Originally Posted By HighlanderI:
I’ve assembled 6 PSA kits over the last decade all were 5.56. I built one Aero M5 in 308.

I’m almost completely ignorant about suppressors. I’ve been living under a rock and only recently read about 223 Wylde.

I’m wanting to build an upper for suppressor use. Sure I would love to take a rifle class or do something other than shooting from a bench. But with a family I’m most likely going to be punching paper targets out to 300 yards when I find time.

What considerations for barrel length should I be thinking about? I’m leaning 14.5” or 16”. Not interested in an SBR at this time. So it would be p/w or silver solder for the muzzle device if I went 14.5”.

5.56 vs 223 Wylde? Comments or suggestions?

Is an adjustable gas block a necessity? I would think so. Except for the next point.

Are BCG’s designed for suppressor use necessary? I’ve visited Griffin Armament’s site and read they suggest either/or enhanced type BCG/adj. gas block. Using both may require fine tuning (my paraphrasing).

I’ve read about CH’s that help with directing gas. Any preferred brands?

I’m liking Griffin Armament’s Warhawk Green components. Adding up all components from them gets the bill close to 1k. I could do that over time. But the cheap fast route would be a PSA upper in 5.56.

Thanks for your comments and advice in advance. Yes I’m an ignorant sumbitch that occasionally likes to piss away money on range toys so I can larp in my imagination.

Originally Posted By HighlanderI:
Thanks!

I’m not wanting to go the SBR route as I’m just planning on building an upper to swap to an existing lower.

I’m not opposed to building a complete gun.

I may just modify my 16” mid length AR to run a suppressor. But planning out a whole new build is much more funner…

Originally Posted By HighlanderI:
After some more reading and video watching my thinking has evolved. The 16” no longer makes sense. Kind of dumb actually. I’ve already got a 16” mid length. I could just buy a suppressor for it and not bother ya’ll with my goofy thought process. The 12.5”-14.5” barrel length seems like a wiser choice for a suppressor host.

The 223 Wylde is also making less sense for me. If tighter group sizes ends up as a goal then a 18” barrel would be a better choice IMHO. My only experience for chasing group sizes is with bolt guns. The thinking on this could change as more info is gathered.

Originally Posted By HighlanderI:
A deal for a 14.5” 223 Wylde BA barrel materialized out of thin air. I couldn’t pass it up.

The first of many parts. Sort of. I’ve had a spare bcg for a while.

Adjustable gas block, yay or nay? I’ve read a fair amount with no definitive answer. The ones that say no, mention making adjustments with springs and buffers. At this point I don’t plan on a dedicated lower.

Suppressors. Much to learn. It seems that’s all about how much do you want to spend. I’ve never owned one. I’ve shot several bolt guns with them.

Originally Posted By bluedog82:


If you’re not using a flow through suppressor or a dedicated lower (H2 or heavier buffer) then you will definitely want an AGB.

Originally Posted By hodgescl:
Some way to restrict/mitigate the gas will be beneficial.

If you are doing a pin and weld, go ahead and get the adjustable gas block. I did not, and I wish I did.

Originally Posted By DancingInAshes:
Before you buy or make an impulse decision, please visit PEW science. It's the best resource on the web with organized, controlled tests of sound performance. You'll get a lot of recommendations from people who will claim the can they bought is super amazing when the real numbers say that they bought a mediocre suppressor and could have gotten better if they had bothered doing research.


5.56 accommodates pretty much any suppressor without changing much other than the recoil and the gas, and the accompanying speed of the bcg. Having said that, a lot of LEO and military groups are choosing flowthrough designs because it's more comfortable for the shooter and exposes to them to far less toxic byproducts. Most cheap suppressors will be traditional high back pressure baffle stacks and you'll have to tune your rifle and maybe switch out your charging handle to reduce the gas coming back in your face.

308 and 300 blackout are far more sensitive, particularly to flowthrough designs. Flowthrough is amazing for 308, just be aware that you may have to tune it to reliably cycle M80 ball if you have an Aero or BA barrel because they're undergassed. Flowthrough for 300 blackout is something I'd avoid. Cycling subsonics, particularly lighter subsonics, is simply much more reliable with a high back pressure suppressor.


If you're looking at it from a nightfighting tactical perspective, there's the RC2 and then there are some very expensive newer cans that stay much cooler to reduce your thermal signature.

If you're looking for budget sound suppression, almost nothing beats the Ottercreek Polonium.

Originally Posted By EDL:
300 Blk function with subs and a can will depend heavily on how big the gas port is and gas length.  For example, my 7.5" 300 with pistol length gas will run subs without a can, so it's way over gassed.  Others have the opposite problem.  Easy enough to test and see.  If it is over gassed, then a flow through should work without issue.  An AGB is helpful with tuning in this case.

I'll give a thumbs up for the Superlative, that's what I have and it works very well.

Originally Posted By HighlanderI:


Thanks! I’ve got a Superlative AGB on the way. It’s the most recommended agb for its price point.

The gas port as measured with a pin gauge is 0.080” on the 14.5”, 223 Wylde barrel that I bought.

I’m currently leaning toward pin and weld for the muzzle device.

Originally Posted By bluedog82:

Just SBR it for free. That’s what I’m moving to. I wouldn’t P/W another one.