I need your advice for a project that I am considering. I am thinking about a backpack PDW. Something in 556. This will be for applications going to the big city of Indy or Chicago. Additional layer protection to my normal handgun on the hip. I’ve decided that a PCC is not for me. If it’s shoulder fired, I want 556 or better ballistics. I don’t really want a 300 blackout as I am currently heavily invested in 556.
This reduces it down to a 556 rifle with a 10 1/2 or 11 1/2 inch barrel. I am leaning towards 10 1/2 as shorter would be better for my application. I have shot a few 10 1/half’s, and understand that the concussion is respectable. I don’t want a dedicated suppressor. As a suppressor equipped, carbine negates compactness, and i might as well use one of my 14.5 carbines.
Would a linear compensator be good enough and keep the overall length short enough to maintain the handiness and conceal ability of this weapon while knocking down some of the concussion?
While typing this out, the caffeine is taking affect, was wondering would a side folding stock also be useful to reduce the overall length of a carbine where a 14.5 barrel becomes more viable?
I have an 11.5 barrel on my PDW and I don’t notice any more or less concussion than a 14 or 16 for that matter and I just run a standard flash suppressor.
Buy the barrel and try it out, kind of $ but you’ll get exactly what you want.
I’ve had a Kaw Valley Precision linear comp on a 10.5. It did a good job of taking away the teeth rattling blast and had more of a “whomp” sound while adding minimal length. I eventually put a YHM Phantom flash suppressor on it, though.
I run a KAW linear on my 7 inch AK. It most certainly directs more of the sound and concussion (and fireball) forward away from the shooter. It isn’t a “game changer” type of thing. At best a small improvement. Honestly the biggest benefit to me is in low light/night shooting. I find that the narrower flash is less distracting than the “beach ball of fire” flash that I get without the linear. Especially with NODS.
I have tried a linear on 10.5" and 12.5" 5.56 guns. Didn’t really do anything for me. I run three prong ASR mounts on my 5.56 shorties. They do a decent job when not mounting a can.
ETA: As you don’t plan to run a can the three prong or four prong vortex type flash hiders may be your best bet. Try them and a linear or two. See what has the best result for you.
I will add in that the flash hider they show now is listed as a new product so maybe current results are better. The one I bought in 2022 isn’t great on flash either, probably not as good as an A2.
