Ruger American Gen 2

November 24, 2024Product review, Shooting hardware308 in, 6.5 creedmoor, american, gen 2, gen2, generation II, ruger, ruger american, ruger american rifle generation IIcoldboremiracle

Preface

I guess you could say I’ve always been a Ruger fan, the very first centerfire rifles I bought were from the 75 year old manufacturer. Back then, I couldn’t have known how many Ruger rifles would come my way. And in the many years since I have found many virtues in Ruger’s firearms. Today we are taking a look at the new Ruger American Gen 2, a modestly priced rifle made for the American shooting public. The Gen 2 Ruger American builds on the reputation of the incredibly popular Ruger American, which has become a mainstay with firearms enthusiasts and gun shops.

I bring you this review today, because I quite enjoyed the Gen 1 Ruger American. So I purchased the new Gen 2 to see how they compare, and if the upgrade is worth your time. Some of this review will be comparing the rifle to its predecessor, as well as comparing it to other competitors rifles. The market that the Ruger American is after, is incredibly competitive. Price is a big factor, as is performance and reliability. Let’s start down the bore…

Ruger American Gen 2

Specifications

Caliber	308 Winchester
Barrel Length	20 Inches
Barrel Twist	1:10
Stock	Gen 2 American Gray Splatter polymer
Overall Length	41.25 inches
Length of Pull	12-13.75 inches
Capacity	3 Round included
Magazine	AICS pattern
Barrel	5 Groove Spiral Fluted
Weight	6.2 pounds
Material	Alloy Steel
Finish	Gun metal gray Cerakote
Sight option	Picatinny scope rail
Muzzle thread	⅝-24 threaded with radial brake
MSRP	$729.00

Ruger American Gen 2 action — the bolt-stop does double-duty serving as a timing guide for the bolt assembly

The Ruger American Gen 2 rifle is based on the American action, a steel action with a three-lug bolt. The oversized bolt-body in my opinion gives the action its smooth stroke, and it is guided by the bolt stop which does double duty keeping the bolt clocked properly. Its bolt-handle is oversized and threaded 5/16-24 to allow changing it should you desire. The large round bolt-knob gives great purchase while running the bolt.

For a trigger, the American uses Ruger’s Marksman trigger which can be adjusted from 3 to 5 pounds. As usual, there is a blade safety on the trigger, something I am not particularly fond of. On the action-tang, there is a three position safety. With a bolt-lock safe position, as well as safe with bolt operation, and the firing position.

ruger american generation 2, maven optics — note trigger blade safety and AICS magazine release

Caliber Options

One of the many appealing options of this rifle is the spectrum of caliber options. Nearly any sized cartridge can be put into the American action. According to Ruger’s website, these are the current options:

22 ARC	.243 Win	.270 Winchester
6mm ARC	6mm Creedmoor	30-06 Springfield
6.5 Grendel	6.5 Creedmoor	6.5 PRC
223 Remington	308 Winchester	7mm PRC
204 Ruger	7mm-08 Remington	300 Win. Magnum
350 Legend	450 Bushmaster	400 Legend

There are three distinct Gen 2 American models, the Standard we have here, the Ranch model that uses shorter barrels and a Cobalt Cerakote/FDE color, and the Predator model that uses a longer barrel and Bronze Cerakote on green color.

All the above options made it challenging to pick one, as several of them are my fave’s. But I ended up going 308 Winchester simply because it’s such an easy choice and quickly comparable to other rifles.

ruger American gen 2 rifle, muzzle brake — the radial muzzle brake of the Gen 2 American, nice flats made removal easy

All models of the Gen 2 American rifle come with the spiral fluted barrel, and comes with a threaded muzzle should you wish to change the muzzle device. I would certainly take advantage of this feature to see how the rifle shot suppressed. Getting the brake off was easy with provided flats, and I appreciated that it hadn’t been torqued on by the same guy who did my Gen 1.

The polymer stock feels like an upgrade from the Gen 1. It feels a bit harder and less flexible, which was one of my complaints about the Gen 1. While there is still some flex in the stock, at a price point like this it’s tough to ask for more. Interestingly, the magwell area of the stock is interchangeable. This allows the same basic stock to be used, and simply change out the magwell depending on the cartridge feeding needs.

Ruger American Generation II magazine well — a look at the magwell and its detail

Apart from the handsome finish, the stock also features an elevated comb. This was very welcome, as it allowed perfect alignment of my eye with the scope once mounted. At the tail-end, you find a very soft rubber recoil-pad. I imagine this is very nice on the larger long-actions, as well as the short-action’s like mine. I also like the way they set the rear sling-stud at an angle, the natural angle it would pull from on the sling.

Ruger American Gen 2 Setup

As a hunter at heart, I wanted to set this rifle up the same way I would to hunt these wild Rocky Mountains. The Gen 2 American would be a great rifle for the kind of hunting I do, so I picked out some great accessories for it.

A Riflescope

A good hunting rifle needs a good scope. The wide open mountains where I hunt and shoot definitely need something suitable for long-range shooting. I like semi-compact scopes like 3-12X or 3-18X for my hunting rifles. But because I could, I picked a higher magnification scope. The Maven Optics RS3 is a 30mm scope with a 5-30X magnification spread, and it fit the space on the Ruger American perfectly. I used a set of Warne scope rings that set the height perfectly on the pic rail of the receiver.

A Suppressor

The radial brake on the muzzle of the Ruger American rifles works well to reduce recoil. But there are a few things I don’t like about it; for starters its way too damn loud. Aside from the noise, radial brakes often kick up dirt and debris when you shoot. Both of these issues can be addressed by adding a suppressor, and it will make you more popular among your shooting friends and women of culture.

Ruger American Gen 2 rifle, suppressor, silencer, Maven Optics — the Ruger American makes a great suppressor host

Because the Ruger American Gen 2 rifles are pretty light, I wanted to add a suppressor that would keep it that way. For that purpose I installed my Banish Backcountry suppressor, it’s lightweight titanium construction and compact size matched the Ruger handsomely.

Additional Accessories

I prefer to shoot from a supported position, so most of my rifles have a bipod installed. And this little Ruger would get the same treatment. For simplicity I installed one of my Harris 3-9 bipods, its a well-known option that I use frequently so it was an easy choice.

Because I like to shoot extensively, I also figured I would get some extra magazines for the rifle. Since Ruger did me the favor of making the American Gen 2 accept AICS magazines, I could select from a variety of options from 3 to 10 round capacity.

Ruger American Gen 2 magazine, MDT, AICS

Other than a good sling, this rifle was ready for field shooting. By pure luck I happened to visit a public range that day, something I prefer to avoid. But it gave me an easy opportunity to boresight the rifle using my tool-less method, and zeroing the rifle with just a couple shots.

