Are OTB suppressors worth it?

[mtnbound]

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.

Sound suppression with most cans is so close that’s not even a factor anymore, so I think buyers need to look at what they will be putting the cans on and if their priority is being able to mount to any size of barrel a OTB can is not the best option. I have multiple OTBs cans and they fit all of my systems, so in my case it’s about having shorter OAL and smaller diameter.
If you have to run a thread adapter make sure it’s is a type that has some type of shoulder or tool for removal as I have seen one come off in a forward mounted can as well, which resulted in that can being dedicated to that rifle.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

Sound suppression with most cans is so close that’s not even a factor anymore, so I think buyers need to look at what they will be putting the cans on and if their priority is being able to mount to any size of barrel a OTB can is not the best option. I have multiple OTBs cans and they fit all of my systems, so in my case it’s about having shorter OAL and smaller diameter.
If you have to run a thread adapter make sure it’s is a type that has some type of shoulder or tool for removal as I have seen one come off in a forward mounted can as well, which resulted in that can being dedicated to that rifle.

Close is relative…..2-3db is a lot. !!
OTB suppressors that fit larger size barrels like the Reaper with Reflex & available in different lengths would be a Great option & fit any size barrels.
You could use it dedicated or move it to different rifle platforms also. Use it Suppressor forward only or add a OTB Reflex if needed.
Also being a hub design as well as utilizing threaded end caps adds more flexibility.
Definitely worth it !!
& Dang Near Perfect !!!

 

[HuntHarder]

Close is relative…..2-3db is a lot. !!
OTB suppressors that fit larger size barrels like the Reaper with Reflex & available in different lengths would be a Great option & fit any size barrels.
You could use it dedicated or move it to different rifle platforms also. Use it Suppressor forward only or add a OTB Reflex if needed.
Also being a hub design as well as utilizing threaded end caps adds more flexibility.
Definitely worth it !!
& Dang Near Perfect !!!

Agree this OTB can could be cool. It's not what I would want for hunting, but for shooting, it fits the bill. Until I actually put the differences in specs, to use, I really didn't know what I prioritized. Mid 130-139's db is not pleasant to me.

 

[Roor]

OTB cans do nothing for me… so no, not worth it.

 

[peaches]

Close is relative…..2-3db is a lot. !!

No, it is not. A 3 db increase represents a doubling of sound intensity but not a doubling of the "loudness" and may not even be noticeable. If you had a sound system playing at 80db with only one speaker, then added a second speaker at 80db you would double the intensity but only increase the total volume to 83 db. It's hard to wrap one's mind around the logarithmic scale. A 10 db increase represents a double of perceived loudness.

With my AB Raptor 8, the 4 oz penalty of the 3 inch reflex is not worth a 2 db sound reduction to me on a hunting rifle personally.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

. I’m not saying Perception.

3dB Rule: This rule states that for every increase of 3dB, the power of the sound doubles. However, human perception of loudness does not match this directly; a 10dB increase is generally perceived as a doubling of loudness by the human ear. This is why I often preach that you cannot rely on your own perception of what is “too loud.” As it relates to gunfire and sound exposure, every 3dB increment is significantly impacting the assault on your delicate inner ear structures. A small increase in decibels—say from 138dB to 141dB—doubles the force of the sound waves and exponentially increases the risk of hearing damage.

To make the understanding of the 3dB Rule simpler, imagine this: if you are exposed to a sound level of 140 dB and the sound level increases to 143 dB, the power of the sound wave doubles. This is why it is essential to pay close attention to even minor increases in sound levels when assessing hearing risk

 

[HuntHarder]

I am pretty confident I have seen #'s from Form that the OG30 was roughly 3ish db higher than the ul7. If they are really that close, than it is without a doubt that just about any human with decent hearing will easily detect a 3db difference. Now whether you care or not is up for debate.

Direct comparisons, same day, same conditions, seems to be the best/easiest testing we have at our disposal.

 

[JGRaider]

I'm probably not near as suppressor smart as many here, but I love the feel, look, and performance of my AB 8. To my ears at least, a 3db difference is easily discernable.

