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Thread: REVIEW: Griffin Armament M4-SD Tactical Compensator

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    REVIEW: Griffin Armament M4-SD Tactical Compensator

    Hello, I was given the chance to test out Griffin Armaments new Tactical Compensator, and in return I had to do a review on it. So here it is! First off I would like to thank Jesse for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to test the Griffin comp. I would also like to thank Griffin Armament, for the awesome design, great pricing, and especially the opportunity to test it! I would also like to thank JoeBobOutfitters.com as it was their recommendation to allow Jesse to test!

    Before I get into the review, I figure I can give some of my credentials, if that's what you want to call them! I'm a full time Police Officer and have been for approximately 5 years. My AR15 is my go to gun in SHTF situations, so I need the best, not for myself, but for civilians I'm sworn to protect. It rides shotgun with me at all times and is easily accessible. I have approximately 100 hrs of documented professional pistol and 50 hrs of documented professional rifle training. I shoot right around 1k a month by myself and try to stay as active as I can in the USPSA/Pro Am scene. I would like to think that I'm a decent shot and. I'm no veteran, master, or ATAS guy, but I shoot more then the average Joe and am very proficient with my weapons.

    The rifle that I tested the Griffin comp on is my duty rifle. It is a hybrid AR15, mixed with a Noveske lower and LMT 16" carbine upper with a 1/7 twist. The previous hider on the rifle was a Micor Industries http://www.brownells.com/1/1/45849-a...tries-inc.html . It was what came with the upper when I purchased it. The gun does not have much muzzle rise, but it was noticeable.

    Now to the Griffin.

    First glance:

    It seems to be very well made. It looked much like and I'm sure designed closely to a Battlecomp. From other reviews I've read, it's stronger and heavier, but I can't tell you that for sure. I can't tell you what kind of finish it is, but it looks like it is parkerized. It matches very well with my LMT barrel, if that helps at all? Very heavy duty and seems like it'd work well in my line of work, rain, shine or snow.

    Installation:

    On a scale of 1-10, 1 being easiest, 10 being hardest, I would rate installation of this a 3. Only because you actually had to put some muscle into unscrewing your old flash/comp. It would probably be a 1 if I had the correct tools, but I didn't! If you can screw in a light bulb, you can install this comp! I was the second person to test the comp, so the original peel washer was included, but used previously. I opted for a new crush washer (Thanks Matt!).

    Fitment/Look:

    It fit like it should. Nice and snug and it lines up perfect with a crush washer. It looks very good on the rifle and looks factory. It's not flashy like some comps on the market are.

    Function:

    I was very excited to run the rifle after installing the comp. I honestly did not expect much, as I don't think the 2.23/5.56 round has much muzzle rise/recoil. Let me be the first to tell you, first shot, I stopped and said, "Holy crap! It works!" My rifle stayed completely level, virtually(to me) no muzzle rise. The sight picture was exactly the same, nothing changed. Shot went where I wanted it to go and I could've put a round through the same hole again... VERY FAST. After the first shot, I let about 10 rounds go downrange as fast as I could possibly pull the trigger. SAME SIGHT PICTURE, NO MUZZLE RISE. I couldn't believe it. All I could do was smile I was pleasantly surprised and excited! After dumping the mag, I did transition drills with 2 targets, 1, 2, 1. 1, 2, 1. 2 to the body, 1 to the head, etc. Then I did 3 target transitions and on to 4. I could easily track my rifle, get good fast sight pictures with very fast follow up shots. Much faster then before!

    As far as recoil goes, the 2.23/5.56 round doesn't "kick" hard at all, but after installing the Griffin, I could feel... not a kick, but a rearward thrust, more then before. It is still very shooter friendly and would be very easy for a child or amateur shooter to handle.

