Tactical Shooting

Firearm Suppressor Ownership Guide [2026 Updated]

TS Editor — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 19:36:42 +0000

None of this is legal advice. Suppressor law is changing quickly, and it varies enormously between states.

1. Suppressors are illegal to own

They are legal to own in most of the United States. A minority of states prohibit them outright, and those states do not offer a registration path at all.

Everywhere else, the National Firearms Act has historically governed the purchase, which meant a Form 4 application, an additional set of fingerprints, a tax stamp, and a wait on the ATF that could run many months.

But That picture has shifted. In roughly two dozen states, enforcement of the registration requirement has been enjoined for covered buyers, and those buyers can now walk into a dealer, pass the same background check used for any other firearm, and leave the same day.

Check out silencerco for detailed info here

The important qualification is that suppressors remain NFA firearms by statute. The underlying law has not been repealed, only partly blocked in its enforcement. That distinction matters, because it is why the situation is genuinely unsettled and why some owners worry the position could reverse. It is also why crossing a state line with a suppressor is a live risk rather than a technicality, particularly for someone who lives in one state and shoots in another. Anyone in that position should confirm the current rules before travelling.

2. A silencer and a suppressor are different things

They are the same object. The two words describe one device.

The split is political rather than technical. “Silencer” implies the device makes a gun silent, which frames civilian ownership as a public safety question. “Suppressor” describes what the device actually does, which frames it as a hearing health question. Which word a person reaches for tends to reveal which argument they are making.

Historically, “silencer” came first. An inventor patented the first commercially successful firearm silencing device in the early 1900s and sold it under the Maxim name, and the term stuck.

Inside the tube, a stack of chambers traps high pressure combustion gas for a fraction longer than the muzzle would, giving it room to slow and cool before release. That drops the volume substantially. It does not eliminate it. A shooter still hears the action cycling, and on supersonic ammunition still hears the sonic boom of the bullet itself.

Within the industry the device is usually called a can. In some countries it is a moderator, though that usage is rare in the United States.

3. Nothing is actually that quiet

This one is closer to true than most enthusiasts admit, but it has a real exception.

Critics of the Hollywood portrayal are correct that a suppressed centerfire rifle is loud. Most centerfire ammunition travels faster than sound, and the crack a listener hears is the bullet breaking the sound barrier, not the muzzle. No device attached to the front of the barrel can suppress a noise the bullet makes downrange. Expecting a cartridge travelling at three times the speed of sound to go quiet is unreasonable.

The exception is subsonic ammunition. Below roughly 1100 feet per second there is no sonic boom to hear, and a suppressed .300 Blackout firing subsonic loads genuinely approaches what people picture from films. What remains audible is mechanical, the sound of metal cycling, and often the bullet striking a steel target, which can be louder than the shot itself.

Getting there involves tuning. Subsonic loads frequently lack the energy to cycle an action reliably, so builders compensate with reduced power buffer springs or by using suppressor back pressure to work the gun. Short stroking is the common failure.

4. Any gun can be suppressed?

Most can. The notable exception is the revolver.

A revolver’s cylinder has to rotate, which requires a gap between the cylinder and the barrel. Every shot vents a jet of gas sideways through that gap. A suppressor threaded to the muzzle catches what exits the front and does nothing about what escapes at the cylinder.

There is one historical workaround. The Russian Nagant M1895 was designed so that cocking the hammer pushes the entire cylinder forward until it seats against the rear of the barrel. Its cartridge case is long enough that the neck of the brass extends past the bullet and expands into the barrel on firing, sealing the joint. It is the one common revolver a suppressor works properly on, and it is a design curiosity rather than a practical option.

5. Hunting with a suppressor is illegal

Suppressed hunting is legal in nearly every state where suppressor ownership itself is legal. Connecticut is the outlier that will sell a resident a suppressor and then prohibit taking it into the field.

That prohibition is backwards, because hunting is the use case where the device does the most obvious good. A hunter takes a shot with no hearing protection, often standing beside their own dog, and a suppressor is what makes it possible to leave the plugs out and still hear an animal moving.

More states have opened suppressed hunting in recent years, and some that permit it restrict it by species or season. The regulations booklet is worth reading before the season starts.

Hog hunting deserves a specific mention. Without a supersonic crack, a group is far less likely to scatter after the first shot, which matters when the goal is population control rather than a single animal.

6. They are only for military and police

The tactical framing casts the suppressor as special operations equipment. In practice its civilian uses are mostly unglamorous.

A suppressor reduces the concussion that causes new shooters to flinch, which makes it a genuinely useful teaching tool. It makes range sessions less punishing, indoors especially. For anyone shooting on their own property, it is frequently the difference between neighbours who tolerate the noise and a deputy arriving on a shots fired call.

In a defensive context, the argument is that a less overwhelming report leaves a person better able to think, and better able to hear family members, than an unsuppressed shot in an enclosed space.

7. The brain protects the ears under stress

Auditory exclusion is real. Under sufficient stress the brain stops processing input it has judged irrelevant, and people genuinely do not register the sound of shots they fired themselves.

It is not hearing protection, and the distinction is physical rather than semantic. By the time the brain declines to process the noise, the pressure wave has already travelled the ear canal, already moved the eardrum, and already bent hair cells in the inner ear that do not regenerate. Choosing not to file a sound does not reach back and undo the damage that caused it.

