Suppressors Best of the Best 5.56 suppressor

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I've sold alot of em, and shot alot of em. But not all of em. My rifle wore an AAC M42000 for years and I feel that it still holds it own, regarding sound, compared to newer silencers. But most agree that the AAC mounts are sometimes questionable. Dead Air Sandman S is great, Silencerco Specwar or Saker ASR as well. I've also tried out the new Yankee Hill Turbo, and Im really amazed how that can sounds, and its low price point of under $500.

But for you guys that are AR15 gurus, and own or are around alot of cans, what do you consider to be the best?
 
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I have the newer knights CQB 5.56 suppressor and it is tits. It's louder obviously because it is short but when wearing hearing protection it sounds like it's wearing a full sized suppressor. The build quality on it beats everything out there, but you will pay north of $1,500 with stamp and everything. They have the best lock up system on the market.

I went with a Gemtech Shield recently after researching for something a little more budget friendly. Seen them in person but mine is still in jail. Titanium, full auto, and SBR rated.

It's really hard to go wrong with any of the major brands though... Just make sure it's spec'd to what you want to do with it.
 
Surefire Socom 2 for me. No end caps to loosen or worry about. Solid mounting system. Down side is that they are heavy and not the best in suppression but it checks all the boxes for me. Yeah I’m aware people having stuck cans but that can happen with other brands as well.
 
Depends on the application but for a fighting rifle, Knights QD SS NT4 or surefire Socom/socom 2. Both can take full auto fire and more use/abuse you could possibly throw their way. Mounting system for either is rock solid.

For a DMR, I like the Ops Inc 12th model / Allen Engineering AEM5. I own an AEM5 (on my Mark 12 mod 1) and poi is non-existant suppressed vs unsuppressed. Quiet as well. Also have a QD SS NT4 in NFA jail (bound for my CQBR / mk18).
 
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Surefire 556-212 for me, using the brake mount it’s repeatable, quiet for its size, holds up to full auto fire well
Mine was a bright orange at Big Sandy a couple of years ago. 10inch M16 ,,,,no problems at all except not wanting to
come off the mount after 1000rds or so. Unlock the collar, aim at a dirt mound and send a round through it and
it’s off. This was in the manual. Btw.
 
I would take the dead air nomad over any ot bug er 556 can right now. Sounds great and it's light. Used one full auto on a 10.5 sbr for two 100 round drums back to back sounded amazing.
 
I've sold alot of em, and shot alot of em. But not all of em. My rifle wore an AAC M42000 for years and I feel that it still holds it own, regarding sound, compared to newer silencers. But most agree that the AAC mounts are sometimes questionable. Dead Air Sandman S is great, Silencerco Specwar or Saker ASR as well. I've also tried out the new Yankee Hill Turbo, and Im really amazed how that can sounds, and its low price point of under $500.

But for you guys that are AR15 gurus, and own or are around alot of cans, what do you consider to be the best?

Do you still have your AAC M42000? Do you own any 30 cal cans? If no 30 caliber suppressors are in your collection, I wouldn’t even look at 5.56mm cans; I’d buy a Socom 7.62 or similarly capable suppressor. This way you can use across multiple rifles up to .30 cal (the Socom mini is also 300 win mag rated). I’m going to be picking up a Socom 7.62 myself in a few weeks...
 
I own a few 30 cal and 5.56 cans. Just curious what real peoples thoughts are that actually use these things. Instead of watching Eggberts internet review. There are alot of new cans out that I haven't heard as well.

I have a hybrid that was bought for a 458 socom, and I decided to try it on my Seekins 308 SP10. It sounds surprisingly better than most 30 caliber cans on that particular rifle, and I'm using the .46 endcap. But, most of the time you will read that the Hybrid is trash on an AR10. You never know, what may surprise u.
 
Surefire SOCOM II RC2. It’s as durable as anything else on the market. It’s not the quietest can buy it is a workhorse. It’ll stand up to FA abuse, locks up tight & if it’s duck you can point into the dirt & shoot it off. While you may may melt other cans I just don’t see it happening w/ the Surefire. Also, run it on your .30s as well.
 
