My first suppressor on the AR platform

Just about a decade ago, everyone I knew, hated the AR-15.  OK maybe “hated” is a bit of a stretch, but they poo-pood the idea of the AR platform, in favor of the “bigger, more reliable and better AK”. According to those in the know the 5.56 and .223 wasn’t accurate enough, didn’t have a good enough track record or just wasn’t in the same league as the 7.62 x 39 cartridge. Then there was the dissimilar metals argument surrounding the aluminum verses steel construction on the AR platform.

It seems as though those in the know didn’t know much about marketing, geopolitical presence, the benefit of having a contract with the most capable Armed Forces on the planet or just the AR platform in general. The AR-15 has since become an almost annoying trend in the firearms industry and has easily become the most American of guns, catering to the wealth and lifestyle of many shooters in America. The AR platform’s modularity lends the gun well to customization and accessorizing, but does not require any specific “gunsmithing” skills. Whole industries have been built around a single add-on part for the AR platform.   The 5.56 and the .223 cartridge, while not particularly massive, do produce a heavy sound signature for a couple of reasons. Firstly there is a lot of powder charge behind that tiny projectile, and secondly the projectile itself is not sub sonic so the sound of the bullet breaking the sound barrier is a byproduct.

Before I completely settled in California I have the opportunity to own a suppressor under the tax stamp regulation. Many people don’t realize that it’s never been illegal to own a “machine gun” or a “silencer”; however as I’ll explain now, such items are available to many of the citizens of the United States, specifically these items are not federally banned simply regulated. To make a long story short prior to 1934 and the national firearms act usually referred to as the NFA, it was easy and shall he possible to walk into a general or hardware store and buy a Tommy gun. In fact there is little or no exaggeration about this. But as a result of Mafia proliferation and the even more prolific use of automatic weapons like the Tommy gun, the rest of America got the short end of the stick, effectively taking away the easy purchase and registration of certain firearms including automatic weapons, explosive and destructive devices, very large caliber weapons and suppressors. Instead of being able to buy them at the local five and dime the federal government decided to present the firearm owner who wished to have these devices (in many cases) with a tax stamp regulation on the items. This tax stamp cost $200 and involved a special form to register the specific device or firearm so that the regulators could track down the weapon more easily if it was used in a nefarious manner. Essentially the decision as to whether or not a law-abiding citizen can own an NFA style device or firearm, is left up to the individual states and municipalities who in some cases have laws that trump the federal law on the matter. For example in California you may not be able to own a silencer, but in Arizona a suppressor is a relatively common piece of hardware.

I use the terms silencer and suppressor interchangeably in this article, because the perception by many is that a suppressor is in fact a silencer. However a silencer is a misnomer, most projectiles fired out of modern cartridges would be incredibly difficult to actually silence. The term “silencer” is one spurred on by Hollywood and demonized by gun grabbers. In all reality, a suppressor is simply a device which lowers the sound level of a specific cartridge and/or weapon system for a variety of reasons. A military sniper might use a suppressor to hide a flash, muzzle report or sound in general, etc. A Hunter might use a suppressor to avoid spooking a herd so his hunting partner can take a shot on a separate animal as well. A homeowner might use a suppressor in a county where shooting on your property is legal but where they know the neighbors don’t enjoy the sound of freshly fired rounds. An incredibly protective father or mother might use a suppressor to help their children learn to shoot without excess hearing protection, instead using minimal protection for better comfort or longevity. Whatever your reason for suppressor use, there is no shortage of catalysts.

Most of the noise in the function of a firearm comes from the primary ignition and the supersonic speed of a projectile. The goal of a suppressor is to reposition, contain, slow down and re-circulate the hot gas that follows a projectile out of the barrel. This is achieved through the use of engineered baffles which capture and force the gases into different pathways effectively dampening the sound signature associated with them. The speed of sound from a rough perspective is just above 1100 ft./s, with altitude plane a role as air density changes. So in reality, you will need subsonic ammunition to avoid the sonic crack sound.  As of yet, the .223 and 5.56 don’t come in commercially available loads which are subsonic and cycle the action of the AR system, but they are attempting to get some to market as we speak.

The Suppressor

My first suppressor was a surefire FA556K which I paid around $1050 with the stamp (I’m quite sure they have changed a bit and now they likely fetch $1450 or so MSRP).

It was a QD system, made both specifically FOR the AR platform, and yet, able to accept adapters for other rifles and carbines. It’s a relatively small suppressor adding just about 3.5 inches to the OAL of an M-4 style carbine and it was made with 13 baffles, featuring a lifetime Surefire suppressor warrantee.  The AR platform is perfect for suppressors, but it isn’t the “be all end all” for the platform, rather a useful addition, especially for those in combat or in law enforcement, where regular use is acceptable.  The sound of the rifle is brought down to acceptable levels, but I’m sure newer bigger models will certainly do better for sound. I was able to sell/transfer mine for the same price I paid for it when I bought mine, around $1k, and my only experience since with a surefire suppressor has been one my brother uses for a larger caliber rifle (on the AR platform as well), also a pleasurable experience.  There will be several entries into this suppressor category of stories to help those who don’t understand them well, how to understand the suppressor.

The AR platform

It’s about flexing your constitutional rights and getting the most of the gun experience, the federal Government has never outlawed suppressors and they probably won’t be able to any time soon, as it’s a self regulating industry, and it’s rare that a criminal steals one for use on the street, despite what some gun grabbers will tell you. If you want something to take your gun built on the AR platform to the next level, explore the idea of a sound suppressor, because you are getting a workhorse “accessory” capable of more than just sound suppression.

Read more at NetGunsmith.com