I just picked up Rainer Arms' new compensator for my LWRC M6A2. It replaced the standard A2 flash hider. However, I do have a PWS FSC556 on my RRA. So, I was able to compare the two. After buying the comp, I went out and shot it just as the sun was going down.

First things first, the recoil. The Xtreme Tac Comp was very comparable to the PWS. If anything, I'd say that the muzzle rise was ever so slightly less with the XTC. It was small enough to make me think that the difference I was feeling might be with the heavy barrel and heavier weight, especially on the front end, of my M6A2 as compared to my RRA. The XTC also felt like the recoil was a little more blunt, whereas the PWS felt a little more sharp.

Now the flash hiding capabilities. The PWS was definitely better at hiding the flash, but the XTC was an improvement over the A2 bird cage. However, from the shooters standpoint, I could not notice a flash difference between the PWS and XTC. Almost all of the flash comes out of the side ports located at the 3 and 9 o'clock. None of the flash was in my field of view. The XTC does send a nice 4-6" flame horizontally (at least that what it appeared to be from standing at about the 5 o'clock position from the shooter).

I'm sure you might be wondering how the noise is? Well, it's a compensator. So there was a nice bang to it. I'd say that it's probably just about as loud as the PWS, but it makes a different sound. The XTC is much more of a thud, where the PWS seems to produce a much sharper, piercing sound. The blast effect of both the PWS and XTC were pretty much the same. Neither of them bother me when I'm next to it.

The fit and finish of the XTC appears to be on par with any other high end comp out there. I like the design of the XTC over the PWS becuase there are no sharp edges. Everything is much more rounded off. I'd like to say that the XTC is less likely to snag on things, but I've never had issues with my PWS snagging either. One thing I did notice is that there are still quite a bit of threads showing on the inside of the comp even with it completely threaded on. The PWS doesn't show any threads. Whether this is good, bad, or doesn't matter, I don't know. It was just an observation.

So, would I recommend Rainier Arms' Xtreme Tactical Compensator? Sure. As a comp, it's just as good, if not slightly better than the PWS. Would I recommend it over the PWS? Well, I couldn't answer that one. I think it would mainly come down to the user's personal preference on the aesthetics of the two. One thing I really do like about the XTC over the PWS is the price. Based on the price, I would definitely recommend the XTC. Overall, I think Rainier Arms put out a good product that appears to be well made, and it definitely does what it's supposed to do.

I hope you all find my initial thoughts on the Rainier Arms XTC somewhat helpful. It's always fun to get new gizmos and try it out. Sorry I don't have any pics of us shooting it. I meant to bring my camera, but I was too excited to get to the range and totally forgot it. The pic shown is from Rainier Arms' website.  I'll get some pics of it mounted on my M6A2 and post later.



Test Rifles


Right Side


Front


Top

Is this made by AAC?

Looks a little like the Blackout.

Interesting...I wonder what the reason is for having the two small round ports on the top of one side, but only one on the other side.

I'm guessing, they are used for controlling the direction of recoil. Most ar's run up and right. Take out the 2 right hand screws and more pressure thru them = less up and right.
Some people that have comps that dont have holes either drill them, or clock the comp. Recoil is very subjective tho. So what i need, you might not.

As far as I know they were designed in house and made locally.  That's kind of another reason why I bought it.  I try to support the local guys when I can.  I lived in Idaho before Washington, so I really do like buying PWS as well.

I was wondering about these.  Thanks for the review!!

Thanks for the review. I am hoping that they (ATF) do not classify them as flash hiders like they did for the FSC556. Us "ban-state" shooters need some new muzzle device options.

The PWS FSC556 is not listed as a flash suppressor by the ATF. Here is a link to the PWS FSC556 page that has a link to the document on the ATF ruling.

FSC556 Page

How extreme is it?  It is sooo Xtreme they can't even spell it right.  

This is a fantastic post pal....i was just wondering about these 2 comps directly compared head to head, now i got a nice lil write up  I try to buy from rainier when i can and since this is an in house product i think i will grab the xcomp.

It looks like Sauran's head.

I think he's referring to the Ranier offering.

Pics of your brake?

Industry section.

AR Performance



The silhouette is similar, but the layout is different.

ETA: Seems like a cool idea for some.
Muzzle Control Device thread.
ETA: Already picked up an XTC, looking forward to testing it when I get home.

The grooves and the wrenching flats look similar between the two designs.
ETA: Plus they both use Allen screws????? What are they for? I have not seen that used before, well except for these two designs.

Everyone handles recoil differently, one comp that's effective for another may not be so for another. With the allen screws, you can adjust the gas ports to make it work for you.

Are there any other comps out there using this method, with the Allen screws?

I asked for a pic back on the 2nd when he first posted his comment and there was no reply or any evidence submitted to back the claim.  They were logged in as of yesterday when the thread got bumped again and it had been almost a week with no response.    

I have not done business with either outfit, so I didn't really have a dog in this fight but now I know I will never do business with one of them.  


AR-Performance really handled themselves in a shitty manner here.  A man worthy of doing business with would have either butted up or apologized by now.

dontgiveahoot posted photos of the brake in question as taken from ARPerformance's Industry section.

The one in the original post doesn't look anything like the other one in question.

Having said that they both look .

interesting

to the OP, thanks for the writeup

That's fucking hilarious.  Yours and theirs share nothing.  

Got a chance to shoot my new upper with the XTC and have to say I was very highly impressed.  Rainier did a great job with this thing!