GUN TEST suppressor shootout DESERT TACTICAL SRS .338 Silent and deadly, three long-range big bore suppressors for today’s sniper!

by LT. DAVE BAHDE

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JET he value of a suppressor on a . At a recent sniper school, driven by a .338 caliber sniper rifle sniper rifle has been subject about a third of the were sup- contract currently in process with the to much debate. When sup- pressed. Years ago, I was the only Army, it is also driven by the need to Tpressors were heavy, short- one with a suppressed rifle and many reach out to longer distances. lived, cumbersome and affected asked, “Aren’t those illegal?” Sup- The .30 caliber cartridges accuracy, there was a basis for argu- pressors are now seen at training, op- even in magnum form are still SUREFIRE ment. However, modern suppressors erations and competitions. Well-made pretty much limited to 1000 help most shooters shoot more ac- suppressors are beginning to show yards or so. If you want to get Ed digna ad tet irilis curately. Improvements in materials up at police departments and military to 1500 yards and beyond you alissim qui endiamc om- technology and design have made units, especially SpecOps units. need more. There are certainly modiamet ad mincipisl ut them virtually maintenance-free, Although the .308 rifle is still bigger guns and cartridges that vullam, commole ssissit lighter and more compact. prevalent for law enforcement and will do that but they often bring AAC illut nisisi esecte dolorpe Many operators are now seeing military sniping, .338s are becom- their own issues: cost, weight and/ rilisim vel in er acinim the value of a suppressor for their ing more popular. Although partially or overall dimension. dolenim eugait, conulput

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The .338 in its many forms allows for constant attention: If they come loose ranges approaching or even beyond 1500 your accuracy goes downhill. The bigger yards in a more standard-sized envelope. the bore the more this tends to be true. As these rifles become more common, These suppressors deal with that in three the desire to suppress them becomes different ways. common as well. There are a number of .338 caliber AAC Titan-QD suppressors available. The three utilized The AAC (Advanced Armament Cor- in this test represent different modifica- poration) Titan-QD is a titanium suppres- tions in design, and three different solu- sor with a quick disconnect. The quick tions to the problem of length on large disconnect is compact and caliber rifles: Since the typical .338 barrel is 26 inches or longer, this can make for a long rifle. Seldom will a rifle so equipped fit in a rifle case. It can also make the rifle heavy and a bit unwieldy. Two of the suppressors tested utilize muzzle brakes that accept the suppressor over the brake. This has become quite popular, allowing the suppressor to be removed with no risk to the crown or threads and less- ening the added length. This can be Us con iussent, nos, are tum alaris cri terte done for stowing it in a regular bag, or inte abeni inenam de cupiem tiam vil hus, pulis for jumping out of aircraft. The other sulocre dendam iam portendum publici orisque full uses two points of contact, sliding over the barrel to a point of contact behind the threads and crown. This not the suppressor uses a “ratchet mount.” only allows for a longer suppressor with a The rifle can be fired with the suppressor page shorter overall length, it provides for more attached or with it off. The brake needs contact with the barrel. This can make for to be “timed” to ling up the port properly. more consistency and less chance of it It is 9.5 inches overall length and 1.75 coming loose. inches in diameter. I could easily attach ad Standard suppressors that simply the brake, and the suppressor attached thread at the end of the barrel require easily as well and did not come loose.

Specifications:

DESERT TACTICAL SRS > Caliber: .308, .338 Lapua, .338 Norma > Barrel: 22 to 26 inches, depending on caliber > OA Length: 31.5 to 37.5 inches, depending on caliber > Weight: 9.4 to 12.4 pounds (empty), depending on caliber > Sights: None > Stocks: Injection molded > : > Finish: Hard coat anodized > Capacity: 5-shot mag (.338), 7-shot mag (.308) > Price: $3275-3585

Specifications: AAC Jet SureFire OA Length (suppressor): 9.5 inches 13 inches 11 inches OA Length (weapon): 47.5 inches 48 inches 47 inches OA Length (diameter): 1.75 inches 1.9 inches 1.5 inches Weight (with QD): 1.45 pounds 2.43 pounds 1.8 pounds

.338 Norma Average Decibel Performance

Manufacturer muzzle Brake Suppressor AAC 107.5 87.5 Jet 99.6 83.2 SureFire 112.8 97.8 Brake and suppressor sound levels measured in dB (decibels).