The ear does have a genuine protective reflex. A small muscle in the middle ear tightens and stiffens the ossicles in response to loud sound. It is far too slow for gunfire. The shot has come and gone before the muscle begins to move.

The reflex also does nothing for anyone else in the building, because a person who did not know the shot was coming never experiences the stress response in the first place.

8. A suppressor is the obvious home defence choice

The case for it is strong and usually only half told.

A rifle fired inside a house is likely the loudest thing most people will ever stand next to. Indoors the report reflects off walls and returns to the shooter instead of dissipating across open ground. It is worth remembering what a SWAT team deliberately throws through a door before entering. A flashbang is louder still, and disorienting everyone present is the point of it.

So the benefits are real. A suppressed shot leaves a person able to hear, able to direct family members, able to hear them answer, and not blinded by their own muzzle flash in a dark house.

The other half is rarely mentioned. A full length rifle with a can on the muzzle is longer than a person’s arm, and all of that length precedes them around a corner. A suppressor on a pistol turns a compact gun into a long, nose heavy one that no longer points like the gun its owner trained with.

There is a mechanical cost too. Added back pressure can stop a gun cycling reliably, which is a poor discovery to make on the firearm someone is betting their life on. Worse is a baffle strike, where a misaligned bullet clips the inside of the suppressor.

Handguns complicate this further. Most modern pistols use a tilting barrel to unlock and cycle, and hanging weight off the muzzle changes how that tilt behaves. The Beretta M9 is a useful counterexample, since its barrel travels straight back rather than tilting.

There is also an argument for shooting unsuppressed, which is that neighbours who hear shots may call the police. Officers who work patrol can attest that calls arrive this way.

The honest conclusion is that nobody knows how their setup behaves until they have fired it, suppressed, with the ammunition they actually keep loaded.

9. A suppressor slows the bullet down

This myth circulates in both directions. One camp holds that a suppressor slows the bullet by disrupting gas behind it. The other holds that it speeds the bullet up by giving that gas more room to work.

Both effects are real, and neither is large enough to matter. A rimfire may leave marginally faster with a can attached. A centerfire rifle may leave marginally slower. In both cases the difference is small enough to be irrelevant outside a controlled test.

For perspective, shooting on a cold day moves velocity more than a suppressor does, because denser air changes the numbers more than the device ever will.

Any change in velocity does move the point of impact, however, which is what people are usually gesturing at when they claim a suppressor ruins accuracy.

10. Suppressors ruin accuracy

A suppressor does change how a rifle shoots. It does not ruin it.

When a rifle fires, the barrel flexes, and it does so in a pattern that repeats shot after shot. That repeatability is the reason a rifle can group at all. Adding mass to the muzzle changes the pattern, and the group can move as a result. The principle is the same one behind a free float handguard, where the goal is to keep anything from touching the barrel and altering its harmonics.

Most shooters have already seen this happen without a suppressor involved. A barrel heated by a long string opens groups up for the same underlying reason, because hot steel behaves differently from cold steel.

A rifle that groups tightly still groups tightly with a can attached. Inside 100 yards the difference is small enough that only a deliberately fussy shooter will find it. The practical answer is to test a specific rifle with a specific can and draw conclusions from that.

11. A suppressor is all upside

There are real costs, and most owners discover them by experience rather than research.

The first is gas. Trapped pressure travels back through the action and exits at the ejection port and charging handle, directly toward the shooter’s face. That gas carries ammonia and carbon monoxide, which is why shooters come off a suppressed line with red eyes and a headache.

The second is fouling and heat. Carbon in that gas has to settle somewhere, and a good deal of it stays in the action, so a suppressed rifle fouls faster than the same rifle shot bare. The can itself retains heat at the muzzle, which is precisely where someone is likely to take hold of the rifle.

Flow through designs

A newer category of suppressor addresses the gas problem directly. Rather than trapping gas and holding it, a flow through design steers it forward so it continues away from the shooter. Manufacturers in that space report substantially more gas reaching the shooter’s face with conventional designs.

The engineering tradeoff is a balance. The design has to reduce what blows back while still generating enough back pressure to cycle the action on subsonic ammunition.

12. First round pop is imaginary

It is not. It has a straightforward physical explanation.

A suppressor that has been sitting unused contains a tube full of ordinary air, and therefore a tube full of oxygen. When the first shot dumps burning powder into it, that oxygen ignites and burns along with the propellant, which makes the first shot audibly louder than the rest. Every subsequent shot is quieter because the tube now holds spent gas with the oxygen already consumed.

The traditional remedy still works. A small quantity of water or gel inside the can flashes to steam on the first shot and displaces the oxygen ahead of the burn. Running a can wet is an old technique and an effective one.

13. Suppressors wear out quickly

This was true a century ago. Early designs used soft, consumable material inside to absorb the report, and that material was designed to be removed and replaced after a set round count.

Modern construction is different. The interior is a stack of machined baffles in stainless steel or titanium, rated for more rounds than most owners will fire in a lifetime.

Rimfire is the exception, because .22 ammunition is dirty and fouling accumulates inside the can. Rimfire suppressors are therefore built to be disassembled and cleaned. A sealed centerfire suppressor is never opened and does not need to be.

