Thread: Conflicting Muzzle Forward Can Advice

Gunsmiths comment: there are certain applications where an over barrel suppressor is the best choice, and others where a muzzle can/forward type is the best choice.

On some of the heavy barrel rifles coming out now, the barrels are too fat to be accomdated by alot of the overbarrel units currently on the market. On these a muzzle can type unit with an M18 or bigger thread is a sensible choice. Or, the only choice.

Any decent suppressor will add at least 4 - 6" forward of your muzzle anyway. Overbarrel suppressors will retain barrel heat under the unit for longer, which can be a problem for some applications like range or varmint shooting. Compact muzzle cans like the locally made ODL or SileNZ units feature self-tightening design to help overcome the tendency for the sprialling propellent gas to unwind silencers on conventional RH thread. But they still need to be checked occassionally.

Any chances of baffle strike on a muzzle can type unit are only ever due to an alignment problem with the muzzle thread on the barrel, concentricity problems in the silencer itself, excessively sloppy thread fit, or, in the event of a bad fall or misadventure - damage to the unit from excessive side impact force (which is not really something that can ever be completely designed against.)

Muzzle can units can be very good choice on AR rifle, and bolt guns used for target or vamint shooting.
Over-barrel units are usually preferred choice for rough field work like deer or alpine hunting rifles where the risk of falls is greater, and keeping muzzle-forward length to a minimum is a requirement.

Dean.