    Pros:

    It freaking works and it's definitely cheaper then other comparable comps on the market. Nuff said! In my line of work, we all know that LEO are under paid, over worked. Every penny helps! I suggest using Boomer Shooter sponsor, Joe Bob Outfitters. They will treat you right and get your products shipped out FAST! B)

    Cons:

    The one and ONLY con to the comp was the noise level. It was noticeably louder, especially on my left side. Before I could shoot my rifle with my Surefires, inner tube unplugged, I had to plug it to keep my ear from ringing. In an indoor environment, it will get VERY loud. My thought? It doesn't matter, because if I have to use it on duty, I'm not going to have ear plugs in, and I'm probably not going to hear it because I'll be so focused on the threat. That was the only thing I could find wrong with it. I dunno how it's going to do in a humid, wet environment, but I figure it's going to be much like an AR15 rifle barrel, it probably won't affect it much.

    My overall thought is that it's a GREAT buy and again, IT FREAKING WORKS! I will get videos posted soon, hopefully tomorrow, if not, sometime next week. For the meanwhile, here are pics I took of it after I shot it today.

    I hope the review helped with any decision making. Good luck to Griffin and thank you!




    More pics to come.....
    Last edited by ef9turbo; 06-03-11 at 09:26.

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    Unless you are mounting a suppressor on the muzzle attachment and might need more precise alignment you should be good to go with a peel or crush washer, either way.

    The reward, more linear "push" is pretty common amongst what other customers have said as well as what I personally experienced in our pre-testing before purchasing any for resale.

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    Quote Originally Posted by joeboboutfitters View Post
    Unless you are mounting a suppressor on the muzzle attachment and might need more precise alignment you should be good to go with a peel or crush washer, either way.

    The reward, more linear "push" is pretty common amongst what other customers have said as well as what I personally experienced in our pre-testing before purchasing any for resale.
    I am not going to be mounting a suppressor. Thank you for the information though!

    I also owe you an apology for not including a thanks to you. I did not realize you had a part of the testing process for Jesse! Thank you!

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    It looks familiar!!
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

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    OP, thanks for the write-up. How does it compare to other comps? Does it have any/adequate flash-hiding capabilities?

    Do you have any affiliation with the manufacturer, if you don't mind my asking?

    Quote Originally Posted by markm View Post
    It looks familiar!!
    I was thinking the same thing. Like there may be trade dress/patent issues if BCE has that stuff covered. But, whatever, as long as it does what it claims to.

    Also, this thread has already exceeded its quota of exclamation marks.
    “All falsehood is a mask, and however well made the mask may be, with a little attention we may always distinguish it from the true face.”

    State of Franklin Training Group

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    Quote Originally Posted by bulbvivid View Post
    OP, thanks for the write-up. How does it compare to other comps? Does it have any/adequate flash-hiding capabilities?

    I was thinking the same thing. Like there may be trade dress/patent issues if BCE has that stuff covered. But, whatever, as long as it does what it claims to.

    Also, this thread has already exceeded its quota of exclamation marks.
    The product obviously has relation, but the shape and configuration of the Griffin M4SD isn't the same as KAC or Battlecomp, and the amount of ported surface area is in between the two. Their wall thicknesses are different, the accessory grooves are also different and the length from that groove to the front of the unit. Etc. Different means to a similar end, more or less.

    The BC and M4E, like most comps/brakes are not a flash hider. If you are looking for solely a flash hider the A2 or Smith Vortex or other choices would be better.
    Last edited by joeboboutfitters; 06-03-11 at 11:32.

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    Quote Originally Posted by joeboboutfitters View Post
    The product obviously has relation, but the shape and configuration of the Griffin M4SD isn't the same as KAC or Battlecomp, and the amount of ported surface area is in between the two. Their wall thicknesses are different, the accessory grooves are also different and the length from that groove to the front of the unit. Etc. Different means to a similar end, more or less.
    I didn't imply there are no differences, but it's not hard to see some inspiration there. In more cutthroat markets, I think there would be legal issues, if for nothing more than that trade dress and marks have to be defended to be viable, whether or not the presumed offender is in the right.

