Suppressors Gemtech Halo ?'s

[Nostradumbass]

Tried a search, didn't see much on this can......so I'm looking for an ultra simple, light, small 5.56 suppressor with excellent sound negating properties. And, of course cost is a factor.
Needing to know feedback from Halo owners on their experience with the can.....and if there are better options out there. I just wanted to get away from complex ratchets with springs that could fail.
Thanks!!!
Phillip

 

[KYS]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

If you are looking to save weight the Halo is not the best choice. Its a heavy can because of its attachment method.

 

[Stormshadow]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

I run a Halo on both a Colt 6920 and a LWRC SPR and have had no complaints about it. It is a bit weighty, as KYS related, but nothing too over the top. I changed out the A2 flash hiders for Smith Vortex's, on both my rigs. If you run an A2, you need to replace the crush washers with peel washers, if the flash hider is currently mounted with a crush. The Halo comes with those. The Vortex does not need the washers, and the design of the open prongs on the Vortex mesh up nicely with the groves inside the Halo. It locks on tight, even before you cinch up the locking ring. There are probably other flash hider options out there as well. The locking system is very easy to use. Great can, IMO.

 

[kel]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stormshadow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you run an A2, you need to replace the peel washers with crush washers. The Halo comes with those....Great can, IMO. </div></div>


***Pssst! Other way around!

Crush washers are of the devil. Peel washers/flat shimsets are good to go. Or, just use no washers at all. The crush washers can continue to smush unevenly or loosen (which is bad for any brand/type of suppressor), and they also create a tapered rear face (bad) for the HALO closer to snug up against which basically acts like a log splitter, as the suppressor tries to pull itself forward under the pressure of shooting. Lose the washers completely, or use a flat, symmetrical peel or shim washer.

Executive Summary: Crush washers bad. Peel washers good.

Thanks for the kind words about the HALO and your support!




Kel

 

[Stormshadow]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

I stand corrected Kel. Thanks for providing the "Gibbs slap".

Previous post modified.

 

[Jpso Sniper]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

Nostra

My dept bought halo's back in '06. Benn running then since on a variety of M-4 type rifles with no issues. Its s great can. Only draw back is a little heavy compared to newer suppressors but with that said it is tough as hell. I have used the hell out of it over past 5.5 years and its yet to fail me or any other member of team we have 30 total. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Ps I own one personally also.

Also gem-tech first rate company and awesome customer care

 

[PLeighton]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

The HALO is designed to mount to a standard A2 pattern Flash Hider and unless that is the reason you are considering one, you would be better off to consider other products.
Reason being, the HALO is an older suppressor and there are quite a few new products on the market that offer better performance in a smaller / lighter package.

If you are considering the HALO due to it's mounting system, you may also want to consider the SRT Atlas with it's "Universal Mount"

the Griffin Armament M4-SDII

And the Coastal XDS 5.56 FHM

There have been other manufactures that have made versions of their suppressors that mount to a standard A2 FH pattern, but they have ceased manufacturing them.

A mounting system that is able to utilize a standard Flash Hider as a mount has a lot to overcome.
First and foremost, bore alignment.
All suppressor owners are terrified of a baffle strike.
Most suppressors address this by requiring precise threading on the muzzle and then if a Fast Attach system is to be used, a proprietary muzzle device.
When using a standard A2 Flash Hider as a mount, the quality of the muzzle threads and the tolerances of a MILSPEC Flash Hider need to be taken into account.
Overcoming this is not done easily and typically results in the bore of the suppressor to be in the neighborhood of .305".
Then you need to address how adequate suppression levels can be achieved with such an oversized bore.

Once you have a system that is able to attach to the A2 Flash Hider, now you need to make sure that it can be removed after firing hundreds of rounds.
Since the mounting system has to account for loose tolerances, there is space inside the mount for carbon and other fouling to collect in.
Additionally, the mounting system must be secure enough to not come loose.
(The HALO has had issue with this in the past.)

Now that we have a suppressor that is capable to having rounds fired through it while being mounted slightly off axis, we need to make sure that the POI stays consistent.
This is a problem since this type of mounting system can result in a loose fitting suppressor.

With all that in mind, you can see why more companies do not offer a suppressor that utilizes a standard A2 mount.
Gemtech was one of the first to offer this type of product and they are a very reputable company.

 

[Silenced America]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

I have the 09 version. I never ran it on a A2. It goes on a PWS Brake. Other than being a tad heavy, it is a good can that can take a beating. It is a battle proven suppressor. No complaints here.

