So I’m in the market for a suppressor that will primarily be used on an 5.56 SBR but would also be swapped around.
I have not selected or built the 11.5” upper yet and was contemplating all the components needed to tune it to run suppressed and unsuppressed. Then I started reading about the new OSS suppressors but it seems there isn’t much experience with the new models. I am also reading about the NG2 MAXFLO technology as well as some new more traditional baffle designs claiming reduced back pressure like the Q and SIG models.
I will admit, the idea of a suppressor that gives me good at ear dB reduction and doesn’t need adjustable GBs, bolt carriers, etc to tune it is very appealing. I would love to just run a properly ported barrel with a standard GB so the OSS and NG2 designs are very intriguing.
I’m interested to hear your opinions on this. Is it better to just build a tunable rifle and use a more proven design? Are baffleless suppressors the way of the future? What models do you recommend regardless of technology?
I still think its very hard to beat a surefire RC2 for an 11.5 556 gun. I own several and they all work great on properly ported barrels. I want to try a dead air nomad, Q trashpanda/lefty at some point as well and CSG hyperion cans also are intriguing. I have zero interest in trying the oss and other flow through designs as they are heavy and don’t provide very useable muzzle devices for unsuppressed use.
I’m more than happy with my socom 556 mini2 on my 11.5”.
Its quiet at the ear
Dont notice gas unless doing 4-6 shots or more very rapidly, and its still minimal.
Its a cut down stag 16” with factory gasport (.075” by caliper, so its only ballpark).
Runs reliably with and without the can. Experience of 1 gun, but I would not consider an adjustable gas block for an 11.5”. Fwiw my 14.5” mid acts the same way, id never put an adjustable on that either.
I had originally looked at the RC2 but the at ear dB numbers posted by Silencer Shop and others were higher than average. At ear dB reduction is very important as I already have tinnitus in both ears. What are you experiencing? How does it compare to others.
I’ll read more on the DeadAir tonight.
Silencer Shop was really pushing the Q suppressors hard the other day on the phone. My first concern is the Cherry Bomb comp which is reportedly very loud and concussive. Also, the “QD” attachment design is a righty righty lefty loose which would require you lock tight or rock setting the comp. Then there are no wrench flats. I like the light weight and the finish but not sure exactly how much lower pressure it is. I know their diameter is wider than most and the lack of a sleeve allows more volume on top of that. But still, the OSS attachment system seems far better and they offer a comp or flash suppressor option.
Granted, I have no real world experience with any of these. I’ve only watched countless YouTube videos and am reading everything I can on the different models. Suppressors seem to be very tribal and there is a lot of useless noise on other forums. Just check out the shit show thread on OSS at TOS. That’s why I’m asking here.
The nice thing about the new OSS cans is there isn’t the ejection port ‘pop’ you hear with a traditional baffle stack, and you don’t have to mess around with different buffers and springs and it’s not as dirty. Also their mounting system is pretty smart so you won’t worry about getting your can stuck on the mount and/or unscrewing your muzzle device if it does.
The RC2 is proven but I feel there’s much better options out there now days. I’d take a Dead Air, Rugged, Q, Griffin, and OSS over a surefire.
Don’t get wrapped up about at ear dB numbers or numbers in general. These are centerfire rifle cans. They are not hearing safe.
My personal priorities in a can are:
The mount design. Currently SF SOCOM RC, KAC QDC, and DA keymo rule the roost IMO. I also really like the B&T Rotex V mount design, but it’s not (yet) an option for US non-LE/mil/gov/SOT buyers.
Low back pressure. Again, SF, KAC, DA.
The manufacturer. i.e. what’s the probability they will they be around to service the can in 10 years should it need it
I’ve been extremely impressed with my SOCOM RC in regards to blowback / gas pressure. With a Gemtech Suppressed Bolt Carrier and RTV charging handle mod, it’s a non issue.
At industry day I had the opportunity to shoot a lot of different cans on multiple hosts, and as far as low blowback the OSS is king. Even on short barrel full auto rifles I had zero gas to the face which says a lot as I’m a lefty. It’s not just a little better, it’s substantially better than a traditional baffle stack can. At the Triarc booth I shot an oss equipped 11.5 next to a dead air 11.5 and the difference was noticeable. Combined with a taper mounting system and LH thread I don’t know if there’s a more advanced suppressor design out there.
In general if you’re going for less back pressure and quieter at the ear, consider 7.62 can over 5.56.
There’s a lot of brand attachment, but I’d say pick the mounting system you want, pick the caliber can and go from there, read/watch reviews and shoot some if you can.
I went with a Q Thunder Chicken for my first can, will eventually be used on 300BLK but will sit on 5.56 until then. I’ll end up getting Qs stainless version of the Trash Panda when they release supposedly this year for 5.56.
Haven’t shot with the Cherry Bomb yet, but I had my barrel tapered for it and torqued it to 30ft/lbs.
I recently added an AUG to my collection. I’m very seriously thinking about picking up one of the new Sig cans for it. It should help with the terrible piston pop.
12.5” Noveske with a Silencerco Chimera fitted with a 5.56 end cap as well as an VLTOR A5H4 buffer. It’s a somewhat fat, somewhat short 30cal can. No gas to face.
I also handload for this rifle. My loads are less gassy than say, M193, for reasons I don’t fully understand but appreciate.
Sionics Reduced Gas Pressure (RGP) or if you will run suppressed 100% of the time, Extreme RGP barrel. I have both and they are great.
I like the Sig cans, not the new ones but the old ones are great too. They are a little fatter making less back pressure. You can buy the direct thread Sig 556 can if you are going to run suppressed all the time and its cheap. Its badd ass.
The standard front cap allows it to work like a traditional silencer and the vented front cap allows it to work as an “out the front” vented silencer similar to OSS/TDS/NG2/MM/etc but better, just by changing the front cap out. It comes as a kit with a 1/2x28 direct thread mount, a 5/8x24 direct thread mount, a QD adapter which will work with any 1.375x24 Omega pattern mount, a standard front cap, and a vented front cap. All the joints sit on shallow tapers and since it’s DMLS 718 Inconel which is 3D printed, the silencer is perfectly concentric. And like all of our 5.56 silencers it has a 7.62 bore so it helps with backpressure and ear sound and also gives you some margin of error if your barrel’s a bit nonconcentric.
It doesn’t have a minimum barrel length. The Helios QD silencer is pretty much impossible to kill by any conventional method. We’ve fired ~2300rds through one on a MK18, half with full auto 30rd mag dumps and the other half semi auto and then did ten 30rd mags in a row full auto and five 30rd mags in a row full auto as fast as the mags could be changed, all of those ~2300rds being fired over only maybe 3hrs. Then we took it to the NFA Review shoot. We’ve been doing 200rd belts through them with a SAW to the point the barrel droops. Then shot it more when it cooled.