What actually destroys a suppressor is misalignment. If a muzzle device or mount does not hold the can perfectly concentric with the bore, the bullet clips the baffles on the way out and tears the device apart from the inside. Correct alignment and, for rimfire, regular cleaning are what determine whether a suppressor lasts.

14. The best suppressor is the quietest one

Sound is set primarily by the ammunition, not the device. A supersonic round will never be quiet, and no suppressor changes that. A .50 calibre or a long range .338 Magnum will not approach the sound signature of a subsonic .300 Blackout, whatever is threaded to the muzzle.

Buyers reflect this in practice. The suppressor most popular with hunters is a short, light titanium model that locks onto a mount rather than threading on, so it cannot work itself loose in the field. It is chosen for handling, not for a decibel figure.

Near the top of the same lists sits a .22 suppressor that has been on the market for over a decade and is beaten on raw sound by newer designs in its class. It sells because it disassembles by hand for cleaning and the parts do not seize together. On rimfire the sound difference barely matters, since everything in that class is already quiet.

Modular suppressors that cover a rimfire, a 9mm and a .30 calibre rifle sell for the same practical reason, which is that one purchase replaces several. The compromise is performance, because the bore has to accommodate the largest bullet the owner will ever run through it. Firing something smaller means more gas escaping the front alongside the bullet, which is the safe failure mode compared with a baffle strike, but it is not optimised for any single cartridge.

Material choice follows the same logic. Titanium is light and handles pressure without difficulty. Heat is what damages it, so sustained fire through a short barrel will erode a titanium can.

The pattern across all of these is that buyers are not selecting the lowest decibel rating. They are selecting the suppressor that suits how they actually shoot.

9 Best M Lok Rail Covers

TS Editor — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 22:03:40 +0000

Here are some best M LOK Rail covers to protect unused mounting slots and cord protection. These are brands and products based on my personal experiences as well as others in the shooting community.

Disclosure: All products have affiliate links for earning commission to support the website when you purchase

Slate Black Industries M-Lok Rail Panels: Praised for their affordability, aesthetic appeal, and compatibility with Magpul colors. Their handstop also received positive remarks.

Referenced Slate Black Industries

Check Price Here

BCM MCMR MLOK Rail Covers: These BCM MLOK rail covers are appreciated for their reasonable price, satisfactory texture, and slim design, making them easy to tailor for various front-end configurations. Simple installation

Check Price Here

Wise Men Co. Hot Pocket: Noted for being a rail wrap that includes M-Lok slots, offering a unique approach to rail covers.

Some users are drawn to them for their potential to reduce heat on the rail, but some don't like blocking of airflow around the handguard. Its a niche product that enhances aesthetics.

Check Price Here

Magpul Type 2: Highly regarded for their grippy texture, cost-effectiveness, extensive coverage, and ease of modification to accommodate other M-Lok attachments.

Check Price Here

Strike Industries MLOK Cable Management Covers: They're a game-changer for keeping things tidy on your MLOK firearm handguards. With the SI CMS, you have a dedicated spot to route and secure those loose wires right inside the cover. You can run cables along the handguard, switch sides, or even loop them around in a U-shape.

Check Price Here

Railscales (Dragon, Minidot in G10): Favored for their design and material quality, though some comments pointed out their higher price. The recommendation was to avoid polymer versions and opt for G10 material for better durability and heat resistance.

Check Price Here

Griffin Rail Shield Kit: Mentioned by the original poster as an option they had but were considering alternatives. Another user expressed a liking for Griffin products without specifying why.

Check Price Here

VZ Grips Rail Covers: Liked for their quality but criticized for their high cost. Some users may look for other options listed in this guide.

Check Price Here

Geissele Rail Covers: Recommended by a user for their quality, especially for those building a rifle with a Geissele rail. These are smaller sections that the user can use if they don't want a full length panel.

Check Price Here

How To Convert Glock 43X To 48

TS Editor — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 21:59:48 +0000

Converting a Glock 43X to a Glock 48 is extremely simple. Basically Glock 48 is just a long slide version of the Glock 43X. All you have to do is swap out the internal parts from the 43X slide and put it into a stripped Glock 48 slide, and then add the barrel.

Disclosure: All products have affiliate links for earning commission to support the website when you purchase

Here are some top Glock 48 slide options you can check out:

Since slim frame Glock doesn't have firing pin channel liners, you can just swap all the parts from the Glock 43 to the 48 slide.

Here are some top Glock 48 barrel options you can check out:

If you want another set of slide parts including recoil rod, ejector, firing pin, trigger spring and all of it, you can get it here

FAQ

Do I need a new recoil spring for the Glock 48

No, the recoil spring on the Glock 43 will fit the Glock 48.

Do I need to buy a firing pin channel liner?

No. Slim frame Glocks don't have that.

3 Best Recoil Reducing Buffer Systems For AR15

TS Editor — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:05:27 +0000

If you are shopping for the best recoil reducing buffer system for your AR15. Here are a few options to consider while maintaining a reliable 16" barrel AR15.

When you think of the AR-15, the buffer might not be the first part that comes to mind. Yet, this seemingly unremarkable component, tucked away inside the receiver extension, holds significant potential to enhance your recoil experience.

