Gem-Tech HALO or AAC Omni or ... ?

Which Suppressor would you pick?

  • AAC Omni

    Votes: 5 83.3%

  • Gem-Tech HALO

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Something else (please specify)

    Votes: 1 16.7%
  • Total voters
    6
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Coronach

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Thread title says it all.

Assume that I want a 5.56 NATO suppressor that attaches to a standard A2 flash-hider. Which would you go with and why? And yes, I've read www.silencertests.com ... these two seem to be reasonably close in terms of performance.

If you have a different suggestion, please provide it. I'm not sold on either of these by any means.

Thanks for you help!
 
I'm in the market for a 5.56mm suppressor myself and just from playing about with them, here are some issues I've noticed:

1) Zero shift - how much does zero shift with the suppressor attached?
2) Weight - putting a 20oz suppressor on the end of the barrel really makes the rifle nose heavy and handling different
3) Additional length - how much does it add to the OAL?

Based on that, I would probably go with the AAC can over the Gemtech because it is shorter and lighter. Since both manufacturers seem to be of similar quality, the only issue left that AAC doesn't have an advantage on is how much the zero shifts and whether the shift is consistent and repeatable.
 
I'd also add if you aren't sold on the attaching to an A2 flashhider requirement the Jet suppressors are pretty nice. Compact, minimal zero shift, lightweight, quiet. They don't have an A2-based mount though, just the standard threaded attachment that replaces the muzzle device and a muzzle device with external threads. From what I've been told, the seating on the "quick detach" version isn't quite as solid.
 
".........that attaches to a standard A2 flash-hider."

Keep in mind that this means a true milspec flash suppressor. Some of the aftermarket look alikes (Bushmaster for one) arn't made to milspec dimensions and will not work with these suppressors.
Another kind of interesting twist: the AAC M4-2000 uses a special flash suppressor that mates with the suppressor. This means that you have to have either a pre or post ban gun (not during the ban since you can't remove the "muzzle brake" or you have to have it threaded). These flash suppressors are currently expensive: about a hundred buck each. If you have a number of ARs like I do, then you are talking about some real money in flash suppressors. BUT, AAC is supposed to be farming the manufacture of these flash suppressors out to a third party contractor who is supposed to be able to make them a lot cheaper than AAC currently is. In addition, you are going to have a choice of three different styles of flash suppressor including a Phantom. In other words, you are going to be able to have your cake and eat it too. You can have a good, effective flash suppressor, AND be able to mount a suppressor to it.
A few random thoughts: ask about the weight of the suppressor. As was mentioned, they are heavy. Mine (M4-2000) is rated for unlimited full auto. Since I am not shooting it full auto at all, I wonder if I could have gotten a lighter suppressor that isn't rated for full auto ?
My suppressor shift zero about 1 minute at 100 yards. It is repeatable. IMO, on an AR that might be used for personal defensive type applications, that shift is not worth talking about. From field postions, that is closer than you can hold (probably). If you are firing it from a very accurate platform with a big scope, from a bench then you can simply put a minute of elevation on your scope.
I took a formal carbine class this past weekend. Near the end of the class we went out to a range that has steel silhouette targets going from about 200 yards to WAY out there: over 1k. I was shooting an AR, with an Aimpoint, Wolf ammo (55 grain) and the suppressor. I was shooting from monopod prone. I got consistent hits out past 300 yards. At 400 and beyond, the ammo was not consistant enough (hits all over the place with a consistent sight picture) This was without any sight correction for the suppressor. Of course we would like to be putting all those shots in the chest cavity, but at 300+yards and an Aimpoint (4 minute dot) exact shot placement becomes an issue: hits on steel make me happy at those ranges. FWIW, on paper (silhouette) I put 5 out of 5 right in the "A" zone during the class at 200 yards using the same equipment during the final skills test. This was starting from standing (the low ready position) and having 6.5 seconds to make the shot at 200 (which I made from prone).
Gemtech's company reputation is the best out there. I don't own a Gemtech suppressor, but I have heard nothing but good things about them.
I own four AAC suppressor and am very satisfied with them.
 
The HALO is relatively cheap, pretty effective, and goes on ANY NATO 22mm flash hider.. A2, AUG, SAW, etc. The downside is that it is heavy. There is often significant POI shift.
 
I'm going to be odd man out and say that I don't really like the quick detach versions, and prefer the thread on kind.

1. I'm not going to switch it that much.
2. POI is going to change anyway.
3. I'm lazy. :)
4. I'm cheap. :D

Seriously, between the Gemtech and the AAC, I've done very little with the Gemtechs. But I've not heard anything negative. I like AAC a lot, and sell their stuff.
 
Six months ago, I might have agreed with you. But, after the novelty of having the suppressor has worn off I find myself very seldom shooting it. Why ? Because the gun gets so dirty from it. If anyone here has never fired an AR15 with a suppressor, the rounds in the magazine and the magazine follower (as well as the whole inside of the upper receiver) are black with stuff blown back into the gun.
Last weekend, I took the Frontsight two day rifle skill builder. Day one, my carbine ran like a top. At the end of day two, I fired two magazines with the suppressor attached. I then took it off and shot a couple more drills without the suppressor to finish the class. I experienced four malfuntions during this drill which I blame on an already dirty gun being made extremly dirty from the suppressor.
Point being, if I know I am going to be firing a lot of rounds at one time (class type situation) I am not going to use the suppressor. The gun gets way too dirty. The suppressor is terrific for practice sessions but I now feel the need to clean the rifle after practice where I normally wouldn't (without the suppressor). I used to go in excess of 1k rounds without cleaning. With the suppressor I feel like I need to clean after a few hundred just to keep from getting black stuff all over me when I handle the gun.
 
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