Armory Sponsor
Posted: 6/17/2008 11:49:12 AM EDT
|
I'm just getting started on learning about suppressors and gas-operated rifles. How desirable is it to have something like a Noveske switchblock on a suppressed 16" AR? Thanks for the help. Whelen |
|
I haven't had any cycling issues with multiple AR's and AR can's. I think its more gimick than anything. I may be wrong but I don't see need for an adjustable gas block for suppressors. Outside suppressors I can see it for competition etc.....but not with cans. .02 -TS |
| I'm no expert, but I believe it would depend on the gun and suppressor. Some suppressors create a big increase in back pressure while others do not, and some guns already cycle very fast while others do not. I think it would be nice to have the option to shut off the gas completely especially if shooting subsonic. Remember that gas and hence noise escapes through the holes in the carrier. |
The flip side is that the more gas you force out the muzzle, the more you are asking the suppressor to do and it can sometimes increase your muzzle report while reducing noise perceived by the shooter. I think the Noveske switchblock is a cool idea. The advantage is that you could tune your gun so that it's neither over nor under gassed. Less crud in the action and less wear and tear on the gun are nice benefits. My only concern with it would be that it's a fairly new product and not very widely used yet...but Noveske has pretty good service. |
| When I called Noveske some time ago, Noveske said they won't put it on any barrel less than 14.5". I tried to get them to put one on the 12.5" and they said they don't install them on that length nor would it do any good on anything less than 14.5". Not sure why, but I'm not an engineer nor an expert on back pressure, so I said "thanks, ok, and bye". |
| I really don't think it's a gimmick, especially since Armalite uses a similar gas block on the Super SASS. Also if you think about it, some cans increase velocity by about the same amount as a couple extra inches of barrel lnegth which means there is a good bit of extra gas pushing on the base of the bullet and making it's way into the gas tube. |
| According to Wes at MSTN it is currently available on 10.5" barrels. I corresponded with the Noveske shop a few weeks ago and there are plans to have it on a 12.5" barrel, they just haven't finished it yet. I was given an estimate of approximately 6 weeks for the 12.5". |
The SASS is an AR10 - which are over gassed to begin with. I'm sure the block works, but I dont see the need on a 5.56 with a longer barrel. I've had several (same design as the switch block) on ARs and found the best application was on the shorter barrels. |
|
According to Wes at MSTN it is currently available on 10.5" barrels. I corresponded with the Noveske shop a few weeks ago and there are plans to have it on a 12.5" barrel, they just haven't finished it yet. I was given an estimate of approximately 6 weeks for the 12.5". Guess I got one too early. Wonder if they would retrofit mine??? (for a fee of course). |
Armory Sponsor