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Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM Turbo K rifle suppressor. Last week, after teasing it for a few months, we finally got around to shooting the KAC 5.56mm QDC/CQB – probably the most sought after silencer currently on the market. Today we dive back into the world of B&T USA with a look at a back pressure beast of a suppressor – the7.62 RBS Compact SF QDR. Is it worth its weight? Let’s take a look.
SILENCER SATURDAY #237: Back Pressure Beast – B&T USA 7.62 RBS Compact SF
Note: Sorry, no video today. See that sweat dripping on the stock? That’s my face melting away. It’s just too hot.
B&T USA RBS @TFB
- SILENCER SATURDAY #230: B&T USA RBS Suppressor QDR Mounting System
- SILENCER SATURDAY #219: Belt Fed Brutality with the B&T RBS
- [SHOT 2022] B&T Unveils Massive New Lineup of Guns and Suppressors
Thanks to our very own Austin R., we’ve taken the 5.56mm B&T RBS suppressor to hell and back on the end of an M249. I talked to him immediately after his range session in early March and he was definitely impressed. Yes he’s a silencer geek like myself, but no matter how cool something appears to be, he will give you the hard truth if it does not live up to the hype. The RBS passed the belt fed test with flying colors.
SILENCER SATURDAY #219: Belt Fed Brutality with the B&T RBS – TFB’s Austin R.
SILENCER SATURDAY #237: Back Pressure Beast – B&T USA 7.62 RBS Compact SF
If you are lucky enough to own an M249, an M240, or any other crew-served weapon, the B&T USA RBS line of suppressors deserves your undivided attention. For the rest of us mortals, who deal in magazines, not links, is there a place for the RBS QDR in your armory? Probably not. And I say that as the self appointed president of the B&T worldwide fan club and a follower of the newly founded church of Karl Brügger.
First, let’s revisit the numbers.
SILENCER SATURDAY #237: Back Pressure Beast – B&T USA 7.62 RBS Compact SF
Specifications:
B&T’s latest commitment to suppressor innovation is our Reduced Backpressure System line of suppressors (RBS). RBS technology is a giant leap forward in reducing the amount of back blast to the shooter that is composed of carbon monoxide, ammonia hydrogen cyanide, as well as the content and composition of metals in the dust emitted from various small arms weapons systems during prolonged firing by the shooter.
- Model: 7.62 QD RBS Compact SF
- MSRP: 1,149.00
- Retail options:
- B&T USA Product Page: https://bt-usa.com/products/qd-7-62-compact-sf/
- Technical/User Manual (AG): https://bt-ag.ch/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TM-SD_RIFLE-EN.pdf
- Data Sheet (AG): https://bt-ag.ch/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DS-123537-EN-RBS-QDSF-Kal-762.pdf
- Part Number: SD-123257-US
- Finish: Black Cerakote
- Material: SS/Inconel
- Caliber: 7.62 NATO
- Attachment Options: QDR/ROTEX-IIA “Surefire”
- Length: 7.4 in
- Diameter: 2.12 in
- Weight: 28.0 oz
- Flow Through Internal Design
- Low Pressure chamber to absorb vented gas
- Direct mount or QD attachment methods available
SILENCER SATURDAY #237: Back Pressure Beast – B&T USA 7.62 RBS Compact SF
We have discussed back pressure as it relates to suppressors and semiautomatic and automatic rifles at length, so I won’t bore you with any more layman’s explanations. But some suppressors force more gas into the action of a rifle which can increase cyclic rates, send toxic gasses into the action, and make it louder for the shooter. By venting pressure forward and out the muzzle end of the suppressor, there is less pressure traveling backward into the system. Sorry, I said I wasn’t going to bore you.
Initially I was critical of “flow-through” style suppressors, mainly suggesting changes to gas systems, buffer weights, or spring tensions. Today I see the value in both designs – a quality rifle suppressor will be efficient in fluid dynamics and a quality semiautomatic host should have an adjustable gas system. Because, even if your silencer is back pressure neutral, you may run into underpowered ammunition, dirty or dry actions, or other adverse conditions. I’m looking forward to my two Riflespeed test setups which should be arriving soon.
Back to the B&T RBS. This silencer is an absolute beast, built to withstand the heaviest punishment possible. To get that label, it means a steel alloy construction rather than lightweight titanium. And since the diameter is more than two inches, hoop stress calculations mean additional metal and/or structural designs are required to handle the massive pressures.
All of this means added weight. About 12-14 ounces of additional weight over other market-leading 30 caliber suppressors. All of that end-of-the-world durability adds up to a suppressor that is nearly twice the weight of other models.
Other than the weight, the RBS Compact SF is quiet and performs great on supersonic .308 rounds as well as subsonic 300BLK rounds. All of that internal volume and forward venting pressure relief gives the RBS a sweet low, tone.
SILENCER SATURDAY #237: Back Pressure Beast – B&T USA 7.62 RBS Compact SF
As a testament to the RBS’s back pressure tech, the 9” MCX will not cycle on the ‘- gas’ setting on the piston but functions 100% on the ‘+ gas’ setting.
While I think the weight is a tipping point for most hosts, I won’t try to talk anyone out of the B&T USA 7.62 RBS Compact SF – It is well made, uses SureFire muzzle devices, prevents back pressure issues, and looks fantastic. But unless you are on the crew-served Pig or use a bipod all the time, there are other B&T suppressors better suited for AR-15 and AR-10 hosts.
Thanks for reading. Be safe, have fun, and we’ll see you next weekend for another Silencer Saturday.
Silencer Saturday is Sponsored by Yankee Hill Machine