AR15 recoil can be tamed significantly by changing the buffer spring, buffer weight, gas system and the muzzle device. While a good muzzle device can minimize the muzzle drift, a good recoil reducing buffer can add to that performance without messing with the bolt carrier group or resort to a full rifle length system.

Top Rated Recoil Reducing Buffer Systems

VLTOR A5 buffer - The primary advantage of the A5 system lies in its ability to use a rifle length spring, which you can also achieve with the Tubb flat spring that can enhance the performance of your AR-15 by providing the same force as a traditional A2 buffer spring, improving reliability and smoothness across various firing conditions

Buy VLTOR A5

Geissele Super 42 - The super 42 isn't necessarily the best at reducing recoil but the braided spring wire has a much longer service life, better spring harmonics and it eliminates the "twang" sound in the buffer tube when firing

Buy Super 42 Buffer

JP SCS Gen 2 - Enjoy a quieter shooting experience with the JP Enterprises GEN 2 Silent Captured Spring, designed to reduce the distracting noise typically made by standard M4 buffer springs and to reduce bolt bounce when seating the round in the chamber.

Buy JP SCS Buffer

Do Heavier Buffer Reduce Recoil

Your firearm needs just the right amount of gas to cycle the action with force, but without going overboard. Too much gas means more recoil and quicker wear on your AR, while too little could lead to jams, feeding issues, or the bolt failing to lock after the last round.

Most factory AR 15 rifles are set up to be a bit heavy on the gas to ensure they keep running even under harsh conditions. But more gas isn't always better, especially when you're looking for a smoother and less jarring shooting experience, like in recreational shooting or competitions.

This is where the buffer comes in, offering you a golden opportunity to fine-tune your AR's cycling. By adjusting the buffer's weight, you can dial in the perfect amount of reciprocating mass, leading to a lighter recoil and a smoother operation that suits your specific needs.

What Helps Reduce Recoil On AR15

Replacing your standard H buffer with a heavier ones is the easiest and most affordable way to reduce felt recoil and muzzle movement, and help with the loading cycle by adding more weight.

Referenced Geissele

Heavier buffers like Colt's H1, H2, and H3 models, weighing 3.8, 4.6, and 5.4 ounces respectively, are available. The H1 has two steel and one tungsten weight, the H2 has one steel and two tungsten weights, and the H3 has three tungsten weights. You can upgrade from a standard buffer to an H3 and use its weights to make H1 and H2 buffers too.

Browse AR15 Buffer System Here

How Much Does An AR15 Weight [Where To Cut Weight]

TS Editor — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 04:23:31 +0000

A standard AR15 weighs about 6 to 7 pounds without any attachment assuming it just has all the standard parts without a magazine. If a fully loaded magazine with 30 rounds is loaded, it weighs about 8 to near 9 lbs give or take.

When considering the durability and reliability of the AR-15, the trend of accessorizing with the latest, lightest components has spawned a niche market focused on minimizing part weights, employing advanced materials like carbon fiber for barrels or even skeletonizing the receiver.

Of course the rifle can get heavier as more accessories are added such as a weapon light or an optic system.

An standard military issue M16A4 weighs about 10 lbs, and now people are on this trend of going back to a lighter rifle. Just to provide some perspective, here is the weight chart for standard military issue rifle:

The M4 Carbine, introduced in the early 1990s, reduced the unloaded weight to 6.5 lbs with its shorter barrel and collapsible stock. As modern technologies improve for making firearms, a lightweight 6.5 lbs AR15 is durable and versatile enough for everything from self-defense to hunting and open conflict.

Since we have so many more accessories available to mount on an AR15 rifle today, we have to watch the weight of the rifle without it affecting our shooting performance. Especially for those who carry their rifle for real world scenarios, where a heavier rifle is never a good thing.

If not careful selecting accessories, a rifle will suddenly weigh more than 12 lbs or more. So we have to carefully select our parts to add to the rifle. Look at the weight and decide if it should go on the rifle or not.

Weight And Shooting Stability

A rifle that is front-heavy feels heavier but remains more stable when fired. Conversely, a rifle with a rearward balance is quicker to aim and maneuver but loses stability with each shot.

Some individuals chose heavier stocks for their ARs to move the balance towards the rear, despite this adding to the overall weight. Others preferred a slightly heavier handguard to minimize muzzle flip. As long as the weight remains within a comfortable range for you, it's acceptable, and it's not an exact science.

Where You Can Save Weight On An AR15?

There are many places you can save weight, and here is a general guide to reference:

Stock

There are many lightweight AR15 stocks available, and for the most part they all do the same thing. In this case, compare their weight and buy the lightest option if you like the ergonomics. I personally wouldn't trade for ergonomics over weight if the weight difference isn't too significant.

Please check out this reference chart for the lightest stock

Handguard

Now we have very durable 7075 T6 aluminum MLOK handguard systems that shed so much weight compared to a traditional M1913 quad rail. Buy a handguard that provides just enough length that you actually need can shed a few oz off the rifle.

Handguard Accessories

Only mount what you need. For most users, a durable weapon light and an ergonomic foregrip is enough to have a high performance rifle that is easy to handle.