Ruger American Gen 2 Rifle on the Range

With targets hung at one hundred yards, I snuggled-up behind the rifle and settled my eye through the scope. I’d already loaded the magazine with a fine selection of Hornady Precision Hunter 178 grain ammunition. I touched off the first few rounds, and made a scope adjustment to bring my impact and aim-points together. After a few more rounds, and shooting a few groups, I felt it was close enough to call for now.

First Impressions: Running the bolt on the Ruger American Gen 2 felt great, but I did notice that the very first few rounds I really had to run the bolt like I meant it. Whether it was the ejector tension or something else, it seemed to not like being pussy-footed into battery. This issue went away with additional shooting. I also found that the magazine fit quite tight, which is good for a hunting rifle, but bad when your trying to hurry up the next magazine into place. I’m sure with practice this will get better. The trigger felt great, whatever the factory setting is works just fine for my shooting needs.

ruger american gen 2, 308 winchester, ruger American generation II accuracy — one of the better groups from my testing

From there, we would venture into the high country where I spend most of my time. The snow covered mountains where deer, elk and moose wander is the best place to practice in my opinion. Practicing where I hunt helps familiarize with real world shooting, and better preps us for hunting season. And that is where we would put the little Ruger American through its testing.

Shooting long-range with the Ruger American was fantastic. Hitting 1 MOA sized targets at distances like 730 yards was easily repeatable, and brought a smile to my face. Using a drop chart I’d calculated prior allowed me to make deadly accurate shots at various real-world long-range hunting distances. From 450 yards and in, it seemed we couldn’t miss while shooting the DTM match ammunition.

Shootability

I already mentioned the little issue I had closing the bolt too slow, that issue seemed to be mostly related to break-in. The three-lug bolt of the American has a shorter bolt throw than some of its competitors, which makes it easier to run. I really liked the round bolt-knob and saw no reason to change it to something different, but it’s nice to know you can.

The new three position safety worked great, though I don’t often use them. I did think that there is a good positive click between settings, though it was also easy to think you un-safed the rifle and still have one more click to go.

Ruger American generation II, gen 2, maven optics — extraction and cartridge cycling was flawless

Ruger’s Marksman trigger felt just like I expected it to, and for a rifle at this price point I wouldn’t complain. I mentioned I don’t like blade safeties, mainly because of aesthetics, but I found this trigger and I immediately got along. It felt crisp and predictable, allowing me to shoot some pretty good groups.

The stock has a nice feel to it, the texture is nice for gripping it. And yet it seems the stock is thin enough in all the right places to get a good grip even with smaller hands. My kids were all quite comfortable behind the rifle, which is an easy test metric.

I did notice that my MDT 10 Round magazine seemed to rub the bottom of the bolt while reloading. It never interfered with operation, but perhaps another 10-round option wouldn’t rub.

Ruger American second gen, maven optics, silencer, suppressor

Reliability

It seems the second generation Ruger American continues the reliable operation established by the first generation rifle. During our testing, the rifle never malfunctioned. It fed flawlessly from the factory magazine as well as from several aftermarket mags. Cycling a variety of ammunition types without issue, with clean and smooth ejection.

I expect that long-term testing of this rifle will show continued reliability. With a rifle priced around $600 or less, you can expect there will be some plastic parts which some of us feel are less durable. However it feels like the Ruger American Gen 2 rifle has a healthy balance of good materials where it matters. And I expect this rifle will last me a long time.

Ergonomics

Ruger engineers really got it right when designing this stock. The grip angle is comfortable making the rifle easily manipulated. The grooves in the fore-end are great for holding onto the rifle, and one-handed carrying. The bolt-throw and controls of the rifle are all easily accessible and function smoothly. I couldn’t find anything I didn’t like about the ergonomics.

Gen 2 Ruger American rifle, maven optics, long-range

Accuracy

Hornady 178 gr PH	Hornady Black 155 gr	DTM 175 gr Match
0.923 MOA Average	0.944 MOA Average	0.597 MOA Average

Only accurate rifles interest me, and in my experience I’ve had some very accurate Ruger rifles. You can read more about my other Ruger experiences here. The Ruger American Gen 2 fit in with my excellent past experiences, the rifle performed very well right out of the box.

The above accuracy results are a pretty good average, though there were plenty of better than average groups. I’d expect if you handloaded for this rifle it would be easy to tune them to what this rifle likes. And doing so, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this rifle shot 1/2 MOA groups regularly.

Value Proposition

I often mention my secret fascination for inexpensive rifles that shoot like very expensive rifles. This little Ruger definitely gives me those vibes, much like other Ruger rifles this one seems to punch above its weight.

You’ll have a hard time escaping the feel of a six-hundred dollar gun, but as the hits keep coming you won’t care. You really get a great functioning and sweet shooting rifle for that price. Ruger has done well in this realm of firearms, and it seems the American Gen 2 rifle has upped their game a little bit more.

With new features like the safety and trigger, the Gen 2 may or may not be worth upgrading for you. If your Gen 1 shoots good, roll with it. I do prefer the handsome looks of the second generation myself.

Recommendations

I mentioned this rifle market is incredibly competitive, for just a little more you can get some nice rifles. And there are certainly cheaper options as well. There are some great Bergara rifles that are around the same price, and bring Remington 700 compatibility which is very nice. Mossberg and Savage both make cheaper rifles that can perform well, but based on my experience with them I would choose the American over those even at their lower price. And for a hundred or two more dollars you can get into a Tikka T3, which is also a fantastic rifle.

If the cost dictates your choice then go the way you must. The Gen 1 American’s can often be had for less, as can the other brands I mentioned. If you’ve got your sights set on this rifle I can strongly recommend it.

Conclusion

The Ruger American Gen 2 rifle turned out to be exactly what I thought it would be. A great little hunting rifle with features and price that appeal to the heartland hunters of America. There are few things you’d need a bolt-action rifle for that this rifle wouldn’t do quite well. I would feel more than comfortable taking this rifle on a backcountry elk hunt here in these mountains. And that is what matters most to me; would I take it hunting.

Thanks for reading along this far, make sure to follow us for more information on this and other great firearms.

-CBM

If you like new Ruger firearms, check out this one

Vulcan Weatherlock Rifle Soft Case

November 23, 2024Ancillary gear, Product reviewgun case, vulcan, weatherlock gun casecoldboremiracle

Introduction

For most of us, our firearms are a significant investment. Protecting our valuable and prized rifles is something to take seriously and the subject of today. I use a variety of hard and soft cases to transport and protect my guns, but today I am looking a new one sent from Vulcan. Today I am sharing my thoughts on the Vulcan Weatherlock Rifle Case.

