Problem With AAC Halcyon

[Longshot231]

I do not have a good feeling about this suppressor that I picked up yesterday. Compare the two photos below. The top one is from the https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/25/aac-halcyon/

It is how the rear end cap (AAC calls it a lock ring) and other components in the rear assembly are supposed to look after disassembled. The bottom photo is from my suppressor. Note how the entire rear end (I will call it the lock ring and thread adapter assembly) came out of the main body tube.

I had problems with the lock ring not coming off. The lock ring is the left most part in the photo immediately below. After initially trying it in a padded vise and using a strap wrench, I soaked it in kroil over night.

Then the entire process with the padded vice and strap wrench was repeated without success. So I put it in a freezer then heated the lock ring up with a blow torch. Didn't work.

Between repeated attempts I called AAC and nobody would answer the phone. I left two voice mail messages and didn't get a reply. A few minutes before typing this post, I sent a 2nd email to them.

After one last attempt with the padded vice and strap wrench I got some movement in the rear end cap assembly. The entire assembly unscrewed from the main body tube as you can see in the 2nd photo.

Some might say not to worry about it and just shoot it.

I don't want to accept that. Inside the thread adapter, is supposed to be an O-ring. You can see it in the illustrations in the manual linked below. For the amount of money that I paid for this, I should not have any problems like this.

I'll follow up with what AAC has to say if I ever get a reply. Has anyone else had any problems with this suppressor?

https://advanced-armament.com/wp-content/uploads/Halcyon.pdf

 

[Old Man with Gun]

It looks like one picture is the end cap end and the other is the locking ring end. Are you working on the ends with the barrel threads?

 

[Longshot231]

It looks like one picture is the end cap end and the other is the locking ring end. Are you working on the ends with the barrel threads?

Yes. What you are looking at, in the second photo, is the assembly that screws onto the barrel.

In other words, everything that you see disassembled in the first photo is what is stuck together in the 2nd photo. I am not confusing which end of the suppressor to work with.

Take a look at the right most part in the first photo (part D). That is what they call the thread adapter bore. It is threaded on the other end (unseen) into the main rear tube (part E). And it is that thread adapter bore which is stuck inside the left lock ring (left most part in the first photo) with all the intervening parts inside.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Hopefully the picture below explains everything. Parts A,B,C and D came out together when removed from part E. I can't get them separated.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Your part E looks like a front module, not the rear tube the lock ring should go into.
If someone tried to assemble it incorrectly, who knows what is wedged in where.

Can you post a picture with all parts? Show the engraving on the tube, that is the rear tube

 

[Im2bent]

Did you try tapping it on the table with the threads facing up to see if it comes loose?

 

[Longshot231]

Your part E looks like a front module, not the rear tube the lock ring should go into.
If someone tried to assemble it incorrectly, who knows what is wedged in where.

Can you post a picture with all parts? Show the engraving on the tube, that is the rear tube

I can assure you that the tube that you are looking at is the rear tube. The rear tube is the longer of both tubes. The rear tube also has flats on it. The front tube is round. I don't want to show the serial number online.

I got the locking ring and thread adapter assembly soaking in Kroil now. Unless I hear from AAC, I will leave it in the Kroil for about a week then put it in the padded vice and try to break it apart again with the strap wrench.

Here's an AAC video of the suppressor. Looks great in concept. At 3:13, they move close up to the disassembly on the table. Parts A, B and C are at the extreme right in the foreground with parts D and E standing next to them. Note that part D is inside of part E.

At 4:20 he picks up the rear tube (part E) and talks about the thread adapter bore (part D) inside it. Then he will insert the thread adapter (part C) and install the wave washer (part B). Finally he will screw on the locking ring (part A) on the thread adapter bore (part D) which is still sticking out of the rear tube.

I hope this is a little better than the picture.



At 2:45 in this next video he starts talking about disassembly and cleaning. You might want to slow it down but at 3:01 you will see part E on the table on the left side of the screen. Stop the video there and you will see the thread adapter bore (part D) inside of part E.

He picks it up with his left hand then inserts the thread adapter (part C) with his right hand. You won't see him put the wave washer (part B) on the thread adapter (part C). Nor will you see him screw on the locking ring (par A) on the thread adapter bore (part D).

Both of these videos should be proof enough that this suppressor has problems. I'm suspecting that perhaps the locking ring might have been cross-threaded during assembly at the factory. Or perhaps this was assembled without the wave washer. That could be enough to get this thing to lock up.

Did you try tapping it on the table with the threads facing up to see if it comes loose?

I did do that but after letting it soak in Kroil some more, will try it again.

This probably sounds harsh but based on the fact that this can is brand new, never fired and already having a problem as well as nobody answering the phone at AAC, I cannot recommend buying their products.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Sorry you are having a bad experience. With Shotshow this time of year, the slow answer may just be timing. I hope you get a response soon.

 

[Longshot231]

Update 1/30/2025 at 10:38 EST. Made several phone calls and still nobody answers the telephone. Left voicemail messages to same. I sent an email to a Mr. Johnson who is the director of inside sales. Let's see if he responds.

 

[Longshot231]

Update 1/30/2025 10:57 AM EST. I learned that AAC was is owned by JJE Holdings Company. So I got a phone number to call off of their website: 803-567-6400

JJE Capital Holdings - A Private Equity Firm Reviving the American Dream

JJE CAPITAL HOLDINGS Reviving the American Dream. We are a private equity firm transforming mere entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

jjech.com

I called the number and it was Palmetto State Armory. Using the voice menu, I selected the option for "all other." Guess what! I had to leave a voice mail.

I have never dealt with PSA but what I've heard hasn't been good. It sounds like there is nobody able or willing to answer a phone there either.

 

[Im2bent]

Bet you get a reply when they see the charge back.

 

[Longshot231]

Bet you get a reply when they see the charge back.

Charge back? I'm not sure I follow you.

 

[Im2bent]

If you used a credit card start the refund process almost guaranteed to get action from the seller. Not saying return it, just light a fire.

 

[Longshot231]

If you used a credit card start the refund process almost guaranteed to get action from the seller. Not saying return it, just light a fire.

I paid for the suppressor at the LGS/SOT. It's not the fault of the LGS/SOT. My problem is with AAC.

 

[Longshot231]

Update 1/30/2025 11:00 AM EST. I received a reply to my email message from Mr. Johnson which said:

"Sorry you are having an issue with the recent acquisition. The team was at SHOT then all became sick with the Flu. I am just getting back to the office.

I have sent your email to the CS department who won’t be in until tomorrow. They will get the RMA issued for the return."

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Update 1/30/2025 11:00 AM EST. I received a reply to my email message from Mr. Johnson which said:

"Sorry you are having an issue with the recent acquisition. The team was at SHOT then all became sick with the Flu. I am just getting back to the office.

I have sent your email to the CS department who won’t be in until tomorrow. They will get the RMA issued for the return."

Shotshow causes this every year. For many vendors it is all hands to the show.

 

[hlee]

Shotshow causes this every year. For many vendors it is all hands to the show.

And, when you put that many disease vectors in a small space, it is pretty much a guarantee that a bunch of them are out the next week with Show-vid...

 

[spife7980]

Just to confirm the issue, you need to separate parts A and D (B and C are captured inside).

Looks like a job for a strap wrench and padded vice jaws. Hopefully those threads were clean and just tight; and there isnt blasting sand or galling etc jamming them up.