 

[omicron1792]

Discernible or not, 3db increase is worse on your hearing. Facts.

 

[peaches]

Discernible or not, 3db increase is worse on your hearing. Facts.

No again. Going from 117db to 120db or 127db to 130db is not going to be worse on your hearing.

Will 2-3 db difference when fired from a centerfire rifle may or may not be discernable. There is often this range of variance between shots in testing the same can.

My goal is for hearing safe hunting for a shot or two. Adding a 4 oz reflex to my AB raptor is not worth it to me to reduce 2 db (this is from AB's on video). 2-3 DB is not "a lot"

 

[omicron1792]

No again. Going from 117db to 120db or 127db to 130db is not going to be worse on your hearing.

Will 2-3 db difference when fired from a centerfire rifle may or may not be discernable. There is often this range of variance between shots in testing the same can.

My goal is for hearing safe hunting for a shot or two. Adding a 4 oz reflex to my AB raptor is not worth it to me to reduce 2 db (this is from AB's on video). 2-3 DB is not "a lot"

Again. That is incorrect. Coming from vast experience and training on hearing. 3db is a lot.

Variable on how much difference you hear. Stone cold solid fact it has increased damage to hearing.

Variance in testing of cans is not the question here.

If a can consistently tests 3db higher, on average, compared to another can in the same conditions, it will have approximately double the energy provided to the ear, increasing the chances of hearing loss.

Lots of things here are debatable. This ain’t one of them.

 

[peaches]

Again. That is incorrect. Coming from vast experience and training on hearing. 3db is a lot.

Variable on how much difference you hear. Stone cold solid fact it has increased damage to hearing.

Variance in testing of cans is not the question here.

If a can consistently tests 3db higher, on average, compared to another can in the same conditions, it will have approximately double the energy provided to the ear, increasing the chances of hearing loss.

Lots of things here are debatable. This e within the "safe range" is no more or less damaging to hearing.

Im not getting into the weeds of amplitude and duration. The logarithmic nature of sound is sort of confusing. I will concede that at hearing safe thresholds +3 db could be significant.

Again. That is incorrect. Coming from vast experience and training on hearing. 3db is a lot.

Variable on how much difference you hear. Stone cold solid fact it has increased damage to hearing.

Variance in testing of cans is not the question here.

If a can consistently tests 3db higher, on average, compared to another can in the same conditions, it will have approximately double the energy provided to the ear, increasing the chances of hearing loss.

Lots of things here are debatable. This ain’t one of them.

No, 3 db would not be more damaging to the ear if still the safe range decibel range.

If it's a crap can that measures 140 db and you add a reflex that drops measurements to 137, that could be significant but 2-3 DB is still not "a lot' as I was initially responding.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

@peaches …. I will respectfully disagree with you & the stance you are taking. I will encourage others to lean towards safety first.

Disclaimer:
I’m no expert on the subject but I would not knowingly give Misinformation.

 

[omicron1792]

Im not getting into the weeds of amplitude and duration. The logarithmic nature of sound is sort of confusing. I will concede that at hearing safe thresholds +3 db could be significant.

No, 3 db would not be more damaging to the ear if still the safe range decibel range.

If it's a crap can that measures 140 db and you add a reflex that drops measurements to 137, that could be significant but 2-3 DB is still not "a lot' as I was initially responding.

There is no hearing protection or suppressor, or both, that take gunfire into the hearing safe range. Safer. Yes. Not safe.

And last sentence is nonsense. It’s a logarithmic scale. 3 is a huge jump. It’s literally double the energy.

 

[Iukamedic]

I’ve been over and over trying to figure out the configuration of my next suppressor. Ab is what Im after either 10 or 8. Back and forth on this. My hope for the reflex is maybe a little sound reduction and bringing some of weight back to balance the rifle better. I shoot with hearing protection and a nomad l right now from a short barreled 308. It does good with decibel reduction but is heavy hanging off the end. I have tinnitus and hearing damage from past things and every little decibel counts for me. I love to shoot but I’m trying to preserve what hearing I have left.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

No again. Going from 117db to 120db or 127db to 130db is not going to be worse on your hearing.

You are just wrong.