littlejacks, This is a rabbit hole, once you go down it. Like many things in my life, I might not resolve problems the way everyone else does. That inevitably leads to detailed questions & everyone's personal opinion as to why I should do things differently........ The thread title uses the word "suppressor" because it is more common occurrence than my one-off situation.
Equipment:
MCX Rattler
5.56 NATO
Self Machined Noveske Type Flash Hider
I am NOT trying to suppress the 5.56 Rattler. I own the 300 BO version for that purpose. I am old. The 5.56 muzzle blast is horrid using the OEM flash hider. I have significantly tamed that blast with a Noveske type device. If you are not familiar with Noveske Flash Hiders, you should look them up before going further.
I am able & have tools to do machine work. Noveske devices in a nut shell are smaller suppressors with only a front baffle. This allows Noveske to get around NFA rules because it does not significantly reduce the noise so much as it fully directs that blast forward. Noveske only produces there device as a screw-on attachment, like all other flash hiders.
If you are not aware, the SIG OEM gas system on the 5.56 version of the Rattler is much different than the 300 BO version. The 5.56 flash hider is not even directly connected to the barrel. Instead, it is attached with pins directly to the gas system, which sits right at the front end of the barrel. Therefore, removal and attaching a normal flash hider (Or suppressor) is next to impossible.
I approached it from a different angle. I machined a near exact match to the Noveske Flash Hider, except that the attaching end is machined to snuggly fit over the SIG OEM flash hider. I placed a threaded hole in each of the OEM flash hiders prongs & this holds the device in place.
Works like a charm. Pleasant to shoot. But acts very much like a suppressor on the gas system. In the normal unsuppressed "-" position, the action only occasionally evens ejects the spent cartridge. In the "+" position, the action functions. Zero stoppages, but...........
1) About 20% of the time the bolt does not lock back after the final shot.
2) Ejected cases are not thrown nearly as far from the weapon (2-3 ft.)
3) I get some blowback. Not every shot. Maybe every 3rd round? That blowback seems to be coming from the charging handle?
So, I am not afraid to slightly drill open the "-" side gas hole, as I plan on always using this device on the weapon. But, I want to be pretty sure it is too little gas that is the problem, not too much!
Also, if I do open the gas hole a bit, that will likely produce more gas in the face. I want to feel comfortable with the decision before I proceed. By-the-way, I have used several different types of ammo. All have this same problem to a slightly greater or lessor degree.
Bruce