    Quote Originally Posted by joeboboutfitters View Post
    The BC and M4E, like most comps/brakes are not a flash hider. If you are looking for solely a flash hider the A2 or Smith Vortex or other choices would be better.
    The BC isn't as aggressive a compensator as, say, some of the competition units like the JPs, where flash suppression is not a factor. And though the M4E may not be designed to suppress muzzle flash, the BC is to some degree while still being an effective compensator. This is from the BC Web site:
    The BattleComp gives the tactical operator excellent control WITHOUT the excessive concussion and crushing blast produced by most compensators on the market — with flash comparable to an A2 — and all in an A2-sized package.
    I think that's kinda the BC's gig. It compromises some of the effectiveness of a pure brake in order to avoid concussion and excessive muzzle flash.

    So it shouldn't be out of the ordinary to ask how a unit with a design similar to the BC suppresses muzzle flash. Hell, it may be better at it, hence the question.

    I have no dog in the race and don't mean to hijack the OP's helpful thread, but I have a feeling that whenever the M4E is discussed it will be difficult not to have some talk of and comparison to the BC.
    “All falsehood is a mask, and however well made the mask may be, with a little attention we may always distinguish it from the true face.”

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    Quote Originally Posted by bulbvivid View Post
    So it shouldn't be out of the ordinary to ask how a unit with a design similar to the BC suppresses muzzle flash. Hell, it may be better at it, hence the question.

    I have no dog in the race and don't mean to hijack the OP's helpful thread, but I have a feeling that whenever the M4E is discussed it will be difficult not to have some talk of and comparison to the BC.
    Here is an example of muzzle flash/comparison. They all have a slightly different flash signature. These are 12" barrels with M855:



    The BC/M4SD/KAC should all have more concussion and most likely more flash than a standard A2 birdcage. They will probably have less flash than a bare muzzle. Of course there are many variables out there including ammo, barrel length, gas system, etc. This is similar to suppressors, in that some designs might be slightly more efficient on subsonic ammo versus supersonic, or pistols rather than rifles, etc.

    They should all have less concussion than a standard muzzle brake and other comps which are extremely loud. More of a "middle of the road" approach, as you said. All of these values are hard to quantify. They are not as easily measurable besides SPL, as say velocity. "How much flash" is based on personal experience or by night-time flash pictures, but that's also pretty subjective and hard to catch exactly.

    The benefit to these newer style tactical comps, IMO, is the suppressor adaptability, less concussion, and size. They aren't overly wide or very long to add to the OAL. Buying proprietary mounts for suppressor adapters are "ok" but these work well stand alone as well.
    Last edited by joeboboutfitters; 06-03-11 at 13:00.

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    Hello,

    Are you affiliated with joeboboutfitters.com? And are you afilliated in any way with Griffin Armament? Thanks.

    Quote Originally Posted by joeboboutfitters View Post
    Here is an example of muzzle flash/comparison. They all have a slightly different flash signature. These are 12" barrels with M855:



    The BC/M4SD/KAC should all have more concussion and most likely more flash than a standard A2 birdcage. They will probably have less flash than a bare muzzle. Of course there are many variables out there including ammo, barrel length, gas system, etc. This is similar to suppressors, in that some designs might be slightly more efficient on subsonic ammo versus supersonic, or pistols rather than rifles, etc.

    They should all have less concussion than a standard muzzle brake and other comps which are extremely loud. More of a "middle of the road" approach, as you said. All of these values are hard to quantify. They are not as easily measurable besides SPL, as say velocity. "How much flash" is based on personal experience or by night-time flash pictures, but that's also pretty subjective and hard to catch exactly.

    The benefit to these newer style tactical comps, IMO, is the suppressor adaptability, less concussion, and size. They aren't overly wide or very long to add to the OAL. Buying proprietary mounts for suppressor adapters are "ok" but these work well stand alone as well.



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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    Hello,

    Are you affiliated with joeboboutfitters.com? And are you afilliated in any way with Griffin Armament? Thanks.
    Yes, I am the owner of JBO just responding on here to inquiries. Not affiliated at all with Green0/Griffin besides a buyer/seller relationship.
    Last edited by joeboboutfitters; 06-03-11 at 14:33.

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