Companies like MODLITE, Surefire, Unity Tactical, and many others offer a wide range of flashlight and switch configurations. While some products are impressively innovative, they can also add unnecessary weight to the handguard if they're not essential for your needs.

Barrel

The AR15 barrel is the heart of the rifle, and personally I would pick the best barrel to use and not compromise accuracy over barrel weight savings.

Optic

There are tons of optic available for the AR15 platform, and not all are lightweight. For a modern red dot sight with a durable lightweight mount. It should not exceed 4 - 5 oz. A lightweight red dot sight mount like the Scalarworks are my favorite.

Receivers

While there are many lightweight forged AR15 receivers on the market. Personally I will stick with a forged receiver set. Some have lightening cuts to shed weight, but stay away from skeletonized receivers if possible. I rather want durability than a gimicky ultralightweight rifle.

Gas System

If you want a lightweight rifle, stick with a direct impingement gas system. A piston rifle system is generally much heavier up front than in the rear because there is no buffer system. For example, the PSA JAKL is very cool but very heavy.

8 Best AR15 Barrel Manufacturers

TS Editor — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 02:21:43 +0000

Here are 8 best AR15 barrel manufacturers to consider when you are building your rifle or replacing the barrel. Most manufacturers make great barrels in different length and profiles.

Best AR15 Barrel Brands

Disclosure: All products have affiliate links for earning commission to support the website when you purchase

Faxon Firearms

Known for their affordable yet high-quality AR15 barrels, Faxon Firearms uses their aerospace background to produce barrels in-house. Faxon barrels are more accurate than most shooters, and particularly the 20-inch Gunner profile barrels suitable for precision shooting.

Their notable product is the “Gunner” profile barrel, which combines features from Government and Pencil profiles for heat resistance and reduced weight.

They offer various barrel lengths and types, including options for 5.56 chamber, .223 Wylde chamber, and barrels suitable for short-barreled rifles or AR-pistols.

Faxon barrels are sufficiently accurate for general purposes and that their value in terms of performance, price, and weight makes them an excellent choice for most needs. However, for sub-MOA performance, one might need to invest in a higher-end barrel.

Shop Here

Ballistic Advantage

Ballistic Advantage manufacturer is praised for its diverse range of barrel profiles, catering to different needs from pencil profiles to heavy or DMR applications.

Achieving sub-MOA accuracy is not a guaranteed outcome with Ballistic Advantage barrels, especially under more rigorous testing conditions.

They offer barrels in various calibers, including .223 Wylde and 5.56 NATO, with unique features like the Hanson Barrel profile for reduced barrel whip. Most local gun shops carry their barrels as they have become a very popular barrel option for AR15 builders.

Shop Here

Fabrique Nationale (FN)

FN barrels stand out for their exceptional quality, often made using cold hammer-forged steel. This process not only ensures a denser and more durable barrel but also allows for more precise rifling, significantly improving accuracy.

Highly recommend using CHF FN barrel along with FN bolt carrier group for the best fit and accuracy.

The use of FN barrels in various firearms including the iconic SCAR rifles, M240 and M249 belt fed machine guns. If you want something that last, FN is the way to go.

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Rosco Manufacturing

Rosco MFG is an emerging brand known for a mix of reliability, accuracy, and affordability.

Rosco Manufacturing having faced some quality control issues during the pandemic, which seems to have been resolved as no recent issues have been reported.

Rosco Manufacturing offers barrels like the K9 series with a proprietary “Patrol Length” gas system for reduced recoil and improved reliability. They also provide options for complete build kits.

Shop Here

BCM

Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) is highly regarded in the tactical community for its superior firearms and components. They have been around for a long time making no bs AR15 parts before other Gucci companies came to the market.

Some users have experienced issues like being overgassed, none sub MOA accuracy, or barrels being shot out prematurely, while other shooters assert that BCM barrels are reliable and perform well for their intended use with standard FMJ.

BCM barrels may not offer top-tier accuracy compared to some of the more specialized barrel makers, they are considered durable and reliable for general use and mil-spec applications.

Their barrels are made from high-grade steel with a chrome lining, enhancing durability and corrosion resistance. Chambers including 5.56 and 300 blackout. BCM offers a variety of barrel lengths and profiles, including lightweight, standard, and enhanced versions, catering to a diverse range of AR15 needs.

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Daniel Defense

Daniel Defense, known for their iconic M4A1 and MK18 rifles, and they also sell their cold hammer-forged barrels for AR15 builders. These barrels are made from a proprietary blend of steel, undergo rigorous quality control, ensuring consistency and performance.

Daniel Defense provides a wide range of barrel lengths and profiles including government profile, hanson, pencil and standard.

However, some barrels lack pre-dimpled feature for gas block installation, which can cost the builder even more money to buy jig or gun smithing services. But some customers believe that it offers flexibility for end-users to customize their setup according to their preferred gas block.

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Rainier Arms

Specializing in accuracy, Rainier Arms offers the Ultramatch series, which includes features like an 18-inch length, rifle-length gas system, .223 Wylde chamber, and stainless steel construction with TiN-coated extension.

After researching online forums and several gunsmiths, Overall, the sentiment is that Rainier Arms barrels are high-quality, though experiences vary, particularly concerning ammunition compatibility and specific barrel performance.

