Heads up: The Burris XTR PS 5-30X56

October 27, 2026Opticsburris, burris optics, rifle scope, xtr, xtr pscoldboremiracle

Preface

You ever pull up to a stoplight next to a sleeper? And when the light turns green, a seemingly unimpressive car opens wide and disappears into a cloud of exhaust? Well, keep that in mind today as we discuss our topic today. A hands on review of the Burris XTR PS 5-30×56 precision rifle scope. We’ll see what the scope has feature-wise and how it stands up against other comparable options. And whether or not this XTR is worth the squeeze.

the Burris XTR PS mounted on my **Desert Tech SRS M2**

Burris has long been a big name in American sport optics, and they’ve always been on my radar. Their XTR line has produced a variety of optics focused on precision and tactical style shooting. So when this new XTR PS model showed up on my radar, I was keen to see what the folks in Greeley had come up with this time.

The Burris XTR PS 5-30

According to the manufacturer, the XTR PS is built for precision and designed for extreme long-range performance. That sounds great for marketing, but we will see if this scope has the features to fit, and the performance to stand behind the statement.

the .223 chambering gave plenty of room for making corrections

Tube Structure

Built on a 34mm tube made from 6061 T6 aluminum, the XTR sports a large 56mm objective lens to draw-in and compress your imagery. ED glass is used in the lenses, to increase the quality of the images seen through the XTR.

On the ocular end of the scope you will find a traditional diopter used to focus on the reticle, as well as the magnification ring to zoom the scope. The 6X zoom takes you from 5X up to 30X at max power for better definition of targets and their surroundings.

The Erector Housing

The XTR PS erector housing contains the flagship features of the scope. The elevation turret gives a fairly common 26 MRAD of available elevation adjustment, but it isn’t just any elevation turret. The XTR PS uses Burris’ PĒK elevation turret (programmable elevation knob), a digital click-free turret that shows 1/10 MRAD values but can adjust as small as 1/30 of an MRAD. With 20 MRAD of elevation available on the first turn, there is no need for a second rotation.

The PĒK system works together with a heads up display (HUD) that is seen through the scope together with its CSR2 reticle. The HUD shows a variety of important information that you can customize to your needs.

burris, xtr ps, 5-30x56, burris optics, battery, cr123, — installing the CR123 battery

Removing parallax from the image is done with a traditional side focus knob on the left side of the housing. And stacked on that you will find the control panel of the XTR, which features three rubber push-buttons to operate the system. A CR123 lithium cell is stored vertically under the control panel, that threads on similar to other caps. A capped windage turret can be covered or left open for use while shooting.

The Internal Heads Up Display (HUD)

Inside the heads up display there is a customizable set of data. Some data points can be adjusted using either the Burris Connect App, or manually using the control pad. The most prominent numbers displayed is the elevation or distanced set on the PĒK elevation turret. Setting the scope to display either dialed dope or the equivalent distance can be programmed. So be it MRAD or yards you can see exactly what you’re elevation is set to front and center. This output can also apply an angle compensation feature as well if you desire.

On the right side of that you can see a battery life indicator, a wind hold recommendation and a shot timer. The wind hold is calculated off of the wind speed and direction you set in the scope, and is then quantified by the distance or elevation you dial for any given distance. As with the shot timer, you can set it for any given amount of time for a competition stage, allowing you to see how much time you have left as you navigate through your string of shots.

A programmable bubble level is seen at the bottom between the wind hold on the right, and the wind speed and direction on the left. Density altitude is shown at the top left, and you guessed it; you can adjust it as needed from either the app or the control pad.

Connectivity and the Burris Connect App

Programming the XTR PS is best done from the Burris Connect App. It gives you incredible dexterity to adjust the settings of the scope. As mentioned above you can customize the data displayed on the HUD, as well as other ballistic information.

The app allows you to store various profiles for different rifles and calibers, as well as upload and update the ballistic information for them. There is an exhaustive amount of information that you can put in, enough that the app almost deserves its own article to go over everything.

burris, burris connect, application, app,

Ballistic data can be input using the app, and then uploaded to the scope to be used for the distance dialed display. Obviously this can be a little touchy as some of us are pretty particular when it comes to what chews out our numbers. But I was able to true the Connect app to very closely mimic my other ballistic software enough to be within a click or two.

you can customize the output of a drop chart within the app as well

I’m more of a shooting nerd than a technology nerd, so I only used the app as much as I needed to get the data I required into the XTR. Once that was accomplished, I was ready to head to the range.

Specifications


Purpose	Precision and long-range shooting
PĒK Elevation Knob	Programmable Elevation Knob; clickless digital elevation adjustment
Elevation Resolution	1/30 MIL
Elevation Per Revolution	Up to 20 MIL
Heads-Up Display	Integrated HUD displays shooting and environmental data
HUD Data	Dial-to-distance, wind hold, wind speed/direction, digital level, density altitude, angle compensation, battery status, match timer
BurrisConnect	Bluetooth connectivity for creating and uploading ballistic profiles
Ballistic Profiles	Custom profiles with more than 20 density-altitude curves
Reticle	SCR 2 illuminated MIL
Reticle Type	First focal plane (FFP), tree-style
Illumination	Dual-color red/green
Optical System	ED glass with Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses
Main Tube	One-piece 34mm tube
Main Tube Material	6061-T6 aluminum
Zero Stop	Zero-turn stop / zero-click-stop adjustment
Windage	0.1 MIL adjustments
Parallax	Side-focus parallax adjustment
Digital Level	Built-in electronic rifle cant/bubble level
Match Timer	Built-in competition countdown timer
Controls	Soft-touch buttons for HUD/menu operation
Waterproofing	IPX7
Fogproof	Nitrogen-filled
Shockproof	Yes
Battery	CR123A
Magnification Options	5.5-30
Tube Diameter	34mm

Unboxing

Inside the thick box of the XTR PS, I found a variety of accessories. A sunshade would be handy in some cases, and I always appreciate manufacturers including them. There was a set of flip caps, tools, and some literature. Also included is an extra windage turret, should you wish to remove the smaller and capped windage turret for a fully exposed style. Everything I needed, and nothing I didn’t.

Mounting

I would end up mounting the Burris XTR PS 5-30×56 on two different rifles (so far). The first rifle was my Desert Tech SRS M2, which is where I test many different optics. The reliability and predictable performance from the rifle makes it an excellent test bed. I used a 34mm one piece scope mount for a solid connection, and torqued down the ring caps keeping the scope level.

the SRS M2 is seen here with a 223 Conversion and Wolfpack Armory Romulus suppressor

Later I would transfer the XTR to my custom Bergara 7 PRC, which has a bit more range. And gave plenty of opportunity to test the long-range capabilities of the Burris.

Range Testing the Burris XTR PS

My testing of the XTR PS would take place over the course a several months, and various range trips and the wild open country of the west. Both host rifles get used pretty often, especially this time of year. Testing basic functions like repeatability and tracking were important, but I also wanted to see how the signature features of the scope functioned. Testing all these different features would take a little longer than normal.

the PĒK elevation turret is a little different than what you might be used to

Optical Clarity

Perhaps the most important aspect of a good scope is the image quality as seen through it. All the bells and whistles it may have fall to the wayside if the optical performance is sub par. My past experiences with Burris optics has been good. Like products from any manufacturer, the higher end products are typically better than the cheaper options. The XTR PS being one of Burris’ most expensive optics, I was expecting it to look very good.

My expectations were on the mark, as the image seen through the XTR PS looks as good as I would have expected it to. I have yet to own a rifle scope that looks as bright and clear at maximum magnification as it does at 90-95 percent magnification. And this one is no different, at 30X it does suffer a bit of brightness loss, and maybe some resolution. Thats one of the reasons I occasionally like overpowered optics. A 5-30 might have a slightly degraded image at 30X, but it looks outstanding at 25X. I rarely use scopes at max power anyways, and with the Burris XTR PS I frequently found the power ring set at 20X or less.