The Vulcan Weatherlock Case

The most important feature for a weapons case is to protect what’s inside. This is typically done by either padding the gun against a hard outer case, or simple padding alone. Soft cases and hard cases both have advantages and disadvantages so we typically have some of both depending on the planned activity that day.

Hard cases are great for air travel, or for carrying your gun in the bed of a truck to the range or hunting spot. Soft cases tend to take a little less space, and both weigh and cost less. The Vulcan Weatherlock case seems to be a little bit of a hybrid, it offers the versatility of a soft case while still giving some hard case benefits like protecting your guns from weather.

Vulcan weatherlock gun case, ak47, Marlin 1894 .357 magnum — the Vulcan gun case is roomy for less obtrusive guns, like these two classics…

The Vulcan case has a water resistant shell that makes it great for poor weather, and additionally makes it easy to wash off. It also has a water resistant zipper to keep rain and snow out of your case. There are also available accessory pouches that you can attach to the case exterior.

Inside the case you will find a split-compartment for storing two different rifles under 40-inches long. The padded divider keeps two rifles from contacting each other inside the case. There are tuck-friendly pockets at each end, not for weird transformers but to help keep muzzles and buttstocks tucked neatly. It also has Velcro straps that can be used to secure each firearm in its place.

Vulcan Weatherlock rifle case — exterior reinforced drag handles and D-rings allow attachment of slings for carry options

The exterior of the case has various molle attachment areas to put any accessories you’d like to add to your case. It also has several D-loops that you can attach slings or even shoulder straps to for different carrying needs. As well as some drag handles at each end for better grip. All of these features are incredibly robust, thick nylon webbing with very sturdy stitching makes them feel strong enough to hang from.

Transporting Rifles in the Vulcan Case

My day to day activities often lead me to transport many firearms. So the Vulcan Weatherlock case was easy to try out. I used it to store several rifles like my Desert Tech WLVRN and one of my AR15’s to drive all over the state. Because both rifles have a variety of bulky accessories I was surprised I was able to fit them both in the case, even with suppressors attached.

vulcan weatherlock gun case — the Vulcan Weatherlock case protects from all angles, not just the sides.

I also used the case to transport other rifles, some much less bulky that fit in it with ease. As I went through the paces of stowing and uncasing the rifles over the course of weeks I found a few things out about this case.

First off, lets talk about the zipper. The zipper has a heavy-duty T-handle, which is very handy. It’s also a bit necessary, because the heavy duty zipper does take a little extra effort. I assume this is partly due to its robust construction and water resistant seal. The Weatherlock case came with a small tube of lube for the zipper which is helpful and appreciated.

vulcan weatherlock gun case, zipper lubricant — apply the silicon zipper lube sparingly, this isn’t some smutty hotel

The nylon coated exterior of the case is very protective for the rifles inside. It also has a bit of rigidity built in. This almost makes the case feel like a hard case, that’s why I mentioned it’s kind of a hybrid in between. The rigidity can at times make it a tiny bit more labor intensive to close the case, but it pays off with its sealing and durability qualities.

Pay attention seamen; I can even imagine a scenario where the Vulcan case might save your firearms from becoming another ATF statistic. I expect the Weatherlock case would float should it be involved in these ever more common boating accidents. While I cannot recommend them as a personal flotation device, I bet it would stay buoyant long enough for you to rescue them should they pull a Wilson while at sea. Thats something you can’t expect from other soft cases.

I mentioned all the handles and other exterior features are also very robust. It honestly feels like you could tie a tow strap to either end of this case and use it to pull out a stuck vehicle. The only negative thing I could think of with this case is the possibility of eventually cracking. Though I expect it would take some serious long-term sun exposure or hard use to do so.

Pros and Cons

Lets talk about practicality. I have used countless soft cases over the years, and they all seem to have their benefits. With an MSRP of $279.00 the Vulcan Weatherlock case is not for casuals. A quick perusal of soft cases on Optics Planet shows plenty of options for much less, but they certainly don’t offer the same features.

The Weatherlock case offers superior protection than most, particularly if you spend time shooting in poor weather. Riding around tied to the back of my snowmobile or ATV I am quite confident my rifles will stay safe and dry.

Vulcan weatherlock nylon coated gun case — attaching a shoulder sling made easy carrying the Weatherlock case around

Apart from its higher cost, I might say one down side to the Vulcan Weatherlock case is that it takes a little bit longer to open and close. But what it gives up in speed, it makes up for in strength and durability. The incredibly durable components of the case are built to last.

My Recommendation

If you are like me, constantly beating expensive firearms on the back of four-wheelers and in and out of vehicles, you will definitely find the Vulcan Weatherlock case to be valuable. And even if you aren’t as abusive as I am, you will find your firearms exceptionally safe inside the case.

Is it worth the price? Only you can decide if your rifles are worth keeping pristine, and the Vulcan Weatherlock case will certainly keep them that way. If you’re a guy who thrives on PSA blem daily specials, then maybe you should save your money to get that Civic bumper cover painted 🤣

-CBM

Need a hard case instead? Click Here

YHM Fat Cat Suppressor

November 15, 2024Product review, suppressors.223, 5.56, fat cat, suppressor, yankee hill machine, YHMcoldboremiracle

Preface

I’ve been shooting Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) suppressors for several decades now, and I can say with confidence that it has been a good experience. Suppressors have become an everyday thing for me, I use them on most of my guns. I’ve got a variety of suppressors from various manufacturers, but I keep coming back to YHM for good reasons. Today I am happy to bring you yet another new to me suppressor from the good folks at YHM. That can is the YHM Fat Cat 5.56 suppressor, a compact can designed for hard use on your auto-loading 5.56 rifles.

YHM Fat Cat Specifications

Caliber	5.56mm
Weight	11.2 oz/ 13.2 oz with adaptor
Length	4.25 in/4.50 in with adaptor
Diameter	1.94 in
Material	17-4 Stainless steel/ Cobalt 6
Included Mount	sRx ½-28 QD adaptor
Decibel rating	139 dB
Min Barrel length	10 in
Full Auto-rated	Yes

Compact and Compatible

The YHM Fat Cat is a compact suppressor, a trend that has gained some popularity as the suppressor market has grown. K cans have been around for a long time, and offer shorter overall weapon lengths. But the Fat Cat falls into a different category, a short and fat category. There are a few different options out there that offer short cans with larger diameters, the idea behind them is that the greater diameter of the suppressor aids in its effectiveness.

