The Mk3 rifle series from CMMG is based on a 308 Winchester sized AR action, allowing for similar cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor as well. Much of the same features of CMMG’s smaller rifles are built into the Mk3 making it familiar and simple to operate. Today we are taking a look at the CMMG Mk3 308 Winchester rifle, to see how it compares to other similar rifles I’ve shot. Based on my experience with other CMMG products I was expecting some great results.
The CMMG MK3
If you go to CMMG’s website, you will find a variety of MK3 rifles from their various lines. There are four different lines that all include MK3 variants, there is the Dissent line of which I am a big fan. The Dissent uses a buffer inside the upper receiver which means you no longer need a buffer tube opening the doors to a bunch of new stock options.
The Banshee line of firearms is mostly pistol and SBR type personal defense firearms, with shorter barrel lengths and appropriate accessories. The Resolute rifles offer rifle lengths and accessories for longer engagements. And lastly the Endeavor line of rifles which feature more of a marksman configuration built for long-range.
There is a MK3 version of all these rifles that you can select based on your needs. The rifle we are testing today is a slightly older MK3 that came out before these more modern lines from CMMG. While still based on the CMMG MK3 receiver set, this rifle features different furniture and handguard.
the CMMG Mk3 receiver set is well made
Outfitting the MK3
I wanted to see what this rifle was capable of, so I put a US Optics TXH 3-18×50 riflescope on it using a Zro Delta cantilever scope mount. With a 3-18 it would do well shooting targets at relatively close distances, and with a max of 18X it would also be suitable for distances at the end of the 308 Winchester’s envelope.
I grabbed a few different types of ammunition to test in the rifle, some PPU 150 grain ball ammo, as well as some 175 grain DTM match. I also grabbed a small tripod with a saddle to support the rifle for precision shooting.
I also wanted to see how the rifle faired as a suppressor host, so I grabbed my YHM R9 suppressor. It has never done me wrong when testing 308 chambered rifles, and now it was time to try it on the MK3.
AR ergonomics are hard to complain about, and you can always change themThe large bolt carrier adds to the weight of the rifle
Again, CMMG’s current production Mk3s have significantly better features like improved charging handles, triggers, and other controls. I have several new CMMGs that prove the company has stepped up its game significantly. Upgraded handguards and furniture are coupled with handsome Cerakote finishes and M-LOK handguards, while features like CMMG’s muzzle devices also improve the look and performance.
In the world of lightweight precision hunting rifles, there are a few well-known names. One of those big names is Fierce Firearms, I know them because they are located in my home state of Utah. Fierce has made a strong reputation for quality rifles purpose built typically featuring carbon fiber and other lightweight designs. Today I bring you a review of one of Fierce Firearms chassis rifles called the Fierce Mountain Reaper, chambered in 300 PRC.
The Fierce Mountain Reaper is packed with an impressive list of features, enough in fact that I’ll have to point them out in batches. When I first lifted the gun from its box, it immediately impressed upon me that this rifle was meant for hunters. Fierce has incorporated a great many steps to reduce the weight of this rifle, all while keeping true to its Mountain Reaper namesake. An impressively light rifle, that is both compact and accurate, and built to harvest the souls of whatever game animal its owner is after.
the Titanium Anechoic 35L also made a good choice for the 300PRC Reaper
The DLC coated bolt rides smoothly in the titanium action, the threaded bolt knob can be changed should you desire. Shouldering the rifle made the short overall length of the rifle very apparent. And the balance of the rifle was very even due to its incorporation of so many carbon fiber components.
Specifications
Action
Fierce Rival Titanium 2-lug
Chassis Material
Magnesium and Carbon fiber
Barrel
Fierce C3 Carbon fiber 1:9 twist 22-inch
Chamber
300 PRC
Trigger
Adjustable Bix’n Andy trigger
Weight
6.6 pounds (bare rifle)
Capacity
Accurate 5-round magazine
Stock
Adjustable and folding Carbon Fiber
Forearm
Carbon fiber M-Lok compatible
Muzzle
Threaded ⅝-24 includes NIX muzzle brake
Scope Base
NIX Zero MOA
Accuracy Guarantee
½ at 100 Yards
ARCA compatible
Short section at the chassis mid-point
It didn’t take me long to get deep into the Mountain Reaper. My initial thoughts were a little mixed, with a six-pound 300 PRC I figured this rifle might not be as pleasant to shoot as I am used to. But at the same time I was thoroughly impressed with so many of the rifles benefits.
Adding Accessories
I decided to add my Primary Arms GLX 3-18 riflescope, it too is pretty lightweight and a good match for a hunting rifle like this. It was mounted in an Area 419 one-piece scope mount which would firmly hold the scope under stiff recoil. I also attached a simple Harris bipod because they are simple, easy and familiar. Using the QD cups available on the rifle I also added a sling for carrying the rifle.
The Chassis
The process of outfitting this rifle made it quick to see all the little advantages of this design. The simple buttstock has a very robust hinging mechanism, that can be actuated with the push of a single button. The length of pull and comb-height can both be easily adjusted with an Allen wrench. You can tweak the angle, height and placement of these features to best fit you, and weight is further reduced by not using finger adjustable knobs to tighten.
Up front the lightweight handguard almost seems too thin, and yet it was perfectly stiff for handling and carrying the rifle.
Fierce Rival Action
The Fierce Rival action is smooth with its DLC finish, and the handsome lightening cuts and bolt-fluting.
The Rival action’s bolt design breaks down easily and without tools
The Reaper is available in both short and long-action, depending on the caliber you desire. And there is a great selection of calibers for this rifle:
Caliber
Barrel length options
Twist
22 Creedmoor
20”- 22”
1:8
6 Creedmoor
18”-20”-22”
1:8
6.5 Creedmoor
18”-20”-22”
1:8
6.5 PRC
18”-20”-22”
1:8
7 PRC
20”- 22”
1:8
7 Backcountry
20”- 22”
1:8
7 Remington Mag
20”- 22”
1:8.5
308 Winchester
18”- 20”
1:10
300 Winchester Mag
20”- 22”
1:10
300 PRC
20”- 22”
1:9
With the rifle ready to shoot and a few boxes of ammunition from both Hornady and Norma I headed into the cold and snowy Rocky Mountains. The very mountains this rifle was built to go after.
