more weight on the front end of a both lighter weight and smaller rifle), the price (for the can and muzzle device, I’d only go with a fast attach rifle suppressor, and tax stamp. The price will also rapidly exceed the cost of the firearm.) and the wait are why I don’t want a suppressor. I’m not going to say they’re useless but to me, with first hand experience, I’m not interested. To each his own, pressing on.

My priorities are in this order are,

1.) Concussion, I’d like to reduce that to the end user, the A2 does an okay job natively of not only flash reduction but also blast redirection, I’m curious is there something that others use and recommend to cut down on this. I’ve fired a 7.5" SBR, and the muzzle blast to the shooter is distracting.

2.) Muzzle Rise/Movement, the AR has a higher velocity bullet and a bit more of a jabbing recoil versus a pushing (The SGL21 that I own, is honestly a very flat recoiling gun for what it is). I’d imagine moving to a shorter barrel (less weight at the muzzle end, causing more muzzle climb/movement, moving centering of mass further back in the gun) , shorter length of pull (less control and a grip closer to the receiver), shorter gas length (increased carrier velocity/pressures/heavier buffer mass in a lighter gun, giving a sharper jab/jerk to the sights while shooting)

3.) Recoil, .223 isn’t a monster, I don’t think I’ve ever been bruised by one or felt beat up by one, even after 300-400 rounds in a single setting, but, this is my last priority, if I’m going to get a compensator, why not also consider it?

I’m thinking I’m honing in on a Dynacomp Short, Battlecomp 1.0 or the unknown (that’s where you come in). I know AR SBRs are louder, but I’d like to hear opinions/conjecture on the subject. I know comps have been discussed to death, but, I think it’s a bit of a different equation when going to an SBR.

God Bless,

Brandon

ETA: I’ve fired a 10.5" SBR with an M4-2000 Mod 08, a 14.5" with a M4-2000 Mod 08 and a SCAR 16 10.5" with a M4-2000 Mod 08, the issue for me was the ejection port being right at my face and being sprayed by lubricant and inhaling a puff of hot gas. I imagine with a larger volume can that would be mitigated some, but, I figure even a KAC Triple Tap is cheaper than a Can.

2

Yep, comps have been talked to death for a while now. I have had most of them and tried them on various barrel length ARs.

All of the aspects that you are concerned with are going to be subjective to a degree. There also may be factors that are slightly different in two identical appearing rifles; ie gas port size, buffer weight, buffer spring strength, and “hottness” of the ammo being fired.

All of that being said, I will share my opinion based only on my experience.

1)I used a PWS FSC, 5.56 on a 11.5" for a long time. From the SHOOTERS perspective, I believe this is what you are looking for. Soft, flat, minimal concussion, and didn’t shoot fireballs. (There is a “bad spot” that you don’t want to be in when using this muzzle device… that being above and slightly behind, such as when shooting standing behind someone who is shooting kneeling.)

2)I switched out to a Battlecomp when they were new on the market. I ran it in a 3 day 1500ish round count class, and it was more concussive to me, (and BRUTAL to the other shooters). Recoil also seemed to be harsher than with the PWS. The Battlecomp is not a bad device, I have them on 14.5" and 16" rifles, but I won’t use one on a SBR again.

  1. When I got my suppressor, I switched to an AAC Brakeout. This is possibly the worst muzzle device EVER for an SBR. Miserable to the shooter, and shoots flames approx 2 feet out the left, right, and top ports.

I have since moved back to AAC Blackouts (flash suppressor) on the SBRs. I deal with more muzzle rise and recoil when not shooting suppressed, but if I want to eliminate it, I can use the suppressor and that is literally the best compensator, flash suppressor money can buy.

I understand that a suppressor doesn’t make a lot of sense to you. Thats cool, you haven’t hurt my feelings. I subscribe more to the theory that I can do ALL jobs with ALL of my rifles, from HD, to long range, from casual shooting, to shooting in matches. That being said, recognize that different configurations will lend themselves to different uses. My SBR will be better for HD than my 18" SPR. The 18" will be better at long range than the SBR. I know that you are scratching you head right now, wondering where I am going with this… Here it is… recognize that different platforms can utilize different components to help bring out their all around “best” performance. I have spent a lot of money and time and come around to the determination that a quality flash suppressor (not compenstator) is your best bet on a SBR.

I hope this has helped.

3

Thank you, I sincerely appreciate your input.

I don’t hate Suppressors, I just wanted to emphasize to others before I got the typical “Get a suppressor” crowd rolled in that I had an atleast decent reason for not desiring a Suppressor.

Another thing that’s interesting, I’ve heard that about the BC on SBRs, I’ve heard it seemed louder to other shooters as well.

Thanks for your input.

ETA: I heard that the Dynacomp was better in regards to concussion when compared to the BC on an SBR. I don’t remember what my impression was of the 10.5" AR I fired unsuppressed, I remember the SCAR had a rocking sensation, but I think that was from the larger carrier in a lighter weight gun.

