NC12215
12-04-08, 13:57
I recently had the distinct pleasure to fire a M4 type rifle equipped with the PWS FSC556 Tactical Compensator and PWS piston system. The rifle had a 16” barrel and was tested in semi and full auto I have used different compensators on many weapons systems in the past but in short this is the finest I have yet experienced.
In semi mode the rifle seemed to have little or no (emphasis on NO) muzzle rise. Sight picture at the time the shot broke appeared unmolested after follow through. Bullet impacts could be easily seen on the reduced steel silhouette target placed at approximately 20 yards as well as 100 yards against a dirt backstop. Spotting impacts was made easier due to a Nightforce NXS 1-4X scope that was described by one shooter as “like looking through High Definition TV”. Good glass? You don’t say.
The noise level was increased as was the concussion felt if within 3 feet of the shooter. With appropriate hearing protection I would describe this as noticeable but not enough to keep me from doing my job. Without hearing protection your ears could bleed (maybe, okay, I doubt it). As a side note, I find that a particular 11.5” Bushmaster barrel w/5.5” flash hider I have used, is significantly louder and more obnoxious than the PWS FSC556 and 16” barrel.
At 20 yards several experienced shooters were able to keep 10-15 round (approx) bursts on the steel with no appreciable muzzle climb or drift. 3-5 round bursts were a joy. The rifle was like holding a really loud pressure wash hose that spit empty brass. I tried the rifle in CQ movement going forward, laterally and with a team member on my left shoulder. I also moved in the #2 spot on his shoulder. In the #2 spot could feel concussive force but, with basic ear cup protection, no excessive sound. Again I could do my job without distraction.
I did no firing in low light as I feel the purpose of this compensator is about fast follow up shots, and accurate controlled bursts rather than firing and remaining undetected. I imagine that the flash would be more than wanted for some and no consequence for others, like me.
Firing the PWS equipped rifle on full auto was an eye opener to say the least. I expected the compensator to work well. However I did not expect it to be near as efficient as it turned out to be. The improvement over a basic A2 was astounding. As soon as we were done shooting we unscrewed the A2 on my M&P 15T and replaced it with the FSC 556. There is no looking back from here. If you want or need your rifle to be able to put multiple rounds in a tight little bunch without the muzzle going for a walk or spotting hits on target, then this might be sliced bread for you.
The original claim I heard was 3 round bursts into 5” at 50 yards. While I did not try it I do believe it.
Dave
Photos of my M&P15T after the PWS upgrade:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics144.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics146.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics136.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics135.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics145.jpg
In semi mode the rifle seemed to have little or no (emphasis on NO) muzzle rise. Sight picture at the time the shot broke appeared unmolested after follow through. Bullet impacts could be easily seen on the reduced steel silhouette target placed at approximately 20 yards as well as 100 yards against a dirt backstop. Spotting impacts was made easier due to a Nightforce NXS 1-4X scope that was described by one shooter as “like looking through High Definition TV”. Good glass? You don’t say.
The noise level was increased as was the concussion felt if within 3 feet of the shooter. With appropriate hearing protection I would describe this as noticeable but not enough to keep me from doing my job. Without hearing protection your ears could bleed (maybe, okay, I doubt it). As a side note, I find that a particular 11.5” Bushmaster barrel w/5.5” flash hider I have used, is significantly louder and more obnoxious than the PWS FSC556 and 16” barrel.
At 20 yards several experienced shooters were able to keep 10-15 round (approx) bursts on the steel with no appreciable muzzle climb or drift. 3-5 round bursts were a joy. The rifle was like holding a really loud pressure wash hose that spit empty brass. I tried the rifle in CQ movement going forward, laterally and with a team member on my left shoulder. I also moved in the #2 spot on his shoulder. In the #2 spot could feel concussive force but, with basic ear cup protection, no excessive sound. Again I could do my job without distraction.
I did no firing in low light as I feel the purpose of this compensator is about fast follow up shots, and accurate controlled bursts rather than firing and remaining undetected. I imagine that the flash would be more than wanted for some and no consequence for others, like me.
Firing the PWS equipped rifle on full auto was an eye opener to say the least. I expected the compensator to work well. However I did not expect it to be near as efficient as it turned out to be. The improvement over a basic A2 was astounding. As soon as we were done shooting we unscrewed the A2 on my M&P 15T and replaced it with the FSC 556. There is no looking back from here. If you want or need your rifle to be able to put multiple rounds in a tight little bunch without the muzzle going for a walk or spotting hits on target, then this might be sliced bread for you.
The original claim I heard was 3 round bursts into 5” at 50 yards. While I did not try it I do believe it.
Dave
Photos of my M&P15T after the PWS upgrade:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics144.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics146.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics136.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics135.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Daveinidaho/CameraPics145.jpg