11.5 AR w/ SF RC2 Suppressor vs. 14.5 AR w/ SF MINI2 Suppressor

[WillieThom]

According to the numbers Surefire’s website gives, the SOCOM556 RC2 adds +3.8” to the overall length of an AR (barrel) and the SOCOM556 MINI2 adds +2.5” to the overall length of an AR (barrel).

With these numbers, that means that an AR with an 11.5” barrel and RC2 has an overall (barrel) length of 15.3” and an AR with a 14.5” barrel and MINI2 suppressor has an overall (barrel) length of 17”.

Is that 1.7” really worth going the NFA/SBR route vs. a pinned & welded 14.5” with the shorter (MINI2) can? And if not, why do more people not just go that route, other than the ‘hassle’ of pinning and welding a muzzle device?

I’ve always been curious about this…

[SteyrAUG]

According to the numbers Surefire’s website gives, the SOCOM556 RC2 adds +3.8” to the overall length of an AR (barrel) and the SOCOM556 MINI2 adds +2.5” to the overall length of an AR (barrel).

With these numbers, that means that an AR with an 11.5” barrel and RC2 has an overall (barrel) length of 15.3” and an AR with a 14.5” barrel and MINI2 suppressor has an overall (barrel) length of 17”.

Is that 1.7” really worth going the NFA/SBR route vs. a pinned & welded 14.5” with the shorter (MINI2) can? And if not, why do more people not just go that route, other than the ‘hassle’ of pinning and welding a muzzle device?

I’ve always been curious about this…

So the first thing to consider is that the SF Mini does almost nothing in terms of meaningful suppression. It is better than just a flash hider but that isn't saying much.

Even the RC2 on an 11.5" leaves a LOT to be desired. There are other brands that achieve greater levels of suppression but they aren't as rugged as SF cans.

The real combo would be the RC2 on a 14.5" barrel rifle. But people do whatever they feel and I've seen SF Minis on 10.5 and 11.5 SBRs. Better than nothing I guess. But you are gonna spend a lot for minimal results.

And if you aren't shooting subsonic, forget about it.

[gunnerblue]

So the first thing to consider is that the SF Mini does almost nothing in terms of meaningful suppression. It is better than just a flash hider but that isn't saying much.

Even the RC2 on an 11.5" leaves a LOT to be desired. There are other brands that achieve greater levels of suppression but they aren't as rugged as SF cans.

The real combo would be the RC2 on a 14.5" barrel rifle. But people do whatever they feel and I've seen SF Minis on 10.5 and 11.5 SBRs. Better than nothing I guess. But you are gonna spend a lot for minimal results.

And if you aren't shooting subsonic, forget about it.

I have a mini on a p/w 14.0," mostly as an exercise to build the shortest non-NFA suppressed upper. I would give it more credit than you, but it's subjective I suppose.

I also have the RC2 which I split between a 12.5" and a 16" spr-ish. Performance of the RC2 on the 14.0" is better than the mini and is not much more noticeable in terms of size and weight.

On an 11.5" I use a Saker 556-k with keymo mount. It's very similar in size and performance to the RC2.

For me it's largely academic and I like being able to swap cans to different rifles if I need too. Both of the 11.5" have keymo mounts and everything else has surefire.

Suppressing anything supersonic can leave a lot desired, indeed. Surefire excels at durability, its mounting system, poa/poi shift and blowback.

[markm]

I've never heard the SF mini. But I've shot the KAC mini and the AAC mini cans. I like them. They're quiet enough at the shooter position, but they're barkier than a full size if you're standing near the shooter.

I'm not a fan of suppressors on ARs, but the mini cans reduce the negative side affects a little bit.

[Wake27]

You have to go NFA to get a can so to me, it’s stupid to care about the “one stamp gun.” You’re saving $200 but giving up any flexibility on having a shorter upper. And it’s usually $50-80 more to have a pinned upper or you’re running a musket. A full size can on a 16.1 OAL gun kinda sucks. 10.3-11.5 guns get full suppressors, 14.5s get minis. 12.5s can go either way.


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[1168]

You have to go NFA to get a can so to me, it’s stupid to care about the “one stamp gun.” You’re saving $200 but giving up any flexibility on having a shorter upper. And it’s usually $50-80 more to have a pinned upper or you’re running a musket. A full size can on a 16.1 OAL gun kinda sucks. 10.3-11.5 guns get full suppressors, 14.5s get minis. 12.5s can go either way.


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Well said.

[SteyrAUG]

You have to go NFA to get a can so to me, it’s stupid to care about the “one stamp gun.” You’re saving $200 but giving up any flexibility on having a shorter upper. And it’s usually $50-80 more to have a pinned upper or you’re running a musket. A full size can on a 16.1 OAL gun kinda sucks. 10.3-11.5 guns get full suppressors, 14.5s get minis. 12.5s can go either way.


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I do agree with that. Never worried about one or two stamps. I was always trying to get the best setup.

[Bluto]

I have both the RC2 and mini and have tried them both on several barrel lengths. For me the sweet spot is a 10.3” barrel with the mini. Yes it’s still loud. I would not consider it a suppressor at this point, more like a concussion mitigator. It’s still somewhat bearable indoors and the overall length and weight balance works really well for me.

I don’t have the equipment but would love to see What numbers these two cans produce at different barrel lengths.

Edit to add: I agree with the other posters. It’s likely you’re eventually going to SBR anyways. May as well just get it over with.

[El Vaquero]

I also have both the RC2 and the Mini. I use them on an 11.5 and 14.5. I was running the Mini on my 11.5 to keep it a little shorter but have recently switched it out for the RC2. On my 11.5 the RC2 balances it out weight wise a little better and is noticeably quieter than the Mini.

But regarding the tax stamps. . . That’s just the cost of playing the NFA game. Get what you want and don’t look back. I like having both the RC2 and the Mini and the ability to interchange them. I’ve used them both on 10.3, 11.5, 14.5, and 16. But I think I like the Mini a little bit more.

I’ve been thinking about adding a third suppressor and am looking at the SOCOM 300 sps for the multi caliber versatility. That could be an option for you as well.

[SteyrAUG]

Another thought on the pinned and welded flash on a 14.5" barrel to avoid NFA. Maintenance is kinda a PITA. The only downside of my SIG rifles is the flash hider that is forged into the barrel. When you mount a suppressor trying to clean out that flash hider is about as fun as trying to brush your dogs teeth.

It's a lot easier when you can remove the flash hider and not have to worry about dicking up the crown of your barrel. Suppressors put about 10 years worth of buildup on your flash hider in a very short time.