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SureFire FA338SS can be fired with the brake alone. It is The SureFire FA338SS Suppressor 11 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. is made of stainless steel that also uses With this suppressor, make certain it a quick-disconnect mount. This mount is pressed all the way onto the brake slides over the barrel about 2.75 inches. prior to tightening the locking nut. It requires the barrel to be properly con- This barrel had already been con- toured to accept the brake. The mecha- toured for the Jet so it fit easily, and nism it uses to connect to the suppressor did not come loose. is a large nut that is tightened once the suppressor has been correctly mounted. Mike’s Guns Sales It differs from the AAC in that the sup- & Service Jet Us con iussent, nos, are tum alaris cri terte pressor does not actually “thread” onto The third suppressor is the “Jet.” inte abeni inenam de cupiem tiam vil hus, pulis the brake. It slides over the brake and It is a titanium suppressor that uses sulocre dendam iam portendum publici orisque the nut is tightened to hold it in place. It a two-point attachment system. The barrel is contoured to accept the suppressor. It slides over the barrel Gun Details and threads on, making contact about The rifle I used to test these suppres- 3.5 inches from the end of the barrel. sors was my Desert Tactical SRS rifle. It is not designed to be a quick-dis- One of the unique qualities of the system connect suppressor, although it does is its design, allowing the use of not take any time to remove it. a suppressor without the cumbersome Although there is no muzzle brake overall length. The longest combination in attachment I also purchased their this test fit nicely in my Eagle HSRC bag titanium muzzle brake for a proper with the suppressor attached. comparison. This suppressor is 13 It is also chambered in .338 Norma inches long and 1.9 inches wide. It Mag. This seems to be the “bell of the full attaches easily and has never come ball” of the new .338 calibers right now Us con iussent, nos, are tum alaris cri terte lose. The brake also attaches easily in both the civilian and military circles. inte abeni inenam de cupiem tiam vil hus, pulis and there is a locking screw so you Although the .338 Lapua Mag is certainly sulocre dendam iam portendum publici orisque can easily time the ports. (continued on page 94) page ad