From the prone position, running the bolt was fantastic. Positive feeding and extraction just like you’d expect from a rifle like this. The trigger feels fantastic, and shot after shot broke predictably. I shot the rifle out to 1100 yards before I was done, which gave a great deal of satisfaction.
The Reaper was easy to adjust to fit me, and needed no further adjustment afterwards. The weight balance is also superior to many comparable rifles and while I don’t typically fold my rifles it is nice to have the option should you want to.
I keep coming back to Glock clone pistols, which is quite the 180 turn for me. Today I am taking a look at another something new, this time from one of America’s best known manufacturers and in part by another. Today I bring a you a review of the Ruger RXM 9mm pistol. The RXM is a recoil operated 9mm pistol that is fed by Magpul magazines in the very popular Glock pattern. Like many other pistol on the market today, the RXM is a clone of the extremely successful Glock. But it also has a whole new trick up it’s sleeve, and it’s sleeve is also made by Magpul.
the classic underbite of the Surefire X300, for dark places and flashes
It is hard to deny the success of the popular design of these kind of pistols, and the incredible aftermarket support already available makes it even more appealing. Not only do you get the famous reliability, but you can use the same holsters, and others accessories that you probably already have.
What is the Ruger RXM
For those who’ve been hiding under a rock (or behind a 1911), Glock clones have become extremely popular. Following the pattern of the Gen 3 striker fired poly-framed pistols has been very successful for quite a few manufacturers now. Ruger has partnered with Magpul to make the polymer frame for the RXM, while Ruger made the rest. There is a secret within the frame though, in a similar idea to the incredibly popular Sig Sauer P320the Ruger RXM has a removable Fire Control Insert (FCI). The FCI is the trigger and serialized portion of the firearm.
the removeable FCI, captured at the rear, and held in place by two pins at the front
This allows you as the user to swap from one grip frame to another. And with a partner like Magpul in this endeavor, I expect we will see an unprecedented flow of grip frame options come to market in the future.
So if you are wondering what makes the RXM so special, I can sum it up like this; it’s as though two of the most successful pistols of the past decades had a baby blessed by Magpul.
Ruger RXM Features
Caliber
9mm
Overall Length
7.15 inches
Height
5.31 inches
Barrel Length
4 inches
Slide Width
1 inch
Grooves
6
Twist
1:10 right hand
Weight
23.2 ounces
Optics Ready
yes
Front Sight
Tritium co-witness height
Rear Sight
Steel drift adjustable
Manual Safety
No
Barrel & Slide Material
Alloy steel
Capacity
15 + 1
Steel Finish
Black FNC Nitride
Grip Frame
Magpul enhanced grip
Magazines
Two 15 round PMAGs included
MSRP
$499.00
I was very pleased that the design team took the time to think this pistol through. It is apparent that they wanted to incorporate some of the better features in this pistol. Things like an optics cut slide and the tritium sights are definitely better than many standard features. Even my son noticed and mentioned the convenient load indicator slot so you can easily identify a hot chamber. And of course the Magpul frame that can be interchanged by swapping the FCI.
Note loaded chamber indicator
I was even more impressed when I pulled the optics plate off to see the semi-universal optics footprint. The RXM can take the RMR, Delta Point Pro, and RMSc optics, which covers a huge variety of optics. The footprint area of the RXM slide has various holes to accept screws but also comes with configurable pins to allow proper securing of your red dot.
mounting the red dot was easy using the provided alignment pins
The grip frame features Magpul’s TSP grip texture, and also has a pretty covert magwell flare. As well as an undercut trigger guard which is nice.
Unboxing the Ruger RXM
I’m always excited when I open a new gun, I’d already handled the RXM at SHOT Show 2025 but I was still excited to take it home. The hard plastic case carried the RXM and 2 fifteen round Magpul PMAGS, as well as the typical gun lock and other accessories. I will say that the case is bigger than it needs to be, allowing additional accessories and mags to be stored for transport. The box also has a cutout for an optic, whether for a user added optic or a later model including an optic is yet to be seen. You’ll also see room for a threaded barrel, giving away future options Ruger?
factory fresh
I lifted the RXM from its case, and felt that same familiar grip of the clones. It felt good and only got better as I played with the pistol further. All the controls felt just as you would expect, the trigger is crisp. The front and rear slide serrations make for easy gripping to pull against the stout spring. The sights line up nicely with my hold, and the front tritium pops against the dull winter overcast sky.
I ran the slide a few times against the empty magazine, and was pleased with how smooth and easy it was to actuate everything. The mag release is extended a bit, and at first I thought it might be too forward. But after all of my shooting it seemed it was perfect.
drawing the RXM from a holster helped illustrate its soft edges
I did a quick field strip to see the curious FCI and how it was secured into the frame by a couple push pins. The whole thing looked very nice, with a great finish and quality look.
Ruger RXM Setup
I was anxious to get this pistol shooting, so I wasted no time getting it ready for a range trip. I dug through my selection of red dots, and decided to grab the Vortex Defender CCW. It was a good fit for the RXM, and would be easy to mount as well using the supplied fasteners.
Including anchor pins to secure the red dot gives the RXM another leg up, by allowing you to configure the footprint to match the red dot. Instead of forcing you to change to a dot that fits the footprint.
Because I’d planned on carrying the pistol for a while, I decided to also install my Streamlight TLR8. It’s a handy light laser combo for CCW pistols and it fits perfectly on the Ruger RXM. And the whole conglomeration fit nicely into my Hidden Hybrid IWB holster.
The RXM fit in all my holsters
On the Range
All that was left was to head to the range and shoot this small wonder, I grabbed a few boxes of 115 grain ammo from MWLP for some initial testing. My first range trip would be a typical trip into the snowy Rocky Mountains, and both my son and I would enjoy the afternoon plinking away with the Ruger RXM.
