.22 Suppressor

[Ryanxia]

Thinking about maybe getting a .22 suppressor before the deadline. Anyone ever use the AAC Aviator 2? It's very reasonably priced and has the same DB reduction listed as their other .22 suppressor the Element 2.

And of course, any other suggestions/experiences is much welcome.

 

[yugorpk]

Personally, while I'm sure the AAC line is as good as anything else I can personally attest to the quality and durability of the Silencerco Spectre 2. Might not be the lightest thing but so what? My 10 year old has no problem blowing through 500 rounds in a session attached to a Buckmark. Kids going to run me out of ammo one of these days. Quiet as the best of them, easily cleanable and built like a tank.

 

[Ryanxia]

Nice, I did glance at those because the first thing I thought to peruse was the Sparrow.

I wasn't really planning on getting a .22 can but the price of the Aviator is extremely inexpensive. Found a place that has them in stock for $239. And it could match my AAC-762-SDN-6 lol.

 

[Ryanxia]

The Aviator 2 says it has a sound reduction of 41db, SilencerCo measures theirs differently, anyone know if 41db sounds about par for .22LR?

 

[kdunn]

While I haven't noticed any problems with the quality of AAC products, I have seen many, many complaints about their customer service... This led me to purchase a SilencerCo Warlock over an AAC Pilot a while back

 

[Ryanxia]

Interesting. I had a friend who needed to send his suppressor in to AAC and said they bent over backwards for him and were really fast.

 

[kdunn]

Interesting. I had a friend who needed to send his suppressor in to AAC and said they bent over backwards for him and were really fast.

I don't have any personal experience with their CS, I'm just saying what I've heard about them from a few different sources I consider reliable.

And when shooting their products I've never seen anything wrong with them.

But my dealer practically begged me not buy the AAC over SilencerCo, and the AAC was a more expensive

 

[GarySTL]

I have both the Aviator and Sparrow. The Aviator does not disassemble for cleaning while the Sparrow does. I've not shot them at the same time but if memory serves they sound about the same to me. I really should shoot them together, perhaps tomorrow. I have two M&P 22s. One full-sized and a compact and that might be close enough.

Sent from my LG-V495 using Tapatalk

 

[Ryanxia]

Good to know about the sound being similar Gary. The Aviator 2 does disassemble for cleaning so must be a feature that the first version didn't have.

 

[basicblur]

Are you familiar with FRP, and does that matter to you?
(Ain't gonna open that can o' worms again)

FWIW, I own an AAC Element 2 and Silencerco Sparrow.

I think the Element 2 actually beats the Sparrow on performance, size, weight, and despite marketing and what most folks think, I'd have to say cleaning is pretty much a toss up (maybe if you have a SS tumbler for the AAC?).

 

[Swing]

I don't have any experience with that can, but I do have an AAC Ti-Rant 9 that I'm very happy with. Support from the company, the few times I utilized said, was very good.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I just recently ordered the AAC Element 2. I was debating between the AAC Element 2 and SilencerCo Sparrow. I have a SilencerCo Octane 9 and 45 and they're awesome. I like SilencerCo products, but the first round pop on the Sparrow is existent whereas it is pretty much nonexistent on the Element 2 and that's what swayed me to order the Element 2.

 

[Ryanxia]

basicblur - I am familiar with FRP. This is from their description of the Aviator 2:

The Aviator 2 contains two extra K-baffles versus the Pilot 2 delivering minimal first round pop while generating a sound reduction level comparable with other competitive top-end rimfire silencers costing hundreds of dollars more.

While I understand this won't be the best .22 suppressor I just wanted to see if there was anything major that might come up that would make me want to stay away from it. It has the same sound reduction as their Element 2 so I'm thinking it will do it's job. The main drawback I've seen so far is that it is only rated for .22LR not other calibers like so many others (.17HMR, 5.7x28, .22WMR).

Edit: giggitygiggity - thanks for your input.

 

[kanook]

A little video on FRP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiWBaizCf3Y

I have the Liberty Regulator

 

[Ryanxia]

The site I found the best deal on the Aviator 2 also has a SilencerCo Warlock 2 for $10 more.
Same db reduction.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

I think that it comes down to what features are important to you. For example, I wanted my 22 suppressors to be:
1) User serviceable
2) Stainless steel baffles so I can put them in the ultrasonic
3) Full auto rated because I have a .22 upper for my Mac

Are there particular features that you want? If you are new to 22 cans, I'd highly recommend one that is user serviceable.

 

[Ryanxia]

No particular features, just on par with the sound reduction as the others. A .22 can wasn't on my list but when I saw the Aviator 2 for such a reasonable price I wanted to see if anyone would chime in and give me a reason not to pick it up.

So far the only real drawback I see is that it is only rated for .22LR and not .17HMR, 5.7x28, .22WMR, etc.