As for its HUD, I was initially concerned it might block some of my view. But those worries quickly evaporated on the range. I did find there was a tiny bit of difference in the eyebox to see the HUD entirely. I found the eyebox itself to be perfectly suitable, but if you weren’t perfectly lined up some of the HUD can become obscured. This is a small concern, just one I thought I’d mention.

Reliability

One concern when adding technology and specifically electronics to my rifle scopes, is how it will last. First off I must state the obvious; the mechanical functions of the XTR have no dependance on the electronics. If the battery dies, the scope continues to work like any other.

no clicks is another thing I had to get used to

There is surprising simplicity in the PĒK elevation turret, no built in parts or zero-stop parts. It is a simple one-turn turret, with very little to go wrong. The lack of clicks is a bit uncanny to those who have always felt them, but smooth is fast I hear. Setting zero is simple, and gives you a hard stop, maxing out at 20 MRAD of elevation.

I like that you can run the windage turret capped if you like, or if you prefer to dial for wind, you can either remove the cap, or swap out the turret entirely for an exposed version. Tracking of the XTR was great, though I did notice a .09 MRAD disparity across the 20 MRAD of total travel when compared to the internal display.

the push-button controls of the XTR are simple and easy to learn

Parallax adjustment is quite broad, which allows precise reticle contrast with the target, and little things like an ocular locking ring keep things put right where you want them. It would have been a massive miss for Burris not to make the electronics timeout and power down. As it never fails that whatever runs on batteries will die when you need it most. Both the HUD and illuminated reticle have a user adjustable timeout feature so they don’t discharge the battery.

Ergonomics and Controls

I found the magnification ring to be a touch stiffer than I would like, but its not bad. The PĒK elevation turret is also a touch stiffer than I expected, but that probably better. Especially with no clicks, as you don’t want it to get moved inadvertently. I expect that these controls will likely wear-in a bit over time, but even if they don’t, I can live with them just fine.

shooting the 7PRC supported on the **Two Vets Tripod**

The rubberized control pad is pretty simple considering all it can do. I like that it only has three buttons, so as not to make things too complicated. They are stiff enough to not be too easily pushed, and tactile enough that you can easy navigate them while on the scope, or in complete darkness. You can edit many of the scopes features using just the three buttons, as well as turn on and off certain features. Igniting the reticle can be done, and adjust brightness using the same button pad. You can also change settings using the phone app, even in the field with no service.

The SCR 2™ XTR PS Reticle

The world of reticles has changed greatly since I started looking through scopes, and Burris’ SCR 2 reticle joins the trend of Christmas tree style reticles. With a broadening grid allowing you to make fast corrections on the fly. With .2 subtensions and a .1 MRAD side scale, it allows for precise measuring of downrange antagonists. Reticle preference is quite subjective, so it can vary quite a bit between shooters. Some might like the Christmas tree style while others prefer Michelle Obama’s Holiday tree.

a look at the illuminated portion of the reticle

I occasionally find them a little busier than I would prefer, but I can certainly work with this one. I also like that just a small portion of the center illuminates, which doesn’t overwhelm they eye with light in a lowlight situation. Users can select red or green illumination.

Heads Up Display

For a guy like me who grew up watching movies in the 80’s and 90’s, a heads up display on a riflescope seems pretty neat. Kinda makes me feel like Billy Zane shooting a PSG1 or something opposite Tom Berenger with a nonsense reticle straight out of a video game.

But the Burris HUD is actually quite useful, allowing you to spend more time on the scope. Removing many of the reasons we sometimes take our good eye off the target. I found it didn’t get in my way, and many times when I was just looking for and at targets it wasn’t even illuminated anyway.

I can see how the timer would be very handy in a competition situation, allowing you to pace your shooting. And the wind hold recommendations are pretty handy, though I often wonder if you can ever update wind fast enough to truly make a difference. As fickle as the wind is though, its nice to have a starting place.

And if you set the scope for distance output instead of reading out MRAD, you’re bound to be even faster in transitions. And the icing on the cake is you can adjust the density altitude on the fly, as the day warms up you can true your distance settings. All this while keeping the whole rifle level with its digital bubble level.

Value

This is where it really comes down to what you want in life. Scopes in this price range typically are for those of us who could claim a rifle as both a spouse and dependent on this years taxes. It is certainly not the kind of scope a casual shooter would likely purchase for their recreational plinking. The Burris XTR PS is more geared towards professional and competitive shooters. And much like the sleeper car I mentioned at the beginning, the XTR PS might look like just another scope. But it is packed with technology that can speed up your shooting and transition between targets. And speaking on looks, I am glad that the XTR kept the traditional shape and look of a rifle scope. Often times when electronics are introduced, our scopes morph into something unsightly that would go well with parachute pants and shoulder pads.

Only you can decide if the XTR PS is worth it’s $2300 street price. There aren’t many other scopes out there that offer what this one does, and if you learn to use it properly I expect it would be well worth the money.

Pros and Cons

Beautiful optical performance	Onboard electronics
PĒK Programable elevation turret	Not legal for hunting in some states
20 MRAD elevation- no need for more
Heads Up Display- live data feed
Broad Parallax adjustment
Auto Shutdown for electronics
Illuminated SCR 2 reticle- for fast corrections
Easily integrated ballistics
Single turn turret- nothing to mess up
Bluetooth connection to app
Made in America
Included extras (shade, wind turret)
Heavy duty XTR construction

* could be seen as a negative (but not for me)

My Conclusion

There was a time where I didn’t want electronics in my scope, but the Burris XTR PS is rapidly changing my mind. I can totally see why the features of this scope would be beneficial in any situation where making fast shots and transitioning between targets could happen. Competition and sport shooting seem like the most likely place, but could be used anywhere of course. I could also see how some might still not be convinced, and would prefer a traditional analog scope.

I really like this scope, it looks great both outside and throughout. It has some very innovative functions made by Americans right here in the west. It has been reliable and accurate in its travels and predictions, with a commensurate optical performance for its price point. Will it win you any competitions? Hard to say, but it has proven to be a very valuable tool to make quick and accurate shots. These are definitely worth a look if you are in the market for a good scope.

-CBM

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A Must Have: Olight Oclip 2

October 18, 2026Electronics and Tech, Product reviewflashlight, light, oclip, oclip 2, olightcoldboremiracle

Introduction

If you are a handyman or outdoorsman of any capacity, then this one is for you. I have spent most of my life enjoying the wild country of the west, and doing so at night requires light. Flashlights are a must have necessity for outdoorsman and hunters, and today I am bringing you one of my latest favorites. Our topic today is the Olight Oclip 2, a battery powered variable output light that is compact, powerful and ready to move with you.

Olight, oclip, oclip 2, flashlight, led, articulating, light, — as is usual with Olight, a very nice packaging and instructions are included

The Oclip 2 is a rechargeable compact light source, with an articulating robust clip from whence it draws its name. In addition to the articulating clip, the the head of the light also is articulating. Between the two motions, you can clamp the Oclip 2 to most anything, and point light wherever you might need it.

Shop all Olight Oclips on Optics Planet

The multi output head has a flood, spot and red/UV emitter. this allows you again to customize the light to your specific needs. The base of the Oclip is magnetic, which in typical Olight fashion help attach it to a charging base. And the Oclip 2 comes with a charging base that affixes to the light itself. The two pieces together are still smaller than many other flashlight options.

