Barrel Shroud

Shooting Padre · Jan 11, 2011

Now, I'm going to ask probably the dumbest question on the forum. I have seen many barrel shrouds mounted on the 15-22 and have seen ads for the sale of many kinds. Just what do they do except make the barrel look thicker? Is it for protection, heat dissipation or just looks. Everything else I pretty much caught on to, but this stumps me as no one seems to comment on the use. Make me feel smart again. Thanks.

true_shooter · Jan 11, 2011

really its just for looks sure it may have some miniscule effects on heat or flash but nothin noticable. if your interested in one check on the ones BELT_FED makes

Shooting Padre · Jan 11, 2011

shroud

Thanks True_Shooter. I am smarter now. I just wasn't sure there was something I had missed.

grimreaper21 · Jan 11, 2011

if you frequently bang your barrel on things they may help.. but i think they are ugly so i would never add one for appearance.

Langster · Jan 12, 2011

Most of them (depending out how you have it machined) give the false impression of having an integrated suppressor which in my book it the dopest tactical look possible.

'iPhone posted using TapaTalk'

Born2Ride · Jan 12, 2011

I have a shroud/compressor on my M&P15 and I really like the tactical look it gives.My question is,what is the internal difference between a compressor and a actually suppressor.When I ordered mine from alumalite I asked this questions and he never responded.Is it not supposed to be talked about? People act like it is classified information!

corpulent · Jan 12, 2011

As I understand it, the suppressor attempts to hide the noise, the flash hider attempts to hide the flash, and the compensator attempts to redirect the escaping gases so as to limit recoil.

The 15-22 can come with a compensator, but any suppressor or flash hider would have to be an aftermarket add-on.

ChattanoogaPhil · Jan 12, 2011

Below is a flash hider and a shroud/flash hider. the "shroud" part simply slips over the barrel and has no operational use. Most "shrouds" don't incorporate a flash hider and just slip over the barrel several inches and thread to the end of the muzzle to give the appearance of a sound suppressor attached to a short barrel rifle. See the ClASSIFIEDS Sticky Thread in this Forum for shroud manufacturers.

A flash hider and compensator often look similar. Unlike the flash hider, the ports cut into the compensator are designed to direct gasses in a particular direction in an effort to help "compensate" for recoil.

Below is a sound suppressor. It is kinda like the muffler on your car with several baffles inside designed to help slow down the gases before escaping. Notice the small hole in the end of the sound suppressor (just slightly larger than the caliber of bullet) compared to the open end of the flash hider.

tacticool22 · Jan 12, 2011

Born2Ride said:
I have a shroud/compressor on my M&P15 and I really like the tactical look it gives.My question is,what is the internal difference between a compressor and a actually suppressor.When I ordered mine from alumalite I asked this questions and he never responded.Is it not supposed to be talked about? People act like it is classified information!

"the suppressor attempts to hide the noise, the flash hider attempts to hide the flash, and the compensator attempts to redirect the escaping gases so as to limit recoil. ~ corpulent"
A compensator also limits muzzle rise and direction. The muzzle usually goes up and to the right.

A barrel shroud simply gives the barrel the integrated suppressor look. It enlarges the diameter to give some rifles a better, more proprtionate look. It has nothing to do with flash or sound suppression.

On assault rifles and other fully automatics the shroud keeps your hand a way from a hot barrel.

I don't know what a compressor on a firearm is.

Basically a suppressor has baffles and sometimes other goodies inside that absorb or redirect the expanding gasses so the explosion is muffled.

Brett248Vista · Jan 12, 2011

A good sound suppressor uses reflecting technology to cancel out the sound. If you take apart for example, a SilerncerCo Sparrow, you will notice that the baffles are shaped precisely and there is no "packing". If you reflect a sound back on it's self it cancels out the sound.

Rustpot · Jan 12, 2011

Suppressors main job is sound cancellation and the baffles are there to absorb the highest frequencies and cool the gasses. Cooler gasses will move slower and be less able to transmit sound energy.

Flash hiders or flash suppressors direct the muzzle blast outward so the gas can more quickly dissipate and won't burn as bright or long.

Compensators can have a myriad of intentions. Basic A2 style flash suppressors are similar to the A1 (which comes on the 15-22) but have a solid bottom to help counteract muzzle rise and to avoid directing gasses into the ground when prone. The flash of the rifle is less controlled using these however.

Muzzle brakes are a specific compensator with the ports directed back toward the shooter on the left and right. This is to help decrease felt recoil and the added weight keeps the muzzle from jumping as much. These devices also SUCK when someone next to you at the range is using one since all the hot gas and blast is directed right at the shooters in the adjacent lanes.

Custom-Weapons · Apr 3, 2012

Born2Ride said:
I have a shroud/compressor on my M&P15 and I really like the tactical look it gives.My question is,what is the internal difference between a compressor and a actually suppressor.When I ordered mine from alumalite I asked this questions and he never responded.Is it not supposed to be talked about? People act like it is classified information!

"Declassified"

It is almost entirely aesthetics unless the shroud has a brake built into it, other than that the aluminum will pull the heat out of the barrel like a heat sink and keep you from burning yourself if you tend to dump mags....

BTW.... Sorry i missed your emails.... it happens, not ignoring you, just crazy busy!

Barrel Shroud

Shooting Padre

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true_shooter

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Shooting Padre

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grimreaper21

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Langster

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Born2Ride

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corpulent

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ChattanoogaPhil

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tacticool22

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Brett248Vista

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Rustpot

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Custom-Weapons

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