The Warlock has one feature that I really like and that is a second 'sleeve' around the baffles so they come out of the tube with extreme ease compared to others.

 

[vtsteve]

The Aviator has aluminum baffles, which are a PASS in my book. If you buy one, plan on getting intimate with some dental picks if you ever want to clean it.

 

[basicblur]

I don't know how you shop for silencer (online, local dealer, etc.), but before I'd buy the Aviator 2 I'd shop around.

I've seen the Element 2 (and Sparrow) at quite a savings online - apparently it's / they're "old news" (but still some of, if not the best 22 silencers I've seen / heard), so it seems some are now running them on sale.

If you shop wisely, and have a little luck, you may be able to swing an Element 2 for not much more than an Aviator?

Money's money, but when I bought I decided as much trouble / time / expense as silencers are (thanks to Uncle Sam), I was going to get one of the best that could handle anything I could see myself throwing at it down the road.

BTW - when I bought my first 22 silencers, I ran across the video (I think it was done by Silencerco) where they tested various 22 cans on various platforms.

The AAC Element 2 seemed to audibly be the most quiet (backed up by readings) on pistols, and did not have a FRP.

The Silencerco Sparrow had a FRP on pistols, but not rifles, and I think the Sparrow was as quiet as the AAC Element 2 on rifles - they tested on a S&W 15-22, which is where I park my Sparrow.

I guess you'll have to take into consideration where it's going to spend most of it's time? If it's going to be on a pistol, the light weight, size, and lack of FRP really make the Element 2 look good.

If you're going to hang it off a rifle, then size / weight / FRP (as longer barrels seem to help eliminate FRP) may be less of a consideration?

 

[basicblur]

The Aviator has aluminum baffles, which are a PASS in my book. If you buy one, plan on getting intimate with some dental picks if you ever want to clean it.

I notice at AAC's site, under baffle materials they say "aluminum and stainless steel" - I'm wondering if the first baffle or two may be stainless, with the rest being aluminum?

AFA picks for cleaning, I don't know that you need to get them that clean.

I SS tumbled my Element 2 baffles and still had to use a SS pick (Harbor Freight set) to get some deposits off the first 2 baffles - the rest of the baffles were spotless after tumbling.

I don't know that I'd ever get it that clean again, as they actually work better when slightly dirty. The only reason I got mine spotless was because I wanted to try the silicone dip treatment.

 

[Ryanxia]

vtsteve - From what I understand you have to regularly clean a .22 can, how would go about this on an aluminum baffle system that has each baffle enclosed (like the Warlock)? You wouldn't be able to get picks in there I don't think.

basicblur - The Element 2 and the Aviator 2 have the same db reduction listed on AAC's website, and they specifically say on the Aviator 2 that it contains two extra K baffles to limit FRP.

 

[basicblur]

they specifically say on the Aviator 2 that it contains two extra K baffles to limit FRP.

The operative word her may be "limit" - I'd say the Element 2 eliminates FRP (at least it does on all my 22 pistols).
With that wording, I'd have to wonder if the Aviator 2 has a FRP (albeit reduced)?

You'll have to do your own homework, but I wonder why the Aviator 2 would require 2 extra baffles to fight FRP?

Maybe the baffles are a different design than the Element 2 and thus cheaper to produce?

It's my understanding that silencers with a K baffle design suffer from FRP less than monocore units like the Sparrow - I can see where that would be true, as it appears there's much less internal air volume in a K baffle design.

 

[Armymutt]

I just got an HTA Guardian 22. With subs, it's pretty quiet - the noise of the bullet striking a tree 100 yards away is as loud as the report and action noise on my S&W 622. Price is great - MRSP $199, street was $179. Stainless baffles are available for a little more. On the basic model, the first baffle is stainless, the rest aluminum. FA rated as well.

 

[Ryanxia]

Wow the Guardian's actually have surprisingly good results, comparing to the Sparrow as far as sound reduction. They even have an enclosed baffle design so you can easily disassemble it and a lifetime warranty (and will clean for free if need be). Not bad.
The stainless steel upgrade is still pretty inexpensive.

 

[Dan Forrester]

AAC was bought out back 5 years a go by Remington. Since then they seem to have lost their edge in both customer service as well as innovation. I own two of their suppressors an SPR/M4 and a Tirant both of which are fantastic suppressors.

A friend purchased an aviator back when they were first released and sound wise compared to my Gemtech Vortex 2 it "maybe" had a slight edge buy really nothing spectacular.

The Aviator is 10 year old technology at this point and I absolutely would look at something else. A good solid performer for its time but .22 rimfire suppressors today are leaps and bounds ahead of what was available 10 years or even 5 years ago.

I would look for a 100% stainless internal suppressor with either a stainless or titanium tube that could be fully disassembled. There are numerous options that fit this criteria. I personally like and own Liberty Suppressors offerings but but there are plenty of other great offerings.

Dan