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I do like the surefire durability and design, but they seem loud on short guns. With the amount of competition out there, there are several manufacturers making cans that can handle abuse. I think it should be a given, that an AR silencer can handle full auto fire on short rifles. If not, then they aren't even considered.

So, on a short list of silencers that we know are rated for full auto fire on short rifles, what's the best. Especially in regards to sound, and mounts.
 
What sold me on getting a Surefire for “hard use” was the lack of parts that get screwed on. No end caps to deal with or mounting solutions that can also come off. Not saying it’ll happen with other brands. Just one less thing for ME to worry about. I’ve had end caps on my SiCo cans loosen as well as the ASR mounts. So for my usage the Surefire cans are best.
 
I've wondered the same, but not much info on the tbac or any new 556 cans for that matter. TBAC has a great reputation and my precision rifles, including my best 22, wear TBAC cans. 2 years ago, when silencers were selling like hot cakes , every dealer and manufacturer in the country were doing reviews and comparison testing. Now that info is getting hard to find.
 
Shot a sandman s yesterday full auto on a 10.5" upper against a saker 762 for 6 or 7 mags and was shocked at how well the sandman performed. Def still felt hearing safe back pressure felt about the same. The sandman had a really great tone to it. I need to shoot one side by side with the nomad soon because that might be my next can now instead of the nomad. Deadairs mount is my favorite qd set up have you played with one?
 
Best for what? What aspects of suppressor performance do you prioritize?

SOCOM or SOCOM II For one that does everything well in a product designed for professional use but does prioritize other things over sound at the firing point (which I do not think is the most important characteristic) and has significant following as well as a durable brand that is in it for the long haul.

AEM5 for sound alone, but it is a niche product.
 
One of the best 5.56 cans I've tested is the new RMS Hopaii. Very low blowback with good suppression plus it can use Dear Air, SilencerCo ASR, YHM and Q mounts with appropriate adapter. It's an evolution of the SWR Wolverine and Specwar 5.56. The TBAC 556TD is also a solid choice. But you are correct, the YHM Turbo is a solid deal at it's price-point of less than $375.
 
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One of the best 5.56 cans I've tested is the new RMS Hopaii. Very low blowback with good suppression plus it can use Dear Air, SilencerCo ASR, YHM and Q mounts with appropriate adapter. It's an evolution of the SWR Wolverine and Specwar 5.56. The TBAC 556TD is also a solid choice. But you are correct, the YHM Turbo is a solid deal at it's price-point of less than $375.


how much r they?
 
I’ve got a SureFire SOCOM and mini, dead air sandman s and a k on the way, an m42000, and few not worth mentioning. I leep coming back to the rugged micro30 though. Modular, quiet, minimal blowback, and tougher than a coffin nail. Full auto for 1000 rounds back to back. Ran it on an rpd (7.62x39 belt fed) too. Of my other cans the most comparable is the sandman but the micro 30 is like having an s and k all in one. And I think the mount is better on ruggeds can.
 
I like my Specwar 556 and used to consider it the best.

Then I saw a NG2 Defense MaxFlo 3D in action. Nothing compares. They designed for our guys/gals in the military specifically due to the blowback from typical suppressors.
 
What is the length/length added/weight of the Hopii?

The best suppressor for your uses OP would be the Dead Air Nomad. Meters better than the Q suppressors which were metering better than just about everything else on ARs. Use an adjustable gas block from Superlative Arms more maximum noise reduction to the shooter. Better than OSS or Nexgen or similar ultra-low back pressure cans.
 
The quietest can I own, and have heard honestly is the Allen Engineering AEM5. I'll bring it over to Hazard one day when I built something it can go back on. They aren't as cheap as a YHM, but they're not too expensive if you shop around.

really have been interested in the AEM5. its been a while since i have heard anyone tout its qualities because of all the new wizzbang hot shit out these days and that keeps pouring out. at some point, physics controls it all and there is no new frontier to conquer in the 556 suppression. i think its all in the marketing nowadays


Depends on the application but for a fighting rifle, Knights QD SS NT4 or surefire Socom/socom 2. Both can take full auto fire and more use/abuse you could possibly throw their way. Mounting system for either is rock solid.

