Silencer Saturday #409: Surefire's New SOCOM RC4

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday, brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new Victra-12 shotgun suppressor. This week, we are looking at Surefire's new SOCOM556 RC4 suppressor. It is the latest update to a venerable family of silencers that has seen action all over the world.

Silencer Saturday @ TFB:

•  Silencer Saturday #408: Beretta 71 Ammo Selection
• Silencer Saturday #407: Black Friday Suppressor Deals
• Silencer Saturday #406: Suppressing Picky Hosts With The BOE Mod1
• Silencer Saturday #405: SilencerCo Scythe STM
• Silencer Saturday #404: BOE Mod1 Review

Surefire's SOCOM Suppressors

Special Operations Command (SOCOM) purchased Surefire silencers in 2011, as we covered here. At that time, the silencers were branded as "Fast Attach" models like the FA762-SS or FA556-212S. One way to distinguish these older models from the more recent generations is the front cap area, which is a flat surface. Later models have additional things going on up front. These later developed into the original SOCOM RC.

Surefire's SOCOM RC-2 further refined the design. Along with a reduction in price, a refined baffle design cut down on some backpressure. And the mounting system was refined to add tapers on mounting surfaces. It also added a different design to the front endcap.

The SOCOM RC-3 was the first iteration to include a truly reduced backpressure design. Surefire claimed that this model reduced backpressure by 60% from traditional suppressors. As has been the trend lately, the RC-3 added additional venting areas on the front of the suppressor. Surefire has some recent patent activity describing the guts of these reduced backpressure cans, if you want some very dry reading with complicated diagrams.

But testing from PEW Science showed some trade-offs in performance. First-round pop was pronounced, and using a Warcomp mount instead of an open-tine flash hider caused a major reduction in suppression performance. Coupled with the $1799 MSRP, the RC-3 took some heat from the commentariat when it was released.

The New RC4

Surefire’s RC-4 broke cover a few weeks back, but is now fully released and in the open. All dimensional measurements are the same as the RC-3 model. The length is still 6.3 inches, the diameter is still 1.5 inches, and the length added to the muzzle is still 3.8 inches. The weight is also the same for both models at 17 ounces. And it drops the MSRP down to $1549, a $250 reduction from the RC3.

Now, as a terminally online memelord, the reaction to the physical appearance of the RC-4 deserves a mention. It has a certain... resemblance. There have been many jokes. If you don't get it, ask your parents to explain it to you.

But this is all a downstream (pun intended) result of a very functional design choice. Suppressors with forward-facing gas escapes often produce more sound and flash signature than older designs without those gas routes. For many shooters, that is a worthwhile tradeoff. Inhaling blowback gases is not good for your health, nor is it enjoyable.

But for people who shoot at things that shoot back, that additional flash is a huge problem. Muzzle flashes tend to attract return fire. Surefire’s RC-4 design focuses on mitigating that flash. In watching the company promo video and looking at pictures, there appears to be a small flash hider hidden inside the outer shroud. Other suppressors have incorporated flash hiders in the front endcap, but the RC-4 is the first design I can recall that has one inside of a blast deflector feature.

The flash suppression looks good in the hype video, and early reports from people lucky enough to have used the RC-4 already seem positive as well. Videos are not perfect at depicting muzzle flash, but hopefully, the performance looks this good with a variety of ammunition and host guns. If Surefire really has solved the dilemma of backpressure and muzzle flash it would be a great development.

From Surefire:

“The SureFire SOCOM556-RC4 is the world's finest 5.56mm fighting suppressor, delivering the ideal combination of extreme durability, low-back-pressure performance, and industry-leading flash reduction—wrapped up in a compact SOCOM Fast-Attach® package.

Built entirely from U.S. mill-certified Inconel superalloy, the SOCOM556-RC4 ensures uncompromising resistance to the brutal heat and erosion of sustained 5.56 fire, even with short-barreled rifles. Its combination of machined and 3D-printed, aerospace-grade components, and cutting-edge CNC laser welding, guarantees the unmatched structural endurance that SureFire suppressors are known for around the world. The RC4's all-new muzzle design improves flow and significantly reduces flash for superior signature reduction, providing the operator with a meaningful edge in stealth-critical engagements. SureFire's flash suppression performance is the finest in the industry, from the first round to subsequent rounds, even when the suppressor is hot. The beefed-up muzzle also improves durability against front-end impacts. The RC4 will keep performing long after others fail.”

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