Olight, oclip, oclip 2, flashlight, led, articulating, light, chargiger, charging base, — the Oclip 2 attached to its charging base

Specifications

Feature	Specification
Light sources	White floodlight, white spotlight, red light, UV light
Maximum floodlight output	580 lumens
Maximum spotlight output	450 lumens
Maximum spotlight distance	130 meters
Red light output	40 lumens
UV output	Up to 800 mW
UV wavelength	365 nm
Battery	Built-in 600 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion
Charging	USB-C and magnetic charging
Maximum runtime	144 hours (moonlight mode)
Floodlight medium output	100 lumens
Floodlight medium runtime	3.5 hours
Adjustable head	Tilts up to 115°
Rotating clip	360° rotation
Mounting	Spring clip and dual magnets
Body material	OAL aluminum
Dimensions	2.37 × 1.10 × approximately 1.38 inches
Weight	2.80 oz
Water and dust resistance	IP66
Drop resistance	2 meters
Special features	Multiple lighting modes, adjustable beam direction, OclipBeat ambient indicator
Available colors	Olive green, onyx black, amber orange
Standard MSRP	$69.99

Using the Oclip 2

I have used the Oclip 2 for several months now, and during my hunting season every day. The strong clip of the Oclip allows you to easily attach it to your shirt collar, backpack straps, or the brim of your hat. The large clip gets a good bite of whatever you attach it to, and holds on well enough to stay put. For example, attached to the brim of my hat, and riding miles through rough terrain on ATV’s didn’t phase it a bit. Staying put and pointed right where I set it.

Olight, oclip, oclip 2, flashlight, led, articulating, light, hat, headlamp, headlight, hands free, oclip 2 attached to hat brim, — I very frequently use the Oclip 2 as a headlamp, attached just like this to my hat

Around camp it was also very helpful. When set in flood mode I found it perfect to illuminate directly in front of me while gathering firewood or cooking over the fire. The spotlight feature gives additional brightness at distance for investingating creepy sounds in the dark of the forest. And while I hiked miles through dark forest moving to my hunting spot, the red illumination was perfect for keeping a low profile until the sun arrived.

Olight, oclip, oclip 2, flashlight, led, articulating, light, compact, oclip 2 in palm of hand, — USB-C charging jack is also built in, so you can charge it without the base.

The small selector can be rotated on the side of the body, there are three positions to use the flood, spot, and red features. Pushing and holding the button will cycle the light through various brightness settings until you get to the one you prefer. And the flexible emitter head can be folded out to aim the light as you desire.

Olight, oclip, oclip 2, flashlight, led, articulating, light, compact, red light, — red illumination prevents wiping out your night vision

Also while working inside the toolbox of my truck, looking for things was easy by sticking the magnetic base of the Oclip to the side of the tool box. The same could be done working under the hood of the truck, and while changing a tire on my trailer in the darkness. The strong magnet held tight to the trailer frame keeping our work area lit up while we changed a tire.

Olight, oclip, oclip 2, flashlight, led, articulating, light, magnetic base, — he magnetic base also allows you to use it for working on the car, or fixing plumbing under the kitchen sink

The battery life on the Oclip 2 is impressive, I have yet to run it dead yet. I keep it charged during the day, and then use it for several hours during the dark hours of the day.

Olight, oclip, oclip 2, flashlight, led, articulating, light, compact, mechanic, tire change, — the Oclip 2 sticks neatly to the frame of my trailer when we had to change a spare in the dark

My Verdict

The Olight Oclip 2 is a FANTASTIC tool to keep in your vehicle. When you need it, you will be so glad to have it. I found that during the weeks of my hunting season, it was the only light I needed. Despite having others, I kept using the Oclip 2 out of convenience. If you do any of the activities I mentioned, or something similar, you will likely love this little light source.

-CBM

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3D Printed Progeny: Wolfpack Armory Remus 30 suppressor

October 16, 2026Product review, suppressors30 caliber, 3d, 3d printed, dmls, low backpressure, radial flow, remus, remus 30, suppressor, titanium, wolfpack armorycoldboremiracle

Preface

If you’ve followed me for long, you’ve probably seen me using the Wolfpack Armory Romulus 556 suppressor. The Romulus uses a reduced backpressure radial flow design that is specifically helpful for gas operated semi-automatics. Today I bring you Romulus’ big brother, the Remus 30 caliber, which is essentially a scaled up version for larger caliber arms. The Wolfpack Armory Remus 30 suppressor incorporates grade 5 titanium and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) more commonly called 3D printed construction. This allows the elaborate and effective design of these two suppressors.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, packaging, unboxing,

Having used the Romulus all summer long, I have become a huge fan of its performance. It was only a matter of time before I would have to step up and get the Remus to go with it.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, packaging, unboxing, romulus, 5.56, — the Remus 30 (left) and its smaller sibling the Romulus 5.56 (right)

Wolfpack Armory’s Remus 30

I mentioned that the Remus 30 is of a DMLS design, which unfortunately means you cant really see what it looks like inside unless you want to split it. But what you can see is interesting, especially when combined with it other features.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, hub, 1.375x24, plan b, hub mounting, — the curious muzzle design of the Remus 30, and the hub compatible breech end (right)

Printing the Remus from 6AL-4V Titanium gives it some very appreciable qualities. It weighs only 11-ounces as a result, which is less than its smaller sibling (made from Inconel). This version of titanium uses alloys of aluminum and vanadium to increase its strength and resistance. All of these features are great for a rifle suppressor, especially one you plan on carrying for any amount of time.

Not a Wolfpack Armory suppressor, but to show you how interesting the technology has made design

A fascinating design can be done using the DMLS technology, but looks are only cool so long as they improve performance in this game. The interesting facets of the muzzle on the Remus are designed to reduce both flash and report from the host. Curious shapes and vent holes direct gas flow in disruptive paths to slow its escape. And the tiny sections of holes around the outer edge of the Remus also allow gas to escape.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, tools, hub mounting, hub, install, plan b, nighthowler, — the Remus 30 comes with wrenches to tighten and remove hub mounts

As with any cutting edge suppressor, the Remus 30 uses the industry standard 1.375 x 24 hub threads. This means that you can completely customize the way the Remus attaches to the host firearm. It comes with their own Nighthowler muzzle brake and Plan B compatible hub, which again broadens your options.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, tools, hub mounting, hub, install, plan b, nighthowler, muzzle brake, flash hider, — the **Nighthowler Plan B hub mount** that comes with the Remus 30

Specifications


Caliber	Up to .30 caliber
Length	6.5 inches
Diameter	1.70 inches
Weight	11.1 ounces
Material	6AL-4V Titanium
Construction	3D-printed / DMLS
Mounting Interface	HUB compatible
Mount Thread	1.375×24
Intended Use	Precision rifles / Gas Operated Semi-Autos
MSRP	$1,049

Hosts and Hunting

I couldn’t wait to get the Remus into my rotation. I obviously couldn’t use the Romulus on my larger calibers, so when the Remus showed up I was quick to deploy it with various rifle hosts. The very first was on an 11.5-inch Desert Tech WLVRN chambered in 300Blk. The large size of the Remus, and it various ports made the Blackout sound fantastic. And even with the short 11.5-inch barrel we detected no flash .

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, desert tech, micron, WLVRN, 300Blk, trijicon, MRO, — the Desert Tech WLVRN Micron, an 11.5-inch 300Blk SBR. Thats a **Trijicon MRO** on a Unity mount

I would also use the Remus on a couple bolt-action hunting rifles. The first one a Bergara Premier Canyon chambered in 308 Winchester. And the second was my custom Bergara Premier carbon cannon chambered in 7mm PRC. Having first checked with WPA armory about maximum cartridge recommendations, to which they said a 300WM or smaller should be fine. Both rifles sounded fantastic with the Remus in place, and its compact size and weight would be handy while hiking through the Rocky Mountains.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, bergara, premier, — two of the bolt-action rifles that hosted the Remus, the **Bergara Premier Canyon 308**, and my Custom Bergara 7PRC

And because the Remus is optimized for gas operated semi-autos, I also put it to good use on a SCAR 17S DMR rifle. As well as my Desert Tech WLVRN, both rifles being chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.

