
Originally Posted by
Rob_s
Clearly some cans are better than others, just like some cars are better than others. But how do you define "better"? The can nerds will point to only the data and only care about how quiet the suppressor is. They *may* care about how it's made as it affects longevity, but this is typically even more academic since most will never shoot the volume of fire at the rate required to make even the crappiest cans fail. Discussions of "best" therefore, in these circles tend to focus on these factors alone and leave out features that are of more importance to many actual users. Factors like cost, length, weight, length added to weapon, mounting system, and even longevity, solvency, stability and marketing tactics of the company. Not to mention initial cost, which is often the strictest factor for many purchasers.
Many purchasers of firearms and firearms accessories (and cars, and motorcycles, and houses, and...) are as equally concerned with the perception of their purchases among their peers as they are with any of the above. A guy that shoots in a club where GemTech is considered the "best" will quite often buy one himself just because it's what fits in. A member of an online forum where another brand is considered "best" may buy a can from that company to make that bunch happy.
I say all that to point out that you have two choices. The first is to educate yourself, figure out what features are important to you, learn about metallurgy, welding, fabrication, etc. Unfortunately, for right now, there is no Explanation of Features that goes with the can chart linked to above. There are a lot of reasons for that, not the least of which is having too many other irons in the fire.
The second is to take a simpler approach. Stick to cans made by the 'big names" in silencers, to include GemTech, Advanced Armament, Surefire, and Knight's Armament (with some slightly smaller companies like SWR, AWC, Yankee Hill, and Ops thrown in as well if you'd like). These are well-established companies, with with plenty of product out on the market, with good quality product reputations (in spite of the mud slinging against one another that some of them participate in) and they generally produce good products. Limit your education to the basics like length, weight, and price and choose accordingly.
I would personally avoid makers outside of those listed above. I have no interest in these little one-man outfits making silencers in their mom's basement, making outlandish claims as to noise reduction and materials, and claiming that secret military units are using their product with zero proof.
Factoring out the "me-too-ism" and the buying to belong crowd, not to mention those that ignorantly become obsessed with a 1 or 2 decibel difference at the exclusion of all else, I have a few that I would recommend at different price points.
YHM Stainless Phantom $585
Decent quality, fast attach mount, relatively inexpensive ($585 is MSRP and they can be had for less) and many dealers will have them in stock because they are cheap to carry. They may not be made of all the high-tech materials, with all the latest and greatest processes, but frankly I'm a little tired of listening to guys that shoot 100 rounds a year suppressed crow about their wunder-can that cost 3x as much.
Gem-Tech G5 $850
Gem-Tech has been around a long time, making cans for a long time. The G5 is a good, mid-price-point can that will more than meet the needs of the vast majority of the Form 4 market.
Advanced Armament M4-2000 $999 (plus $100+ for a mount)
Good mounting system, good, well made can with top shelf materials. Probably a better can than 99% of their "lifestyle" purchasers will ever make use of.
Surefire FA556 series ~$1200+
Very good (meaning minimal) POI shift when shooting suppressed/unsuppressed. Good mounting system.
One final note. If you haven't heard a 5.56 can in person, make arrangements to do so before you purchase. buying a 5.56 can without having ever heard one prior is the surest way to a huge disappointment. Once you decide on the can you think you want, figure out a way to get hands, and ears, on that particular model so that the features you think look good on paper actually translate to being good in person.
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