Are OTB suppressors worth it?

[HuntHarder]

I own 2 OTB cans and 4 regular cans. The OTB's sounded like a good idea, but after using them, they really don't offer much, other than saving an inch or 2 on overall length. I went to swap them amongst different guns and its a PITA. My OG hits the hand guard on my AR-10. My OG 6.5 hits the front sight on 1 Ar and the gas block on another. They don't fit on my carbon barrels. I now have a place where potentially debris can get in and be stuck while hunting. On my .223's, I am using a thread adapter and had to buy the special removal tool to get the damn adapter off from inside. (Worked very nicely.) With companies making 3d printed cans now that are short, light and as good or better suppression, I am not really seeing the advantages of otb, when looking for a lightweight suppressor.

If you are trying to achieve maximum suppression and not have a 10" can protruding past the end of your barrel, I can see some merit behind the ability to add reflex. I will admit tho, that I do like the look of otb on shorter barrels. I am thinking that going forward, my otb cans are really going to be gun specific. Set it and forget it. I thought the juice would be worth the squeeze, but in my case, I really don't think it is. This is my objective observations after using and comparing my cans. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Lawnboi]

Less out front is exactly why I have one and want another. I can shoot more mild cartridges and add barrel length and have the same suppression as less barrel and more powder but a longer suppressor.

You mentioned the biggest downside. Barrel restrictions, especially on the OGs. .750 and 5/8 thread dosnt leave you with much to play with if you’re not ordering your barrel with some decent knowledge.

But in the right application, they seem to work well. My OG65 is just a lighter and shorter ultra 7 to me.

 

[omicron1792]

I own 2 OTB cans and 4 regular cans. The OTB's sounded like a good idea, but after using them, they really don't offer much, other than saving an inch or 2 on overall length. I went to swap them amongst different guns and its a PITA. My OG hits the hand guard on my AR-10. My OG 6.5 hits the front sight on 1 Ar and the gas block on another. They don't fit on my carbon barrels. I now have a place where potentially debris can get in and be stuck while hunting. On my .223's, I am using a thread adapter and had to buy the special removal tool to get the damn adapter off from inside. (Worked very nicely.) With companies making 3d printed cans now that are short, light and as good or better suppression, I am not really seeing the advantages of otb, when looking for a lightweight suppressor.

If you are trying to achieve maximum suppression and not have a 10" can protruding past the end of your barrel, I can see some merit behind the ability to add reflex. I will admit tho, that I do like the look of otb on shorter barrels. I am thinking that going forward, my otb cans are really going to be gun specific. Set it and forget it. I thought the juice would be worth the squeeze, but in my case, I really don't think it is. This is my objective observations after using and comparing my cans. Your mileage may vary.

I think using OTB on AR platforms is your problem. You have to measure really well before buying or just skip OTB on AR.

For most bolt action OTB has worked really well for me.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I still have one carbon barreled rifle around (AB raptor bull barrel reflex fits it FYI) but with current knowledge and running shorter barrels I just order sporter steel barrels and I also am primarily a bolt action hunter so OTB cans that fit 3/4" barrels are zero issue on my end for my primary uses.

That doesn't mean OTB is the answer but this is a bit of complaining that a Philips screw driver is stripping out a torx screw, they (short AR's, barrels with open sights, large diameter barrels) aren't a good match and there are good matches for those elsewhere.

We are no longer in the era of one can needing to do everything and complaining in that manner is a little silly. We're in the era of buying cans more specialized/dedicated to a specific rifle and not swapping them around that much (if you ain't there yet give it time).

If I was running a 16" barrel I wouldn't care as much about a 4" or 6" can, if running a 20" barrel I'd care more. My $0.02

 

[HuntHarder]

The lack of versatility vs. Perceived gains is my main hang up. The ability to swap cans over to friends rifles for them to try out is gone unless they have a small diameter barrel. Swapping amongst all my various rifles is no longer an easy task unless the rifles all share similar characteristics. While not really gaining anything except an inch or 2 shorter. The balance point doesn't really change at all. I'm really trying to talk myself into another otb but I am actually going to ther direction. I have 8 different cans, counting rimfire, so I would say I do less swapping than most. Not having the ability for 1 reason or another is just annoying for no real perceived gain in performance.