YHM Fat Cat, desert tech WLVRN, eotech vudu

The Fat Cat from Yankee Hill Machine incorporates many of the companies other features as well. Using the industry standard hub allows you to use whatever mounting system you prefer. The Fat Cat comes with the newer sRx system, which is compact in its own right. But other options can also be used, like the Phantom QD system, or various direct thread options. And thats just some of the YHM mount options, you could also use mounting systems from other manufacturers if you choose.

Construction and Materials

The curious shape of the Fat Cat is due to its interesting blast chamber. The suppressor tapers at the breech end, making the blast baffle detached at its rear. This blast chamber design surely causes a great deal of turbulence as gas tries to escape from the Fat Cat.

yhm fat cat 5.56 suppressor — a view of the blast chamber and cobalt 6 blast baffle

Manufacturing the blast baffle from cobalt 6 was done to increase durability and reduce erosion of the suppressor. Cobalt 6 is an alloy including tungsten and chrome, its resistance to heat and erosion makes it ideal for the Fat Cats blast chamber.

The rest of the suppressors construction consists of 17-4 stainless. This high tensile strength alloy is also resistant to erosion, the entire suppressor is welded together for robust one-piece durability. The finish on the Fat Cat is black Cerakote, which is made to stand up to the heat and action of shooting.

These construction aspects of the Fat Cat are why YHM gives it a full-auto rating. Though it does come with a minimum barrel length requirement, which I suppose is fair. I don’t do a lot of full-auto shooting, so I didn’t expect it would be a huge concern.

Shooting the Yankee Hill Machine Fat Cat 5.56 suppressor

Putting the Fat Cat through testing with the rest of my 5.56 suppressors would give me a good idea of its performance qualities. You can read more about a direct comparison to other suppressors here.

yankee hill machine fat cat 5.56 suppressor, sRx QD hub adaptor 1/2-28 — a better view of the sRx QD adaptor

Using the sRx muzzle device, I could attach the Fat Cat to most of my 5.56 carbines. But I also used the Phantom QD muzzle devices just because I could. It would also allow me to mount the Cat to rifles that used 5/8-24 threaded muzzles (still chambered in 5.56).

savage model 12, yankee hill machine Fat Cat 5.56 suppressor — shooting from a bolt-action rifle allowed for sound evaluation compared to others

I chose to test the Fat Cat on a variety of host firearms, for various reasons. For example, a bolt action Savage model 12 .223 rifle would allow us hear the pure unfettered muzzle report from the suppressor. Various semi-auto rifles and carbines would allow us to see how back-pressure and other function were affected by the suppressor. For that I used a couple different AR15 type rifles I’d put together, and I also used my Desert Tech WLVRN 5.56 rifle. Five different host rifles would give us a good idea of how the Fat Cat does suppressing the noise.

Sound Suppression

I was very pleased with the sound suppression of the Fat Cat. On every 5.56 rifle I used it, the sound reduction was fantastic. I never felt the need to use hearing protection, though I probably should. Those around also mentioned that it was very pleasant shooting even without hearing protection.

Back-pressure

On the semi-auto rifles this suppressor was destined for, there is bound to be some backpressure. On my direct impingement rifles, there was a slight increase in bolt speed. As well as additional gas venting out of the ejection port. This is something I’m used to when shooting suppressed. Comparable cans like the YHM Turbo, SiCo Saker and Sandman K gave very similar results while being longer and I believe heavier as well.

YHM Fat Cat suppressor, desert tech quattro 15

When shooting the Fat Cat on my Desert Tech WLVRN this was less a problem as it uses an adjustable gas valve. This allows you to reduce the gas volume hitting the piston.

Compatibility

I really appreciated the compatibility of the Fat Cat. To be fair it is equalled by the other YHM suppressor family. The sRx QD system that comes with the Fat Cat is outstanding and compact. Additionally I used the Phantom QD mounting system, which seamlessly threaded on to the Fat Cat just as it did my Turbo T3 and Turbo K.

Using the industry standard 1.375 x 24 thread pattern also allow you to use whatever brand mounting system you wish. If you prefer one of the other manufacturer’s mounting system, you can simply spin it on to the back of the Fat Cat and roll.

yankee hill machine suppressor fat cat 5.56 — swapping the Fat Cat between hosts is easy with the YHM Phantom QD system

YHM Fat Cat Pros and Cons

If you look at the YHM Fat Cat as simply a compact suppressor for your 5.56 carbine, then it is really hard for me to come up with anything I’d change. Its pretty light by comparison, its shorter than most 5.56 cans, its compatible with a plethora of mounting systems. There is just nothing to dislike about it. It brings all these features at a pretty moderate price of only $699.

desert tech WLVRN, eotech vudu, yhm fat cat

The only way I think you might have issues with the Fat Cat is if you shoot high volumes of full auto. It is rated for such rates of fire, but your bound to get burnt and left penniless after burning up all your ammo.

Final Opinion

As with other 5.56 suppressors from YHM, I found myself tickled with with the Fat Cat. It was a perfect fit for my smaller rifles that I like to EDC. It added minimal length to the firearm, and yet it suppressed the report handily.

yhm Fat Cat suppressor, desert tech quattro 15, eotech vudu

If I needed only one suppressor for all my .223/5.56 needs, I’m quite confident the Fat Cat would be more than enough. Whether it be on one of my .223 bolt guns, or the semi-autos you see here, the YHM Fat Cat is an easy choice for me. Give it a look if you too are broadening your suppressor inventory.

-CBM

Anechoic Anechox 35 Suppressors

November 13, 2024Product review, suppressors35, 35L, 9mm, anechoic, anechox, titaniumcoldboremiracle

Suppression

Suppressors have become mainstream for most firearms owners, save those poor souls living behind enemy lines. For those living in free America however, suppressors are everywhere. I am a huge fan of shooting suppressed, and I am always happy to share my experience with new suppressor products. Today I am bringing you a review of something new to me, from a company called Anechoic Suppressors. The model we are looking at today is the Anechox 35 suppressor.

Anechoic is a strange word, but makes a lot more sense if you break it down. The definition of the word means free from echo and reverberations. These suppressors use Anechoic’s X-Baffle Anechoic™️ Chamber System to reduce the report of your firearm. Additionally the design uses a flow-through style design to help reduce back pressure on semi-automatic firearms. I’m glad you’re here for it, lets get deep into the baffles of these suppressors.

