Surefire vs. AAC

[cloudy]

I'm looking for opinions on the surefire muzzle brake/surpressor vs. The AAC muzzle brake/surpressor. I'm getting down the buying the last parts for my .308 build and can't decide on which system to go with.

-Kelly

 

[Calvinc4s]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

Is it a bolt rifle?
Need QD?

I have had KAC for carbine QD aplications and Jet for a bolt rifle.

I really like Jet for the Ti 30 cal.

 

[CarolinaExPat1]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

It all depends on which suppressor you are going with. I have used both systems, and I prefer the Surefire, but personal opinions are just that. Both are fine suppressors, but I prefer the Surefire because mounting is incredibly simple. AAC's system is good, but the MITER indexing requires you to test the mounting positions for POI shift. I have several Surefire cans and I can't tell any difference in POA/POI with the suppressor on or off. So, my personal opinion, I'd go surefire. As for the suppressor capabilities, I can't really tell a difference in signature reduction between them. I have used the SPR AAC and the M42000, and compared to the FA556 cans, the actual differences would require testing equipment to distinguish any benefits. Flash is going to be pretty much eliminated with either can on, and concussion is gone. So, from an accuracy standpoint, I still recommend Surefire. Now, without the suppressor, I am saying to with the Surefire brake because I haven't been able to test the AAC brake enough without the can on. I love the Surefire brake, but it does create a lot of lateral blast. You'll find this with any brake though. It's setup is similar to the JP tactical comp, and the top ports are ideal for right handed shooters. I know you said you had a .308, and I'm assuming it's a bolt gun, not an AR-10, but just to throw in this for future reference, the ports help considerably for follow on shots as they direct gas up and right, and the muzzle down and left. For RH shooters, that's great.

So, my advice is to see if you can go to a Class III dealer and see if they have a range and any test cans. Some do, some don't. I don't think you'll go wrong either way, but see what you like. I like Surefire, others like AAC, Gemtech, or others. Most of what you'll find is it comes back to your personal preferences, and unfortunately, we all tend to base this off of appearances. If you can't do that, search the forum here for reviews on either system, and even youtube it. You'd be surprised what you can find. AAC and Surefire both have vids on their products and other users and companies have posted testing vids as well. Hope this helped.

 

[Conqueror]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

^^^ the AAC MITER system is only on the SPR/M4 (which is a 5.56 can) and the SCAR-H SD (which isn't available now), so the above comments on the mounting system aren't really relevant to this discussion. AAC's three current QD .30cal suppressors (762SD, 762SDN-6, and 300-SD) all use single-lead mount systems and only go on one way.

AAC and Surefire both make good silencers. You can't really go wrong with either brand. That said, since they are both similarly excellent, but the Surefires are a consistent $300+ more than comparable AAC models, I know where my money would be spent.

 

[The Colonel]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

Not sure about AAC, but Surefire is a lifetime guarantee. The Surefire rep has also told me that it is virtually impossible to wear out one of their cans. That might factor in to your equation.

 

[jakerz3]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

What about Gemtech and their QD system? I'm not really experienced in suppressors, but it seems like they make a good product. Thoughts?

http://www.gem-tech.com/store/pc/HVT-QD-10p90.htm

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

As an AAC owner I can say that they have good customer service and they are local for us GA folks. But their mounts suck plain and simple. For example the tuning fork...I mean blackout hider pings every pull of the trigger. I've shot more than one on more than one rifle and they all do it but AAC acts like it doesn't exist when asked about this issue. The cans never lock up tight on the mounts either...always that slight bit of wobble to them. AAC offers a great price. If I bought another can from AAC in .308 it would be a thread on. No more of their mounts. I really like the things I'm hearing about surefires brakes but their suppressors require a second mortgage...yes they are expensive but something tells me they are worth it. I believe outside of the cost, surefire is superior. The end mount surefire suppressor in .308 is roughly $1700. Wow!

 

[Silverbullet2]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

I have had my 7.62 Surefire can since 08, and I can tell you that while they are not cheap, they are worth every penny. Mine has no difference in POI on any rifle I shoot. I swap mine on 2 different AR's, a REPR and my Bolt gun. If you have the little bit extra, then do the Surefire. JPG

 

[cloudy]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

Thanks for the great info. I think I'm leaning toward the surefire setup.

-Kelly

 

[Stubb]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

I recently got to check out a Surefire suppressor on a custom Remington .308 with the muzzle break mount and send a few rounds downrange. I'm not sure if it was the FA762SS or FA762MG. The suppressor attached very solidly and felt like an integral part of the rifle when locked down. We had no trouble whacking a steel silhouette at 300 yards with and without the suppressor attached, but that's too large a target to make any assertions regarding POI shift. The suppressed rifle was comfortable to shoot without hearing protection.

I have a few hundred rounds through my AAC .223 SPR/M4 at this point. It does not feel as solid as the Surefire unit when locked down—there's a noticeable amount of play. That said, the system shoots ~1.25 MOA at 300 yards with or without the suppressor mounted. This model uses the MITER system, and POI shift varies between 0.2 and 0.8 mils depending on the setting. I have two range trips shooting 5-round groups at each setting in my data book, and the good settings appear repeatable within 0.2 mils or better. The suppressor occasionally throws the first round wide before settling down. By wide I mean up to 0.5 mils from the main group. Blast reduction is excellent. It's comfortable to shoot without hearing protection, but some noise does come back through the port. That's a function of the rifle, not the suppressor.

I'm still up in the air whether I'll go with an AAC or Surefire can on my upcoming bolt-action .308.

—Andreas

 

[airborne6.8]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

I have 2 surefire cans 762 k can and 6.8 k can.. And both have poi shift that im not very happy with... but who knows maybe im doing something wrong... i do love how easy they mount up..

 

[bray]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

The last time I heard the surefire and aac cans fired together the aac was much quieter. I have not had any problems with the 762sd can and the mounts. Mine lock up tight, just keep an eye on the spring it does wear out over time.

The flash hider mount does have a ring when shot with the can. If it bothers you that much try the muzzle break mount. I have the muzzle break mount on a trg22. Works well by itself and gets rid of the ring.

If your just going to use it on the bolt gun look at the AAC thread mount cans. It would be a cheaper option since you don't have to buy the mounts. If you plan to use it on a 308 semi at some point I would recommend one of the 762's with the fast attach break mount.

 

[Conqueror]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: airborne307th</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have 2 surefire cans 762 k can and 6.8 k can.. And both have poi shift that im not very happy with... but who knows maybe im doing something wrong... i do love how easy they mount up.. </div></div>
You're not doing anything wrong. Surefire reps have made the "zero POI shift" claim so many times that people have just started assuming it's true. There are a few things you can do with a silencer design to minimize POI shift, but there's no way to guarantee none, since every host rifle is different and will have different barrel harmonics, etc.

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

So to sum up this thread, both surefire and AAC are liars?

 

[neo223]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tango__Down</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So to sum up this thread, both surefire and AAC are liars? </div></div>

most of the time.

 

[Stubb]

Re: Surefire vs. AAC

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: airborne307th</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have 2 surefire cans 762 k can and 6.8 k can.. And both have poi shift that im not very happy with... </div></div>

How consistent is the zero shift with your SureFire cans? I've only had my AAC SPR/M4 can for a few range trips and a few sets of data points in my range log, but the zero shift seems consistent to within 0.1–0.2 mils on the good settings.

—Andreas