SilencerCo Scythe Ti failures

[Formidilosus]

The 6 other cans need similar specs for this to be relevant imo. Which cans were tested?

No they don’t- the reason the Scythe fails is precisely because of its specs.

All the cans tested were Ti hunting suppressors. None were rated for “full-auto”- which in and of itself is a nonsense marketing term with no definition. “Full auto” does not damage cans.

 

[Formidilosus]

I think what he's saying is that all the science behind it doesnt matter much. 6 cans didnt fail the test and one did. If all the other UL hunting cans with similar specs can do something and the other one cant, it says something. Maybe throw the scythe on a 22?

This exactly.

 

[HuntHarder]

Well, there’s actually a question first:

Do you believe that manufactures test their cans to the limit with live firing and the cartridge and barrel combos they state, see where they cans fail, and then set their “limits” from that exact life firing tests with a built in safety margin?

I do to an extent. I would think they know that a commercially produced 300 rum round fired out of an 18" barrel produces X amount of stress on a can. Highly doubtful that they test each and every combo of their limitations. More of a X amount of pressure here vs. What they want their product to be able to safely and reliably handle.

 

[HuntHarder]

No they don’t- the reason the Scythe fails is precisely because of its specs.

All the cans tested were Ti hunting suppressors. None were rated for “full-auto”- which in and of itself is a nonsense marketing term with no definition. “Full auto” does not damage cans.

Isn't there multiple cans with very similar specs, that don't fail?

 

[Formidilosus]

I do to an extent. I would think they know that a commercially produced 300 rum round fired out of an 18" barrel produces X amount of stress on a can. Highly doubtful that they test each and every combo of their limitations. More of a X amount of pressure here vs. What they want their product to be able to safely and reliably handle.

Manufactures by and large do not test there cans with live fire. They may shoot a few rounds through them, but they are not doing actual live fire testing. For the most part only the major players in “duty” cans are alive fire testing- Surefire, CGS, AB, B&T, etc. The hunting can market is no different than the rest of the hunting industry.

 

[Formidilosus]

Isn't there multiple cans with very similar specs, that don't fail?

Not as I would define specs I guess. I am unaware of any Ti cans that are as thin as the Scythe, save maybe- and I doubt it is as thin as the Scythe- the Airlock.

There are certainly cans made for the same use case that are in the same general weight range that do not fail.

 

[HuntHarder]

Gotcha, yeah I define specs as length, weight, diameter, caliber, build material and intended use case.

Even with the Scythe being so thin, it doesn't fail at random spots. It seems to only fail at welds. In my mind, I am assuming that because it is so thin, it is expanding and flexing while being shot, thus putting excess pressure on the welds.

 

[packgoatguy]

For me, personally, I don’t care about the POI if I end up out in the field with a broken collarbone or orbital bone.

In my case, the POI was about a foot low at 400 yards, but the difference in recoil was insignificant. I did not even notice the difference. At least how mine failed, the can blew downrange on the same path as my bullet. Landed about 70 yards away. So everyone, everything to my sides or behind me was safe. Even my labradar which was 6 inches to the side of it didn't have a mark on it, nor was it moved.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

In my case, the POI was about a foot low at 400 yards, but the difference in recoil was insignificant. I did not even notice the difference. At least how mine failed, the can blew downrange on the same path as my bullet. Landed about 70 yards away. So everyone, everything to my sides or behind me was safe. Even my labradar which was 6 inches to the side of it didn't have a mark on it, nor was it moved.

I know of several people who have been seriously injured by suppressor’s failing. If you think the risk of injury is small, that’s your prerogative. I just came round to the conclusion that I don’t need that potential trouble in my life. I broke my leg in a freak accident a month ago and it has seriously inconvenienced me and puts my hunting season at risk. Since I already have a bad shoulder, further risk makes no sense to *me.*

 

[Formidilosus]

The suppressors that went through the 90 round, near cyclic, 5.56mm stress event:

1). AB Raptor 8- No structural damage whatsoever. Very little baffle erosion.

2). DD LTi- No structural damage whatsoever. Light baffle erosion.

3). DD STi- No structural damage, heavy baffle erosion.

