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Reflex or Non-Reflex (Cans) Suppressors?

   To start off with we must firstly explain what reflex and non-reflex suppressors are.

A reflex suppressor is one that extends backwards over the barrel to reduce the added length to the rifle. Some suppressor manufacturers produce this design which has 2 chambers. One in front of the rifle and a second one that extends backwards. The theory for the 2 chambers is when a round is fired it produces a certain amount of gas. This gas needs to be contained in the suppressor in order to remove sufficient dB's of sound volume. This can only be done with a certain minimum suppressor internal volume. When the suppressor is shortened it will loose a corresponding amount of internal volume (30% to 40% on average). This internal volume needs to be added back somehow to maintain the efficiency of the suppressor. Therefore the reflex chamber is added.

This all sounds like a simple solution to the problem, but in reality it is not the case. While the reflex chamber does add the lost volume back, it does not perform as efficiently as the gas has to enter the chamber and turn 180 degrees to fill the chamber fully. Due to the high speed of the gasses exiting the barrel, the gas does not like to change direction easily and does not fill the chamber correctly. 

Therefor the reflex chamber does not improve the suppression to the suppressor much and has negative side effects associated with it. These inherent design complication can not be overcome by any suppressor manufacturer as gas will only perform the way gas performs, and no other way. The fact that the reflex chamber is behind the muzzle is the defining point in why the the high speed gas will not fill the chamber efficiently.

SUS-TAC used to produce them as well, until repetitive testing done with our test equipment showed negative results. Looking at the inherent design complications and inefficiencies in producing a reflex suppressor (explained below), SUS-TAC made the choice to drop it from our product range. But, this could only be done if we had an equivalent or superior replacement product.

This lead to the birth of the SUS-TAC Non-Reflex Short design. It has many positives when compared to a reflex design. After many testing sessions SUS-TAC came up with a design that has a great combination of sound reduction and compactness. 

The main advantages and disadvantages of the SUS-TAC Non-Reflex Short versus a Reflex are listed below:


   
 
  

SUS-TAC  SHORT

  • Very compact SUS-TAC Non-Reflex Short design only adds a minimal amount of length to the barrel (145mm)
  • Significantly lighter  (weighing only 292g / 0.64lb) than a full sized suppressor and reflex suppressors
  • Uses fewer components making it less complicated to produce and less likely to fail
  • Outstanding dB reduction for such a small package. While it only just misses the cut for being considered hearing safe (140dB with no ear protection), it still manages to remove an impressive 25-27dB of sound pressure reduction
  • Competitive pricing verses reflex suppressors as well as full length suppressors
  • Easy to install onto any rifle thread from thin barrels to the thickest bull barrel as it can be purchased with any thread
  • No unnecessar heating of the end of the barrel due to it not having a reflex chamber covering the last portion of the barrel. The barrel therefore wears less, saving you money in the long run




 

   

REFLEX EXPLANATION AND FLAWS

  • Adds a minimal amount of length to the barrel, but has the reflex chamber protruding backwards over the barrel
  • Weights vary from medium to the heavy side depending on how large the reflex chamber is
  • Complicated design with many parts allowing for greater possibility for failures to occur.
  • The dB reduction can vary from average to above average depending on how efficient the primary chamber is. The more effective the chamber is, the larger it will have to be, making the added length longer and defeating the point of the reflex chamber
  • Prices from average to expensive depending on materials of construction
  • Only installs onto rifles with barrels thinner than the hole inside the reflex chamber where the barrel inserts into (not recommended for bull barrels)
  • Heats the covered portion of the barrel unnecessarily due to the suppressor getting very hot during firing. This transfers heat back into the barrel which causes premature wearing of the barrel bore. Heat is always the enemy.