Roger

I use brakes on my shorties anyway

They don’t know what serial numbers are affected

They told everyone, “shoot it until it fails”

No idea if their customer service has improved, and I don’t see how it could have gotten any worse

Are you an owner of an S5 ? And, your experience  ?

Reason that I'm asking is I'm considering and researching a new 5.56 can.

Thanks. I'm in the market for a new 5.56 can. Does anyone know if KGM is still manufacturing cans for DA ?

Yes, I bought two.

My opinion is, they’re good cans as long as the blast baffle doesn’t disintegrate.

They sound good and the back pressure is minimal.

That said, I won’t buy another one.

When my cans were in for repairs I bought a YHM Turbo T3 and after shooting it back to back against the Sierra 5, I can’t tell any difference other than a slightly deeper tone out of the T3.

The YHM is a cheaper can that performs just as well as the Sierra 5 so I don’t see the need to roll the dice with Dead Air ever again.

I have no idea but I’d be really surprised if DA was letting KGM make any of their parts after this whole fiasco.

Or, and keep in mind I don't claim to be a personal finance guru, you could have dead air repair it free of charge which could result in a savings of up to $600.

Hilarious. I also drive past KG two to four times a day too.

Sorry, my misunderstanding.

Why would you say that? There was an obvious design change on the repaired version specifically on the thickness of the baffle and thus weld. What makes you believe anything was KGMs doing?

I assume he probably doesn't want to go through this: Example of DA customer service

Right.
Only forty one pages in front of this one spelling it all out.

People need to stop buying DA…that’s all there is to it.

I was literally told that the affected serial # range is unknown, but it's verified (somehow) the issue only effects 1.5% of total production.

I have a super low serial number, sub 700, and just did an RMA in the website for a preemptive recore. Had a label in my inbox in minutes.

We shall see what happens.

So they either know that your serial number is in the range affected (and didn't feel the need to recall it) or they don't know the serial numbers affected.

See my post above.

They had mine for almost 5 months. Good luck.

How KAC handled a QC issue with its new silencer:

My S5 has been great, post-repair. Ive been beating on it since I got it back. Haven't seen those color before in a can? I guess I'll just keep abusing it.

Good to know.

I forgot to take pics after it was freshly repaired, but this one was after about 250 rounds on a 12.5” sbr. It took DA just shy of a month (including two weeks worth of shipping) to get it back in my hands. So far so good.




I did take a few right after it became a tactical maraca with about 1500 rounds through it on the same host.

Well, I just got an email that my repaired Sierra 5 is coming via UPS. So, that is approx 1 month turn-around on the repair. A lot quicker than I expected. Hopefully all will be good to go with it when it gets here...

Damn.

I have a feeling mine would have looked like that had I kept shooting it.

Same here. Only problem was, they sent it back with a Keymo adapter instead of the Xeno I sent it in with (and all my rifles have Xeno mounts). I gave a call, however, and minutes later I got a tracking number for a replacement Xeno adapter. I had to check the serial number on my can because it looks like brand new, so I've got that going for me...

To my knowledge, no S/N range. Their CS improved in my experience with repair times being under a month, and they gave me a new keymo mount so take that for what it's worth, one person's experience.

After about 700-800 rounds on a 12.5" barrel (direct thread) Foxtrot Mike Mike-15, my S/N 14XX Sierra 5 suffered baffle destruction.  I received my RMA/shipping label on 2/20/24 and shipped it 2/21/24.  I received the suppressor today (4/11/24) via UPS.  Included was a new keymo adapter (installed, but easily removed) and a code for 20% off a future Dead Air purchase.  The flash hider end cap was tightly installed and my direct thread adapter was placed in the box.

This was (still is) probably my favorite suppressor.  To my less than pristine ear it is as quiet, or nearly so, as most of my other 5.56 suppressors (Helios QD/TI, Saker K, Griffin Explorr 224, EA Arx, TB Ultra 5).  It is probably the least gassy, although gas to the face is not a problem for me with any  of my suppressors.  It's less gassy than the Griffin Explorr 224, which is disappointing given the "eco flow" baffle on the Explorr is suppose to cut down on blowback--marketing, I guess.

An interesting note, to me anyway, when it failed.  I was shooting after sunset and noticed some extra flash/sparks when I presume it failed.  At the time I didn't think anything of it and shot several more rounds with no loss of accuracy.  Since I wore hearing protection, I can't comment on the suppression level, although I did not notice any significant increase. When done I shook the suppressor and got the maraca effect.