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Christensen Arms

Known for pioneering carbon fiber barrels, Christensen Arms offers high-end barrels that excel in accuracy, durability, and barrel life. They provide a variety of calibers and lengths, with a focus on lightweight and high-performance barrels.

There have been some reports of firearms encountered significant issues with accuracy and point of impact with carbon fiber barrels, but for the most part they make good barrels, and their customer service could be a little better.

Shop Here

Walther PDP VS Glock 17 – Full Comparison

TS Editor — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:03:37 +0000

If you're looking to buy a full size handgun, the Walther PDP and Glock 17 are two options you may have been checking out. The Walther PDP 4.5" and Glock 17 are both full size double stack 9mm handguns, and this guide breaks down their specs in details.

Glock 17 VS Walther PDP - Side By Side Comparison

Table of Contents

Glock 17 VS Walther PDP - Side By Side Comparison

Factory Trigger Performance

Overall Shooting Performance

Aftermarket Parts Support

Physical Dimensions

Glock 17

Overall Length: 6.5 in
Barrel Length: 4.5"
Height: 5.04"
Width: 1.1"
Weight: 18.7 oz empty magazine
Capacity: 17+1

Walther PDP

Overall Length: 8.5 in
Barrel Length: 4.5"
Height: 4"
Width: 1.34"
Weight: 24.4 oz
Capacity: 18+1

Factory Barrel Specs

Glock 17

Length: 3.41 in
Type: Match Grade GLOCK Marksman Barrel

PDP

Length: 4.5 in (non threaded)

Optic Footprint

Glock 17

MOS (Only for MOS Model)
Milled

Walther PDP

Factory optic cut

Grip Comparison

The factory Glock 17 grip is as old as it gets. It's not that fancy until we did some custom DIY work to it. Some people don't like the Glock 19 grip and some have learned to get used to it.

The best thing you can do to a factory Gen 3 or Gen 4 Glock 17 grip is to cut this trigger guard undercut so that it can slightly change the angle of the grip. This allows for better and more natural sight alignment.

The grip on the Walther PDP is very well designed to fit in the hand because it has these built in grooves that naturally fit in people's hands. Even though they aren't perfect, but they provide a good grip feel to most users that we have talked to.

PDP and Gen 4 Glock 17 offer the ability to swap out the grip panels for people who need additional grip adjustments.

Factory Trigger Performance

Both firearms ship with fantastic factory trigger performance, but the Walther PDP way exceeds the Glock 17 in terms of trigger performance. There is a trigger pretravel, and the wall of the trigger feels very positive and the trigger break is crisp.

When resetting the trigger the reset distance is fairly short and it gets right back to the wall immediately.

Glock 17 Trigger

The Glock 17's trigger isn't bad in the context of safety. It's still the original safe action handgun design, and it just need a little 25 cent Glock trigger job to make it smoother. This typically involves some parts polishing to reduce the trigger pull friction.

Glocks are well-regarded for their reliability, but for those of us who use them, the "mushy" trigger pull is a familiar characteristic. This term refers to the initial slack that must be taken up before reaching the point where the trigger breaks and the shot fires. The feel of this pull can be somewhat inconsistent.

Both handguns feature trigger safety, and they are easy to disengage regardless the finger placement angle on the trigger shoe.

Walther PDP Trigger

This is a wonderful striker fired pistol trigger straight from the factory. If you want to upgrade it please check out this PDP trigger upgrade guide.

Internals

Both handguns feature high quality factory internal components such as the firing pin, trigger sear, magazine release button, trigger spring and others.

The Glock 43X feature no thumb safety, and it's a perfectly drop safe handgun with triple reductant safety feature. The Springfield Hellcat has the same.

Slide Serration

The Walther PDP slide features standard front and rear serration cuts, and they are deep cuts that give the user very positive gripping surface.

Glock 17 Gen 3 and Gen 4 don't feature front serrations, but the Gen 5 all have front serrations. Honestly this is not a big deal because we can always add grip tape for more friction.

Ergonomics

In terms of ergonomics, the Walther PDP has the best ergonomics hands down. It has ambi slide release levers, but not the magazine release.

The slides are serrated with deep cuts for easy grips. The takedown lever is also very easy to operate.

The Glock 17 isn't as ambidextrous as Walther PDP, but it's still doable for any right handed shooters. One aspect the Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glock 17 models lack is front slide serrations. While this is not a significant issue, for those who prefer to press check the slide, applying grip tape can provide additional grip surface.

Sights

Walther PDP and Glock 17 all comes with plastic sights. Blue label Glock 17 firearms intended for law enforcement and military customers often come with metal sights, whereas civilian models typically feature plastic sights.

Both sights can easily shift if dropped on the ground. So swapping them out with metal sights is definitely one of the best first upgrade to do.

Overall Shooting Performance

Both guns shoot fine, but the Walther PDP is way better in terms of its grip feel, trigger pull and recoil sensation. The Glock 17 shoots well but it's not perfect. Some shooters have complained that Glock tends to shoot low to the left, while other say it shoots high. Most of the error has to do with the grip, trigger discipline and fundamentals.