 

[Axlrod]

Sounds like you answered your own question.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

The lack of versatility vs. Perceived gains is my main hang up. The ability to swap cans over to friends rifles for them to try out is gone unless they have a small diameter barrel. Swapping amongst all my various rifles is no longer an easy task unless the rifles all share similar characteristics. While not really gaining anything except an inch or 2 shorter. The balance point doesn't really change at all. I'm really trying to talk myself into another otb but I am actually going to ther direction. I have 8 different cans, counting rimfire, so I would say I do less swapping than most. Not having the ability for 1 reason or another is just annoying for no real perceived gain in performance.

Doesn't sound like a good fit for you. Save your coin and resist the impulse buy if that is what is motivating you, there are lots of options and more coming out all the time.

I don't feel the lack of versatility based on my current rifles and the fact I'm not swapping them around as a primary focus as noted, a purchase at this point for me is with a specific rifle in mind. A friend can shoot my gun if it doesn't fit theirs, accommodating their research is no where in my purchasing decision matrix.

On the higher end 2" of less barrel on a bit longer barrel to start with is a real gain imho, a longer barrel with a can is annoying if too long. My buddy couldn't fit his rifle and can into his gun case and in CO you legally have to case a gun in a UTV which we were using so he had to take his can on and off (I told him to just use my gun which fit but he didn't want to). But a shorter barrel is another path to address that so the user just needs to decide their priorities.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I would never consider an OTB can being optimal for an AR. I have a raptor and it fits over carbon barrels, I could see that being annoying if it didn’t. Good news is there has never been more options than now.

 

[Cory_Shoot2Hunt]

They’re worth it on certain applications for sure. But like my OG 6.5 stays on my 16in 6cm and it’s only 20in with the can on it. The OG6 would make it only like a 19in barrel.

Most suppressors are 6-7in that are in that 129-135db range. If I can get that suppression in a 3-4in shorter package I just made my rifle a lot more handy or I can run a 3-4in longer barrel and be the same length and gain 100fps, or can run a longer barrel now and run the 116 tmk the same speed as I could run the 107’s if I had a shorter barrel, etc. but personally OTB suppressors I just leave on my rifles. I’m over swapping cans on guns. They’re so easy to get now and if you wait for blems, sales, group buys, etc they really are worth it to have one on each dedicated gun.

Most ppl on here spend soooo much money on hunting/shooting that I find it hard when people complain anymore about the cost of a suppressor lol

Obviously most of you know this is my job so take it for what it’s worth but I’ve never been the type to sell someone on something that I think is wrong. I’d feel this same way about them no matter what my career is, but it’s honestly given me a lot more insight on different situations, honest feedback, etc so I have a pretty good handle on the advantages and disadvantages of OTB. I could go on but this is mostly speaking for the OG line.

 

[Lawnboi]

The lack of versatility vs. Perceived gains is my main hang up. The ability to swap cans over to friends rifles for them to try out is gone unless they have a small diameter barrel. Swapping amongst all my various rifles is no longer an easy task unless the rifles all share similar characteristics. While not really gaining anything except an inch or 2 shorter. The balance point doesn't really change at all. I'm really trying to talk myself into another otb but I am actually going to ther direction. I have 8 different cans, counting rimfire, so I would say I do less swapping than most. Not having the ability for 1 reason or another is just annoying for no real perceived gain in performance.

If versatility is what your after then you don’t want another OTB can.

I’m a little different in that I appreciate the simplicity. No adapters, no end caps, no bull crap flash hider, just a solid piece of titanium adding the least length and weight.