I took the opportunity to try a bunch of different things like drawing from the holster, reloading after single shots and such. It didn’t take long to get comfortable with the RXM. The Defender red dot made it quick to bear and make clean shots on my targets.
I was very impressed with how easy reloads went with the gun. I am used to big guns with flared magwells, this little Ruger does have a flare but it’s hardly noticeable unless you look under the gun. It came very easy to me to stab the magazine even without looking, it felt much easier than other similar guns I’ve shot in the past.
Shootability
As you might imagine, a pistol modeled after one of the most successful pistols ever shoots very well. The RXM grip is very comfortable, and the angle lines up quite naturally with my aim. Recoil from the RXM is quite modest and keeping on target is akin to other similar pistols. Its also nice to be able to use a red dot, pushing your focus to the target.
The controls of the RXM are great. The trigger is a little longer than I would have expected but it is very smooth and breaks nicely. This allowed for great shot placement particularly when coupled with the fine aimpoint of the Defender.
At first, I did find one thing that bothered me. During the first few mags my thumb would push slightly up on the slide release causing the RXM to lock open between rounds. This was easily corrected once I realized it was just my thumb crowding the area. Even my kids had a good time shooting the RXM.
the kids had a great time learning to shoot the RXM
Ergonomics
Again, as a clone its hard to beat the time tested successful design. The grip angle is just right and feels natural. Slide cuts provide just the right amount of grip without being abrasive. The mag release is a touch further forward than expected but certainly caused zero problems during my reloads. The trigger blade safety isn’t even noticeable during shooting, which is the way it should be.
My hands are neither small nor large, and the grip area was just right for them. If I had larger hands I could see it getting a bit crowded, but I also anticipate that there will be additional grips available from Magpul in the near future that will solve that issue.
A little custom paint made the RXM even better looking
Accuracy
I’m a bit of an accuracy nerd when it comes to rifles. But when it comes to handguns I don’t consider myself anything but average, and I had no issues hitting what I aimed at. I don’t suspect this gun is currently going to be used for competition shooting (at least not yet), but more likely it will be used for typical semi-compact 9mm purposes. CCW use and general shooting are more likely in its future, and for that the accuracy was perfectly adequate.
Hitting paper plate sized targets from a quick draw was easy to do even at fifteen to twenty yards. I carried the pistol as my CCW for several days quite confident that should I need to use it I would be able to hit my target.
Reliability
I mentioned the occasional locking back caused by my imposing thumb, that was the only thing I could call a failure that we experienced while shooting the Ruger RXM. It has cycled through hundreds of rounds and many boxes of 115 and 124 grain ammunition now without any failures.
The Glock clone market is getting steep with competition. Many companies have brought some very affordable models to market to compete with this Ruger RXM, and this has brought the prices down. The RXM is more affordable than most of the original Austrian polymer pistols, depending on which generation you are looking at. And even among its clone peers the RXM is still quite competitive with street prices just under $400.
these clones are stacking up
For comparison, my ZRO Delta FKS9 can be had for around $350 but it will cost more than the RXM if you want the optics ready slide. I also have a PSA Daggerthat is very comparable to the RXM, but again if you want an optics ready slide it’s price goes up to within a carton of eggs price of the RXM. So there’s plenty of competition from other good products.
BUT, we haven’t addressed some of the RXM’s advantages. Not only is the RXM optics ready, its configurable footprint will take most optics. Additionally its removable FCI allows you to swap grip frame modules, none of the other clones do that at this price. I cannot fathom that Ruger and Magpul haven’t thought this through for years to come. I expect we will see a massive and steady release of RXM variants with various sizes, slides and barrels. Time will surely tell, but with all that in mind I think the Ruger RXM is a fantastic value, with a bright future.
I’ve kind of already gone over all the pros of this pistol. Its a comfortable shooter with clean lines and a nice fit. The customization and potential for future modification make it stand out against its competition. I was even impressed with how seamless and tight fitting the FCI fits into the grip module, at a glance you wouldn’t even think it was removeable. The edges of the RXM aren’t as hard as they could be, making it less likely to snag while drawing.
Since publishing this originally, I have acquired the full-size frame for the RXM as well. Broadening the application of this pistol
I’ve also thought quite a bit about what I would change on the Ruger RXM. And to be completely candid I could hardly come up with something to pick at, I’d almost have to put myself in the shoes of another to find something. For example, the RXM isn’t built for lefties. That doesn’t bother me, but it might turn off some left-handed shooters. Though I’d imagine they are used to it by now. Also, perhaps you’re a Gen 3 critic, and would prefer clones copied a different version of Gaston Glock’s family. But you’re diggin’ really deep if you want to call these liabilities to the Ruger RXM.
Again, if I was reaching real hard I could say I wish the magazine was a touch more snug in the frame. But who am I to question Magpul’s design, perhaps it works best that way.
Preferred Ammunition
Besides the MWLP ammo, I also shot a few boxes of AAC 124 grain ammo. Both of which functioned flawlessly through the Ruger. For carry ammo I would use something predictable like Hornady Critical Duty 124 grain defense ammo.
Accessory Options
The Vortex Defender red dot worked out great for the RXM, I had no reason to dislike it. But I also like the US Optics RISE red dot as it is a bit larger window and more refined dot on the glass. The beauty of the RXM is that just about any popular sight will drop on to the Ruger RXM.
The Streamlight TLR8 was also a great choice for a weapon light, particularly for CCW use. An obvious choice would have also been the Surefire X300, though it is a bit bigger and more cumbersome for a carry gun.
My hidden Hybrid Holster fit the Ruger RXM well, but as objective as holsters can be you might want to pick your own. I also carried the RXM in a 1791 Gunleather holster that was also pretty comfortable.
Coming from two big names like Ruger and Magpul it’s no surprise this went well
Last Thoughts
My initial thoughts on the Ruger RXM turned out to be pretty dead on. I have always liked Ruger’s firearms, they seem to be optimized for the average American gun owner. And providing them with a pleasant and affordable experience.