FN, FN Herstal, SCAR, SCAR 17, SCAR 17S, SCAR Heavy, DMR, 6.5 Creedmoor, vector optics, wolfpack armory, silencer, suppressor, remus 30, — the **FN SCAR 17S DMR rifle** was fantastic with the Remus 30 installed

Shooting the Wolfpack Armory Remus 30

Over the course of a couple months, I would shoot through the Remus on various occasions. Indoors and outdoors and in various different scenarios, mainly it was during the testing of the various firearms mentioned and getting them ready for hunting season. Different atmospheric conditions offered interesting results, as the warm and dry desert contrasts against cold and damp air at nine-thousand feet ASL. Like other DMLS suppressors I have, the Remus made an interesting shower of sparks at the beginning. A suppressor made from titanium powder is bound to have some residual left inside, making an interesting show until they are all consumed in the heat.

Sound Suppression

Part of the curious design of the WPA Remus 30 is it interesting front end. Departing from the traditional simple hole in the end cap, the Remus uses a variety of escape ports. The center hole is obviously designed for the bullet to emerge, but further geometries around it add turbulence to the exiting gases. Causing variations in flow of the gas volume as it escapes adding restrictions in its overall speed.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, bergara, carbon fiber, 7mm PRC, 7 prc, custom, Burris, burris optics, XTR, XTR PS, 5-30x56 — this setup is a killer, the **Burris XTR PS scope** completes the rifle and can, all supported neatly by the **Two Vets Tripod**

Additionally, with its multi-port end cap, the Remus allows various different flows of gas to escape at the same time. Watching these gas flows captured on camera shows different streams perhaps even colliding as they escape the Remus. The resulting sound is a much lower pitch than traditional suppressors. Instead of a sharp hiss when fired, there is a slightly lower frequency. Almost like a regular suppressor was placed under a pillow or something when fired.

Recoil and Signature Reduction

Adding a suppressor usually helps reduce recoil on a given firearm. The Remus adds both some weight, and reduction in escaping gas pressure. This helps reduce recoil felt by the shooter and helps keep the host rifle steady on the target area. The Remus gave a noticeable reduction in recoil on all hosts tested.

With its diffused pressure profile, the Remus also is less likely to give you away. Most of the time we use suppressors for anonymity, and spreading the suppressor exhaust over a wider area makes dust and other debris less likely to show disturbance.

Gas Blowback

One of the major design features of the Remus, is its reduced backpressure. The internal design of the suppressor uses rotational geometry to spin the gas flow bringing it to a lower speed before exiting. Traditional baffles have a little more of a hard pushback with one wall of resistance after another. By allowing the gas pressure more room to expand in the can while still reducing its exit speed, the Remus forces less gas back into the action. the golden calf of semi-auto suppression is not having ANY backflow of gas into the action of the host. I have found its near impossible to stop it from happening, but reducing it is a valiant effort. The Remus does a better job than most

FN, FN Herstal, SCAR, SCAR 17, SCAR 17S, SCAR Heavy, DMR, 6.5 Creedmoor, vector optics, wolfpack armory, silencer, suppressor, remus 30, shooting rifle from bench,

Accuracy

Adding weight and reducing movement of the rifle is usually a good thing when it comes to accuracy. And I found that the accuracy of my rifles was not negatively affected by the use of the Remus. If anything, it seemed the rifles shot better with the moderating presence of the Remus 30.

recoil was significantly reduced by the suppressor

Modularity

The WPA Remus uses the standard 1.375 -24 hub pattern, which allows you to mount it however you see fit. The Plan B Nighthowler mount that came with the Remus is great, but I also used a direct thread 5/8-24 threaded hub. This modularity allows you to install the Remus on nearly any caliber compatible host. Whether it be a 5.56 AR15 or a 300WM hunting rifle.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, nighthowler, plan b, qd mount, suppressor mount, various mounting hubs laid out on the table, — **various Plan B mounts** and other hub options for the WPA Remus 30

Value

With an MSRP of $1049, the Remus isn’t exactly a beginner’s can. With incredible growth of the suppressor market at hand, there are all kinds of cheaper options out there. But what the Remus offers is worth consideration. It has a great sound reduction, and does an excellent job hushing gas guns without making them filthy. It uses cunning modern design that both looks cool and functions very well. And it is covered by a lifetime warranty, which is important with not only suppressors but particularly DMLS cans which I expect are exceptionally hard or even impossible to repair.

wolfpack armory, remus, remus 30, suppressor, dmls, 3d printed, bergara, carbon fiber, 7mm PRC, 7 prc, custom, Burris, burris optics, XTR, XTR PS, 5-30x56 shooting supported from tripod in moutains,

Pros and Cons

Low Backpressure design	I need a .33 Caliber version
Lightweight Titanium construction
Compatible with 300WM or smaller cartridges
Modular Hub mounting system
Includes Nighthowler Plan B mount
Excellent Sound reduction
Included Assembly tools
Great Lifetime Warranty

My Verdict on the Wolfpack Armory Remus 30

I consider myself a pretty big suppressor enthusiast, I’ve tried quite a few different types and designs. DMLS suppressors appear to be the future of suppressors, and the Wolfpack Armory Remus is at the front of the pack for sure. Its hard to keep up with all the latest new things, but I expect the simplicity of creating new designs will soon start eclipsing everything we know.

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The Remus is a perfect example of cutting edge technology. Its manufacturing process and design bring the price down for flow designs that were a unreachable for engineers of the recent past. This design gives a fantastic sounding report, with a lightweight presentation, and all the mounting options we have become accustomed to. If you have a household full of 30-caliber and less rifles, particularly if they are semi-auto, then the Remus 30 would be an excellent choice. And the icing on the cake is that the Remus costs at least several hundred dollars less than competitors cans like the Flow, Cat, and Velos. If that appeals to you, give the boys at Wolfpack Armory a call. Tell them I sent you, word of mouth means a lot in our degraded world.

-CBM

If you like this, then check out my review of the WPA Romulus

Prudent PCC: Panzer Arms HAN 9

October 14, 2026pistols, Product review9mm, han 9, han9, mp5, panzer, panzer usa, pausacoldboremiracle

Preface

Apparently I’m not the only one who enjoys the affordable plinking of the pistol caliber carbine (PCC). It seems like countless new and differing models pop up often to join long-time popular carbines like the CZ Scorpion and the Stribog SP9A3. It should come as little surprise then that economy brands also follow the trend. Today we are taking a look at one of those options; the Panzer USA HAN9, a nine-millimeter “pistol” that like many others is an obvious nod to adding a pistol brace to avoid the despotic NFA.

Panzer Arms USA imports a great variety of firearms from you guessed it, Türkiye. Most of their offerings are various shotguns, but the HAN 9 is a 9mm pistol that incorporates some interesting features.

The Panzer Arms HAN 9

The Panzer HAN 9 came to me new in the box, with a few accessories and magazines. The HAN 9 uses a typical blowback action, that uses a large bolt or bolt carrier to keep the action closed long enough for the bullet to escape. A captured recoil spring assembly rides behind the bolt within the square tubular receiver. Both are secured with an abutted plate secured by two take-down pins that fits neatly in the back of the receiver. There is also a section of picatinny rail on the back-plate to add a pistol-brace or stock if that the way you want to go.