For a DMR, I like the Ops Inc 12th model / Allen Engineering AEM5. I own an AEM5 (on my Mark 12 mod 1) and poi is non-existant suppressed vs unsuppressed. Quiet as well. Also have a QD SS NT4 in NFA jail (bound for my CQBR / mk18).

i own an NT4 and it resides solely on my 10.3" truck gun. the tone is phenomenal and i shoot it without hearing a lot. After repeated shots, like 20 in a row, your ear may ring some but it does as good as any of them as ive shot. was always impressed with the m4-2000 on a full auto SBR. id like to add a good m4-2000 thats had a mount taper-modified and matched up to the can.
 
Have the 556 takedown on a 10.5 SBR. Have not been able to get to to the range with it, but solid unit like everything else TBAC makes. You do notice that 27 oz for sure, but on an SBR it’s not a concern. I was always wary of temps and what must be some pretty good pressure levels with other Ti cans on the 10.5.....not with the takedown.

I saw the DSU upper they ran so hard it cooked the anodizing off the handguard and the can was fine....

MRSP of $495 is a great price point.

Will try to get some range time over the holidays.

ZY
 
Well, I've got two AAC 556SD's --similar to your M42000 but a bit simpler and shorter. I got two of 'em for less than $1000 and needed two for two blind pinned M4's I did right before we got SBR's here.

I have a pair of SDN6's too and found a better way to get mounts for AAC 51T's: what you do is order ten mounts (I prefer the brakes) and select the one or ones that fit and send the rest back. No grinding or work that kills the warranty. Sure you gotta buy $1000 in mounts, but you'll be sending all but one or two back. Also, the SDN6 makes a good hard use 5.56 can, it has a "throatier" or deeper signature that some prefer to higher pitch sound the 5.56 bore makes. Both are about the same regarding performance.

I finally got a Sico Saker in 5.56 with the Trifecta mount. Oh man! It's quieter and they've also come down in price since I got it, they were $1000 but now you can score one for less, especially on a sale. The AAC cans are made of Inconel and that's tough, but the Saker is made of Stellite and that's what they line M2HB barrels with! For any future 5.56 cans, I'll be getting these (when there's another killer sale anyway and I have the funds). They have to be good for me to buy more than one, that or good enough and on sale. With that can there's just no complaints. True QD, locks on tight with one hand, off with one hand, great performance and it has interchangeable muzzle caps. All sorts with even more available with the 7.62 version (which is also throatier AND quieter than the 5.56 can; also can be had with a 5.56 end cap). And it'll accept a plethora of mounts from other companies, so it's one of the more versatile cans out there. Trifecta mount is the best though, no ringing as all tines are different lengths. BE Meyers even makes a mount that'll fit!

Those cans are for abuse or hard use and they have a bit of weight to 'em. I call 'em "military cans". For other stuff, bolt guns, slow fire for the most part, not getting in firefights, the TBAC cans are great. But they can overheat if you fire too much without a cooldown. SBR's make this worse. I use a few TBAC cans, mostly on .300BLK SBR's and 6.5G's. The limitations for .300BLK are pretty generous, 6.5G doesn't get mag dumps and even some rapid fire is fine. But for hardcore use, mag dumps, full auto, etc., you want a hard use can. I haven't used or seen their take down steel can, I'm sure it's nice, it does look nice, but can't say anything about it other than TBAC doesn't make trash. I don't understand why it's takedown unless it's mean to be used with .22LR also. It's probably the only one, maybe one of a few, hard use rifle cans that can be taken down.

Another that doesn't get mentioned much but makes great cans with no gimmicks is Elite Iron. I have their .50 and .338LM cans. Their smaller cans are similar, just smaller. He claims he makes one of the best 6.5G cans and he doesn't boast or blow smoke up your ass. Not only are they accurate with repeatable vertical POI, they're 316SS and are hard use cans. 316 keeps prices down over exotics and the owner is a metallurgist by profession and claims exotics really aren't necessary. I do think he uses a different material for the blast baffle though. Very well made, solid. They have mounts similar to TBAC, thread over QD mounts. They have some other items available as well, like linear brake caps for their flash hider mounts, etc. They will index your mount or suppressor TDC so POI is vertical. They also make the brakes for McMillan rifles and the cans for DTA. They are a top notch business and the cans are good for high volume and precision.