The Anechoic Anechox 35 Suppressor

Specifications

Max Caliber	.350 bore rated for 338LM
Sound reduction	34dB (standard) 40dB (35L)
Length	6.5” (standard) 8.1” (35L)
Diameter	1.6”
Weight	8.3Oz (standard) 10.2 (35L)
Materials	Titanium, 17-4 Stainless steel
Finish	Cerakote
Mounting hub threads	1-⅜ x 24
Warranty	Lifetime
Full-auto rated	yes

As I opened the box to the Anechox suppressor I was impressed with what I saw, but would these suppressors live up to the expectation? I lifted the suppressor from the foam, and was very surprised at the weight. They definitely feel like pistol cans, as if they were made from aluminum. My immediate thoughts were; no way this is 338LM rated. Something I intended to get to the bottom of for sure.

anechoic anechox 35L suppressor, eotech, desert tech quattro 15

The Anechox 35 and 35L both came finished in OD Green Cerakote, which made them stand out a little bit. The exterior machined facets gave a good grip purchase, and the curious vents at the front of the suppressor looked very interesting as well. The overall workmanship looked fantastic.

Also in the box there were included tools for servicing and disassembling the suppressors. I really like the way the tools fit the hub end of the suppressors, there is very positive engagement reducing the likelihood of slipping off and damaging either the tool or suppressor. There was also a large Torx-bit included that fits into the muzzle end of the Anechox 35. The hub threads matched the industry standard which I really liked, as it would allow me to use a variety of mounting configurations. The suppressors came with 1/2-28 direct-thread adaptors installed.

anechoic anechox 35 suppressor, desert tech WLVRN

Shooting The Anechoic 35 Suppressors

After playing with these cans for a bit, it was time to get them hot. The very first shots through the Anechox suppressors were on my CZ Scorpion EVO. The Scorpion typically has a SiCo Octane 45 suppressor on it, and after swapping out to the Anechox 35 it sounded almost the same. Neither of us could distinguish a noticeable difference.

These suppressors are so multi-purpose that it created a dilemma of finding a wide enough variety of host firearms to test every facet of their performance. I had to bring quite a collection, which made these tests quite fun.

shadow systems MR 920, anechoic anchox 35 suppressor, holosun 507c

Besides the Scorpion EVO, I also shot the Anechox 35’s on a Shadow Systems MR920. A smaller 9mm pistol threaded 1/2-28, using a Nielson booster assembly which threaded nicely into both suppressors. I also switched over to a Canik METE SFT Pro 9mm pistol, a full-size gun to get a feel for handling both sizes of pistol.

Canik METE SFT Pro, anechoic 35 suppressor, Holosun SCS Carry RDS — suppressed setup, the Canik METE with **Holosun SCS** Carry optic, and the Anechox 35

Rifle Use

I also wanted to test the Anechox 35’s on various rifles. First up was one of my AR15 builds, which was an easy option with predictable results. Additionally I figured I would use it on my Desert Tech WLVRN, mainly because the green can looks good on a green gun. Additionally I would use my Desert Tech SRS M2, because of the ease of swapping calibers. I could shoot 308win, 6.5CM, and 338LM all through the same gun using the Anechoic 35 suppressors.

I figured that shooting all these calibers from 338 down to 5.56 and 9mm would give a very good understanding of this suppressors performance. I figure it would likely cover most anything the average gun owner would need suppressed.

anechoic anechox 35L suppressor, desert tech srs m2, Apex Optics Rival — Even the mighty 338 Lapua Magnum was tamed by the Anechox 35L suppressor

Sound Suppression Performance

Noise

Shooting my assortment of firearms with the Anechox 35 and 35L suppressors was an interesting experience. The semi-auto pistols shot flawlessly with the suppressors installed, and while they were certainly much quieter, they were louder than I expected. After some thinking, I think it’d just been a while since I shot suppressed 9mm auto pistols. The opening breech of the pistol sends a good portion of the sound waves right at you.

The autoloading rifles on the other hand sounded just as I expected, probably because I’m used to them suppressed. Smaller carbines like the Quattro 15 rifle, and the WLVRN sounded fantastic. Likely due to the oversized suppressor for the smaller 5.56 cartridges.

desert tech wlvrn, eotech vudu, anechoic anechox 35 — the Desert Tech WLVRN 20″ 5.56 coupled to the Anechox 35 and **Eotech Vudu 1-6**

Stepping it up to something bigger like 308 Winchester still produced an acceptable muzzle report. Since I don’t have any testing equipment, lab coats, or PHD, I can only judge these suppressors based on what my ears hear. Having shot countless suppressed 308 rounds, the Anechox 35’s sounded as good as most anything else. They may or may not have been quieter than a comparable can, but there was simply not enough difference for me to care.

Anechoic suppressor, bergara crest carbon — we also shot the Anechox 35 on the **Bergara Crest Carbon 308**

I’ll admit, when I saw that these suppressors were rated for 338LM I was a bit uneasy. They are incredibly light, and I felt like a Lapua would blow them open. But once I’d screwed them onto the rifle there was no going back. I’d swapped the 22″ 308 barrel from my SRS M2 and installed a 26″ 338LM barrel in its place. I loaded a few rounds of 300gr ammunition, and with some trepidation I sent a few downrange. I watched my bullets impact the steel target at 760 yards, so I sent a few more. Everything sounded just like it always does when I shoot the 338 suppressed, including the slap of lead against steel.

Backpressure

Its not uncommon to feel debris blowing back from suppressed pistols. There is always some backpressure that can send things into your face, so make sure you wear eye pro always. While there was some noticeable backpressure while shooting the 9mm pistols, it wasn’t enough to concern me.

Direct impingement rifles like my AR seem a little more susceptible to backpressure. But again, I think the oversize Anechoic chambers allowed for much gas expansion, reducing backpressure. And with rifles like my WLVRN, you can adjust the gas pressure down as needed to prevent excessive blowback and over-operation.

Accuracy

In my experience, suppressors help calm down a rifle as it recoils. This often results in better accuracy while shooting suppressed. I found that the Anechox 35’s had no adverse affects on my rifles accuracy, if anything they shot better than unsuppressed.

Pros and Cons

Perhaps the greatest feature of these can’s is their multi-purpose use. If you are only going to have one suppressor, then one of these would be a great choice due to the adaptability.

As I’ve just mentioned, the sound suppression for most caliber firearms is great. And having a multipurpose suppressor like this would allow you to use it on a whole collection of firearms. Add to that the ease of convertibility using the industry standard hub mounting threads, you can mount these suppressors on anything. Moving the cans from one host to another can be enhanced by using your preferred mounting system.

the Anechox 35 (left) and the Anechox 35L (right)

These Anechox 35’s are quite pleasing to the eye. The sexy splines down the suppressor add both tactile gripping for install and removal as well as a pleasing look. The flow-thru front end of the suppressor also has an attractive appeal to it, in addition to its functionality. The variety of color options adds to the good looks of these cans, I love the green.