Finish reading about the HAN 9 Here

Specifications


Caliber	9mm Luger / 9×19mm
Operating System	Direct blowback
Action	Semi-automatic
Barrel Length	6.5 inches
Barrel	Melonite-coated
Magazine	MP5-pattern magazines
Magazine Capacity	15–30 rounds
Muzzle	3-lug adapter and 1/2×28 threads
Overall Length	16.6 inches
Width	2.3 inches
Height	7.6 inches
Weight	Approximately 4.6 lbs.
Stock/Brace Interface	1913 Picatinny rear mount
Charging Handle	Non-reciprocating, reversible
Optic Mounting	Top Picatinny rail
Accessory Mounting	M-LOK/rail sections
Sights	Flip-up backup sights
Controls	AR-style controls
Trigger	AR-pattern compatible
Safety	Ambidextrous/reversible
Twist Rate	1:10

the **Panzer USA HAN9** right out of the box with its **MP5 magazines**

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The Primary Arms SLX prism sight and the Anechoic Fibonacci suppressor made excellent accessories for the HAN9

silencer, panzer usa, han 9, 9mm, strike industries, pistol brace, — adding the **Strike Industries pistol brace** was a perfect touch

Riflescope Review: Zero Tech Trace X 5-25

October 13, 2026Optics, Product reviewrifle scope, scope, trace, trace x, zero tech, zero tech opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

As the sea of riflescopes deepens around us, it can often be challenging to know what to pick. It seems every time I open my Instagram there is a new optics company trying to get my attention and money. And because I am both a humanitarian and a rifle-junkie, I chose to take a leap for you the reader to put eyes on all of them to gain insight for prospective buyers. Today we are looking through the brand new Zero Tech Trace X 5-25×50 riflescope. Building off of the companies Trace line of scopes, the Trace X line offers all the popular features that zealous riflemen are after.

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I’ve been using this scope now for four months, in anticipation of its official release to the market. It fits nicely into my collection of precision rifle optics, and should therefore get a good comparison to its peers. With production facilities in both Japan and China, there are Zero Tech scopes in the premium quality tier as well as more affordable options.

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Zero Tech has been around since 2018, which might not sound like a long time. Though the company maintains that their team has decades in the optic market, design and engineering. Originating in Australia, Zero tech has spread quickly across the rapidly advancing optics market to include North America, Europe and Africa. They manufacture scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and smaller sights like red dots.

The Zero Tech Trace X 5-25×50

The Trace X scope is built on a 34mm tube, which has become the preferred option for precision shooting aficionados. With a 50mm objective lens up front, and a 5x variable zoom the Trace X also has the power to compress great detail into your view.

I like the all metal construction, with no rubber or plastic features to get damaged. The magnification ring has a removable throw-lever, with two different mounting locations to avoid occlusions with bolt handles and fingers. There is a metal locking ring on the ocular adjustment diopter, to allow you to lock the focus which is a nice touch.

zero tech, zero tech optics, trace x, trace, 5-25x56, throw lever, — here you can see both the locking ring and the two throw lever mounting locations

On the erector housing you’ll find the typical trio of turrets. Up top there is a 10-MIL elevation turret marked with 1/10 MRAD marks. Loosening the two Allen screws allows you to remove the turret cap, exposing the zero-stop underneath. It is a very robust aluminum ring that can be zeroed at any location. The elevation turret itself has 33 MRAD of elevation in three turns of the turret.

On the right side you’ll find a capped windage turret, it too has 10MRAD per turn, but is labeled 5R or 5L depending which direction you turn it. I like having the windage capped, as I rarely dial windage outside of zeroing. Opposite the windage turret there is a battery housing and push-button control for the reticle illumination. This is stacked on top of the parallax focus adjustment in a clean seamless look which is nice.

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Trace X Specifications

Magnification	5-25X
Objective Lens	56mm
Tube Diameter	34mm
Focal Plane	First Focal Plane (FFP)
Material	6061-T6 Aluminum
Zero Stop	Yes
Turret Value	0.1 MRAD per click
Internal Elevation Adjustment	34 MRAD
Internal Windage Adjustment	17 MRAD
Parallax Adjustment Range	20m to infinity
Exit Pupil	Low: 9.5mm; High: 2.2mm
Eye Relief	97mm
Field Of View @100 Meters	Low: 8.3m; High: 1.6m
Dioptre Adjustment	-3/+2
Waterproof	IPX7
Reticle	Illuminated RMG-H

zero tech, zero tech optics, trace x, trace, 5-25x56, desert tech, wlvrn, anechoic, anechox 35, suppressor, silencer, — more testing done using my **Desert Tech WLVRN**

Mounting and Initial Impressions

Initially I planned on mounting the Trace X to my Desert Tech SRS M2. This is one of my favorite rifles, and it is boringly accurate and repeatable. Which is an excellent host when testing a scope. The SRS M2 uses a 30 MOA canted scope rail, to that I attached a set of Vortex rings that gave me perfect height for mounting the Zero Tech scope.

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Once mounted, I did a little bit of looking through the scope. My first thought was that its quite bright, and clarity was also very good. Changing magnification as I looked over the details of trees and other landscape details gave a general positive impression.

Shooting the Zero Tech Trace X

Over the course of several weeks and various trips to the range and into the mountains, we put the Trace X through its paces. We do a lot of shooting in these mountains, chasing squirrels and Marmots at high altitude and often long-range. Miles of open country covered in trees and brush also give excellent opportunities to view and engage targets through the Zero Tech scope.

glassing targets from elevation supported by the **Two Vets Tripod**

My SRS kitted out with the 6 GT barrel is one of my most reliable and predictable barrels. Which would make a very solid test platform, as I’ve got years of hard dope from shooting with many other high quality scopes.

My first trip would be a to rifle range, to get a solid zero and test some of the tracking and zero-stop. Most of that work was done at 100 yards, where I would shoot groups and make sure everything was buckled down. After I felt confident that I could drop bullets through other bullet holes with the Trace X, it was time to hit the real world range.

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In the field

Luck would have it that I would be able to test quite a variety of conditions due to some odd summer weather patterns. Not only was I able to read mirage through the triple digit heat of summer, but I’d also get to shoot through clouds and rain. Even some frozen precipitation would hit us at nine-thousand feet. And later still the haze of distant wildfires would test the sharpness of the Trace X lenses.

Some of these conditions would closely represent a typical day of deer or elk hunting in these mountains. And I like seeing how my equipment stands up in less than ideal weather.

Optical Clarity

Zero Tech uses Schott lenses which are famous for high quality image transfer. My initial impression was very positive, the image was bright and the details crisp. Whether looking at the ragged edges of bullet holes in paper, or the hair of small animals rustling in the breeze.

the RMG-H reticle as seen at low and high power

The focus/parallax has a broad sweep of adjustment, which made it easy to find the best image when focusing. Shooting the scope in early morning light as the sun rises, as well as the aforementioned clouds and smokey skies proved the Trace X’s lens quality look to me. Those of us who have been around scopes for a long time can certainly appreciate the optical performance compared to the price. We once paid two or three times the cost for scopes that offered less than this one. But as I mentioned, the sea of scopes continues to rise and competition is making a performance like this more affordable.

picking out Marmots from across a canyon as I typically do but this time using the Trace X

Reticle

Reticles can be very subjective to the shooter. I think the RMG-H reticle gives a great balance of subtensions without clogging the view within the scope. For those that prefer the Christmas tree style reticles you might prefer the RMG 2 or RMG 3 reticle.

Elevation is marked at half and whole MIL’s, numbered from 1 to 10. While the windage is subtended in .2 MIL and .5 MIL for the first 3 MIL’s and then switches to whole and half MIL’s out to 8 MIL’s. The windage is numbered even only. The open center with a dot makes for a perfectly fine aim point without cluttering the area.

Parallax and Focus

Removing parallax from your target image is easily done with the long parallax adjustment on the Trace X. Making images easily analyzed by the eye. Getting a sharp focus of both the reticle and the target can be done nicely using the Trace X’s controls. And that sharp focus makes the scope an excellent tool for precise shooting.

Repeatability

Over the course of this past summer, I’ve been able to work the knobs of this scope repeatedly. Swapping it from one rifle to another, zeroing and re-zeroing, setting the zero-stop. All this the scope does very well, staying set and tracking true. Regardless of the conditions, it went right along with whatever shooting activity I had planned for the day. Riding along on bumpy dirt roads for miles on the back of ATV’s caused no problem for the Trace X.

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Value

With an MSRP of $899, I expect the Trace X will find a following among shooters looking for value coupled with performance. The Trace X falls right into that meaty bit of the optics market with great performance to cost ratio. With all the competition, this scope has its work cut out, but it has the pedigree to do very well.