Both options are reliable choices, and you just have to train. Mantis X10 Elite is a great training tool that provides real time feedback on trigger pull, recoil control and more.

Aftermarket Parts Support

As of the time this comparison guide was written, the Glock 17 has a wider range of aftermarket upgrades compared to the Walther PDP. This includes a variety of options from trigger upgrades to grip frames, offering extensive customization possibilities for the Glock 17.

So far the best Walther PDP upgrade is the performance action trigger besides weapon lights and optics.

Trijicon SRO VS Holosun 507 Comp

TS Editor — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 02:29:56 +0000

Dive into our comprehensive comparison guide between the Trijicon SRO and the Holosun 507 Comp, and see why the Holosun 507 Comp might be the superior choice for those venturing into large window competition-style optics for the first time.

With the 507 comp sitting right around $370, the optic stands out as a value-packed alternative to the higher-priced Trijicon SRO, which typically retails for around $600 or more.

Let's check them out

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Trijicon SRO VS Holosun 507 Comp - Window Size

The Holosun 507 Comp impresses with its sturdy build and a square-shaped viewing window that rivals the overall size of the Trijicon SRO's circular window. When it comes to target acquisition, the SRO's slightly taller top portion offers additional space for tracking the dot through recoil.

Despite its compact window, the Holosun 507 Comp does not compromise on visibility. While moving and shooting at the range, I consistently kept the dot in sight. On the few occasions I lost it, likely due to less-than-perfect footwork or trigger technique, I found it much easier to reacquire than with other optics I've experienced.

Lens Frame Design Differences

While both SRO and 507 Comp use the RMR footprint, A significant advantage of the 507 Comp is the absence of the overhang found on the Trijicon SRO, eliminating concerns about shell ejection jams with most handguns.

Upon examination, it seems that Holosun achieved this by implementing the same side-loading battery tray design that accommodates a CR1632 battery. This design choice minimizes space usage compared to the Trijicon SRO, ensuring that there's no need for any forward-leaning components.

Also the Trijicon SRO prevents any use of forward mounted iron sights on some custom gun slides.

Check Best SRO Price

Weight

The Holosun 507 Comp weighs about 1.7 oz. While the Trijicon SRO only weighs 1.6 oz, they are both very light weight, and the difference isn't noticeable at all.

Battery Access

Holosun has maintained consistency in the battery tray design across various models, successfully integrating it into the 507 Comp without significant alterations to the specifications.

Just be cautious with the tiny screw when taking out the tray because it can easily get lost or fall under the table.

On the other hand, the Trijicon has the top-loading battery compartment.

Battery Performance

The Trijicon SRO can last about 4 to 5 years with just one CR2032 battery. If the reticle isn't in the lockout mode, the dot brightness will actually dim down to save more battery.

The Holosun on the other hand features the ShakeAwake system that turns off the optic to save more battery.

In my opinion, Both of them offer great technologies to extend the battery life even further than necessary, and I change my battery every year anyway, so these features may not be the most important to me.

Reticle Options

The Trijicon SRO actually have very simple dot selections among 1 MOA, 2.5 MOA and 5 MOA options. All of them are single dot choices that many experienced shooters love. 5 MOA in particular is the most common for competition and pistol shooters.

1 MOA is preferred for rifle use.

However, the kicker is that all three models are sold separately, so if you want all three, that's about $1650.

The Holosun 507 Comp on the other hand offers a Competition Reticle System (CRS) that has 7 different reticle options.

2 MOA
8 MOA ring
20 MOA ring
32 MOA ring

The optic is designed for competition use, and the ring reticle offers the shooter various needs.

One thing that I have noticed is that the open circle reticle actually works fairly well for shooters with astigmatism where the shooter can almost see through the ring and have better target visibility especially with the 20 MOA circle.

The 8 MOA ring with the center 2 MOA appears like a 8 MOA circle if the brightness is set just right.

For shooters who like to shoot fast and reacquire the reticle quickly. The ring reticle can provide some view extension if the center dot moves out of the window. In my personally experience, the ACSS vulcan does this the best with its 250 MOA outer ring instead of using the 32 MOA ring.

If my assumption was correct, using anything bigger than the 32 MOA ring like a 65 MOA can help retain the reticle outer edge inside the sight window during recoil.

Check Best 507 Price

Reticle Color Options

Trijicon SRO has only red reticles to buy. The Holosun 507 comp has both red and green options.

Some users prefer green. But it's all personal preference and it really doesn't make that much a difference if you have astigmatism. The green will look blurry the same as the red.

Final Verdict

If you are looking for an affordable large window competition optic that has some of the modern technologies like the multiple reticle system and ShakeAwake system, the Holosun 507 Comp offers something most shooters who are interested a great deal.

Trijicon SRO is great, but for the price point of $560 to even $600. It can be hard on many potential buyers. Both optics are very tough and reliable for range use.

Is Cutting A Shotgun Barrel Legal?

TS Editor — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:37:01 +0000

Long story short, cutting a shotgun barrel under 18 inches without NFA registration is illegal. In the United States, it's illegal to posses a sawed off shotgun unless the firearm has obtained proper NFA paper work and paid $200 tax stamp.

The legal definition of a short barrel shotgun has an overall length less than 26 inches with a barrel less than 18 inches.

