Suppressors for 5.56mm AR-15 - Opinions Sought

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

While I was at the SHOT Show I spoke with the respresentatives of Gemtech (Gemini Technologies) about their suppressors and their uses. I also handled several of their models and thumbed through their catalog. I left immensely impressed. They were by far the most friendly, professional, and best informed booth I visited at the show. The suppressors also appeared to be of the highest quality.

Long story short...I want one for my AR-15 carbine and an integral design for a Ruger 10/22 in .22 LR. I own a large tract of land and would like it for dispatching rabid animals and perhaps use for home defense for tactical reasons (e.g., muzzle flash and blast). I'd like to be able to fire the suppressor equipped AR-15 without hearing protection in an enclosed space (e.g., a home).

After a little more research I discovered that there are several other players in this niche market. Names like AWC, AAC, Knight Manufacturing, etc. Most of these companies charge noticeably more than Gemtech. As I am rather new to suppressor technology I am looking for experienced opinions.

Who makes the best suppressors on the market today?

If it isn't Gemtech, what makes their suppressors inferior to the more expensive ones on the market?

Any special pointers I should watch out for while shopping for one.

Any experienced opinions are welcome.

Thank you for your assistance.

- Anthony

 

[Steve Smith]

I admit to knowing nothing about supporesor quality, but FYI, my understanding is that a supressor is considered a flash hider and may only be placed on a pre-ban rifle.

 

[Badger Arms]

Suppressors are considered suppressors and are covered by the NFA. It's a logical leap to say that they are also flash hiders. If you paid the tax on one, I'd ask BATF for guidance on whether or not you need a post-ban gun. One thing that you AR-15 will need is a non-threaded muzzle. You have to have a fixed magazine to have a threaded muzzle on an AR-15. If you don't, you'll need a thumbhole stock or some other gizmo to comply.

Don't worry, there are devices out there to secure the suppressor without the need to thread the barrel or, at the very least, the adaptor can be pinned and welded on.

Almost forgot to add: They are still going to be fairly loud without subsonic ammo. If you are talking a range situation, be sure to use the proper ammunition. Regular ball has exposed lead at its base and will give you airborne lead particles. Almost all ammo has traces of 'bad stuff' in it. Especially in an air-space that is shared with an eating area like a kitchen or table, you must account for this. For home defense, I don't believe that you can equip yourself with NFA machinery to defend yourself. If you were legally able, I still wouldn't. Imagine explaining yourself to the family of the 'poor drug addict' that you put holes in. The advantage you gain is marginal compared to the risk.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

If you don't, you'll need a thumbhole stock or some other gizmo to comply.

That doesn't count anymore. To put a suppressor on an AR, you have two choices:

1. Buy a pre-ban AR.
2. Use something like the FAB-10 reciever which makes the AR a fixed magazine firearm, so AW ban doesn't apply.

You will not be able to fire the AR without hearing protection, even outside. The suppressor quietens the gasses coming out the muzzle, but that is not all of the noise. The .223 is supersonic, so you get a loud crack. The action cycling is extremely loud and the gases escaping through the chamber add to that noise. If you put a .22LR adapter in the AR, you can reduce the action noise significantly, but the suppressor may or may not be as effective since it was designed for the .223. My AR/M16 suppressor works pretty good with a .22LR adapter, sounding about as loud as a pellet gun.

One thing in looking for a suppressor is it's method of operation. You do not want one that is "wet" or has a fixed life of a few hundred rounds before needing the internals replaced. ATF considers a single component of a suppressor to be a complete suppressor, so you cannot stock replacement parts at home. So if you need to replace the wipes, you must ship it to a licensed manufacturer to do the work.

Most people do not recommend using NFA weapons for home or personal defense due to the stigma it places on the incident. One added complication that you don't really need to deal with following a use of deadly force.

Before acually buying a NFA weapon, study the regulations. It is very easy to get into violation with ATF's interpretation and wind up in trouble.

 

[Anthony]

Normally I would agree with you about using suppressed weapon for home defense, but I live in Texas. People are routinely "no billed" by grand juries for shooting unarmed burglers for "theft of property" with so called assault weapons like the AR-15. Just off the top of my head I can think of two such cases here in the Dallas area in the past two years alone. I sincerely doubt the suppressor would make a difference.

Does anyone have any specific brand and model suggestions?

This is really what I am after.

- Anthony

 

[gun-fucious]

you might be able to GT bilock both the 22lr and the .223 and use one gemtech on both

heres some data:
http://www.impactguns.com/store/silencers.html

 

[Nero Steptoe]

"For home defense, I don't believe that you can equip yourself with NFA machinery to defend yourself. .."

I don't believe that there are any statutes or case law describing what kind of weapon may/maynot be used in legitimate cases of self-defense.

 

[curt]

KACs M4QD- reduction of 28dB (w/855)
STW M4 3L- 30 db (w/subsonic)
Gemtech M4-96D 18db (w/855), 35 db(w subsonic)
Spec Op viper 3016 16db (855)
spec op viper 3014 27 (855)

 

[El Tejon]

Nero, it depends (doesn't it always).

Anthony, like 1911s or ARs, there are several excellent makers on the market today. Gemtech, IME, is outstanding.

Your neighborhood NFA dealer might be willing to help on the condition that you are serious about putting the Benjamins down and not just kicking tires. Have you asked to drop the coin and have him take you shooting?

 

[Handy]

The legality question comes up constantly on HK boards. The BATF does consider the suppresor a flashhider, so it cannot go on your post ban AR. It could go an a Mini-14, though.

 

[jthuang]

You could fix it to a legal full auto rifle. The 1994 Crime Bill restricts evil features on semi-autos only.

Not a legal opinion, etc.

Justin