Pros and Cons

Zero Tech’s Trace X has a great set of lenses, which produces sharp images. Even in the triple digit heat of summer, I was very pleased with my ability to pick out prairie dogs through the mirage. Strong turrets with crisp clicks and a solid zero-stop make it a great choice for dialing corrections. The broad parallax adjustment gives great alignment of reticle and target, giving marksman with taste little to complain about.

The only issue I had on occasion, was the push-button illumination. While transporting a rifle in a soft case, the illumination had been turned on. I am not sure if it was me accidentally pushing the button when loading the gun into the case, or if it got bumped during transport. Either way, I was surprised to find my reticle blazing red once I got on the firing line.

My Verdict on the Trace X 5-25×50

I’ve spent several months now playing with the Trace X, and putting it to good use in the various shooting applications I enjoy. Its given the opportunity to see how this scope stands up to the many others that I often use. Perhaps the most obvious thing I’ve learned during that time is how the optics world is changing. One used to have to spend a great deal of money for a reliable precision optic with features like these. The Zero Tech Trace X is a great example of how that is no longer the case, you can get a great riflescope for a reasonable price. And you can still get the features like great optical quality, reliable tracking, great reticle, zero-stop and more. It really does make it hard to justify spending a thousand or two dollars. I expect this trend will continue, and we will see additional great optics coming from manufacturers like Zero tech.

-CBM

Check out more scope reviews here

Taurus GX4 Carry: A .380 with Attitude

September 28, 2026pistols, Product review.380acp, .380auto, 9mm, ccw, compact, GX4, Taurus, taurus usacoldboremiracle

Preface

I’ve been around the firearms market for all of my adult life, and its been very refreshing to see some brands turn their ship around. While I’ve seen both the good and bad, as well as even some ships sinking outright. Today we are looking at one of the happy stories. Taurus firearms had been considered sort of a bargain product, and their performance would sometimes leave much to be desired. It seems at least to me that Taurus USA has turned a page, as I have now had four new products from the manufacturer that have surpassed my expectations. Despite my good experiences, they still maintain a very affordable price. Today I bring you one of them, a review of the Taurus USA GX4 pistol, chambered in .380ACP.

The Taurus GX4

The Taurus USA GX4 seems to follow the same pattern as several other polymer framed striker fired pistols made in their Bainbridge Georgia facility. Besides the GX4, I have also recently reviewed the GX2, and the TX9 pistols. All of them have some commonality, such as divorced frame and trigger/sear pack. I expect this helps keep manufacturing the pistols cost down, and in some cases allows you to change the frame and swapping in the trigger/sear pack.

Additional modularity is incorporated into the GX4 design, using an interchangeable grip backstrap. Allowing you to customize your grip feel. Also like the others, the GX4 is optics ready using Taurus’ Optics Ready Option (T.O.R.O). This allows drop in fit for Holosun K series and similar optics, which I was sure to do.

top: removing the polymer optics footprint cover. Bottom: adjustable rear sight

Other neat little features like a loaded chamber indicator, accessory rail for weapon lights, and 15-round capacity make it handy for a concealed carry enthusiast. I was also intrigued as they left as many things as possible out, like a manual safety, and even a disassembly lever. Making the frame of the GX4 less obstructive with fewer things to snag while drawing.

the takedown lever was omitted from the GX4

Specifications

Feature	Specification
Caliber	.380 ACP / .380 Auto
Action	Striker-fired
Capacity	15+1 rounds
Barrel Length	3.70 inches
Overall Length	6.56 inches
Width	1.0 inch
Height	5.16 inches
Weight	21 oz., unloaded
Frame	Polymer
Backstraps	3 interchangeable
Trigger	Flat-faced, serrated
Front Sight	Fixed white-dot
Rear Sight	Fully adjustable
Optic Ready	Yes
Optic Cut	T.O.R.O., Holosun K-series footprint
Accessory Rail	MIL-STD-1913
Magazines	2 × 15-round
Slide Finish	Gas nitride
Barrel Finish	Satin black DLC
MSRP	$340.99

Unboxing and Setup

Lifting the GX4 from its polymer case, I felt that familiar grip texture like my other Taurus pistols. My immediate impression was that the grip felt a little square, something I could remedy to some degree changing the backstrap. This was easily done by pushing out a pin and lifting the backstrap from the bottom.

changing out the different backstrap options

With the GX4 came two 15-round steel magazines made by magazine giant Mec-Gar, which gives a nice sense of confidence. Because this pistol is a .380 Auto, there is a small spacer at the rear of the magazine to space the cartridges forward.

note the small spacer that sits behind cartridges in the magazine

I decided to mount both a red dot and for some purposes a weapon light. Removing the two screws that hold the polymer optics footprint cover, I found a clean spot to mount my Nutrek Optics Blade red dot sight. The rear sight has a very slight occlusion with the red dot housing, which required a tiny bit of Dremeling to allow it. I don’t cast that at the feet of either Taurus or Nutrek, sometimes things are a bit different. But after that it mounted perfectly using the two anchor pins in the slide, and the included screws. I expect the issue depends on the red dot used. For carrying in the dark, I would also use the Streamlight TLR-8 light laser combo.

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All that was left was getting a few boxes of ammunition. for that I grab a few boxes from Winchester, Fiocchi, and PMC featuring 90 and 95-grain bullets. This is actually the first .380 I’ve ever owned, so I was interested in the old power discussion about whether the little 90’s would do when it mattered.

On the Range with the Taurus GX4

My testing of the GX4 would involve carrying the pistol daily between various range trips of my own as well as with my kids. All my children grew up shooting the Taurus TX22 which has been a home run of a product, so when they see another Taurus they just assume it will be the same way.

the kids had a great time shooting the GX4

Shootability

I got used to grip of the GX4 pretty quick, the squareness feeling I mentioned didn’t seem to affect my shooting or opinion of the gun. I initially thought I would prefer the GX4 in 9mm versus the .380, and the jury is still out on that at the moment. But one thing is for sure, my kids and wife all found the GX4 much easier to operate than other compact 9mm pistols with their stiff recoil springs. The GX4’s spring is surprisingly soft.

The trigger safety is simple and effective, and the trigger feel overall is good. Predictable breaks without too many jumps or bumps in the pull. Shooting with my red dot gave a great sight picture without loosing the factory sights.

I did find with a full mag you need to make sure the mag is well seated, as it fell out on us more than once for not being seated fully.

Reliability

We had no malfunctions during testing of the Taurus GX4. The only concern I had was that it seemed a little weak on ejection, throwing brass right at you feet almost. But it never skipped a beat.

Disassembling the Taurus GX4 does require either a tool or some improvisation. Since there is no take-down lever, you’ll need either a screwdriver or something similar to rotate the take-down cam. Not a big deal but needs to be said.

I also noticed that the pistol incorporates a magazine safety. Locking out the trigger unless the magazine is seated. I understand some folks like these safety features, for me I think I’d rather not have it. But to each as they desire.

Accuracy

A good CCW pistol needs to hit where you aim, and I didn’t seem to have any trouble hitting my targets. Typical groups from 10-yards averaged around 2-3 inches. Nothing to win any competitions or anything, but suitable for many purposes.

The factory iron sight that come on the GX4 are adjustable for both elevation and windage. The rear is a serrated type to reduce reflection, and the front is a simple white dot.

Ergonomics

I already mentioned the convertible grip of the GX4, but I hadn’t mentioned the undercut trigger-guard. And there is also a single finger rib on the front, and the whole grip area features a nice texture similar to a sandpaper feel.

The magazine release is fairly small, and low profile. But I had no issue finding and pressing it during reloads. This is nice to prevent accidentally releasing the mag while carrying or manipulating it. Releasing the slide was a touch stiffer than I expected but not bad.

here you can see the loaded chamber indicator on top of the slide

Value

Again I feel a bit crazy saying this, but for as little as $260 you can get into one of the Taurus GX4 pistols. And I must say it feels like a good buy to me. It shoots well, cycles without issue, and is just plain fun to shoot. For the 9mm version you will pay a little bit more, but I am quite happy with the price to performance ratio of the Taurus GX4.

