alamo5000
8 December 2017, 23:39
I finally pulled the trigger on a rimfire can. I had a lot of choices so I figured I would give a couple of reasons why I chose what I did.
The first reason is I am biased as hell. I like Griffin cans.
I am most definitely interested in other stuff from other manufacturers but Griffin was my first and still is my only (for now). Once this can is out of jail that will make 5 cans... all Griffin. I am just lacking one caliber after these all get out of jail to have all calibers represented. (.45). Ultimately in the long run I might get a second Recce 7 too.
5.56 performance
The Optimus Micro (according to Griffin) meters two different sound levels on a 16" AR. In the short direct thread way it meters 142DB. In the long 'taper mount' configuration it meters 136DB.
136DB you say?
According to Military Arms Channel here are some of their 10 shot averages for their dedicated 5.56 cans on their tests I found on Youtube.
AAC M4 2000-- 136DB
AAC Mini 4--- 143 DB
SilencerCo Saker-- 137 DB
Surefire SoCom--139 DB
Griffin Armament M4SD-- 137DB
Seeing how all of my ARs wear taper mounts, I will never run that can direct thread on any of my AR's. With that in mind, for a tiny little can like that, 136DB is hanging with some great company. Just direct threading it onto the end of a bare 16" AR barrel with no muzzle device it would be about comparable to the AAC Mini 4.
Also for those of you that run 5.56 through a .30 caliber can--- about 135DB to 138DB is probably a decent guess as to the sound range you would get.
None of these are safe at the ear on an AR so no matter what you will be wearing ear pro. At least I will be unless I am one shot hunting or something.
If Griffin's numbers hold up in independent tests--hell, even if it's within 1 or 2 DB it will be extremely respectable for a tiny little can like that.
Also it can be ran in the taper mount configuration down to 12.5" barrels on an AR.
.22 LR Performance
Griffin says it meters 115DB on a .22LR pistol and 116DB on a 10/22.
By comparison some of my other choices would be the Q El Camino which metered at a little over 114DB on a rifle and right around 117DB on a pistol.
The Rugged Occulus in the long configuration metered around 116DB on a 10/22 and 117DB on a pistol.
Either way you slice it if Griffin's numbers are even remotely close to what they advertise I will be happy. They are right in the ball park with my other top choices for this caliber.
Although I will be running this can almost entirely on .22LR the idea to have a 5.56 backup can is attractive to me.
Other stuff
The three lug attachment system looks awesome but I am not yet 100% decided if I will go that route or not. It does not hurt that those adapters are also compatible with other cans I own. From time to time I go shoot with other people who have cool stuff, so knowing that all these parts--like the three lug adapter are compatible with my 9mm can as well as my .22 can is good. Being able to whip it off there and swap it from rifle to pistol seems pretty nice but I will put more thought into it. It also seems like in that configuration it might be more secure than just threading it on but I could be wrong.
I have not decided yet but it's possible that if I am shooting more than one .22 host I can configure my 9mm can to shoot on the rifle which as is delivers about 117 DB on a 10/22 and I won't have to swap at all. I might have to get two three lug adapters if I set up like that, which is TBD. Or I could say to hell with it and run both of them direct thread.
I am also a fan of over built things. Aluminum tubes and stuff are lighter yes, but not as durable. Scrapes, bumps, dings, all lesser of a worry with a stainless steel can. I like that the Griffin is built like a tank. And I can just throw the baffles in a wet tumbler and not have to worry about it.
The Down Side
The only downside that I could come up with is the weight. It's slightly heavier than my other two options. It's twice the weight of the Q El Camino and 1.6oz heavier than the Rugged suppressor. On a .22 rifle all of those numbers are pretty irrelevant, given of course the weight of your barrel. I tested with what I have and I barely notice anything at all out there. A 9.7 oz K configured Revolution 9 was almost not noticed on my 10/22. On a light .22 pistol the weight of the Micro could make a difference in handling though.
The latter is really my ONLY concern with the can, but I am being picky. If I can shoot a full size revolution 9 (11.2 oz) on a pistol I should probably be able to handle this one at 8.5 oz. The Revolution 9 in the K (short) configuration it has substantially better handling, but even then it's STILL in that configuration 1.2oz heavier than the micro.
All in all the weight is a blessing and a curse. It allows for way more calibers but for a .22 pistol it might get front heavy. If I get the can and absolutely hate the feel of it on a pistol I can always fork out the cash to get the cheaper and lighter El Camino to supplement it.
Conclusion
All in all to get a full auto rated 5.56 can that I can disassemble and clean and shoot all day on a .22LR with great sound reduction, I don't think I made a half bad choice. Anything and everything between a 5.56 and a .22LR ain't half bad.