I'd do my homework before a new can purchase, new things may be out, but I stick with known mfg.'s and generally go with cans that have a stellar record. So were I to get another 5.56 can today, it'd probably be another Saker. Unless it was a bolt gun, then I'd get a TBAC Ultra 9.

KAC makes the can for my SR25 and it's amazing, expensive but amazing; they really thought of it all and it may be the best all around 7.62 can made, but I don't know anything about their 5.56 cans. If I got a KAC upper though, I'd probably get one just because of their reputation and past experiences. I'm sure their full size new 5.56 can is amazing and I'd give it a look anyway. Especially if you talk yourself into a KAC upper. You can get a KAC lower from Small Arms Sales or Tombstone. Prices have gone up on these from 198 to 200 to 204 for stripped lowers, so I'd get some before they keep going up if you want a 100% KAC rifle. They always sell out at any price so far and they'll keep raising it until it reaches an equilibrium.

Lots of good choices but I'm not a fan of new mfg.'s or gimmicks, I keep it kinda simple. These are all cans I either have or have experience with. Suppression depends on a lot, where you fire it (echo, inside, close trees, etc.) ammo, other ambient conditions. I'd say the 556SD is the loudest 5.56 can but it's very short actually, almost a moderator length. The Saker is short but has great performance. It's the full size version, the 7.62 would have been quieter but a bit larger. TBAC Ti has it's limitations and don't know much about the their Takedown model. KAC can't go wrong but it's costly. Elite is a great mfg. for a killer price. Maybe the best all around when you factor price into it. Lots of alphabet soup agencies he can't talk about use Elite.

So good luck, hope that helps some!
 
Gas gun can, I really like the LaRue TranQuilo. I've used that can on 223, 25-08, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creed, 260, 300 BO and 308. Minimal difference in how rifle cycles / ejects brass between can on / can off and I haven't needed to putz with changing adjustable gas block settings.

Rifle and brass stay cleaner than with other higher back pressure cans I've used on gas gun.

Sound, never metered it. Makes the boom stick much quieter then w/o suppressor on it and to my ear is as quiet, if not quieter, as any other can on an AR.
Ear is subjective and I realize a metered # would be better but I don't have access to a meter.

I haven't tried a Dead Air Sandman or Nomad yet but are cans I'd like to try out, heard too many positive reviews to leave those out of mix.

Right now, TranQuilo is my go to can for gas guns.
 
I would say my AEM5. I've owned several different cans and shot even more. It is heavy, but built like a tank and quietest of them all. I ran in on Mk12 Mod 0 and Mod 1 but its most at home on my MK12 Mod K (Noveske 13.7 Mid length) and is accurate out to at least 712 yards.





 
Few more of the AMAZING AEM5. I love my MK12 Mod K but the Noveske barrel and the AEM5 are what make it so awesome. Tuned perfectly, almost no recoil... and I think the can was only 600 bucks...





 
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With this grab and go kit, I like the SOCOM 2 on this 10.5" Noveske N4. Some target results shooting offhand at 25 & 50 meters.
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KAC 5.56 QDC for a hard use can

There 'ya go. And if it's anything like the full size 7.62 QDC, it'll be more than just a hard use can. True QD, vertical TDC indexing, light weight, etc. I love mine. But last night I found out they make four now, not just two. A really short cqb model, a short combat model, the full length I have, and a new PRS model that's just over 9".

Don't know if they make a 5.56 PRS version or just the QDC, but either would be great. Costly, but worth it.

For less money, my bet is still on the Saker though, or Elite Iron.
 
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Another AEM5/12th Model fan here. Ive shot it, a KAC NT4 and a Wells Tango ( looks like an NT4 but mounts to a 51T AAC muzzle device). Mine is an Ops Inc 12th and my wife rings IPSC silhouette steel out at 700 pretty consistently.
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My first suppressor was the 556 Specwar after watching silencershop videos of the can being a little quieter than the M4-2000. This was in 2014 and it was the quietest 556 can available. I then bought the 762 specwar but rarely use it after getting the Deadair Sandman-L which is by far the best mounting system in the industry.

If it wasnt for the goddamned ATF wait times, I would own the Sandman K and S months ago.

Anywho.... the 556 specwar is the best 556 in my opinion and would be GOD like if it had the deadair mounting system.
 

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