Pros and Cons

Very affordable	Red dot fitment on footprint
No malfunctions experienced	Magazine safety (maybe its just me)
Configurable grip
Simplified controls
15-round capacity
Optics ready
Loaded chamber indicator
Adjustable sights

So should you buy a Taurus GX4?

When compared to other pistols like the S&W Bodyguard or the Ruger LCP Max, the GX4 has a little competition. While it is significantly cheaper than the Bodyguard or the Glock 42, it is very comparable in price to the LCP Max. However, the GX4 offers better capacity than all the others mentioned. And to be honest, I like the looks of the GX4 better than the LCP by a hefty margin.

The Taurus GX4 .380 offers a step-up in capacity over most compact .380ACP pistols. And it both shoots and handles well, allowing smaller framed individuals an easily operated option. Its also a blast to shoot, so if you are looking for all that in a .380 pistol, you should consider this one.

-CBM

If you like this pistol, you might also like the Taurus GX2 here

Ultralight 9mm: The Anechoic Fibonacci Suppressor

September 25, 2026Product review, suppressors3d printed, 9mm, anechoic, dmls, fibonacci, suppressorcoldboremiracle

Introduction

With as much activity as there currently is in the suppressor market, it should come as no surprise that manufacturers are trying different things. Today am bringing you one of those. Anechoic has been making suppressors for several years now, and I’ve had the good fortune to use several of their products. One of their newest models is the Fibonacci 9mm suppressor, a compact and lightweight suppressor made from titanium and aluminum using new technologies. Its an interesting suppressor to say the least, but lets dive straight into the Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm suppressor.

The Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm

Why the interesting name you might ask? I suspect the design of the suppressor follows the popular mathematical sequence, or maybe they were simply fans of the famous mathematician. Either way, it sounds cool so we’ll run with it.

fresh out of the box, and disassembled with provided tools

The Fibonacci 9mm came to me with very little information due to its recent release. But I did know that it only weighed an alarmingly three ounces, less than a deck of cards. I guess you could say I was excited to see how such a thing could be done. And once I opened the box it made sense. The Fibonacci uses the same size body as Anechoic’s rimfire 22 suppressors. And inside the tube you will find an amazing core printed from titanium. The incredibly intricate core has the appearance of a roll of fencing that has been shrunk to the size of a cigar.

the Fibonacci core is a very curious design, printed from titanium

In addition to the 9mm muzzle port, the Fibonacci incorporates a series of tiny holes around the tube towards the muzzle end. In an effort to start venting pressure I assume.

The core is sandwiched between the front and rear caps of the tube, both of which are threaded into the tube. Like other Anechoic cans, the Fibonacci comes with tools to disassemble the silencer. It is threaded 1/2-28 on the hub to allow attachment to various host firearms. The Fibonacci is designed to be used without a booster, which does limit its application. According to the manufacturer, the Fibonacci can be used booster-less on some pistols provided they meet some parameters.

Specifications


Manufacturer	Anechoic
Model	Fibonacci 9 Ti
Caliber	9mm
Maximum Chambering	9mm
Material	Titanium
Length	6.1 inches
Diameter	1.6 inches
Weight	3 ounces
Sound Reduction	26 dB
Mount	Direct thread
Thread	1/2-28
Booster	Not required under prescribed host conditions
Construction	3D-printed DMLS titanium core
Finish Options	Black, FDE, or raw/in-the-white
MSRP	$548

Shooting with the Anechoic Fibonacci

As I mentioned, the manufacturer has some pretty rigid conditions for the Fibonacci to work on slide action pistols. Using things like high pressure ammo, removing mass from the slide (red dots) and so on. Initially I tried a couple different pistols, and as expected they did not cycle because they were not meeting the conditions outlined by Anechoic.

It didn’t take long for me to lose interest in trying to get additional pistols to work, so instead I decided I might just use the Fibonacci for my pistol caliber carbines (PCC) instead. Because those firearms are less affected by a suppressor, and I needed a can for my PCC’s anyways.

the configuration with my **Ruger RXM** did not work, would probably have to drop the red dot, and run 147grain ammo

For that purpose, I threaded the impossibly lightweight Fibonacci onto my new Taurus RPC. A roller-delayed 9mm PCC. Shooting a few rounds through it to see how they got along show some very interesting patterns. Likely caused by some remaining titanium dust within the core, the Fibonacci sent a radial flower of sparks out through the tube vents, making a very interesting and just plain cool shot. The sounds was a touch more than I expected, but I guess a 9mm suppressor that is the same size and weight as a 22 rimfire suppressor is going to be a bit louder.

Additionally I used the Fibonacci on another PCC, the Panzer USA HAN 9. The HAN 9 is a blowback operated gun, which I expected to also be a touch louder than the RPC. And I was right, because the blowback actions open sooner there is a bit more noise.

Sound Suppression

Minimalist suppressors often has less sound suppression. One thing I find with people after they buy their first suppressors, they often start picking more specialist suppressors. And a minimalist suppressor (shorter or smaller) with its slightly less effective sound suppression is a bit of a luxury item.

shooting the Fibonacci on the Panzer USA Han 9 with a Primary Arms micro prism sight

With such a tiny size, and incredibly light construction, I wasn’t surprised that the Fibonacci was a bit louder than other options. It was more than adequate for outdoor shooting without ear protection, but it wasn’t as quiet as my other 9mm options.

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Perhaps I’m at that point where I can justify the luxury of specific cans that are not as effective?Either way, if it was the only 9mm suppression you had, it might be enough. I am also curious as to whether or not shooting something like a subsonic 300Blk through the can would be sufficiently quiet.

Recoil

Because the Fibonacci is so small, the effect on recoil is minimal. As a matter of fact, it is so insignificant you wouldn’t even know its there if you couldn’t see it. But there is also a downside I guess since the Fibonacci doesn’t have a booster. The lack of a booster makes it difficult for slide action pistols to open and cycle. Using heavy loads is required to work them according to the manufacturer, something I was unable to replicate.

Blowback and roller-delayed carbines on the other hand worked fantastic. Since they have fixed barrels. The same way fix-barreled pistols work well with it. That is an important thing to know going in with this suppressor.

Accuracy

As 9mm firearms aren’t exactly sharpshooting ones, I couldn’t really tell if the Fibonacci enhanced or reduced accuracy of the test guns. Normally suppressor add enough weight to help settle down the host, making better shooting possible. But of course the Fibonacci weighs next to nothing, so that is a moot point.

Value

With an MSRP of $548, the Fibonacci is not what I would call an entry level suppressor. There are plenty of other 9mm suppressors for hundreds less, but as I’ve mentioned several times now, the Fibonacci sets itself apart. It stands alone in weight class, which alone would justify its price. But its also very specific in its functioning parameters, requiring a very specific setup to function. These attributes make the Fibonacci a limited use suppressor in my mind, as most other suppressors will function on most typical hosts.

the RPC is seen here with the **Strike Industries brace**, and **Vector Optics Paragon**

With that in mind, I would say the Fibonacci is a great suppressor for those looking for specialty application. If you are looking for your very first 9mm suppressor for your slide operated pistol, you might find it challenging. Whereas if you understand what is required to use it, or the conditions where it works great you will be very happy with it.

Pros and Cons

Incredibly light weight	Will not cycle with all pistols
Compact size	Not the quietest suppressor out there
Doesn’t require booster*
Handsome looks
Full disassembly for service
Handsome Cerakote finish

*booster not required when used with prescribed host conditions

Should you buy the Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm?

If you haven’t figured out yet, I think the Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm suppressor is a very cool suppressor for those willing to work with it. I will most likely keep using the Fibonacci on my PCC’s where it performs flawlessly regardless of host. Its unlikely I will use it often with pistols mainly since I usually shoot lightweight 9mm ammo on optics ready pistols which it doesn’t play well with. But if you are looking for the lightest, most compact option, you need to look at this one.

