http://opsinc.us/product.php@prodId=12thsprmbs.html
http://www.surefire.com/FA556AR-M4FA-Suppressor
Does anyone have any experience with both of these suppressors? One of my next uppers will be a SPR-ish upper and I’d like a reflex style can for it. I know that the OPS can is the issue MK12 suppressor and that SF suppressors are reputed to have some of the least POI shift.
All opinions welcome.
Thanks,
Jason
I have had both. My SPR was a build up done by a Civilian SEAL Team armorer. He did the work on my National Match M1A and I got to handle his SPR build.
I prefer the Ops Inc 12 model and I have not found it to have any group shift problems…it was a Military contract over run model from a few years ago. You do have to make sure that the barrel is profiles correctly for it to work without problems. It is heavy and built like a tank…but it is essentially a prone weapon…
The Surefire FA556AR is a much lighter weight suppressor. To the ear the Ops Inc had a lower tone to it than the Surefire, but they both sounded about even as far as suppression goes. Downrange crack was much louder than breach noise.
Surefire mounts are much easier to find and less expensive than the Ops mounts/brakes if you want to add the Surefire to other rifles. My Surefire is currently sitting on my new Colt M4 semi. It is a very light suppressor.
The OPS and Surefire are both guaranteed to survive 30,000 rounds - which is generally more life than any civilian shooter will see in their lifetime. I go through 10,000 rounds a year and find that both suppressors show discoloration due to heat build up…the Ops can cleans up with a light bead blasting since it is nature stainless color…the Surefire can get a light coat of flat black and look brand new. No issues of alignment with either.
Only other issue is price…the Ops is a couple hundred less than the Surefire. Surefire also makes theirs in Black and Flat Dark Earth.
Both companies stand behind their product…so I suggest that you try and see the different models for yourself and see what you prefer. I had the money at the time and got both…I would do the same again. From shooter the competing suppressors on the market, these two do not have issues with “ringing” that are on some flash hider mounts. The Knight unit is also a very sturdy and heavy model…but if you want the same model the Special Ops folks use…it is still the SOPMOD benchmark and a good suppressor too.
Only suggestion I can make is that if you shoot a lot of rounds in either rapid fire semi or select fire…if you get the Surefire, opt for the Muzzle Brake mount versus the flash hider mount.
Also, make sure your suppressor choice will not interfere with your handguard choice…
Good luck
I would agree that the weight difference and attachment are the two biggest factors that set them apart. Our issue Mk12’s have really good sounding performance to the ear, (downrange crack is more prominent, but great at concealing shooter); but in practical terms, if you’re not trying to make an exact replica, I’d say that the better option among the OPS is the 16th Model (same baffle stack as the 12th, but shares mounting with the 15th, 14th, and M4S).
If you plan on running it abusively in a course, you could also pick up an M4S (cheap $200 can) to use as a sacrificial can, especially if you find yourself running high round counts.
With the OPS, you’ll probably want to use it on constantly, despite the slightly heavier weight (all stainless). POI shift from folks I’ve bothered seems to be around 1MOA (mostly depending on barrel profile and can weight), while the Surefire is designed with minimal and repeatable POI shift in mind.
Cost for the complete system is going to be pretty close - if Surefire made an FA556 reflex can with the Micro baffle stack, I’d have only Surefire cans. Since the 16th/14th/M4S is available, I’m trying to test crazy ideas with these.
Do the Ops cans have any sort of positive locking mount or do they just thread on to the mount?
Thread-on tension secured. Based on the videos from ADCO, I’m not terribly concerned about it.
In my view, right now, the M4S is still the best selling point of a 16th. If/when Surefire offers a short-stacked 5.56AR, I might have to transition to that.
When they screw onto the brake and butt up against the collar they stay tight or at least all mine do. I haven’t had any issue with any of mine coming loose.