4. US OG 6.5- No structural damage whatsoever. No observable baffle erosion.

5. US Reaper- No structural damage whatsoever. No observable baffle erosion.

6). Scythe- can bulged between the 2nd and 3 baffle at around 40-50 rounds. Blew end cap out at about 80 rounds. Severe, catastrophic baffle erosion- entire sections missing.


The US OG with the OTB portion cut off, just 4” muzzle forward- this is more harsh in the can as the OTB bleeds off gas. Multiple 180 rounds cyclic events on 10.5” 5.56. Multiple 90 round 5.56 events on 6.75” barrel. Multiple 30 round events on 13.5” 308 barrel. Multiple 50+ round 300 win mag events. Over 2,000 rounds of bolt action 223: No structural damage whatsoever. Light baffle erosion.



In order as above, from left to right-


There are videos of all, and I will get them edited and posted as I can.

 

[Brontosaurus]

The suppressors that went through the 90 round, near cyclic, 5.56mm stress event:

1). AB Raptor 8- No structural damage whatsoever. Very little baffle erosion.

2). DD LTi- No structural damage whatsoever. Light baffle erosion.

3). DD STi- No structural damage, heavy baffle erosion.

4. US OG 6.5- No structural damage whatsoever. No observable baffle erosion.

5. US Reaper- No structural damage whatsoever. No observable baffle erosion.

6). Scythe- can bulged between the 2nd and 3 baffle at around 40-50 rounds. Blew end cap out at about 80 rounds. Severe, catastrophic baffle erosion- entire sections missing.


The US OG with the OTB portion cut off, just 4” muzzle forward- this is more harsh in the can as the OTB bleeds off gas. Multiple 180 rounds cyclic events on 10.5” 5.56. Multiple 90 round 5.56 events on 6.75” barrel. Multiple 30 round events on 13.5” 308 barrel. Multiple 50+ round 300 win mag events. Over 2,000 rounds of bolt action 223: No structural damage whatsoever. Light baffle erosion.


There are videos of all, and I will get them edited and posted as I can.

Funny how the sythe blew up and the reaper didnt. Its almost like when you add more structure things dont catastrophically fail. Who knew?

 

[packgoatguy]

I know of several people who have been seriously injured by suppressor’s failing. If you think the risk of injury is small, that’s your prerogative. I just came round to the conclusion that I don’t need that potential trouble in my life. I broke my leg in a freak accident a month ago and it has seriously inconvenienced me and puts my hunting season at risk. Since I already have a bad shoulder, further risk makes no sense to *me.*

I am not suggesting the degree of risk one should or should not assume. Merely providing the data point from my specific experience.

I hope your recovery goes well. I'm still recovering from a bad ankle injury this spring and a bum shoulder as well. It's no fun getting older.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

2). DD LTi- No structural damage whatsoever. Light baffle erosion.

3). DD STi- No structural damage, heavy baffle erosion.

As best as you can tell do these have the same baffle thickness or different? If the same do you have any speculation on the difference in baffle erosion? Does the LTi offer a greater heat sink?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Funny how the sythe blew up and the reaper didnt. It’s almost like when you add more structure things dont catastrophically fail. Who knew?

Sythe also has welds to stress and fail, so it’s not merely more structure.

 

[Brontosaurus]

Sythe also has welds to stress and fail, so it’s not merely more structure.

Indeed, design plays a massive role.

 

[Formidilosus]

As best as you can tell do these have the same baffle thickness or different? If the same do you have any speculation on the difference in baffle erosion? Does the LTi offer a greater heat sink?

From what I can tell they are similar. The difference is the added volume to contain the gas, and as a heat sink. All other cans glowed red/ the LTi barely glowed in 90 rounds.

 

[Formidilosus]

Sythe also has welds to stress and fail, so it’s not merely more structure.

Quality printing is a better way to make a can for sure. I foresee printed cans all but obsoleting welded cans in the next few years for all but budget options- and there I think aluminum cans will be the answer for lighter use hunting rifles.
Having said that, there are plenty of welded Ti cans that are within an ounce of the Scythe that don’t frequently catastrophically fail.

 

[JGRaider]

Nice, informative test. I'm in no way surprised the POS scythe blew apart, but moreso the others that faired as well as they did. Silencerco should be ashamed of their stance of "user error" on every failed unit. I don't know if a suppressor can blow apart and send shrapnel backwards or not, but if/when it happens, SCo could be OOB really quick.