I was quite surprised just how much I liked the RXM and how well thought out it was. It is a step above your average Glock clone, with some great added value and features. I expect this gun has a vibrant future ahead, much like the P320 is currently living. And not unlike the Dagger’s explosive popularity. Perhaps someday in the future there will be a compensated competition long-slide version and micro compact CCW versions as well, all with interchangeability. Great job and a tip of the hat to the collaborative teams at Ruger and Magpul.
-CBM
2025 Update:
After nearly a year of shooting the RXM, I have yet to come up with a down side. I have swapped half a dozen red dots across the slide cut, and used every kind of magazine I can get hands on. Magpul released additional frames for it, I recently acquired the full-size frame. It’s fit is excellent, and converts my RXM to the full size frame while still using the compact slide.
As suppressors become more and more popular with the shooting public, our options as consumers continue to grow. QD Suppressor mounts are nothing new, and I’ve used a few of them over the past decade or so. Breek Arms is adding to our options by bringing us their Breek LOK QD suppressor mount. I frequently talk about the industry moving to use the standard 1.375x 24 TPI hub system, and the Breek LOK also uses this universal pattern. This allows you to use the advantages of the Breek LOK system with a huge variety of suppressors.
The Breek LOK system uses a tri-lug connecting system, which has been used with much success by other manufacturers. The hub is installed over one of their tri-lug Breek muzzle devices, and with a fairly light down pressure you twist the suppressor a couple times to lock up the hub to the muzzle device.
Inside the Breek LOK hub there are a few parts, including a sealing tapered surface that mates to an opposing surface on the muzzle device. Both of these surfaces are located down-range of the lugs and anchor points, preventing them from getting fouled by suppressor crud. Also inside the hub is a coil spring tensioner and a ball-detent to keep the hub lined up to install every time. The hub uses the 1.375×24 thread pattern that most suppressor manufacturers are putting at the breech end of their suppressors. This allows you to install the Breek LOK on most any modern suppressor, giving you quick detach and installation capability.
I installed the Breek LOK system on a variety of firearms and suppressors. Mainly 5.56 carbines and suppressors I would use with them, I’d like to get another muzzle device threaded 5/8-24 so I can use it with my larger rifles as well.
After applying a touch of anti-seize to the threads at the back of my suppressor, I threaded in the Breek LOK hub. And using the included wrench I easily tightened it down. The opposite end of the wrench is made to tighten down the muzzle device, which make it very handy and convenient while working on the combination.
So far I’ve installed the Breek LOK hub into a few different suppressors from various manufacturers. Notably and shown here is the YHM R9, the Banish Meateater, the Anechoic 35M, and the GDM 556K. The hub fit perfectly into all of them, and made it quick and easy to remove and install the suppressors.
Tightening the hub with the included wrench
Breek LOK Operation
The Breek LOK hub functions by using the aforementioned tapered seal to keep gas within the suppressor. The locking lugs of the hub engage the opposing lugs of the muzzle device, and you simply push down and twist. There is only one little caveat, the lugs are timed. One of the voids between the three lugs is deeper, so you’ll need to make sure you line it up right prior to installing the suppressor. It might sound a little tedious, but once you figure it out its actually quite fast.
While applying pressure down to seat the taper of the hub, you give it a clockwise twist to secure the suppressor. It usually only takes two or so twists to secure the can to the rifle, but it comes off with a very short counter-clockwise twist.
One of the intricacies I found with the Breek LOK hub (besides the alignment to install part), was the outer sleeve of the hub and its ball detent. You can over-rotate the sleeve, causing it to not tighten down properly. If the sleeve is one turn too tight, it won’t go on, and if the sleeve is one turn too loose, it will hook onto the muzzle device but it won’t secure tightly. Causing a loose and dangerous baffle strike condition. This is obviously something you can avoid by familiarizing yourself with how the hub works. And keeping it in the right rotation using the ball detent.
As I mentioned, removing a suppressor on the Breek LOK hub is even faster than installing it. Barely a quarter turn or so will pop the can right off of the muzzle. But, I prefer to turn it a little more to ensure the sleeve stops by locking into the ball detent.
here you can see the hub detail, mounted to an Anechoic 35 can
Consideration
I like the way the Breek LOK hub works. My biggest concern is that over time the internal parts of the hub might get crudded up causing a failure. The worst case scenario would be it getting locked up, trapping your suppressor. This should be easy to avoid by routine maintenance and cleaning. I always put fresh anti seize on my suppressor threads nearly every time I attach them or swap out hubs.
For the most part I am a direct thread kind of shooter. mainly because I shoot mostly bolt-guns or precision autoloaders. QD suppressors have never really been a huge priority for me, but I would love to have one of these Breek LOK hubs on all of my suppressors. It would make it so easy to switch back and forth from one rifle to another as well as making them easy to break down for transport. The only down-side to such a scenario might be some slightly added weight.
The added benefit of having a bunch of matching muzzles and homogenous hubs would come at some cost though. At $200 per hub, it would make the already extravagant stamp collector dig another tax stamps worth of bills from his wallet.
All that considered, I think the Breek LOK hub system would be a slick addition to any suppressor enthusiast. Especially if you are the type to run one can on various rifles. Tell us what you think in the comment section below, what is your preferred method of mounting suppressors?
You could say I’m a bit of a fan of the Meateater show, I do my fair share of hunting and eating. I never would have expected the brand would have made it into my daily use. But that’s the subject for today; I bring you a review of the Banish Meateater Suppressor from Silencer Central.
Banish suppressors have been everywhere lately, and I have been pretty impressed with their lineup. The Meateater Suppressor is a more recent development, and based on the name alone I suspect it is targeting the hunting public.
The Banish Meateater Suppressor
As I dug into the Banish Meateater, I could see that its hunting focus was more than just in the name. The titanium construction made the suppressor quite lightweight, which is a paramount feature for hunters.
