Riflespeed or Superlative for running suppressed?

Sblzrd65 · Oct 7, 2024

Recently picked up an OCL Polonium and am a fan, aside from all the salty hot lead in my face. Currently have been using it on a 16" barrel with a mid length gas system and a .750 low-profile gas block. In general I should be able to use a can on it for most of the ranges and what I go to, but I imagine there might some times I'll run it without the can on it. The Riflespeed AGB looks cooler and I like the idea of the adjustability without a tool. If I've read correctly on some other posts here aside form the AGB I'd likely need a straight gas tube as well, which they sell. The other option would be a Superlative AGB, which a few friends have recommended, though there's a lot of hand guard for the accompanying tool to go down past (and I half assume it'll get lost at some point.)

Anything else I should have in mind in choosing between the two of them, or is there any other option I should check out?

TheOE800 · Oct 7, 2024

My only gripe about Riflespeed blocks is they seem to be fairly loose in the bore dimension vs other blocks I’ve had/tried.

USK308 · Oct 7, 2024

I have been tempted to try a Riflespeed myself...but seem to always revert to what I have as "tried and true"...the Superlative Arms AGB.

KYAggie · Oct 7, 2024

I’ve had both, tried a riflespeed, like it, and switched three superlatives out. Nothing wrong with the superlatives for sure, except you need a tool to adjust them. The riflespeed, you don’t.

SD3Gunner · Oct 7, 2024

personally, having used 3 different superlative arms AGB I am not a fan. they do not do all they claim. When I called them to find out whats wrong or suggestions on how to improve they simply said I did not know what I was doing and that how I was running it was not what it was intended to do. Even tho it stated so in the Instruction manual it came with... I just go with a high quality gas block like the AGB from JP or the like and tune it down when running suppressed.

Thomas Geistman · Oct 7, 2024

I’ve got both on my guns. I will eventually switch out mine to the Riflespeed. Much easier and no tool required. Way too many clicks on the Superlative. And I can’t seem to tell much difference between the restrict versus vent off.

Green461 · Oct 8, 2024

Having to have a tool is a pain in the azz. Since I have several, couple different kinds and its down the handguard. and cant see it very good.. I have to try and figure out if its an allen head or torx bit, what size, then long enough, then finicking around trying to not strip the head of the screw out. since its so small. My last one I bought a Riflespeed and from now on any AGB i buy will likely be Riflespeed. Nothing compares with its ease of use and adjustability.

NCgreentick · Oct 8, 2024

Love my Riflespeed other than the cost. Be aware that it will not jive with most MLOK handguards other than Aero or MI suppressor.
There is very little clearance and you will definitely not be able to mount any accessories around it.
I thought I saw they were coming out with a slimmer design but if so, it's not one the website yet.
I also learned the hard way that they will not work with a PRI handguard, either inside or out. There is no room for the gas tube.

Hoody2shoes · Oct 9, 2024

I like superlative. Around 40k through 2 of them without issue

03machstock · Oct 10, 2024

I’m currently in the market for one and have it narrowed dow to these 2 as well. From what iv read, the superlative arms in bleed off mode should keep the bolt cleaner, has anyone found this to be true? Right now my way over gassed gun is less than impressive with the can, I’m hoping the agb will help with that as well.

Hoody2shoes · Oct 10, 2024

I've noticed a large difference. Ymmv

wvfarrier · Oct 10, 2024

I really like my riflespeed blocks

Hoody2shoes · Oct 10, 2024

@03machstock

Click

03machstock · Oct 10, 2024

Hoody2shoes said:
@03machstock

Click

I think you just sold me on what one to get haha. I’m using a di set up not piston, but also using an explorr can. Thanks!

Hoody2shoes · Oct 10, 2024

03machstock said:
I think you just sold me on what one to get haha. I’m using a di set up not piston, but also using an explorr can. Thanks!

I can confirm the piston runs cleaner than the di. I think any tunable di system should be similar in how clean it runs

Gtscotty · Oct 12, 2024

I use the superlative in most of my suppressed ARs, and I'm my opinion it seems to run somewhat cleaner in bleed off mode than my restriction type gas blocks. It's also easier for me to find a setting that is tolerable when suppressed and still functions unsuppressed in bleed off mode.

I find this post interesting on the effect of GB settings on ear and muzzle dBs as recorded by Dead Air.

Adj gas block lowering at ear dB? - AR15.COM

Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear.

www.ar15.com

TonyAngel · Oct 13, 2024

I have both the SA and Riflespeed and I'd say Riflespeed, no doubt. It is a very well thought out system.

My first Riflespeed experience was a part of an experiment I wanted to try regarding reliability. My notion was to assemble a 13.9 rig and purposely over gas it. My intention was to have a rifle that would keep running in the most adverse conditions. I've run this rifle to over 1000 rounds without adding lube. When it chokes, I turn up the gas. The gas setup in conjunction with an A5 buffer system makes for a reliable rig without the need for special springs.

Anyway, my point is that the Riflespeed works well for on the fly adjustments. It requires no tools and very little maintenance.

Handguards can be a problem though. As well as M-lok slots being blocked. Still, with planning, I haven't found it to be much of a hindrance and the advantages far outweigh the cons.

