Suppressor

[Smokin Joe]

Well being that NBC just announced that BHO just won the presidency (Oh god I just threw up in my mouth). I'm going out and buying all the hardware I can before the Dumocrats ban it.

So, I am looking for input and advice on the best 5.56 mm sound suppressor out there.

It will be going on a 10.5 inch Colt Commando.
I would like it to have a QD attachment (I am willing to put a new flash suppressor on the weapon itself if need be)
I am looking for the toughest, lightest, shortest and the quietest suppressor that maintains or increases accuracy and has little to no POI shift.
I understand those requirements are unrealistic but I am looking for the best compromise.

I have done a lot of searching on here, through google, and on other forums. My research has me initially leaning towards a Surefire or an AAC, I have also heard good stuff about SRTARMS suppressors. However, I have never owned a suppressor so my knowledge is limited.

This will be used for general shooting and it might see some duty use in the future.

TIA for your time and assistance

[PSM]

The upside of tonight is that my wife gave me carte blanche to fill my Christmas wish list. :D

Pat

[The Reaper]

Well being that NBC just announced that BHO just won the presidency (Oh god I just threw up in my mouth). I'm going out and buying all the hardware I can before the Dumocrats ban it.

So, I am looking for input and advice on the best 5.56 mm sound suppressor out there.

It will be going on a 10.5 inch Colt Commando.
I would like it to have a QD attachment (I am willing to put a new flash suppressor on the weapon itself if need be)
I am looking for the toughest, lightest, shortest and the quietest suppressor that maintains or increases accuracy and has little to no POI shift.
I understand those requirements are unrealistic but I am looking for the best compromise.

I have done a lot of searching on here, through google, and on other forums. My research has me initially leaning towards a Surefire or an AAC, I have also heard good stuff about SRTARMS suppressors. However, I have never owned a suppressor so my knowledge is limited.

This will be used for general shooting and it might see some duty use in the future.

TIA for your time and assistance


If you have to have the shortest set-up available that will meet your other requirements, the Surefire FA556K is the way to go.

If you could go to a 12" barrel, the standard SureFire FA556 would be even better.

The SureFires are accurate, have a negligable POI shift, quick to install and remove, are good at reducing the sound signature, and are the most durable cans I have tried.

The only other one I would consider that could meet your needs is the Ops Inc can, if you can get one.

Best of luck.

TR

[jbour13]

Any recommendations as far as charging handles such as PRI Gas Buster's to reduce gas to the grill??

I'm a piston puppet, I don't have that issue! :D

As usual, pictures of your setup once complete would be greatly appreciated.

And those that have Carte Blanche from Household 6 are expected to have post X-mas pics ready to share :p

[adal]

PM Sent

[Smokin Joe]

Thank you all for the info, much appreciated.

TR,

I'm not opposed to a slightly longer barrel, but I was hoping to put that money towards other firearms and ammo purchases.

Is the FA556 that much better than the FA556K?

Also are Surefire cans still able to handle an extremely high round count? I'm not expecting to be burning that much ammo, I'm just looking for a long term investment versus having to buy another can after 10k or 20k worth of rounds.

TIA

[The Reaper]

Thank you all for the info, much appreciated.

TR,

I'm not opposed to a slightly longer barrel, but I was hoping to put that money towards other firearms and ammo purchases.

Is the FA556 that much better than the FA556K?

Also are Surefire cans still able to handle an extremely high round count? I'm not expecting to be burning that much ammo, I'm just looking for a long term investment versus having to buy another can after 10k or 20k worth of rounds.

TIA

I thought I had already posted a review, but the suppressor division chief at SureFire told me that they cut a can down with 30,000 rounds through it and it showed no appreciable wear. They have a pretty good warranty, regardless.

The FA556 comes back further over the barrel than the FA556K, giving another 3 dB of sound suppression and better heat sink function for a couple of inches length, but that is another upper to build/buy.

Your call.

TR

[Smokin Joe]

I thought I had already posted a review,

TR

I remember the thread but haven't been able to find it yet... but I will.

Thanks again for the response very much appreciated.

[zeke]

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18961&page=3

last post on page 3

I've been studying the AR/M4 advice on here for a few days in anticipation of a purchase.

[Smokin Joe]

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18961&page=3

last post on page 3

I've been studying the AR/M4 advice on here for a few days in anticipation of a purchase.

Close, but sometime ago TR did a very in depth review of Surefire's cans.

[The Reaper]

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18961&page=3

last post on page 3

I've been studying the AR/M4 advice on here for a few days in anticipation of a purchase.

Not exactly. You have to go back much further.

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7610

SJ, you asked similar questions back then.

Suppressor/Surefire shoot over Chrony:

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11330

The Search button is your friend.

TR

[Lawless]

Take a look at AAC. Its one of the few cans made of almost 90% inconel 718. I believe that its also the quietest and smallest 223 cans out there. I would be wary of some of Surefires claims. I dont know any can that would stay in spec after 30,000 rounds of fire. There simply isnt one. Oxidation happens on any can including an AAC. I dont work for or sell them either. Just letting you know the facts. Also surefire will not tell anyone what grade of metal they make their cans out of. It is suspected to be Inconel of the 600 series. Only AAC and KAC are 718. The KAC is loud and hard to get. There are many stocking dealers for the AAC and I believe theyre a bit cheaper.

[The Reaper]

Take a look at AAC. Its one of the few cans made of almost 90% inconel 718. I believe that its also the quietest and smallest 223 cans out there. I would be wary of some of Surefires claims. I dont know any can that would stay in spec after 30,000 rounds of fire. There simply isnt one. Oxidation happens on any can including an AAC. I dont work for or sell them either. Just letting you know the facts. Also surefire will not tell anyone what grade of metal they make their cans out of. It is suspected to be Inconel of the 600 series. Only AAC and KAC are 718. The KAC is loud and hard to get. There are many stocking dealers for the AAC and I believe theyre a bit cheaper.