Part of the reason the can is so light is because of its simple design. A traditional baffle stack held in by two threaded end caps. On the breech side you have the industry standard 1.375 x 24 threaded hub, which allows you to change the mount to whatever best fits your needs. The suppressor comes with a 5/8-24 threaded cap, but you could easily swap it out for a different one should you need to. This is a nice feature vs. having to have your barrel re-threaded.
the Meateater made my multi-caliber Desert Tech SRS M2 even more pleasant to shoot
Innovative Design
At the front end of the Meateater is where this can gets interesting. The threaded end cap houses some very cunning features; the muzzle can be interchanged between thirty-caliber and 6.5mm. These two inserts allow users to optimize the suppressor for most every popular hunting caliber thirty or less. Reducing the muzzle cap to 6.5mm will optimize its performance for 22, 6mm, 25 and 6.5mm cartridges. While the thirty-caliber cap keeps it tight for .270, 7mm, and 30 caliber options.
here you can see the two different muzzle ports, the black one for smaller calibers, and the grey one for 30 caliber
Using the optimal muzzle cap in the Meateater is important because there is another innovative feature in the muzzle of this can. The endcap keeps back pressure to help force more of the pressure out through the radial brake that is incorporated to the front of the suppressor. Its purpose is to help reduce recoil felt by the shooter.
here you can see the on/off feature of the Meateater brake
The suppressed report of my rifles sounded very good, not quite as sharp as other suppressors. Almost as if the bleeding off of pressure through the brake vents made it sound better. It was an impressive suppression performance from a can that is neither heavy nor bulky.
As a long-time suppressor enthusiast I rarely see one I don’t want. In the decades since my first suppressor interaction however, I have noticed a few things about short suppressors. For a long time, there were suppressors designed primarily for law enforcement and military use that were very short. This effected their ability to subdue the report of a rifle to my taste. Times are changing however, and today we are looking at two very short and compact suppressors that do exactly what you’d want them to do. We are comparing the YHM Fat Cat VS. Banish Speed K.
Both of these suppressors are very compact, and they both do a good job of subduing rifle noise. So today I wanted to put them up against each other to see which one I would pick if I couldn’t have both. These compact suppressors are designed for use on 5.56 or .223 caliber semi-auto rifles which most of us commonly use. My analysis will be based on various features but most importantly how these can’s stand up to a heavily used carbine or what many have colloquially called a “fighting rifle” or “battle rifle”.
Fat Cat and Banish Speed K Specifications
YHM Fat Cat
Banish Speed K
Caliber
5.56mm
.223/5.56mm
Weight
13.2oz (with adaptor)
14.1 oz
Length
4.5” (with adaptor)
4”
Diameter
1.94”
2”
Construction Material
17-4 Stainless/ Cobalt 6
Inconel
Decibel Reduction
20dB
20.9dB
Minimum Barrel Length
10” min.
None
Full-Auto Rated
Yes
Yes
Mount Style
Ind. Standard Hub Mount
Ind. Standard Hub Mount
Finish
Black Cerakote
Black Cerakote
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
Limited Lifetime
Baffle Design
Traditional Stacked baffles
Controlled Flow
User Serviceable
No
No
Included Mount
½-28 sRx Mini QD brake
½-28 Direct Thread
These two suppressors are very similar in size and specifications though there are some differences. The biggest differences that I feel are important I’ll point out here; The Banish Speed K is either 3D printed or DMLS fabricated from Inconel. Inconel is a very robust material (nickel chromium alloy) that is very resistant to both heat and abrasion. This makes the Speed K one solid piece of material, which can be very robust. But for those of us who have broken suppressors before, it makes them nearly impossible to repair if needed. The Speed K uses a finned blast chamber and clipped wall baffles to help reduce sound.
The YHM Fat Cat is built in the more traditional fashion, welding together 17-4 Stainless steel. It uses a cobalt 6 blast baffle to help tame the extreme pressure, heat and abrasion coming from the muzzle. Cobalt 6 (cobalt-chromium-tungsten alloy) is also very resistant to heat and erosion. The fat cat uses an interesting funnel shape to increase the volume of the blast chamber, and it appears the design also helps create a turbulent flow to help reduce sound.
Both suppressors use the industry standard hub mounting system. I can’t tell you how much I like and appreciate the industry moving this direction. It has made mounting your suppressors infinitely easier. You can use whichever mounting system you prefer, whether it be the YHM sRx QD system as provided with the Fat Cat, or something else like the Dead Air KeyMo system, or Plan B from Q. Both suppressors also use a tri-clipped muzzle port, this has become a common feature among many cans.
this combination is an excellent medium range carbine
Host Firearms
To properly test these two suppressors, I put together a small collection of rifles that would give them both a good workout. For pure sound testing, I would run them on my Savage Model 12 chambered in .223. The bolt-action rifle would give the best opportunity to hear the report of both suppressors. I would also use My Desert Tech WLVRN with the 20-inch .223 barrel, the adjustable gas system of the WLVRN would allow me to tune for performance and see how the two cans affected its function.
this little rifle’s upper half is from CMMG, while the lower is from Desert Tech
Additionally I would run them both on a couple other AR15 based rifles like most folks would likely use. One of them a 16-inch Aero Precision build and the other a short barreled 5.56 that we’d also run some full auto through the cans.
Shooting these two suppressors across the host firearms gave a pretty good idea of how they compare. I kept switching them out back and forth to compare.
Both suppressors sounded very hearing safe on the longer rifles. The 16″ Quattro 15 and the 20″ WLVRN were very pleasant to shoot without hearing protection. Of course I have to add the caveat that you should always wear ear protection, even when suppressed.
Backpressure
Almost every suppressor out there adds at least some back-pressure in my experience. And these two were not exempt.
Anyone who regularly carries a handgun is familiar with the downsides of concealed carry. But every now and then somebody innovates an idea that’s like a ray of sunshine in the dark. Polymer framed pistols have become a mainstay in our handgun market, and some of them bring incredible features to concealed carry enthusiasts. Today we are reviewing one such pistol that promises a perfect balance of concealment and capacity, the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro.
