Is the general consensus that the two best minis are still from AAC and Surefire?
Please dont comment about how awesome your omega is or some other large can. The purpose of this discussion is for short cans for CQB use on an SBR.
Personally I think mini’s are better suited on 14.5s and full size cans on 10.3-11.5s. I figure on my 11.5 HD a rifle if I need to use it and I don’t have ears on, my hearing will thank me later. My opinion is the Surefire Mini & KAC QDC/CQB are the best, those are the 2 I’d consider when purchasing a new mini, I would not consider the AAC.
Haven’t shot the SF Mini, but the AAC mini is fantastic. I’d get one if I hadn’t had such an unfortunate experience with the teeth on the M4-2K, and it sounds like many others would be doing the same thing.
The KAC mini is a tank, only used the 30 cal version, but I was impressed.
Based on everything Surefire is doing, I’d get a mini monster if I was in the market for a can.
The KAC is the loudest out of those three from what I’ve heard (and I mean being around them) despite only having shot one with the mini.
I’m thrilled with my Socom Mini. I’ve only fired a few rounds through an AAC Mini and, while I found it fine, I just didn’t want to buy into another AAC product with the troubles they seem to be having.
Here it is on my 10.3 SBR compared to my SDN6. An SBR is never going to be quiet, so I prioritized length, weight, and the mount.
The Mini also reduced blowback compared to the SDN6, but I don’t remember how the blowback was on the AAC Mini, so I can’t speak to that.
IMO, AAC’s customer service and particularly their mount has them in the bottom of the barrel of the suppressor market. The Specwar K and Saker K are leaps and bounds better than the AAC Mini, and just as good or better than the surefire. The products from SilencerCo, Surefire, KAC, and a few others is where the quality and innovation can be found. AAC has pretty much let their customers down by living in the past. AAC has become a poor choice.
my mini 4 has been a great can. light , durable , and nearly as quiet as my sdn-6 on my short 5.56 guns.
if you don’t mind a thread on the trek is also a nice can for an sbr , especially at the price point they’ve been selling for lately.
The KAC QDC CQB should be up on the list. I do not have a AAC mini so I can not comment on that. My SOCOM mini is probably my most used can. From 11.5s to 14.5s it is just a handy combo. The KAC can with the mams made it on my go-to 11.5. Saving almost 4oz on a pretty heavily loaded 11.5 with light, laser, etc was worth the switch with equal performance vs the surefire.
It’s worth a look if you haven’t considered the KAC on your list. I’ve been trying to get some back to back night video of the surefire vs KAC on 11.5s, but can’t find the time as of late.
Edit… The almost 4oz is WITH the muzzle brakes weight included… Just to clear that up.
Sound wise, how do they compare in your opinion?
I have a fullsize SOCOM 556-RC and have debated about adding a mini.
AAC, IMHO isn’t even worth looking into. The top 3 for me would be Surefire, KAC, Saker-k, and possibly a Gemtech if weight was the main concern.
I could be wrong, but the KAC seemed loud to me. I would go SF.
It’s a tough call since the KAC QDC CQB is about 1/4" shorter than the SF mini. Small differences in length have big changes in acoustic performance when talking about sub-5" suppressors. Besides, all of the mini-style mounts are simply going to take the tooth rattle out of the shot; none are going to be hearing safe.
Personally, I say go with whichever brand you have the most invested in mounts. I went with KAC for my 556 rifles because I’m heavily invested in KAC uppers with either MAMS or QDC FS. On the other hand, I’m on the list for a 762 RC2 and 300 SOCOM since I’m less invested in KAC 308 platforms. Just keep in mind that you cannot mount a 762 KAC QDC suppressor on a 556 QDC muzzle device. This limitation is a bit rare in the suppressor world since most manufacturers make brakes and FS so that 30 caliber cans can be worn on 556 rifles; KAC does not.
KAC 2015 catalog has the CQB listed at 5", same length as the Surefire Mini, where are you getting that it’s 1/4" shorter from? I can’t imagine it being shorter than 5", especially considering it mounts to the MAMS, but I will say 5" is a very short can either way.
Double tap…
The 556 QDC CQB is listed at 4.78" on KAC’s website:
http://www.knightarmco.com/5-56-rifle-suppressors/
The 556 mini is listed at 5" on SF’s website:
http://www.surefire.com/socom556-mini.html
I’m working today, but can measure my QDC CQB when I get home to verify and see how much is mount vs tube.
Is a direct thread Mini a smart thing? I have the antithesis of mini’s, an AAC Cyclone, however its very effective with a 300 Blk. It’s direct thread and has given me zero problems. So - is a direct thread mini a viable replacement option?
Weird, they had 5" listed in the 2015 catalog, I too worked all day, I can measure my mini tomorrow as well see what the real deal length is.
My QDC CQB is measuring out to about 4.8 inches. Of that, about 1" is the mount.
If sound is the determining point, the CQB is going to disappoint.
KAC cans are built with durability and robustness as the goal, with shift and shift repeatability as the prime performance aspect.
From Tapatalk:
Jack Leuba
Knight’s Armament Company: Military/Govt Product Liaison
F2S Consulting: Director of Shooting Stuff
“Durability and robustness” is a good goal… in a very expensive, federally registered product.
“Shift repeatability” is a good performance aspect to shoot for… not that it matters much at the close range most suppressors (ones named CQB) are likely to be used at.
For a company who makes suppressors to say that their sound (why people buy suppressors) “is going to disappoint” does not instill confidence.
PR guy didn’t do his (her) job right.
As a suppressor novice looking for my first can, and all these internet claims are confusing. So much research is needed to make a good choice on such an expensive product that I won’t get to use for months after buying.
The small volume suppressors cannot meet their larger volume brothers on suppression, thus, if suppression is the prime factor in the choice, it’s the wrong choice.
If somebody said that they wanted to haul lumber, and I told them that a motorcycle is a bad choice, I don’t think that I’d be a bad motorcycle salesman. In this case, I’d recommend one of the QDC suppressors, there is a reason that we make multiple options.
When it comes to NFA items, intent and desire need to balance against reality. I maintain a much happier user base by being direct abd honest about performance and expectation, and meeting their needs.
I’ve been a member, IP, and moderator here well before my current employment. I bring the same directness and honesty as always.
From Tapatalk:
Jack Leuba
Knight’s Armament Company: Military/Govt Product Liaison
F2S Consulting: Director of Shooting Stuff
Measured my Surefire Mini last night, it’s shorter than 5" as well, about 4.875". Now the full size RC is dead on Surefire’s claim on 6.2", I measured that is well.