It seems that the SBR really does act differently in regards to muzzle devices compared to 16" guns.

4

I run a brakeout on my 10.5" 5.56 upper and like Breadman said its brutal, although to ME as the shooter I dont find it any worse than anything else. I still shoot the gun with double ear-pro when I dont have the can on. However to others the brake is TERRIBLE and yes, 2+ foot fire balls out of each port, although mine doesnt seem to throw them out the top to much compared to the sides. I personally feel that the sound reduction from a 10.5" when putting a can on is great. Its WAY better. I always read that “a 10.5” 5.56 SBR is still BRUTAL with a can on", but TO ME, thats not my experience. Now do I want to go ripping rounds off with no ear-pro at all, not really, but, again to me, its not that bad.

I personally dont think a Battle Comp would be to much better to other shooters than a straight up brake. Same with something like the PWS FSC556.

If I wasnt wanting to run a can I would be looking at a linear comp like a Levang style or a Noveske Flaming Pig.

5

Reminds me of my RMC (Rainier Arms Mini Comp)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD4URaYSozM

6

I was thinking about a Noveske KX3 too, but I occasionally shoot a local match, and around barriers, in a shoot house, etc. I’m uncertain how well it’d work. Does anyone have a lot of experience with the KX3?

I agree, to me personally, again to me. I don’t consider a suppressed 5.56 AR hearing safe. I just personally do not. But YMMV. It does cut it down a lot, but it isn’t pleasant. Now a .22 LR 4.5" with a SS Sparrow or SWR Spectre, that’s my speed.

7

I’ll watch that once I get home. Thank you guys, I really appreciate the specific input I’m getting, this is great.

8

The dynacomp throws fireballs in comparison to the BC. And yes the Scar does have a rocking sensation when shooting.

Personally on a SBR i would look at the BCM Comp, or the Griffin Armament Flash Comp.

9

My noveske pig makes a BIG difference over the stock triple port flash hider in terms of felt concussion when shooting indoors.
With a 7.25” barrel, both are still loud as hell though.

10

I had a FSC556 on an SBR. I found it to do a fair job of mitigating muzzle deviation, but when the BattleComps came out, I immediately replaced the FSC with a BC 1.0. It works great. Muzzle deviation is about the same or slightly less than the FSC, the blast is noticeably less. I put BC 1.0’s on all of my rifles about 2 years and many thousands of rounds ago.

Customer service from BCE is unparalled IMHO. If you have a problem, the CEO will practically drive out to your house to help you solve it.

11

Customer service from BCE is unparalled IMHO. If you have a problem, the CEO will practically drive out to your house to help you solve it.[/QUOTE]

I completely agree with this statement. After the class I took using one of the first production Battlecomps on my 11.5", the Battlecomp was bulged out around the middle.

I contacted the company and asked for a refund since I had decided to move on to another muzzle device. They sent me a box and a shipping label to return the unit. Inside the box was a BCE hat. I believe they even refunded the money before I returned the unit.

About a month later, I received an email from BCE stating that they had changed the kind of steel they were using in the manufacturing of the Battlecomp. They offered to send me one free of charge to try, and if I found it to be useful, I could pay for it in the future.

I passed on that offer, because I was then waiting on my tax stamp for my suppressor and was in the process of converting over to AAC muzzle devices. I have since purchased Battlecomps for a 16" and a 14.5" and have had no further trouble.

This was certainly the best example of customer service I have ever personally witnessed or heard of.

12

Wow! Deja vu for me. BCE is a class act.

13

Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll definitely have to narrow it to the TTO, Battlecomp (or some variant). It seems the best packages are around the A2 size. I’m thinking I need to set my hands on one.

I’m going to start with an A2, and after shooting it I still feel the need, I’ll make the jump to one of those three.

I found a lot of good info on the TTO OR FSC556.

14

OP, I appreciate your well reasoned post. I too am left eye dominant and shoot rifles lefty and I agree with most all of your points. I’m similarly searching for a muzzle device for my in-progress 11.5" SBR build. I have a couple additional considerations: modest flash suppression capabilities, and shortest possible OAL. I think I am going to go with the Griffin M4SD II comp. Seems to be one of the best compromise options.

15

If you’re just a Civvy and wont be using this in a stack with fellow entry team members I honestly don’t see why so much fuss is made about noise. I run a BC on my 11.5" and I swear it shoots smoother than anything else to date…course that may be because I have a ton of rounds thru it and Im just so used to it. Noise doesn’t bother me because I swear ear pro. Honestly when Im shooting say in a match, class, or whatever I never notice the noise. I’ve had people comment on it but everyone is wearing ear pro so what’s the big deal. I’ve never found it to be loud even shooting thru barricades or in the shoothouse. To me they’re all loud and require ear pro so makes no difference. Now some will have more concussion but nothing to be concerned with…unless you don’t wear ear pro.