Big claims by Springfield Armory (SA) about the smallest footprint in its class are matched with impressive magazine capacities of 15+1 and 17+1. From a small pistol that’s only an inch wide and weighs in at 21 ounces. As both a CCW and general firearm enthusiast, I was encouraged by the opportunity to see how the Hellcat Pro stands up to these claims.
The Hellcat Pro OSP
The Hellcat Pro OSP (optical sight pistol) also incorporates the very popular trend of allowing installation of red dot sights. It’s Melonited® slide comes ready to mount RMSC sized red dots that co-witness with the sights. The sights themselves include a Tritium luminescent front sights and U-shaped rear sight. The sights line up beautifully, and when the included Viridian RFXII red dot (actually green) its zeroed its very conducive to aiming well.
note sight lineup, front and rear sight lined up perfectly with green dot from the RFXII
Additional features like the loaded chamber indicator are nice for safe operation. And the slide is texture-cut both front and rear allowing you options for grip. The polymer frame also features a nice texture for better purchase, and a reversible mag-release in case you grip with the wrong hand. The crisp trigger features a pretty standard blade safety, but no other safeties which I prefer for CCW. There is other models of the HC Pro that do include a manual safety if that’s your style.
I don’t consider my hands to be big or small (but don’t let that fool you), and my average hands fill the grip area perfectly. The extended 17-round magazines add additional grip area if you are one of those bigger handed fellows. And up front you’ll find the typical picatinny rail for weapon lights.
My first impressions when I pulled the Hellcat Pro from its soft case was how compact it is. The narrow frame is very apparent, making me immediately think of how less-invasive it would be on my belt. The whole design of the Hellcat is very conducive to concealment, it has very clean edges and few snag-points.
The gripping areas on the frame and slide were adequate. When I pulled the slide back the first few times I noticed the dual recoil springs are stiffer than I had anticipated. I suppose I wouldn’t have minded a slightly more course slide cut design for better purchase. But at the same time I understand this is a CCW gun, not a competition pistol. So there will be less drawing of slides, and more sliding in and out of your waistband, so the texture is probably just right. The overall feel of the gun was fantastic, and made me very optimistic about its potential.
Shooting the Hellcat Pro
With a can full of 115 grain ammunition from MWLP, I headed out to shoot the little Hellcat. It wasn’t long before I was stuffing mags full of cartridges. Unfortunately that was where I met my first hiccup. Stiff magazines springs are common when dealing with larger capacity, but I found that on the 17 round Hellcat mags loading the last round was unbearably hard. It literally felt like I was going to break something, on at least one of the mags I was unable to get the 17th cartridge in.
Loading
Loading full magazines into the pistol took a really firm slap to seat unless the slide was open. With the gun loaded it was time to start snapping the trigger, which felt great. Small 9mm pistols like this are often a little harder to keep on target through recoil, and the Hellcat was no different. It was certainly pretty peppy as rounds flashed downrange. I tend to prefer larger pistols for this reason, but I’m sure that with proper practice and training I would be more comfortable.
I shot through all the magazines, performing reloads in between. Again, I am used to larger pistols, and particularly those that use flared magwells. So it was no surprise that it took more focus to stab the fresh magazines into the narrow magwell of the Hellcat Pro. I also noticed another issue while performing reloads, the Hellcat would frequently fail to lock open when empty. At first I thought it was a specific magazine. Additional testing seemed to prove that it was just a random occurrence among all of them. I suppose it is possible that my finger might have been touching the slide release, but I don’t think so.
Sighting
The sights on the little Hellcat Pro stood out great for me. I felt they were easy enough to pick up even coming through the spicier recoil. The natural pointing angle of the little pistol felt right, and it was always quick to get on target.
The Viridian RFXII reflex sight seemed like a perfect match for the Hellcat, at only 4 ounces it doesn’t add much to the pistol. The RFX features an instant on/off feature, which I am afraid may have been a bit glitchy. During the course of our shooting, it turned off and back on more than once. The ambient light detection feature adjusts the brightness of the dot depending on conditions, but it changed far more than expected while shooting. Even in an indoor controlled shooting range. Obviously this is not what should be expected, and I suppose there may have been some reason for the malfunction, and its certainly nothing to hold against the Hellcat.
The trigger and other controls on the Hellcat Pro were great. The clean break of the trigger felt very consistent and just right for a CCW pistol. At first I thought maybe the slide release was a bit stiff, but it seemed to lighten up a bit after some shooting and break-in.
the stripped Hellcat Pro OSP, note 15 & 17 round mags, the Streamlight TLR8 was a great companion
The magazine release is pretty low profile, which is good for a CCW pistol to avoid inadvertent release. Even so, dropping the mag was perfectly natural and tactile under your thumb. The takedown lever took a second to figure out, but it too made breaking down the pistol quick and painless for cleaning. Speaking of breaking-down, with the pistol apart for cleaning, I was happy to see some quality internals. By that I mean not a bunch of cheap stamped parts, but more cast and MIM’d parts it seemed.
Pros & Cons of the Hellcat Pro
Lets get into some of the reasons why you would or wouldn’t pick this gun over others. We’ll start with the positive; This things is very compact and neat, it is easily concealed and comfortable to carry as well. I would say there are few pistols I found as comfy as this one, other guns like the S&W Shield andGlock 43are also great but hold fewer rounds. If you are used to Glock 19 sized pistols then this will feel much better in your belt. I really appreciated the snag-free design, the great controls and especially the high capacity. From an aesthetic view, the gun looks good, and no demerits were added for the sin of molding “grip zone” into the grip of the pistol.
But I suppose the capacity comes at a price, I was a little bit let down by the mag performance. The occasional mag that won’t quite hold the full 17 rounds is a little irritating, but thats still quite a few more than the other pistols I mentioned. I was also turned off by the failures to lock open when empty, but again I’d rather get a click after shooting 16-17 rounds than have to reload after as few as 6-7 rounds.
All these little CCW pistols are a little harder to control than your full-size models. Depending on who is shooting the gun this could be a big deal. For example, I would not want my 100 pound wife to shoot this pistol as it would likely be a whole lotta flinching and vertical stringing. But with some practice these things can be overcome. If you are familiar with shooting, this is much less a problem. Lastly, the Hellcat is made overseas, which for some folks is a deal breaker.
Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Value
Springfield Armory has an MSRP of $1050.00 which is no small token. However I have found this pistol for sale all over the internet for under six-hundred dollars, which is MUCH easier to swallow. I was genuinely surprised with the deal this one came in, with the RFXII red dot, one 15-round mag and three 17-round magazines, a padded soft-case and a range bag all for under six-hundred dollars as well. With other comparable guns asking the same price for half the capacity, I think the Hellcat Pro is easily a good value.
Conclusion
Despite the few hiccups, the Hellcat Pro still seems like a pretty good value. Every time I expected it to go bang, it most certainly did (unless it was empty 😅). And that is likely the most important feature in a CCW pistol. The other features also make it a good option for a carry pistol, and I expect it might not take much tinkering to work out the bugs I mentioned above. But if you are the kind of guy who demands perfection, then maybe you might have to adjust your sights a little higher. I hope I’ve made it easier for you to make your choice, good luck!
Many of you are aware of my affinity for Desert Tech rifles, and if you are reading this you’ve likely seen much of my content about the various rifles. Today I am diving down another custom project similar to one I’ve done in the past. I made a custom barrel for my MDRX in 6mm ARC years ago, and today I am bringing you the story on how I went about making another custom, my Desert Tech WLVRN 6mm ARC project.
Because of the extremely satisfying results with my MDRX, I became quite fond of the 6mm ARC cartridge and have since gotten more of them. It was also a natural choice for me when I got my Desert Tech WLVRN, of course this would again require me to make my own. Today I’ll go over how that went.
the 6 ARC WLVRN left of the 6 ARC MDRX
The Desert Tech WLVRN
The Desert Tech WLVRNis the latest generation semi-auto bullpup, a direct descendant of the MDRX. Both of them being multi-caliber piston operated carbines. They share a great deal of parts and features, but they are also very different. The barrel mounting system is different, as are the barrel extensions, bolts, receiver and more. Perhaps the best difference between the two in my opinion, is the larger clamping-surface that holds the barrel. Part of that is because the trunnion is machined into the aluminum receiver, getting rid of the steel barrel block. Additional other steel parts were also removed, greatly reducing the weight of the rifle. The machined-in trunnion also makes the WLVRN return to zero when switching barrels. This was something aspired to by the MDRX but was never consistent.
I bought my WLVRN initially setup as a 20-inch .223, which was awesome. It shot very well, and even with the longer barrel it felt lighter than my shorter MDRX. But I wanted more, I wanted the 6 ARC performance. Which in my opinion felt kind of like a 5.56 that shoots like a 6.5 Creedmoor.
if you look closely you can see my advanced gas block placement
The 6mm ARC
Hornady has put out a bunch of new calibers over the past few years, and the 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge (ARC) is one of many. The ARC boasts a very efficient design that gives impressive performance from AR15 platformsor micro bolt-actions like my Howa Mini.
The ARC can push 105 grain bullets at near 2800 FPS, which is still doing over 2000 FPS at a quarter-mile away and still carrying over 1000 lbs of energy. For comparison, thats much faster than a good 77 grain 5.56 load, and double the energy. And at 1000 yards, the disparity is just as impressive, not that I’d like to catch either of them. The 6 ARC can be fired from the same sized actions and magazines as the 5.56, so this ballistic advantage is enticing.
My former experiences with the 6 ARC in my MDRX and Howa Mini were very impressive, both from a target shooting aspect as well as hunting big game. We’ve killed several deer and antelope using the same 105 Hornady BTHP. This led me to be even more enthusiastic about an ARC for my WLVRN. Since my MDRX is a little heavier, and I already have bigger caliber conversion kits for it like 308, 6.5CM, and 450BM, I figured I would keep the WLVRN more of a smaller caliber rifle. The added accuracy benefits of the WLVRN also seemed like a better platform for a DMR type rifle.
I started this project by contacting my long-time friend and gun-plumber at ES-Tactical. Despite his not wanting to get involved into another oddball project, he agreed to cut me a twenty-two-inch barrel from a K&P blank. It was a totally different profile than a typical WLVRN barrel, aside from a heavier profile I also spec’d a different gas block position further down the barrel.
Once I had the barrel in hand, I wanted to try something before it was even finished. I torqued down the barrel extension with some thread-locker, and headed to the range. With no gas block or piston operation, I wanted to see how accurate the barrel shot. So I fired a couple groups, operating the rifle manually like a straight-pull action. I was astonished to see that shooting my 105 grain handloads at 100 yards, the WLVRN put ten shots into just over 1/2 MOA. Something I wouldn’t have believed had I not shot it myself.
The very first shots from the clean barrel, prior to installing gas block
My reasoning was to see how much the rifle’s accuracy was effected by the gas operation once installed. Which was my next step.
Machining
It was time to make some metal chips of my own. I drilled a gas-port in the barrel and pressed the gas block down snugly. I figured I would just use the same gas-valve that my 20″ 223 barrel used and see if I could get it to work on one of the settings. But before I got that far, I would need a custom piston. Having moved the gas block towards the muzzle of the barrel, would require adjusting the length of the gas piston accordingly.
my freshly pressed gas block and custom piston
You might be asking yourself why I moved the gas block at all. The reason is to get a better purchase of the gas flow. By moving the gas block down the barrel towards the muzzle, the operation of the action is delayed slightly. This allows the bullet to exit the barrel long before any action movements, as well as allowing the gas-pressure within the barrel to decompress some. This makes ejection and extraction less stressful on both the rifle and cartridge case. There’s also an argument to made for barrel harmonics and accuracy as well. Timing the piston operation can greatly enhance accuracy by changing the way the barrel whips as the rifle reloads itself.
