Originally Posted by
Ironman8
Well I had a nice long (hopefully helpful) post typed out for you, and then lost it thanks to my computer...damn.
That always pisses me off, thanks for re-typing!
But here's a little bit of it for you.
First, my suggestion is to determine what exactly you will be using your SBR for? What's the "mission"?
Fighting off ninja's. Mil-spec. Mission capable.
Okay, honest with myself? The range. Conversation piece. Hog hunting. Plinking. Carbine course. Home defense. Car-gun on a road trip where the destination is a house/secure location (not leaving it in my car/hotel while I go out to eat/whatever)
HD/CQB at normal CQB type distances...go for the 10.5"
GP rifle with maybe some HD/CQB thrown in...go for the 12.5"
My aversion to the 10.5" is reliability concerns, and my blast baffle dying much faster (I don't plan on running a brake).
Only exception I can think of is if you aren't married to the SF 212 suppressor yet, then look into some reflex type suppressors such as Ops Inc. that will keep the overall length down, allowing you to use a longer barrel (12.5) and keep it shorter than a 16" rifle. You'd get the best of both worlds. This is what I did with my Noveske SBR (which is unfortunately still waiting on forms)
I'm married to it in that I have it in-hand, and don't want to pay another $1500 (can+stamp). If I were to do that, I would go .300 BLK and...stop. Don't discuss this with my wallet. :mad:
Baffle strikes are only a concern if your barrel threads aren't concentric, MD is improperly installed, or the suppressor wasn't put on right...or shitty ammo. Stay with good brands/components and you will be just fine.
Also, since you asked about stability, just know that there have been guys who have made kills out at 600 yds with a 10.5". Obviously the round would be way below fragmentation threshold, but at least the bullet is still going to be supersonic out that far (with a 1/7 twist barrel)
As far as MB vs. FH, if you go 12.5", then FH will be fine. 10.5", I would want the MB to protect my suppressor....unless of course you're one of those who look at a suppressor as a wear item. It's a wear-item. Just like the tires on my car. I DRIVE my car. I still only lost 3/32 of treat on the rear tires on 140 treadware rated tires in the last 5K miles. What I mean is, I brake for balance and accelerate out of corners. I don't do burn-outs in parking lots. I treat my firearms the same way, if you catch my analogy. I don't. I would MUCH rather have a $100 MB be the wear item than my $1000 suppressor! Also, since you said this will be dedicated suppressed, I don't think it matters much what you decide to put on the end of the muzzle. It will be dedicated suppressed, in that this is the primary goal (hence the SBR instead of just running my 14.5 pinned). However, I estimate I will shoot it unsuppressed maybe 25% of the time.
Switchblock. Definitely not diminishing returns. IMO, a suppressed SBR "needs" it more so than the longer barrels. If you want to limit gas blowback and make for a softer shooting rifle, then its a great addition. Another option is the fairly new Syrac Ordnance Adjustable GB. Everything I hear is that it's rock solid, holds its adjustment, and just plain works. If you don't like the adjustable GB idea, then you could always cut out a section of the top rail on the VIS to fit a SB if you wanted to get a longer railed VIS...some guys have done this with their MK18's. I am not very handy with re-anodizing something. I will probably go with the OEM setup from Noveske with the 7" VIS. This leaves about 3" from the face of the selector to the back of the suppressor. Given the method Surefire cans use to attach (screw the back part on, unlike AAC's "button press to release), I think it's not a bad idea. Also will keep me from being an idiot and grabbing the can accidentally if it were near "flush" with the rail. I wish the gap were less, but will 2.75-3" be an eye-sore?
Either way, my suggestion would be to go with the standard GB first, shoot it, and then determine if you even need the SB...unless of course you just want the SB out of the gate.