Those of us who have had the pleasure of shooting suppressed weapons know how much more enjoyable those little cylinders can make the shooting experience. Similarly, we who have stood next to someone on the range who was shooting with a muzzle brake on a magnum caliber or a short barreled rifle will attest that experience is about as much fun as having a kid throw gravel in your face. Seriously, it’s like chewing on flashbangs when that giant triple chambered brake lights up. As a response, many companies who manufacture suppressors have come out with blast diverters: essentially the rear most 2″ of a quick detach suppressor. It’s just enough metal tube to take that concussive effect and guide it forward, away from the shooter and his range neighbors.
Suppressed Armament Systems (SAS) started out in 2001 in Evansville, Indiana. Since that time, they have taken their business to Reno, Nevada. Besides suppressor manufacturing, SAS also works up precision rifles and muzzle devices. I found out about them a few years back when I was a suppressor dealer. Having ordered one of their .30 cal Reaper titanium cans for a customer, I held on to it when the customers project changed directions. I found their suppressor to be top notch and have closely watched their new product offerings.
Not long ago I started building up a “Honey Badger” clone in .300 AAC Blackout. I had a 7.5″ barrel underneath a 7.35″ rail with part of the suppressor mount/muzzle brake underneath the rail. Normally the SAS suppressor stays attached year ’round, but when testing the short barrel for subsonic round stability, the can is taken off as a safety precaution. With the muzzle brake exposed while partially inside the forend tube, the effect was like straddling an Abrahms tank’s main gun and insulting its mothers honor. Knowing how expensive dental work can be, I pulled the SAS blast diverter out of my shooting bag and screwed it on.
The effect was instant relief from the jarring, flinch inducing blast; every shot was now all bark and no bite. This is still a very loud gun but the lack of concussive force really took the discomfort out of shooting a 7.5″ barrel on a bench while under a metal roof. The muzzle brake was still able to mitigate recoil to a degree, so the diverter doesn’t totally negate that benefit. The blast diverter weighs in at 3.9 oz and is 2.34″ long. All the SAS muzzle devices can be found here. If you’re considering one of SAS’s suppressors (spoiler alert: they’re awesome) consider getting a blast diverter with your suppressor mount. Even without a suppressor, a blast diverter can be a worthwhile addition to certain rifle setups. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re being slapped in the face every time you shoot, sling that concussive force downrange with the Suppressed Armament Systems Blast Diverter. At $139 this product represents a small to moderate investment in your shooting comfort (and of all those around you).