Once I had my custom piston ready, it was time to see how the rifle would function. This would require some trial and error, going through a variety of malfunctions tuning the gas flow until we found a happy medium. Luckily, my gas valve selection was close enough, which meant it was time to go back to the range. An unfortunate consequence in both the MDRX and the WLVRN was significant damage to cartridge cases when the rifle didn’t eject them properly.
both the WLVRN and MDRX are hard on cases when they don’t run right
First Range Trip
Accuracy
It was time for the first real range trip, with a fully functioning WLVRN. This trip was actually into the mountains and not the range, but I prefer the mountains over the range anyways. It would allow me to see how the rifle performed at distance as well.
My initial accuracy test were okay at best, mainly because I hadn’t anticipated for the weather. It was cold and snowing with some blustery wind thrown in, and to add some pressure it was getting late so I rushed it more than I’d have liked.
Even so, the WLVRN printed some barely sub MOA five shot groups. Later testing would prove even better. Most of my testing was done using a suppressor, my Anechoic Anechox 35 which made the rifle very tame and pleasant to shoot. I also shot it using the Yankee Hill Machine Turbo T3 which was better in some aspects I’ll detail below.
You can see from my additional testing, typical groups from the 6 ARC WLVRN average around 3/4 MOA. While the better groups would shrink as small as 1/2MOA. I am fairly confident this had more to do with me than it did with the WLVRN.
Long-Range
Just because I am incapable of not trying, I stretched the 6ARC out a ways to see how it did at some longer distances. We shot at 715 yards, and 430 yards in some pretty gusty wind. At 715 yards I held about 1.2 MIL into the quarter value wind and was very impressed with the impacts. Not only were they very consistent, but they really hit with some authority.
While shooting at the 430 yard-line, I aimed at a small patch of snow in some dirt. I can’t imagine the snow patch was much bigger than a can of tuna, and every shot from the WLVRN would have sent Starkist fish everywhere. I was really getting excited about this rifle’s potential.
Shooting this same load in my MDRX has proven to be very effective at distances as far as 1000 yards away. Taking varmints that far away is a fun and challenging venture, and with the same load my wife took down an antelope at just shy of 500 yards.
Because I’m a bit of a tinkerer, I figured I would also try something else. My longer piston worked fine, but I also explored another option. Using a standard length piston, and an extended op-rod (the stainless rod that goes between the bolt-carrier and piston) was another option. By adding additional length to the op-rod, I would get the same effect as the longer custom piston. But in addition it would add more weight to the reciprocating mass of the bolt carrier. This would also help buffer the operation some, which I wanted to proof out. That way I could see which of the two approaches was more effective for reliability and accuracy. Come back for more on this development later…
Gas Refinement
I have no doubt that moving the gas block further down the barrel definitely helped with the function of the rifle. It likely reduced chamber pressures during extraction, and helped counter some of the barrel movement that has made accuracy a challenge with other similar variants. It also made it impossible to adjust the gas valve without removing the handguard, but I never cared about that feature anyways. I always shoot suppressed, so I set the valve and forget it.
Note the much larger profile of the custom 6 ARC barrel, and the larger WLVRN trunnion
That said, I think the significant increase in accuracy over a factory conversion kit has as much to do with the barrel contour as it does the gas block perch. The thick barrel is much stiffer, it actually barely fits in the chassis, I had to shorten the two handguard screws to prevent them from pressing against the barrel.
I also like the additional two inches of barrel, this surely helps me get as much velocity as possible out of the 6 ARC. And still gives me the compact handling bullpups are famous for. The only downside of course is weight, the added barrel diameter and length adds a fair amount. But this too is something I don’t mind dealing with, I like the accuracy over the light weight.
Suppressor Compatibility
Much of my shooting was done with the Anechoic Anechox 35 suppressor, which worked great. But since I didn’t have quite the precise ability to drill gas-holes in the thousandths of an inch, it seemed a little more challenging to get the gas flow just right. I did find that by using a different suppressor with a little more backpressure helped get just the right amount of gas volume.
the US Optics TXH and YHM T3 made perfect companions to the WLVRN
I installed my YHM Turbo T3, which is a 5.56 suppressor. The tighter bore of the T3 added some backpressure, I assume that the traditional baffle construction of the T3 also had something to do with it as well. Disclaimer: I cannot recommend using a 5.56 suppressor on a 6mm cartridge, do so at your own risk.
That said, the addition of the T3 seemed to get me to the perfect operation for the rifle and the 6mm ARC cartridge. It greatly enhanced reliability and consistency of the operation, and it sounds great too! I think its safe to assume that any similar suppressor would have provided a similar outcome. Changing suppressors to get the optimal performance from a rifle is nothing new.
Ejection
Ejection of the 6 ARC case was predictable, the port is plenty big since it can accommodate 308 sized cases. I did switch out the polymer ejection port to the older MDRX style aluminum model, as they are a little tougher.
There is always something to learn with these projects. I for sure still like the 6mm ARC, perhaps even more so now because of my WLVRN. It has turned my little green wolverine into something quite a bit more mean. I still have the low recoil and efficiency of small cartridges, but significantly more downrange energy. Though if I did it again, I think I would have gone with a slightly lighter contour on the barrel. And probably fluted it as well, just to keep the WLVRN as light as possible. The accuracy from this combination makes the rifle more than suitable for my hunting purposes, both big game and varmints will soon succumb to the WLVRN and its 100 grain bullets in the next few weeks.
Since finishing the 6 ARC, I used it on a successful cull hunt for mule deer. This doe was taken at 300 yards shooting the Hornady 105 BTHP handloads
I’m sure I’m not the only one imagining the possibilities with this rifle; An accurate (sub-MOA) semi-auto rifle fed by 20-round magazines, with a kill envelope arguably to 1000yds, that weighs in under 11 pounds and 36.5-inches long with a suppressor…
[1000yard stare intensifies…]
That is not to say that these projects are for everyone. You absolutely must be some kind of a tinkerer, with a mechanical inclination. There is plenty of headache and challenge involved in a project like this. And theres always the possibility that your result isn’t as reliable or great as you’d hoped after spending a good amount of money. So temper your enthusiasm and expectations before considering a project like this. As always, I will update this with more information as it develops so make sure to follow me for.