What Happens When You Shorten A Shotgun

Most shotgun shell powder can burn up inside a 16" barrel. The barrel length does affect range and accuracy, and the user will experience a big fireball at the muzzle on a shorter barrel from all the unburned gun powder.

The pellet pattern however will spread wider coming out of a shorter barrel let's say a 14" barrel.

Cutting A Barrel Or Buy A Short Barrel?

Buying a new barrel is much easier and affordable than going to a gunsmith. The original barrel could potentially be sold for money instead of just cutting it.

Purchasing a new barrel for ease, legality, and the ability to switch back to the original configuration if needed.

Another reason not to cut a barrel is that it permanently remove the choke, and it cost more money to rethread the barrel for the choke. Some users advocated for the simplicity and low cost of cutting the barrel, especially if the gunsmith's fee is minimal. However, the technical demands of doing it correctly, including ensuring proper bore alignment and maintaining legal requirements.

How To Apply For Short Barrel Shotgun NFA Tax Stamp

Here are steps you must follow to apply for a short barrel shotgun permit. The permit is only for one serialized item, so pick your project carefully.

Under an NFA Gun Trust, or as another legal entity. We suggest purchasing your NFA Tax Stamp through an NFA Gun Trust for enhanced future flexibility. Skip this step if applying as an individual or another legal entity.

Step 1

We recommend creating a trust through Silencer Shop to order a NFA gun trust, and let their legal team do all the work for you.

You must then date, sign, witness, and notarize the trust before proceeding to step two.

Step 2

You need to buy your NFA Firearm next, which could be any of the following: Short-Barreled Rifles (SBR), Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS), Silencer, Machine Gun, Any Other Weapon (AOW), or Destructive Device. If you're manufacturing or making one of these NFA Firearms, remember that you cannot complete this process until the ATF approves your Tax Stamp.

If you want to turn your existing shotgun into a short barrel shotgun, you need ATF 5320.1 Application form to make and register a firearm. This is also called the Form 1.

Form 4 is where you want to buy a factory short barrel shotgun.

Step 3

Complete your ATF 5320.1 Application to Make and Register a Firearm paperwork:

Use our ATF Paperwork walk-through guides to assist you in this process:

ATF Form 1 5320.1
ATF eForm 1 5320.1
ATF Form 5320.23

Filling out the ATF Form for your applicable tax stamp, guided by the form descriptions above.

Completing an ATF 5320.23 Responsible Persons Questionnaire for each responsible person if applying under an NFA Gun Trust or as a legal entity.

Obtaining one 2"x2" passport photo and two FD-258 fingerprint cards for each responsible person in the application. Individuals applying alone need only provide these for themselves. For those included in our NFA Gun Trust, this applies to the settlor and any named co-trustees.

Step 4

Check each line to ensure correctness and readiness for ATF submission, alleviating your stress.

Common reasons for ATF paperwork return include missing endorsements, unacceptable payees, omitted checks with applications, incorrect payment amounts, credit card errors, incomplete transferee information, missing serial numbers, use of obsolete forms, and other unspecified issues.

Step 5

Submit your ATF Paperwork to the ATF and the CLEO [Chief Law Enforcement Officer]:

Finally, package your ATF paperwork and submit it to the ATF and your identified CLEO, as outlined in your paperwork from step 3. We recommend using a mailing service that provides a tracking number to confirm your paperwork's arrival at the ATF.

Step 6

Your $200 tax payment will be taken from your bank account, but this doesn't mean it's approved. You still have to wait

Step 7

Upon final approval you will receive your tax stamp via mail or email if you do this through ATF's eform. Another way is to let your FFL receive all the paperwork then contact you especially when you buy a NFA item from them.

How To Do A Glock 25 Cent Trigger Job

TS Editor — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 19:40:29 +0000

This is a step by step guide on how to do a 25 cent trigger job on a Glock handgun. All you need is some polishing compound and round up some internal surfaces to get a smoother trigger.

I have this Glock 17 Gen 3 from 2011 and it has went through more than 2500 rounds and more, and I can definitely say this shoots much smoother than the factory trigger.

If you are not comfortable messing with your Glock trigger, please go to a gunsmith or buy a reputable drop in Glock trigger upgrade here.

Tools Needed

A Dremel tool can be your best friend in this process but a small file tool will do just fine. Just a light touch can leave the metal surfaces looking like polished chrome, ensuring they glide over each other more smoothly.

Any car polishing compound will do the job and you don't need that much anyway.

Glock Trigger Internal Parts To Polish

Safety Plunger

The safety plunger has a glossy finish at its center, although some of the outer coating has begun to peel away. Despite this, it feels incredibly smooth to the touch. A practical way to assess its smoothness is by gently dragging a Q-Tip over it and checking to see if any fibers snag on the surface.

Connector

I actually switch out the factory connector with the Ghost connector. This part directly regulate the trigger's pull weight. The smoother it is on the end, the less gritty the trigger feels.

Polish just under these spots shown below:

Trigger Bar

When you pull the trigger, the trigger bar moves rearward, performing a couple of crucial actions. Firstly, it disengages the firing pin safety, ensuring the firing pin can move freely. By polishing this part, it reduces the friction between these contact points to make it smoother.

Polish this side to reduce friction between the connector.