The first reason is I am biased as hell. I like Griffin cans.
I am most definitely interested in other stuff from other manufacturers but Griffin was my first and still is my only (for now). Once this can is out of jail that will make 5 cans... all Griffin. I am just lacking one caliber after these all get out of jail to have all calibers represented. (.45). Ultimately in the long run I might get a second Recce 7 too.
5.56 performance
The Optimus Micro (according to Griffin) meters two different sound levels on a 16" AR. In the short direct thread way it meters 142DB. In the long 'taper mount' configuration it meters 136DB.
136DB you say?
According to Military Arms Channel here are some of their 10 shot averages for their dedicated 5.56 cans on their tests I found on Youtube.
AAC M4 2000-- 136DB
AAC Mini 4--- 143 DB
SilencerCo Saker-- 137 DB
Surefire SoCom--139 DB
Griffin Armament M4SD-- 137DB
Seeing how all of my ARs wear taper mounts, I will never run that can direct thread on any of my AR's. With that in mind, for a tiny little can like that, 136DB is hanging with some great company. Just direct threading it onto the end of a bare 16" AR barrel with no muzzle device it would be about comparable to the AAC Mini 4.
Also for those of you that run 5.56 through a .30 caliber can--- about 135DB to 138DB is probably a decent guess as to the sound range you would get.
None of these are safe at the ear on an AR so no matter what you will be wearing ear pro. At least I will be unless I am one shot hunting or something.
If Griffin's numbers hold up in independent tests--hell, even if it's within 1 or 2 DB it will be extremely respectable for a tiny little can like that.
Also it can be ran in the taper mount configuration down to 12.5" barrels on an AR.
.22 LR Performance
Griffin says it meters 115DB on a .22LR pistol and 116DB on a 10/22.
By comparison some of my other choices would be the Q El Camino which metered at a little over 114DB on a rifle and right around 117DB on a pistol.
The Rugged Occulus in the long configuration metered around 116DB on a 10/22 and 117DB on a pistol.
Either way you slice it if Griffin's numbers are even remotely close to what they advertise I will be happy. They are right in the ball park with my other top choices for this caliber.
Although I will be running this can almost entirely on .22LR the idea to have a 5.56 backup can is attractive to me.
Other stuff
The three lug attachment system looks awesome but I am not yet 100% decided if I will go that route or not. It does not hurt that those adapters are also compatible with other cans I own. From time to time I go shoot with other people who have cool stuff, so knowing that all these parts--like the three lug adapter are compatible with my 9mm can as well as my .22 can is good. Being able to whip it off there and swap it from rifle to pistol seems pretty nice but I will put more thought into it. It also seems like in that configuration it might be more secure than just threading it on but I could be wrong.
I have not decided yet but it's possible that if I am shooting more than one .22 host I can configure my 9mm can to shoot on the rifle which as is delivers about 117 DB on a 10/22 and I won't have to swap at all. I might have to get two three lug adapters if I set up like that, which is TBD. Or I could say to hell with it and run both of them direct thread.
I am also a fan of over built things. Aluminum tubes and stuff are lighter yes, but not as durable. Scrapes, bumps, dings, all lesser of a worry with a stainless steel can. I like that the Griffin is built like a tank. And I can just throw the baffles in a wet tumbler and not have to worry about it.
The Down Side
The only downside that I could come up with is the weight. It's slightly heavier than my other two options. It's twice the weight of the Q El Camino and 1.6oz heavier than the Rugged suppressor. On a .22 rifle all of those numbers are pretty irrelevant, given of course the weight of your barrel. I tested with what I have and I barely notice anything at all out there. A 9.7 oz K configured Revolution 9 was almost not noticed on my 10/22. On a light .22 pistol the weight of the Micro could make a difference in handling though.
The latter is really my ONLY concern with the can, but I am being picky. If I can shoot a full size revolution 9 (11.2 oz) on a pistol I should probably be able to handle this one at 8.5 oz. The Revolution 9 in the K (short) configuration it has substantially better handling, but even then it's STILL in that configuration 1.2oz heavier than the micro.
All in all the weight is a blessing and a curse. It allows for way more calibers but for a .22 pistol it might get front heavy. If I get the can and absolutely hate the feel of it on a pistol I can always fork out the cash to get the cheaper and lighter El Camino to supplement it.
Conclusion
All in all to get a full auto rated 5.56 can that I can disassemble and clean and shoot all day on a .22LR with great sound reduction, I don't think I made a half bad choice. Anything and everything between a 5.56 and a .22LR ain't half bad.