Sure I am disappointed the suppressor failed, but 50 days, including shipping time, isn't terrible for repair time.

I didn’t notice mine had failed until after the mag i was shooting was empty, when I raised the muzzle to drop that mag and I heard the maraca effect. Not sure if it failed on the first round, last round, or somewhere in between. I was shooting in full daylight, however.

Greenbro will be around shortly to dispel any doubts about the eco flo toilet bowl baffle system's superior performance.

The S5 is among the best looking rifle suppressors available. If I ever get one I'd have to also get a 20" rifle length FSB gun to put it on.

@mageever

Oh wait....

Does he pay rent to live in your head?

You are saying your Sierra 5 is less gassy than your Explorr 224? The S5 is a gassy girl and everyone that I know who owns an Explorr says they are fantastic with little gas.

Of the cans you mention, my S5 is much more gassy than my Helios QD on all of my hosts (11.5" - 16" KACs & LMTs). Of my 15 cans, my S5 may be my most gassy -- maybe rivaled by my Turbo T2.

Are you comparing both of these cans on the same host?

All this said, I really like my S5.

Idk man... my explorr is a lot less gassy than my friends s5. Could be host dependent though

Agreed, my S5 is very gassy and my friends who own an Explorr all comment to me that they are not gassy at all. Of my cans that have eco-flow (HRT 556, Dual-Lok 5) they are not gassy at all. I was surprised to read the poster above saying their S5 was less gassy than their Explorr.

I wonder if the ABD on the L6 might drop S5 back pressure if, of course, DA would sell it as an accessory.

I honestly don’t notice a lot of gas with the S5, even on a 10.3”

Then again my indoor range has a really good ventilation system, it’s like shooting in a fricken wind tunnel

^^^You're fortunate, my indoor range is horrible in that regard.  I've always felt the Sierra was quite gassy myself.

Received my Sierra back from it's second trip in to remove the Xeno mount.  Guessing it was galled threads, no idea.  They did respray it with Cerakote and sent it back looking new along with a new front flash hider cap (they had the old in there too) and a Keymo mount which is now listed in the equipment exchange along with two Xeno flash hiders.

I converted the Sierra over to the Huxwrx QD HUB mount since I run a few Hux cans and all my rifles have Huxwrx muzzle devices.  Just made sense.  It's 4 grams heavier but a simpler design.

Wow-didn't get any of that with mine when I got mine back-just a xeno flash hider which I will probably just sell as I prefer the brakes.

Yeah the Huxwrx HUB adapter is brand new this year and I'm using it on a few cans including the aforementioned Sierra 5 and a Diligent Defense can for my bolt gun.  

It's on the left (obviously) with the Keymo on right.

They may have felt bad since my can had to go in twice in short succession for something that wasn't of my doing.  I originally purchased it with the Xeno rear mount and they likely had to cut it out to get it off the can.  It was on there that tight which is why I think it was likely galling.  The Keymo had some anti-seize on the threading this time.

It was probably just on there tight and someone took an impact gun and spun it off.  The Xeno adapter is nitrided 4140 steel and the S5 has a stainless tube.   Even if you tried this and it didn't work, not all impact guns are equal, and not holding it locks their muscles up tight enough to maximize the impact (I'm not a philosopher or a physicist, but it happens when different people hold the same part).

"DuckHuntingTN" posted a great comparison of suppressors through hundreds/thousands of rounds each.

Other 5.56 cans compared:

YHM Turbo
YHM Turbo K
HUX Flow 556K
OCL Polo K
CAT WB

It figures a guy with a stable of cans gets a good one, while so many first timers got the roach in the burrito.

Or he could have been paid to say that

By who? OCL?

Repaired Sierra 5 Report

My Sierra 5 with Xeno mount was repaired last year. The Xeno mount was returned torqued to at least 35ft-lbs and the end cap was very tight (unlike the first time). It weighed 14.00oz according to my cheap digital scale.  