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(continued from page 42) able 1500-yard cartridges. I measured the the front runner, the .338 Norma seems to muzzle velocity at 2800 fps (feet per sec- keep coming up in the sniper circles. It is a ond) with my Oehler 35P Chronograph. specifically designed to utilize the 300-grain SMK bullet in a shorter case. Range Time I was able to secure several rounds of Suppressors generally promise to do what is an “experimental” load that Black several things. There are general claims Hills “might” be making commercially of sound reduction, recoil reduction, available at some time. I blast reduction, and either felt it was a good test of increased accuracy or at the suppressors as it is least no loss of accuracy. the heaviest bullet in this It has been my experience or the Lapua caliber. In that all good suppressors Antifeces tem mantem ad onequem Antifeces tem mantem ad onequem Antifeces tem mantem ad onequem Antifeces tem mantem ad onequem the 300-grain loading the do most of these things to curaestro hocas horebesilis intea curaestro hocas horebesilis intea curaestro hocas horebesilis intea curaestro hocas horebesilis intea Lapua and Norma are vi- one extent or another. nost venihiliquam fuid Cast et viris- nost venihiliquam fuid Cast et viris- nost venihiliquam fuid Cast et viris- nost venihiliquam fuid Cast et viris- Many of these sena terioru rbissetro hocas hor sena terioru rbissetro hocas hor sena terioru rbissetro hocas hor sena terioru rbissetro hocas hor benefits are sub- jective. I limited my testing to the Regarding muzzle blast, recoil and maintain accuracy. All three of these sup- tangible, but they accuracy, all three suppressors per- pressors did all of these things. “Any well-built suppressor will represent simply my formed well. As there is no real way to The best group I was able to get was enhance your shooting experience.” observations and accurately “measure” them for average easily covered with a dime using the Jet experience. With folks I am going to simply stipulate that Suppressor. The others were all a bit the required brakes they all do these things well in my judg- larger, but adequate. There was no visible The last things I included were the has held true for me with the .30 caliber the AAC will set you ment, based on some 10 years of testing “flame” and little disturbance from the overall length of the suppressor, its suppressors as well. The QD cans are back around $3500, such implements. blast. I could not tell any significant differ- weight, and the overall length of the rifle cool and they seem to work fine. They the other two about Quantified scientific data looks good ence in recoil among them. with the suppressor attached. Although are getting better for sure. If you have $2500 (not includ- on a website or at a show, but most Sound suppression on a range or on a the lengths of the suppressors differ, the money or need, then do not hesitate. Us con iussent, nos, are tum alaris cri terte inte abeni inenam de ing the $200 tax shooters just want their rifle to be easier deployment can be very subjective. Since they made little difference in the overall With a bit of ingenuity, these companies cupiem tiam vil hus, pulis sulocre dendam iam portendum publici stamp). to shoot, not give your position away, and I deploy in the real world I tried to replicate length of the weapon system. All of these have built three completely different sup- reality as best I could. I placed the sound systems fit easily in a standard drag bag pressors while maintaining a workable meter where my observer’s head would be. with the suppressors attached. Having overall length. The bottom line is that any For me, that is to my right with his head deployed suppressed sniper rifles, this is well-built suppressor will enhance your at about my right elbow. I was outside in an issue with a .30 caliber rifle. To be able shooting experience. Improved equip- an uncovered firing position. I measured to do this with a 26-inch barreled big bore ment is supposed to enhance your ability, over a 3-shot group and then averaged. is down right fantastic. and suppressors do just that. You really I gathered readings suppressed and with cannot go wrong with any of these: They the muzzle brake for a comparison. Final Notes all do what they are designed for and do The AAC and Jet were the quietest What is “best” with any rifle sup- it well. Just a caution though, once you with the suppressor attached. The quiet- pressor is subjective. To keep this fair it shoot a suppressed rifle it is really hard to est by far without the suppressor was was simply a gathering of data and my go without. SW the Jet. That being said, muzzle brakes experience with these three suppressors. utilized as quick attachments are often I picked them because I found them in- designed for the best operation with the teresting and available. I personally have For More Information suppressor attached. They can be used no need for a quick disconnect. For me, “alone” but seldom are they designed for standard threading is fine. Advanced Armament Corp. that purpose. That was likely the case For some, how quiet the suppressor is 1434 Hillcrest Rd, Dept SW/MP in this instance. The stand-alone muzzle would be most important. Others have an Norcross, GA 30093 770-925-9988 brake is designed to be as quiet as pos- absolute need for the quick-disconnect advanced-armament.com sible while still doing its job. devices. It really depends on the shooter, The second thing I tested for was any their system, and their needs. In any case Mikes Gun Sales & Service change in impact with each device. Since here are a couple of generic observations 1904 N FM 1069, Dept SW/MP all of these suppressors can be fired with I found interesting. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 or without the brake it is important to The data seems to indicate that the 361-758-9381 know how much of a shift in impact there more you affect the weapon system the jetsuppressors.com would be. All of these suppressors shot more the shift in impact between sup- low in comparison to their unsuppressed pressed and unsuppressed. The heavier SureFire, LLC 18300 Mount Baldy Circle, Dept SW/MP shots. There was little to no horizontal the suppressor and the more it suppress- Fountain Valley, CA 92708 deviation. As an operator it is much easier es the sound and blast the greater the 800-828-8809 to compensate for one variable than two. shift. It often has the greatest perceived surefire.com Although the Jet produced the best effect on felt recoil as well. group and was the quietest, it also The converse was true as the sup- Desert Tactical Arms produced the greatest shift in impact. It pressor that was the loudest and lightest PO Box 65816, Dept SW/MP is the heaviest as well. The SureFire may seemed to have the least affect on the Salt Lake City, UT 84165 have been the loudest and lightest, but it point of impact. If you are most interested 801-975-7272 was limited to a 1.75-inch shift and that is in sound reduction you can probably deserttacticalarms.com pretty good for a large bore rifle. expect a greater shift in impact. That

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