Dirty Bird, MI and CMT handgurads all work well.

Josh555 · Oct 13, 2024

I've been running superlative for some time, but no more. I had an issue with one and called support. They were quick to point out that they should never be used in restrictive mode. I don't agree with their marketing for 'bleed off' mode. I just got a Seekins select adjustable and like it so far.

SD3Gunner · Oct 13, 2024

Same type of

Josh555 said:
I've been running superlative for some time, but no more. I had an issue with one and called support. They were quick to point out that they should never be used in restrictive mode. I don't agree with their marketing for 'bleed off' mode. I just got a Seekins select adjustable and like it so far.

Same type of "Help" I received from them... even tho in the instructions it tells you both ways of running it! I will no longer buy them because of customer lack of service and lack of function that they claim its supposedly has.

msgriff · Oct 13, 2024

Most people are "set it and forget it" when it comes to an AGB, but if you do adjust the gas often, the Riflespeed is hard too beat, as long as the physical dimensions work for your application. There are a couple of other quick adjust "tool-less" gas blocks/systems out there, Like the Noveske Switchblock and the Seekins Lever.
My experience with the Superlative is that "bleed-off" doesn't work well with severely over-gassed conditions, and if you're going to have to use "restrictive", there are better choices. JP and SLR have a couple new products on the market that look interesting.

TonyAngel · Oct 13, 2024

Check the videos made by a guy called "Hop" on youtube. He does a build up of a 16" rifle length dissipator with a rifle speed gas block and talks a bit about the handguard he chose. I should have taken note because the handguard slots start further back on the one he chose. I run a riflespeed on my 13.9 with an 11.5" CMT handguard with the 2.2" control knob. It worked out nicely.

Sblzrd65 · Oct 14, 2024

TonyAngel said:
Check the videos made by a guy called "Hop" on youtube. He does a build up of a 16" rifle length dissipator with a rifle speed gas block and talks a bit about the handguard he chose. I should have taken note because the handguard slots start further back on the one he chose. I run a riflespeed on my 13.9 with an 11.5" CMT handguard with the 2.2" control knob. It worked out nicely.

Thanks, will do, am a fan of his videos.

MontanaMan · Oct 14, 2024

msgriff said:
if you're going to have to use "restrictive", there are better choices. JP and SLR have a couple new products on the market that look interesting.

Not sure what new products you are referring to with SLR, but their AGB is my preferred device. It works very well, fits about any HG as the SLR's are some of the smallest ID diameter available, & it is easy to take apart & clean if necessary. Only real downside, if anyone really views it as such, is that it need a tool to adjust it, but I always have that tool in my range bag so it's a non issue.

If you really know / think that conditions will be such that you will need to open it up, that's easily done ahead of time, IMO.

It's easily better than SA in my book.

MM

Sblzrd65 · Oct 22, 2024

To update, got the Riflespeed. Got it tuned decently well for the Polonium, ran out of numbers for unsuppressed, so going to look into a different sized plunger for the gas adjustment. Fit in fine with my lightweight MLOK rail (TBC on the brand) and by the thinnest of hairs my MLOK fore grip still works below it. My Arisaka light mount a little farther forward also works just fine. Love the ease of adjustment and easy to see numbers so far.

Updated rail note

03machstock · Oct 22, 2024

Sblzrd65 said:
To update, got the Riflespeed. Got it tuned decently well for the Polonium, ran out of numbers for unsuppressed, so going to look into a different sized plunger for the gas adjustment. Fit in fine with my Midwest Industries rail and by the thinnest of hairs my MLOK fore grip still works below it. My Arisaka light mount a little farther forward also works just fine. Love the ease of adjustment and easy to see numbers so far.

Do you have the suppressor series handguard or the standard?

Sblzrd65 · Oct 22, 2024

03machstock said:
Do you have the suppressor series handguard or the standard?

Standard. The AR began its life as a PSA upper a number of years back and the parts have gotten mostly changed out/upgraded along the way. Though to amend what I just wrote, it might be whatever the basic PSA "lightweight" rail is on this one. (It's more of a SOLGW/Radian/one of everything at the moment.)

fedupflyer · Nov 22, 2024

Anybody running an adjustable gas block on a rifle length gas system?
Can you tell a difference in recoil?

SD3Gunner · Nov 22, 2024

fedupflyer said:
Anybody running an adjustable gas block on a rifle length gas system?
Can you tell a difference in recoil?

I now run them on everything, no reason not too.

hlee · Nov 22, 2024

The SA block might run “cleaner” in bleed off than it does in restrictive, but it is far from clean. Compared to an unsuppressed rifle, the fouling benefit of the bleed off mode (over restrictive) is minimal. Brass, bolt/carrier, upper, mags, etc still catch a ton of carbon fouling. The amount of gas venting is minuscule relative to the gas coming back down the bore of the rifle- because it was trapped by the suppressor.

longshot2000 · Nov 23, 2024

Sblzrd65 said:
Recently picked up an OCL Polonium

Oh well.

Beside the suppressor, the selection of adjustable gas blocks comes down to convenience and ease of use. Both have a very good reputation. I think Riflespeed has done a lot more to engineer a design that is both durable and easy to use.

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Riflespeed or Superlative for running suppressed?

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