I think all the nit picking people do about sound on here is comical. At the end of the day most of these 5-8” titanium suppressors are so similar that we really are talking differences that really make zero difference in the use of the suppressor.

 

[HuntHarder]

If versatility is what your after then you don’t want another OTB can.

I’m a little different in that I appreciate the simplicity. No adapters, no end caps, no bull crap flash hider, just a solid piece of titanium adding the least length and weight.

I think all the nit picking people do about sound on here is comical. At the end of the day most of these 5-8” titanium suppressors are so similar that we really are talking differences that really make zero difference in the use of the suppressor.

I agree on sound. The tone thing doesn't resonate with me. My Scythe and airlock sound just as good or better than my og65. The OG30 on the other hand is noticeably louder by everyone that has shot with me. It is on the absolute high end of what I am willing to accept suppression wise. It's personal preference tho.

I hate adapters, but unfortunately, some of my barrels are 1/2 × 28. My preference going forward is DT 5/8 × 24.

 

[Lawnboi]

I agree on sound. The tone thing doesn't resonate with me. My Scythe and airlock sound just as good or better than my og65. The OG30 on the other hand is noticeably louder by everyone that has shot with me. It is on the absolute high end of what I am willing to accept suppression wise. It's personal preference tho.

I hate adapters, but unfortunately, some of my barrels are 1/2 × 28. My preference going forward is DT 5/8 × 24.

Once you hit ultra 7 sound to me more it’s really needed in a field rifle.

Sure my Magnus is quiet and it’s cool at the range, but in reality it offers no benefit over the ultra 7 on a hunting rifle.

That’s why I’m a fan of the OG 6.5. No frills, solid piece of titanium that’s quiet enough, light enough and short enough.

For a mix of barrels I’m actually a fan of the Tbac CB glued to the barrel, essentially makes a DT can, and benefits with some added retention.

 

[Fire_9]

If I was just getting into the suppressor game, I would own nothing but OTBs for my bolt rifles. Even if I wanted to get into the competition space, I would just have my barrel turned down at the muzzle as far as I needed to make it work

 

[Foster_65]

Less out front is exactly why I have one and want another. I can shoot more mild cartridges and add barrel length and have the same suppression as less barrel and more powder but a longer suppressor.

You mentioned the biggest downside. Barrel restrictions, especially on the OGs. .750 and 5/8 thread dosnt leave you with much to play with if you’re not ordering your barrel with some decent knowledge.

But in the right application, they seem to work well. My OG65 is just a lighter and shorter ultra 7 to me.

This is exactly my thought

 

[dirtytough]

I own 2 OTB cans and 4 regular cans. The OTB's sounded like a good idea, but after using them, they really don't offer much, other than saving an inch or 2 on overall length. I went to swap them amongst different guns and its a PITA. My OG hits the hand guard on my AR-10. My OG 6.5 hits the front sight on 1 Ar and the gas block on another. They don't fit on my carbon barrels. I now have a place where potentially debris can get in and be stuck while hunting. On my .223's, I am using a thread adapter and had to buy the special removal tool to get the damn adapter off from inside. (Worked very nicely.) With companies making 3d printed cans now that are short, light and as good or better suppression, I am not really seeing the advantages of otb, when looking for a lightweight suppressor.

If you are trying to achieve maximum suppression and not have a 10" can protruding past the end of your barrel, I can see some merit behind the ability to add reflex. I will admit tho, that I do like the look of otb on shorter barrels. I am thinking that going forward, my otb cans are really going to be gun specific. Set it and forget it. I thought the juice would be worth the squeeze, but in my case, I really don't think it is. This is my objective observations after using and comparing my cans. Your mileage may vary.

I’m with you. With Airlock around I don’t see a reason to buy an OTB suppressor.

Even if the AL added 1” more to the overall length, we know it will be just as quiet or quieter, probably less weight, and zero issues on any barrel. You don’t get that super pleasing “tone” that is pushed on here with OTB suppressors though.