Because they are so lightweight, it came as no surprise that these cans heat up fast. Most cans do, so it’s not a big deal. It did seem like they heated up quick with few shots, but anything funneling a 338 Lapua through it this fast has the right to get hot in my opinion.

One thing I found that was slightly irritating was the 1/2-28 threaded caps that came with the suppressors were pretty tight. By that I mean you almost had to push them over the muzzle threads to get them started. The lead-in was tight, the threads themselves were fine. It was a small issue, but worth noting.

the tools included with the Anechoic suppressors were very convenient and serviceable

Another slight peeve of mine was related to the finish. Cerakote usually holds up pretty good for me, but it almost seemed like this Cerakote didn’t get cooked or something, as it felt too easy to mar the finish. For me this isn’t a huge deal as I typically re-coat my cans every other year or so. It also could just be because of the green color perhaps, either way it wasn’t a big deal to me. Once they got hot, and were well handled you couldn’t really notice anyways.

Concluding Thoughts

I applaud the efforts of folks bringing new and better products to the willingly oppressed NFA owners of this country. The Anechoic Anechox 35 suppressor series fits great into my collection of firearms, and increases the adaptability of my suppressors. If they were the only suppressors I owned, I could do everything I need to do suppressed.

anechoic suppressor, desert tech srs m2, apex optics Rival — the Desert Tech SRS M2 in 338LM, Anechoic 35L, and the **Apex Optics Rival scope**

With an MSRP starting at $1099, they are not the cheapest suppressors out there for sure. But you don’t wan’t that anyways. The light weight feature of these suppressors alone warrants the price, but adding in their multipurpose hub mounting compatibility, limited full-auto use, and the versatility of going from your Glock to your 338 precision rifle makes it a pretty easy choice.

I have been quite pleased with the performance and features of the Anechoic Anechox 35 and 35L suppressors. If what you’ve seen here today has sparked your interest, give them a good look at your local class III dealer or order from their website.

-CBM

US Optics RISE Red Dot

November 12, 2024Optics, Product reviewRed dot, rise, us opticscoldboremiracle

Red Dot sights

The past few years have spawned an incredible surplus of red sot sights (RDS) and new technologies around them. Red dots offer a parallax free aiming option, meaning you needn’t focus back and forth between the sights and target. I’ve spent a great deal of time using various red dots over the last few years, and today I am bringing you another brand new option. Our subject in today’s review is the US Optics RISE red dot.

The US Optics RISE Red Dot

From US Optics, the Red dot Integrated Sight Enhancer (RISE) is a compact battery operated sight. Built for precise aiming in high-speed situations. The RISE uses a 3 MOA dot, which is big enough to pick up quickly, but small enough to still offer precise shot-placement.

us optics RISE red dot, shadow systems dr920 — The USO RISE RDS on the Shadow Systems DR920 with a **Surefire X300 weapon light**

The RISE has 10 brightness settings include 2 for night-vision use. The brightness and other features are easily controlled using the two buttons on either side of the housing. Like most RDS, the RISE is adjusted using a small blade screwdriver to adjust the windage and elevation for zeroing the sight. It also incorporates some really handy features like a sleep mode where it shuts down after two minutes of motionlessness. It instantly resumes the previous brightness setting as soon as the host firearm is moved.

us optics rise red dot sight, sig sauer p320 x5 legion

This feature helps maintain battery life, which is anticipated to last some 75,000 hours with a single CR2032 lithium cell. The battery is easily changed through the RISE’s top loading battery lid using common tools or the included tools that come with the optic. Mounting the RISE RDS is easily done using the supplied fasteners, and it is built to fit Delta Point Pro footprints. One of the more common patterns.

Specifications

Window Size:	24x20MM
Footprint:	DeltaPoint Pro
Magnification:	1X
Dot Color:	Red
Dot Size:	3 MOA
Light Source:	LED
Adjustment Type:	Manual, (+, -)
Sleep Mode:	Auto-off after 2 mins; Auto-Revive with movement
Brightness Settings:	10 (8 Daylight, 2 NV)
Click Value:	1 MOA per click
Elevation Travel:	80 MOA
Windage Travel:	80 MOA
OA Length:	47.98 MM/ 1.889 IN
OA Width	31.20 MM/ 1.228 IN
OA Height	28.80 MM/ 1.134 IN
Rear Deck Height:	7.60 MM/ .300 IN
Weight:	37.54 G / 1.32 OZ
Material:	6061 T6 aluminum
Coating:	Black Hard Anodized
Waterproof Rating:	IP67
Battery:	CR2032
Battery Load:	Top
Battery Life:	75000 hrs at setting 1, 26087 hrs @ setting 5, 600 hrs @ setting 10

Mounting the US Optics RISE RDS

Initial testing of the RISE RDS was done on my Sig Sauer P320 X5 Legion 9mm pistol. This was an easy fit as the pistol comes ready for Delta Point optics. Using the supplied screws, I set the RISE in place, and kept it as close to zero as possible while I torqued down the fasteners with a wrench. The fit was perfect, and it looked as though the RISE was made for it. In just a few moments I had adjusted the dot to co-witness with the iron sights. I found that the small notch built into the back of the RISE worked as a rear sight that would work in the event the battery died.

the Sig P320 X5 Legion with the USO RISE and Surefire X300 weapon light

I also mounted the USO RISE RDS to my Shadow Systems DR920. The pre-cut slide makes it an easy host for a variety of optics, and the RISE was a perfect match as well. The lower cut slide of the pistol made it the perfect height for seeing both front and rear sights through the window.

Shooting with the US Optics RISE

I have pretty extensive shooting experience with this pistol (hasn’t gone off by itself yet) so it was a great gun to test it on. I already had the US Optics DRS enhanced red dot on the pistol, but this was definitely an upgrade.

us optics RISE red dot sight, safariland holster, shadow systems dr920 — another added benefit was the RISE fit in all my **Safariland holsters**

My immediate first impression was the much bigger window, the RISE uses a larger lens than its predecessor. I have become accustomed to these larger windowed red dots, and I like them quite a bit. You can read more about that here. The RISE is a nice compromise, its bigger than many standard RDS windows, but not quite as obtrusive as the XL sized competition sights. It might be a touch large for a CCW pistol, but thats obviously a bit subjective.

US optics RISE rds, sig sauer p320 X5 Legion

I did find the big window great for finding targets quickly, and the 3MOA dot was very precise for putting shots on conspicuous places on the target. The parallax free targeting I mentioned at the top makes for faster shooting, you never have to take your eyes off the target. You simply bring the pistol to bear on the target and the dot comes into your field of view, only slight adjustments are needed before pulling the trigger.

