I finally got my stamp for my Surefire FDE SOCOM-RC suppressor and took it out shooting today for the first time. Was using it on my 10.3" Mk18 AR-15.
I didn’t have a whole lot of time so just blasted off 60 rounds. The whole time I was shooting I could smell a nasty, plastic burning smell. Just figured it was the internals in the can cooking a little or something for the first time.
After shooting I looked at the can and a large portion of the Cerakote finish down near the attachment lug had literally cooked off. Small blisters formed and the paint started flaking off. Luckily there appears to be another coat of FDE paint underneath so the can is atleast still tan.
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Thanks
Crazy. The krylon on my bbl and GB hasn’t even done that
The FDE cans have the NSA number on them too so I thought they’d be really good-to-go.
The only thing I can think of is the fact that I’m using a really short barrel and it might be a little more heat than the Cerakote can take.
Contamination in between coats or bad prep, could be classified as one, or light coat would be my guess. Keep shooting or get a hold of Surefire.
Plus, a pic always helps.
This… My FDE Socom556 RC has a few thousand through it, and only slight darkening of the color. Even with mag dumps, no finish coming/burning off. 60 rounds is nothing. Call Surefire. If you don’t want to deal with the headace of them trying to “fix it” Ask them for some free-bees and take out the FDE spray paint after it all burns off. I would be frustrated at any rate…
What length is the barrel you’re using the suppressor on?
That suppressor was designed to work on 10" barrels, it shouldn’t be an issue especially with only 60 rounds. My unit has had them for a year now and most are used on mk18 uppers. Haven’t seen any flaking, though most are now discolored. My personal 5.56-Mini did the same thing you describe though, I’ll post a picture later.
That’s interesting to know too, I was wondering if the guys using them in the field were having the same issues because its the same can and barrel combination as mine. I’m sure you guys shoot a ton of rounds out of them too.
Is your Mini one of the new SOCOM cans and is it FDE colored?
It is a dedicated can to a 11.5 SBR. I have used it on my MK18 upper for a few hundred rounds a while back. I used to swap it back and forth between my 12.5 and the 11.5, but I have a Socom mini (black) thats dedicated to that rifle now. Mine is more a FDE with a brown hue to it now. But cant say the finish has come off anywhere yet due to heat. But melting stuff to it (gloves, gear, etc) sure makes it look interesting after a while.
Here’s my Mini SOCOM in FDE. None of the work cans (they are all fullsize 5.56-RC ones) flaked like this. Some guys have put upwards of 10,000 rounds through theirs already, mine included.
My Mini:
My issued 5.56-RC:
Contact Surefire and let them know.