 

[Conqueror]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

Agreed with above posters, unless you REQUIRE an A2-type mounting system, there are better cans out there. Hell, if you want simple, just remove the flash hider entirely and go with a screw-on can like the AAC Ranger, SWR Wolverine, SilencerCo Saker, etc.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

Agreed,

The Halo is heavy, I have an older one, and it weighs a ton. I put it on 10.5" uppers or smaller because it is heavy. If you ever try a Carbine class with one and your barrel is 14" or more it will kick your ass by the end.

Go for a newer set up, and definitely compare weights, you won't think it matters, but it does. Now I am moving to the SF Minis, I have my Mini Monster waiting for the paperwork, those little cans from SF kick serious ass.

 

[KYS]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

Ive got a SF Mini on a 14.5" setup. Its pretty slick that you can have that small of a can and still get moderate suppression off a 14.5" barrel. They really shine on a 16" barrel.

If you want to stay Gemtech you could try the G5. Its QD and the locking system is strong. I have one of those as well and it lives on my 10.5" SBR. Good can for the money, and its not that heavy!

 

[HPLLC]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Conqueror</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Agreed with above posters, unless you REQUIRE an A2-type mounting system, there are better cans out there. Hell, if you want simple, just remove the flash hider entirely and go with a screw-on can like the AAC Ranger, SWR Wolverine, SilencerCo Saker, etc. </div></div>

I originally believed what certain industry people said (that the A2 was a horrible suppressor mount).

Later on I re-evaluated this and realized that the suppressor mounts that are compatible with the A2 flash hider are expensive and that's probably the #1 reason why companies avoid them.

When I tested the M4SD sound suppressor prototype, it was one of the handier sound suppressors I'd handled. Mounting on the standard muzzle device is a logical and reasonable expectation for an end user to have.

I've heard glowing reviews of customers SRT Atlas mounts and AAC Omni suppressors, and these people all probably see similarly. The A2 FH was designed with NATO accessory grooves for a reason.

It only makes sense to design a sound suppressor to fit the standard muzzle device.

The proprietary muzzle device solves a few problems, while itself creating an additional problem in the form of high cost and lack of backward compatibility with the majority of marketed weapons.

AAC was one of the companies that consistently would say an A2 was a horrible mount, but then stories like this one about their proprietary mount, bring that argument seriously into question.

 

[azwolf1500]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

I like the HALO I have bit hate that it is heavy and that it has to mount on the A-2. I only run them on my SBR's for teaching classes and callouts but I don't even enjoy using it that much any more. Sometimes it is a bear to take off after not even very many rounds fired. The carbon builds up on mine alot in the A-2 and makes it hard to pull off or turns with the coupler. Performance and life is pretty damn good for being a baffled design (manufacturers specs say around 75000 rounds). The only other issue I have with it is transitional shooting left handed you get ALL the gas blowback in your face and without good coverage eye protection it sucks... I use Wiley-X goggles on callouts which is great for eye coverage. Price is a plus but there are a few cons to deal with. Good luck.

 

[HPLLC]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: distantplinker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the HALO I have bit hate that it is heavy and that it has to mount on the A-2. I only run them on my SBR's for teaching classes and callouts but I don't even enjoy using it that much any more. Sometimes it is a bear to take off after not even very many rounds fired. The carbon builds up on mine alot in the A-2 and makes it hard to pull off or turns with the coupler. Performance and life is pretty damn good for being a baffled design (manufacturers specs say around 75000 rounds). The only other issue I have with it is transitional shooting left handed you get ALL the gas blowback in your face and without good coverage eye protection it sucks... I use Wiley-X goggles on callouts which is great for eye coverage. Price is a plus but there are a few cons to deal with. Good luck. </div></div>


The Halo is a little different than an M4SD mount in that the bore for the mount is one solid bore- not a forward and rear bearing surface with a chamber in between.

That said, I've had the same issues with M4SD's but not after I bought an Oaties 3/4" steel bristled pipe cleaning brush for $3 at Home Depot.

A couple twists of the brush and 220 rounds of 5.56mm later, the can comes right off no problem. The important thing seems to be cleaning the bore with the brush after each significant use.

When I was having issues with carbon, I was shooting 220 rounds, then shooting 220 rounds again, and maybe the second or third session the mount would start to get pretty snug. Layers of crap build up, but that's fine because the pipe cleaning brush nocks all the crap off in 3-5 seconds.

 

[Wolf22]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

tag

 

[kingweb50]

Re: Gemtech Halo ?'s

Yeah the halo is heavy but on sbrs it isnt bad. I also changed the a2 birdcage to a battle comp 2.0 which I like better