Shootability

The big lens is one of the great features of this dot, but the controls are very nice, and simple as well. I’m not a huge fan of complication, so I like the no-nonsense two button operation. If you don’t like the auto-off feature it can be easily locked into the ON or OFF position using the buttons.

Its a simple system for folks who don’t want to wonder. I leave the dot in the recall mode, that way every time I grab my pistol the dot is on and ready for action. Finding the bright red dot is easy and comforting when you are looking for a target.

Like most RDS, if you have the dot set on a brighter than necessary setting you might find the dot blooming. Or bleeding out across the lens, I found that simply turning it down a bump or two takes care of the issue. The brightest setting was easily seen in full sunlight, so while I found it unnecessary, you can adjust it how you like.

Reliability

During our testing, we had zero issues with the RISE red dot. It never came loose or lost zero, and I never had to make any adjustments other than the brightness settings based on our surrounding conditions.

I like the robust construction of the RISE, it is thicker than the hood on other RDS which makes me think it will stand up to more abuse. Additionally the RISE is rated IP67 for dust and water protection, just incase you drop your CCW into a pool or something. And like all US Optics products, the RISE has a no bullshit warranty covering; function, quality, workmanship and material.

Value Comparison

With an MSRP of $279.99 the US Optics RISE is a great option if you are looking for a bigger windowed RDS. While other sights like the Delta Point Pro, and Vortex XL have a little bit bigger windows they are $75 to $125 more in their street price. The Romeo 3 MAX and the Holosun 507 Comp are two other popular RDS and they too cost about $100 more than the RISE. To be fair some of those sight offer enhanced reticle options as well so keep that in mind.

us optics RISE, sig sauer p320 x5 legion

Conclusion

Like many other US Optics products, I have found the RISE RDS to be a great option for my purposes. If there was one thing I would change about it, I think it would be cool to add some reticle options like some of the other companies have done. But if you like the simplicity of a dot, then you’ll need look no further.

The US Optics RISE red dot is a quality sight for your pistol or carbine. It brings a durable no-nonsense performance with compatibility from a quality brand you can trust. I look forward to shooting more with this sight, perhaps I’ll mount it to my ZRO Delta FKS 9 CCW pistol to see how it performs there.

-CBM

Bergara Premier Canyon 308 Win

November 7, 2024Product review, Shooting hardware, Uncategorized308win, Bergara, canyon, premier, premier canyoncoldboremiracle

Introduction

I am no stranger to Bergara rifles, I’ve been lucky to experience a great deal of shooting with a variety of their rifles. Like other brands I have become familiar with, I have come to expect good things from their products. Today’s subject however, is a little different story. That subject is the Bergara Premier Canyon rifle chambered in 308 Winchester.

bergara premier canyon 308 — ready for anything

The Premier Canyon rifle is built around Bergara’s Premier action. Like their popular B14 action, it is a Remington 700 footprint action which allows for a plethora of aftermarket support. Things like triggers, magazine systems, scope mounting options etc. are mostly compatible with these 700 clones. That alone is one good reason for them, but the Premier goes deeper.

Bergara Premier Canyon 308 winchester, lucid optics MLX 3-18

The Bergara Premier Action

The Premier action is a two-lug design, it also uses a floating bolthead. This feature has been popular with some custom actions as it allows even contact with mating surfaces. The bolthead has a sliding extractor built into the right lug and dual plunger ejectors for reliable cartridge cycling. With its conical nosed bolt, the action feeds cartridges smoothly. Behind the bolthead there is a gas shield safety feature as well, for dangerous situations like a case-head separation. The whole assembly has been nitrided for durability and reliable service life.

note: extractor and dual-plunger ejectors

The bolt-body itself is stainless steel, and the bolt-handle threads into the back. A handsomely faceted bolt-shroud at the rear also houses a cocking indicator that can be seen and felt protruding when the rifle is cocked. Additionally the Premier action uses larger 8-40 screws to attach the scope mounting base, these are more robust than the traditional 6-32 screws. The trigger options are unlimited using the Remington pattern, Bergara went with a very safe and popular option by using one of Trigger Tech’s models.

Other Premier Canyon Features

Bergara is famous for their barrels, and this model uses one of their one-in-ten twist barrels finished at 20-inches. In my opinion, this is the optimal use of the 308 Winchester. The barrel is fluted to reduce weight, and threaded to accept the muzzle brake or other devices.

The barreled action is mated to an AG Composites carbon fiber stock. Underneath it features a detachable AICS pattern magazine and comes with a 3-round magazine. All these features make a well balanced rifle that weighs in at 6.2 pounds, making it ideal for rugged hunting country like mine.

Specifications

Caliber	308 Win
Twist	1:10
Weight	6.2 lbs
Overall Length	41 inches
Barrel Length	20 inches
Magazine	AICS 3-round included
Finish	Sniper gray Cerakote

Rifle setup

This rifle was bound for several Rocky Mountain big game hunts. Keeping with its light weight theme I decided to put a scope that doesn’t overload the rifle, but doesn’t give up abilities either. Using a set of Warne rings, I mounted a Lucid Optics MLX 3-18 riflescope. I’ve used this scope extensively, and it performs well and would allow this rifle to be used to its effective envelope.

I also attached the Quake Industries sling that came with the rifle. Its rubber pad would stick to the shoulder while hiking. I also attached a Harris Bipod, because most of our shooting is done supported. A backpack could suffice, but I like the bipod option better.

For ammo, I grabbed a selection of Hornady Precision Hunter, American Whitetail as well as a 175-match selection from DTM. A good spread of 150, 175 and 178 grain bullets would give an idea what the rifle likes.

shooting the Premier in big country was helpful with the Lucid MLX scope

Continue Reading HERE

bergara premier canyon accuracy — A typical group from the Premier Canyon rifle, I was very impressed with the accuracy

Bergara Premier canyon — the AICS magazine system was flawless

Since the Premier Canyon performed so well for me, I wanted to give it a fair shake in the woods. I let a good friend named Jacob borrow the rifle for a Rocky Mountain elk hunt. We spent some time together practicing with the rifle at various ranges until he felt comfortable shooting and carrying the rifle.

After watching many different elk over several days, Jacob decided to take a shot. Early one morning, he spotted a bull pushing a group of cows through the sagebrush-covered canyon bottom. They worked their way down near an aspen grove.

