Mini 5.56 Can Options

[zimagold]

I currently have pending a TBAC 30CB9 full size 30cal can for precision work and an AAC 762-SDN-6 for 300 Blackout and high volume shooting. I would like something smaller and more compact for my 16” and future 10.5” 556 build. My experience has been 5.56 is rather load even with a silencer. I will be wearing hearing protection anyways so I have decided to start looking for a mini 5.56 can to cut down weight and length. I expect it to act as more of a moderator and take the bite out of the SBR under roofs and indoors. I normally wear double hearing protection indoors and would like to go back to just electronic muffs. Thanks to AACs rebates this year, I already have T51 mounts for the 2 hosts. Time frame is sometime in the next few months for purchase.

Options under consideration:

AAC Mini 4 ($750, 13.5 Ounces, 5.25” Long)
Silencer Co Saker K 556 ($800, 14.7 Ounces, 5.8” Long)
Surefire SOCOM 556 Mini ($1000, 14.5 Ounces, 5.0” Long)

I haven’t been around a lot of mini cans. Does anyone have some firsthand experience and advice? I’m leaning towards the AAC Mini 4 since I already have mounts, but am still considering the SOCOM even with the added cost of new mounts.

[MAP]

I have the SOCOM mini and the SOCOM RC. I much prefer the RC. The size difference isn't that much but the sound difference is.

If you are set on the mini stay with the AAC as you already have the mounts.

Good luck,

Mike

[zimagold]

Thanks for the comments Mike. What length barrels are you running?

Sound was my main requirement for full size. I was able to see/hear both the SOCOM 762 and SDN-6 in person, I liked how the SDN-6 sounded especially with 300 blackout subs. I was also willing to work with the 51T mount.

This time, I am mainly interested in getting better balance while accepting the compromised capability. I did try adding a UBR Stock to the 16" (added 13 ounces over the Ace Skeleton it replaced), but it still felt rather forward heavy. The full size cans were around 20 ounces. I'm liking the idea of ~13 ounces, hopefully getting it back to the non-suppressed balance.

[Hoser]

I have a SF mini and am very happy with the weight, sound and balance of the rifle. Very quiet on a 20 inch gun and still pretty quiet on a 14.5 inch upper. I have only shot it a few times on my 11.5 upper and it was too loud.

The RC might be a touch quieter but it is also a couple ounces heavier and longer.

[zimagold]

Hoser,

On the 11.5", is the SF mini too loud without hearing protection or is it too loud as in annoying even with ear protection (Plugs)?

[zimagold]

Any cans I may have overlooked?

[Hoser]

Hoser,

On the 11.5", is the SF mini too loud without hearing protection or is it too loud as in annoying even with ear protection (Plugs)?

With plugs it was fine. Without plugs is was right at my limit for loud.

[zimagold]

With plugs it was fine. Without plugs is was right at my limit for loud.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like what I'm looking for and willing to accept.

Anyone currently running a AAC Mini 4 care to chime in with feedback?

[MAP]

I run my SOCOM mini on a 16" barrel. I agree with HOSER on using the mini on an 11.5 barrel.,

Mike

[smchop]

Take a look at the SAS M455, I've had one for a few years and works pretty well for a short can on 5.56

[Tim K]

I've been around Hoser's mini. It's amazingly quiet for such a little can. I'm in the midst of the same decision, SOCOM mini or the regular one. Short barrels in .233 don't interest me personally, so I'll likely go with the mini.

[JohnnyEgo]

Ops M4S is a reflex can, so it truly doesn't take up a bunch of space. I consider it to be akin to the Noveske KX3, but with some sound suppression. Considerably quieter on my longer barreled guns, of course. Not hearing safe in my opinion on anything I have that is profiled for the can.
http://www.johnnyego.com/firearms/ars/morears3/sf7.jpg
http://www.johnnyego.com/firearms/ars/morears2/noveske04.jpg

[zimagold]

I've been around Hoser's mini. It's amazingly quiet for such a little can. I'm in the midst of the same decision, SOCOM mini or the regular one. Short barrels in .233 don't interest me personally, so I'll likely go with the mini.

Main rifle I want to use it with is this 16" below. However, I built a 300 BLK OUT pistol, then got a lower to register as an SBR. This gave me one upper and two short barrel legal lowers. It initially didn't bother me, but I now feel the urge to build an upper to go with the empty lower. Originally thought about 11.3" 6.8 spc builld, but I already have to reload for the blackout. A 556 upper seems like a good option for low cost plinking with friends.

54967

[zimagold]

Ops M4S is a reflex can, so it truly doesn't take up a bunch of space. I consider it to be akin to the Noveske KX3, but with some sound suppression. Considerably quieter on my longer barreled guns, of course. Not hearing safe in my opinion on anything I have that is profiled for the can.


Haven't seen the OPS M4S before, will look into it. I don't consider any supersonic semi-auto cans to be hearing safe. I've already done enough damage growing up where hearing protection was optional. It's going to be bad when I get older.

[zimagold]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Probably going go with the AAC Mini-4 since I have the mounts and can go back and forth with my 762-SDN-6.