L:

I have thousands of rounds through the SureFire cans in demos, and own more than one of them.

I have not found anything that they claimed about their cans, to be false or inaccurate. In short, no hype that I have seen. Peregrino has some experience with the SureFires as well.

TR

[Peregrino]

I checked with an A1 source at work this afternoon just to get additional data points for this thread. Humerous stories about a recent vendor demo for a government agency. SJ - stick with your gut. SureFire and AAC both got high marks. TR's advice saves me retyping the same thing. I prefer longer barrels (16") so will stick with the SF556FA. The K is nice but doesn't satisfy my calculus.

Side note - since a lot of people will check out this thread - if you're planning to purchase a Harris Bipod for a Picitinny Rail mount - WAIT! Mark LaRue is at it again. I saw a prototype I can't wait to get my hands on. I really hope he sells it as an upgrade so I don't have to buy more bipods. No - no pictures; you'll have to trust me. Rumor says 6-8 weeks.

[Lawless]

L:

I have thousands of rounds through the SureFire cans in demos, and own more than one of them.

I have not found anything that they claimed about their cans, to be false or inaccurate. In short, no hype that I have seen. Peregrino has some experience with the SureFires as well.

TR

Oh Ive no doubt that their cans are anything less than stellar. I have a 556k and like it alot. Im just saying that their will always be wear on any can. If you ran your can on a 10.5 inch gun for say even 5 or 6k you would have serious wear. It will still be in warranty but it will have wear nonetheless. Also I have totally shot out an OPS can in Iraq. I dont know how many rounds were on it previously but it can definetly be done. Ron at OPS is aware of this and Ive talked to him on the phone about it. Surefire also shares almost identical baffel design with OPS. Im not saying a Surefire or even OPS are crappy, just that either would eventually fail under hard use. Ive just heard a few of surefires claims that have been suspect.They said they ran some inordinate amount of mags on FA in a DA M16. I cant remember but ill tell you the gas tube would have failed. Surefire just seems to ramp up some of their claims.

[Peregrino]

I've witnessed several SureFire range tests, I've helped demo them, and I own two. Yes - the rifle does fail when used to abuse SureFire suppressors. They destroyed five uppers during one test of a 556FA. Nothing mechanical is perfect, all marketing is hype, and if I have to purchase another suppressor, I will spend the money on a SureFire product. (And it's a lot of money when compared to some of the other offerings.) I'm a cheap bastard, I hate spending money twice.

[Lawless]

Yes they take some serious torture. Ive beat the crap out of mine and theyre one of three kinds of rifle cans Ill ever buy. AAC has made some serious advances this year. Id give them a look at your dealers office. Their SPR suppressor is probably the best Ive ever seen for 556.

[Smokin Joe]

Well after 6 months I finally have a Surefire suppressor in hand.

Mounted the Flash suppressor yesterday and test fired it today. I'm very impressed with the db drop. Now I need to win powerball so I can add to my collection.

If you don't have one of these I highly recommend one.

[MARSOC0211]

Yes, SureFire hit it out of the ballpark with their cans... I had one during one of my deployments and was very impressed... Now I have a KA can, and don't like it at all. Even though the SF is longer, it is a far superior product and worth the extra couple inches.

[CAL]

Well after 6 months I finally have a Surefire suppressor in hand.

6 months was your BATFE wait or total time? I just got my Form 4 back after about a 14 week wait (after the check was cashed).

[Smokin Joe]

6 months was your BATFE wait or total time? I just got my Form 4 back after about a 14 week wait (after the check was cashed).

-6 months w/ BATF and I submitted mine about a week after the election.

-I have a friend who has been waiting 7.5 months and counting for BATF approval on a suppressor as well. Not sure if his check has been cashed or not.

[Subterfuge3927]

I have shot out a Gemtech, and I now own a YHM (licensed Soundtech baffle patent) and love it, best db drop for the weight/dimension IMO. I have fired a SF can and liked it, but chose to go with the stainless Phantom YHM can. Lets hope I didn't waste a $200 tax stamp.

here is the specs: http://www.yhm.net/store/SSphantom556.html

[english kanigit]

Smokin Joe, what model of can did you end up purchasing and is it mounted on the 10.5 you mentioned in the original post?


Ek

[Debo]

You guys need to form an LLC or a Trust. On my last can, the Form 4 was door to door in 11 days. Mailed, received, approved, stamped, mailed back, and received all in 11 days. Speaking of, I need another SBR lower. I just hate having uppers laying around without a mate to make a complete rifle. My current SBR lower trades time with a 14.5" and a 10.5".


D.

[Smokin Joe]

Smokin Joe, what model of can did you end up purchasing and is it mounted on the 10.5 you mentioned in the original post?


Ek

The Shorty surefire I believe it is the 556k.

Its perfect and can easily be shot without ear pro but if you are not the shooter I would recommend ear pro due to the super sonic crack.

[Iraqgunz]

Holy crap! How is that possible? My firsy suppressor took 79 days, my second took 87 and my SBR (Form 1) took just over 4 months. All of it was done with a trust. I wish I had your examiner.

You guys need to form an LLC or a Trust. On my last can, the Form 4 was door to door in 11 days. Mailed, received, approved, stamped, mailed back, and received all in 11 days. Speaking of, I need another SBR lower. I just hate having uppers laying around without a mate to make a complete rifle. My current SBR lower trades time with a 14.5" and a 10.5".


D.