-CBM

Check out more suppressor reviews here

Rolling Out Hits with the Taurus RPC 9mm

September 23, 2026Product review, Shooting hardwarepistol caliber carbine, RPC, Taurus, taurus usacoldboremiracle

Introduction

Taurus USA continues to charge horns first into additional firearms markets in an interesting way. I have been impressed with several of their recent additions, and am certainly interested with the growing variety of their offerings. Taurus has long been a pistol manufacturer, but in the last few years they have brought everything from a hunting rifle to their very own cartridge (the .38 TPC). So I shouldn’t have been surprised when they brought out the new Taurus RPC 9mm, a roller-delayed pistol caliber carbine (PCC). It’s sold as a pistol, but we all know that these “pistols” are meant as a way to negotiate around the NFA SBR baloney.

taurus, taurus usa, RPC, pistol caliber carbine, 9mm, ammunition, strike industries, pistol brace, box, unboxing,

The RPC incorporates a great variety of features and with that classic Taurus price tag it can be quite appealing to those who enjoy the cheap plinking of a 9mm PCC. There are few guns that don’t interest me, so I am excited to bring you my presentation of the Taurus RPC today.

The Taurus RPC PCC

The RPC came to me after I had already seen it in your typical firearms media. My first impression was; how about that, a Taurus PCC. That was before i had picked it up of course, and before I found out it uses a tried an true roller-delay operating system. I actually seek out new products because I enjoy forming my own opinion without anyone else’s input.

Besides its rollers, the RPC also incorporates an AR15 style pistol grip. Which is handy should you wish to change it. A full-length picatinny rail runs the length of the receiver crest, and a small M-Lok compatible handguard extends around the small portion of barrel beyond the trunnion. The barrel itself can be swapped out using a locking cam.

Ambidextrous controls including a last-round bolt-catch and safety are handy for the left-handed. And the charging handle can be swapped from one side to the other. Perhaps somewhat controversially, the RPC uses its own 32-round polymer magazines. Many other PCC’s are designed around existing magazine designs, but there are pros and cons to each. A folding Strike Industries pistol brace comes installed on the back, which I found to be quite suitable for a stock .

taurus, taurus usa, RPC, pistol caliber carbine, 9mm, trigger, sear, lower receiver, — here you can see the details of the trigger and sear components

I was excited to see how this little “handgun” worked and performed. So it didn’t take me long to get it to the range after receiving it.

Specifications


Caliber	9mm Luger
Action	Roller-delayed blowback
Capacity	32 rounds
Barrel Length	4.5″
Barrel Thread	1/2×28
Barrel System	Quick-change
Receiver	Aluminum
Fire-Control Housing	Polymer
Controls	Fully ambidextrous
Safety	Ambidextrous
Charging Handle	Forward-mounted, non-reciprocating, reversible
Trigger	Single-stage, flat-faced
Grip	AR-15-compatible, soft rubber overmold
Handguard	M-LOK-compatible
Top Rail	Full-length M1913 Picatinny
Rear Rail	Picatinny rail section
Sling Attachment	Three QD sling points
Standard Magazine	32-round proprietary magazine
Other Magazine Options	20- and 10-round
Brace	Folding Strike Industries FSA stabilizing brace available
Weight, Without Brace	72.3 oz.
Weight, With Brace	78.7 oz.
Length, Without Brace	12.2″
Length, With Brace Extended	21″

Unboxing and Setup

Taurus packages the RPC in a cardboard box, that comes with the typical literature, action lock, and extra magazine. i pulled the gun from the box, and was immediately surprised by both the weight and size of the RPC. It was significantly lighter than I expected, and smaller too. Many blowback PCC’s are quite heavy due to their massive bolts required for the operation. The RPC clearly doesn’t need that with its roller system.

Initial thoughts went like this; The rubberized grip felt fantastic, giving excellent purchase on the gun. The magazines slip in nicely and lock-up tight, and all the controls felt perfectly serviceable. The one thing I did not like was how stiff the charging handle was. Without shouldering the brace it was borderline uncomfortable to pull the charging handle back.

The short barrel was threaded 1/2-28, and included a petite thread protector complete with a built-in O-ring to keep it secure when tight. I was eager to remove it, and get a suppressor and other accessories onto the RPC.

I installed a Vector Optics Paragon 1x prism on the top rail, it gives a nice clear view of targets and has both red and green illumination when needed. Up front I would install the brand new Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm suppressor, and extremely light and simple suppressor. Its meager 3 ounces would be barely noticeable on the already lightweight Taurus RPC.

On the Range with the Taurus RPC

Shooting the RPC was at the top of my list, but before I’d even made it to the range, I found something I could improve. Upon disassembling the RPC out of curiosity regarding its operation, I found that part of the reason it was so hard to charge was because it needed some lube. The charging block that pushes the bolt carrier back is a short piece, that is torqued in its raceway when pulled on. Adding some light gun grease greatly improved the feel.

Once on the range, I ran a few shots through the gun, just to see how everything felt. No issues at all, so I proceeded to zero the Paragon prism to better my hit ratio. After which I ran several magazines through the RPC’s 32-round magazines. It locks back nicely after the last round is fired, and closes neatly with the bolt-catch just like an AR15 would.

Reliability

In my testing so far, I have only had one malfunction. It was a stovepipe kind of jam that was easily cleared by pulling the magazine and running the charging handle. Other than that the RPC has been flawless in its consumption of ammunition. I don’t know if the malfunction was ammo related or not, but its worth mentioning.

The roller delay operating system of the RPC is refreshing. I am used to various blowback designs like the CZ Scorpion, which while reliable and fun but also heavier and more jolting in its operation. The roller delay doesn’t require such a heavy bolt carrier, which also results in less inertia as parts oscillate within the receiver.

Accuracy

Accuracy isn’t usually a huge factor with PCC’s. But still, I was quite happy with the accuracy from the RPC. A hundred yards is really pushing the utility of such a firearm, but I was surprised just how useful the RPC was even at that range. Hitting soda-can sized targets at 100 yards is certainly doable, and great fun when using the RPC.

Ergonomics

Aside from the initial stiff charging handle issue, the rest of the controls were fantastic. The bolt-catch was flawless and easy to use. I really liked that you can reach the right side bolt-catch with your trigger finger, allowing you to lock the action open before the magazine goes dry. The dual safety levers, allow a typical thumb-off and index finger-on function.

Gripping the small RPC was easy with the rubberized grip, and the small handguard was enough room to comfortably control the pistol. There is barely enough room to add a downgrip if you wanted to go that way. I found that due to the light weight of the RPC I didn’t need any more grip.

Shootability

I mentioned how the Taurus RPC was easy to hit targets with, and that is in part because it is designed well and feels good in the hands. The trigger feels great, and the gun points fantastic, due in part to its small size and short barrel.

Value

Despite being higher price than I had initially expected, the Taurus RPC is still cheaper than many other 9mm PCC options. The closest competitors I would say are the Stribog SPA9A3 and the Springfield Armory Kuna. Both of which cost more than the RPC by hundreds, but they also have established durability records as well.

I think the RPC is a great place to start you PCC journey, and its price point reflects that. And even without comparing it to others, the features that the RPC offers are a good value.

Pros and Cons

Light weight	Excessive charging resistance issue
Great Shooting characteristics
Compact size
Roller delayed action
Suppressor ready
Ambidextrous controls
Good magazines
Lots of sight mounting room
M-Lok handguard
A blast to shoot

Should you Buy the Taurus RPC

If you are in the market for a pistol caliber carbine, there are many options on the market now. The Taurus RPC brings a great balance of advanced features like ambi controls and roller-delay operating system without going ham on the price. I have found it to be a very fun little firearm, and one that young and new shooters can learn the basics of handling a gun properly very well. As always, I would recommend trying one before you buy it if you can. But I think the RPC is a great option, and another step in the right direction for Taurus TSA.