HBAR Suppressor Cover Review
I recently tested HBARs suppressor covers. The cover is a thin Condura like outer shell, these in multi-cam pattern, with an inner black material as a heat protecting layer. The cover has two lines of nylon webbing across the sides and is sewn together on the bottom with an edge cover. Bungee cord is threaded through the nylon webbing on the sides. I tested it using the following sequence of fire from my 10.3” 5.56 NATO AR-15 SBR and a Surefire SOCOM 762-Mini suppressor. Needless to say, this AR set up is about the most abuse one can produce with an AR.
I initially shot two twenty round mags loaded with Federal XM193. One second per shot with approximately one minute between the two mags. The cover was left on the suppressor for two minutes after the firing was complete. It was then removed and inspected for damage. While inspection, a temperature reading of the suppressor was taken with my calibrated hand and found to be in the temperature of fuck-me-don’t-touch-that-or-it-will-peel-your-flesh-off range. After approximately 5 minutes, the cover was replaced on the suppressor and not shot for approximately 15 minutes. The cover was then removed and re-inspected for any damage. The cover was then reinstalled and another 20 rounds were fired in 10 sets of controlled pairs in approximately 10 seconds. The cover was left on and sat on the suppressor for approximately another 15 minutes. 20 more rounds were again fired in 10 sets of controlled pairs in approximately 10 seconds. The covered suppressor was then set-aside until cool enough to bag the firearm, approximately 30 minutes.
No damage was observed during or after testing. The cover was extremely tight to get on the suppressor initially. I was concerned about this, but after use it loosened up and fit perfectly. The bungee cord on the cover became very loose while the suppressor was hot. This didn’t affect the cover at all as it was so snug to begin with. Regardless, the bungee cord returned to its original strength after the cover cooled.
I have to admit, I thought for sure I was going to melt this cover. It is to date the best of the four covers I have tried on my AR suppressors. It’s the only one that didn’t melt or at the same time not look like some S&M sex toy on the end of the rifle. I did observe you can burn yourself through the cover. As they are essentially mirage covers only and not a safety cover, I don't hold this against the design. It actually did render a little bit of safety over an uncovered suppressor. I’m keeping these bad boys. Thanks HBAR.