Since the 21st of April I've put 1,055 rounds through it with 2 different ARs. 905 were shot through a Criterion/ADM 12.5" Hybrid barrel mated to an Innovative Arms WAR upper receiver. This barrel has an enlarged gas port to function with the WAR and used a SF OBC BCG and the included SF buffer and spring, then switched to a carbine H2 and Sprinco Blue. The other 150 rounds were shot through a 16" Ballistic Advantage Hanson barrel paired with a Sionics NP3 mil-spec BCG, rifle action spring and A5H0 buffer, then switched to an A5H1 buffer. Ammo included PMC X-TAC 55gr (default training ammo), MagTech 77gr OTM, IMI 77gr OTM, Gold Dot 75gr, IMI M193, Barnes 70gr TSX, Black Hills 62gr TSX, and some custom .223 hand loads.

I am doing this during leave so there was a bit of zeroing of different sighting systems and sampling different ammo. My drills consisted of some ready-ups and Mozambiques to get acquainted, several consecutive Bill Drills, and mostly more practical shooting of an A-Zone plate at 50-100 yards.

All rounds were fired with a DA-branded BPG cover installed (2.64oz according to same scale). After the Bill Drills and the rest of the 4 magazines of that session, it was billowing smoke for a bit. A representative from BPG has stated smoking is normal when new and will dissipate when the chemicals in the brand-new material burn off. This seems to be true IME.

I have no concerns about the Sierra 5's durability at this point. My Sierra 5 gained 0.36oz from this many rounds.

The shooting experience is pleasant, aside from its backpressure. Even throwing brass at 1:00, which both guns initially did, the guns' actions didn't "feel" violent and kept the front end relatively steady without feeling too heavy. It sounded great under my Comtac Vs, a shot with my left ear exposed reminded me of the silliness and futility of trying to get maximum muzzle dB suppression from 5.56. Most people seem to like how it sounds, others find it harsh/sharp (which may also be because of the ejection port). IMO it has the sound of what one would "expect" a rifle silencer to sound like (only not quiet in any literal sense, as any 5.56 suppressor).

I'm not particularly gas sensitive, finding the sensation of a little spicy fart-puff of gas mildly annoying and distracting versus some of the other reactions I've read about. I'm far more bothered by the fact of getting blasted with carcinogens. Regardless, gas is omnipresent while using it and I'd feel a little puff around my eye pro after it started "stacking" in the action.

The effects on weapon kinematics are a little concerning. I want to be able to use (brass-cased only) .223 in the cold unsuppressed and also 5.56 suppressed in warmer temperatures, which started me on the adventure of figuring out the 12.5 WAR in the first place. With an H2 and Blue Sprinco, 5.56 brass moved from 1:00 to 2:45-3:00 on the suppressed setting, which is ideal IMO. The 16" BA moved from 1:00 to about 2:00 with a step up in buffer weight. I didn't want to go heavier on the buffer and spring because I found that can be less than 100% reliable in cold weather with .223. Experimentation and tinkering will continue. I also managed to blow out the WAR gas valve tube "stem" today, so I'm retiring that project and am contemplating options for a replacement 12.5." I don't blame the S5 for the failure of the WAR, but I'm not sure if I want to spend the time and money trying to set up a new 12.5" for the S5 going forward. I have other suppressors in mind for that.

Overall, it mostly does what I expected, although with a little more backpressure than I hoped. The flash performance hangs with many of its popular peers in the "traditional baffle" style category and length/weight class. The Xeno mount is wonderful, zero issues with it coming loose or with taking it off after cooling. At the time of purchase my other candidate was the Mini2 and I think overall the properly made Sierra 5 is better for me. However, there are now more options and an entire new generation of cans to make the S5 obsolescent already and I wouldn't buy another. Dead Air seems to also be moving on from this old-school tech in teasing the Lazarus.  

Sounds eventful; bummer your WAR shit the bed, and I’m sure leave was welcome.

The only <14.5” I have setup to run unsuppressed at all happens to be a 12.5”. It’s got a relatively small gas port (.0625” advertised) and a Bootleg carrier. I like this setup a lot, and it’s my main beater currently.

YMMV, because this seems to be a love it or hate it tuning solution. I’ve only used it on this gun, but was turned onto the idea from two coworkers I was shooting with. They were using them with DD 14.5” guns with DD cans and thought it was a big improvement.

put another 60 rounds through it today. i dont even think this has 500 rounds through it and its already starting to erode at the clipping in the baffle. no i have not been kind to it:

-FA work lower (99% of the time)
-11.5 knights upper
-xeno FH
-BPG can cover

im still digging this can, but im not going to be surprised if i have to send this thing back a second time. kinda sad its rated as a duty can and im already getting this much erosion early on.