The bull appeared and gave a shot opportunity while facing away at 460 yards. The downhill angle gave Jacob a clear view of the bull and his back, allowing for a quartering shot. The 175-grain bullet impacted behind the bull’s shoulder and exited the front of his chest. He stumbled into the aspen, where he would lie down in the crunchy yellow leaves for the last time. The little Bergara made a perfect companion for Jake’s hunt.

bergara premier canyon 308 win, bull elk

We also managed to put the Bergara Premier Canyon to use on the deer hunt. This handsome buck took a single shot from the Premier from 150 yards. The mobility of the rifle made it easy to quickly shoulder the rifle and put him down.

bergara premier canyon 308 win, mule deer

-CBM

Silencer Central Banish Buck 30 Suppressor

November 3, 2024Product review, suppressorsbanish, buck 30, silencer central, suppressorcoldboremiracle

Introduction

Welcome to the good old days folks, as far as suppressors are concerned anyways. We are living through a boon of suppressor activity that could only be improved by a complete repeal of the NFA. With so many new suppressor offerings, it may be a challenge to decide where to start. But today I bring you an easy option; the Silencer Central Banish Buck 30.

The Buck 30 Banish

The “Buck Commander” signature suppressor apparently gets its name from a popular media personality. One I am not familiar with as I avoid television and its influence. But luckily that has no effect on the function of the suppressor.

The Buck 30 is optimized for hunters, with a weight of only 13.8 ounces it wont add a lot to your hunting rifle. And its simple industry compatible hub system will allow you to mount it to the host firearm any way you choose. The suppressor is rated for up to 300 Winchester Magnum, which will cover most of your typical hunting rifles. And according to the manufacturer, the accuracy baffle used in the Buck 30 helps reduce the impact shift when switching between suppressed and unsuppressed.

Specifications

Length: 6.9”

Diameter: 1.54″

Number of Baffles: 8 baffles with 1st being an accuracy baffle

Weight: 13.8oz

Material: Stainless Steel

Thread Pitch: Various Direct Mounts

Brand: BANISH

Self-Service: No

Caliber: 30 caliber

Caliber Range: .17 HMR – .300 Win Mag

Color: Black

Finish: Cerakote

dB Readings: .308 with 18″ barrel: 131 dB to ear; 6.5 CM with 20″ barrel: 132 dB

Mount Style: Industry Standard Hub

Full-Auto Rated: No

Lifetime Warranty: Yes

Shooting the Buck 30 Suppressor

I decided to test the Buck 30 on a variety of firearms, as I imagine many of you might do. I am starting to think of this suppressor as a great first suppressor for some folks. The ability to change out the mounting configuration makes it easy to switch from one host to another.

The first rifle I used the Buck 30 suppressor on was my bolt action 223 Remington. A custom rifle mainly used for varmint hunting and target shooting. The Buck 30 fit perfectly using the provided 5/8-24 direct thread hub. Next up was a Bergara HMR Carbon chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle is also threaded 5/8 -24 so the same thread cap was used and matched up well to the muzzle thread tenon.

silencer central banish buck 30 suppressor

On the bolt-action rifles the suppressor was fantastic, keeping the report down to a pleasant ruckus. And it didn’t add much length to the rifles, though I rarely shoot unsuppressed so that could just be my bias. One of the two rifles is particularly heavy, so the weight of the Buck 30 wasn’t even noticeable.

Continue Reading Here

banish Buck 30 suppressor, bear creek arsenal huntmaster 30-06 — this **Bear Creek Arsenal BC-8 in 30-06** was a good host for the Buck 30 as well

Silencer Central Banish Speed K

November 2, 2024Product review, suppressorsbanish, inconel, k, speed k, suppressorcoldboremiracle

Preface

Conventional suppressors are becoming more and more common. And as overall suppressor ownership increases, unique designs continue to come to market. Today we are going to bring you one of these new and unique designs. Silencer Central has been aggressively pursuing the suppressor market with their Banish line of in house suppressors. Though they sell many other brands as well, it is no surprise that the Banish line gets lots of attention and continues to develop with new options. Among those new Banish suppressors you will find today’s subject; the Silencer Central Banish Speed K suppressor.

The Speed K is a duty designed suppressor, developed for the purpose of heavy shooting service carbines. Its design utilizes clipped baffles and finned blast chamber, these features help create turbulence and retard the escape of gas. Additionally, the fourth baffle is vented which help reduce the velocity of exiting gasses. These features coupled with the complete inconel construction make the Speed K both effective and durable.

The Banish Speed K

The Banish Speed K was developed during testing procedures for law enforcement and military use. I suppose you could translate that to mean that it was designed around high volume shooting protocols. According to the manufacturer the Speed K passed multiple courses of heavy duty SOCOM testing, which many suppressors can’t pass once.

quattro 15 vudu banish suppressor — One of my **Quattro 15** rifles with the **Banish Speed K**

This durability is likely due to the inconel construction and ventilated baffle design. I’m no rocket scientist but I imagine the erosion resistant inconel stands up much better than traditional materials. And allowing a portion of gas to bypass probably helps reduce heat building up like a traditional suppressor design might.

Another feature I like about the Speed K is its mounting solutions. With an industry standard hub, the Speed K can use direct thread mounting or one of various manufacturers QD or brake mounted options. For example I used a YHM Phantom QD mount which made it nice to swap between host firearms. That and the compact size of the Speed K make it a great option for guns made to shoot and scoot.

Specifications

Length: 4″

Diameter: 2″

Weight: 14.1 oz

Material: Inconel

Thread Pitch: Various Direct Mounts

Caliber: 5.56

Caliber Range:. 223 to 5.56

Sound Reduction: 20.9 dB

Self-Service: No

Full-Auto Rated: Yes

Color: Black

Finish: Cerakote

Mount Style: Industry Standard Hub Mount

Lifetime Warranty: Yes

Mounting the Banish Speed K

I planned on running the Speed K on a variety of different 5.56 rifles. First was my Desert Tech WLVRN, a twenty-inch barreled bullpup carbine. I used the provided direct thread end cap for this configuration. I don’t do a particularly high volume of shooting with this rifle, its more like a DMR type rifle.

Quattro 15, trijicon MRO, banish speed k suppressor — My little Quattro 15 with the Speed K and the **Trijicon MRO**

I also used the direct thread cap to attach it to my Quattro 15 PDW type rifle. This one is more along the lines of the Speed K, in that it is made to put down lots of shots. With 53-round magazines and a very short barrel, this gun would give the Speed K a workout and push it’s durability.

Additionally I ran the Banish Speed K on a full-size AR rifle using a sixteen-inch barrel. Just for fun I swapped out the mounting solution on that rifle. With the aforementioned YHM ratcheting QD mount I didn’t need to worry about the direct thread coming loose.

Using different end caps from different manufacturers proved to be very compatible. All the threads matched up nicely making it easy to choose different options for different mounting choices.