With the popularity of silencers today, there is a plethora of options available, and often, one model just bleeds into the next, making it tough to decide which one to get. If you are in the market for a 5.56×45 can, especially for your AR-15, I can offer you some help.
The B&T Rotex X (10) comes in two versions, the Rotex X and the Rotex X Compact, the difference being the Compact is 1.2 inches shorter and 2 ounces lighter. There is also a Rotex in 7.62 if you want something for your AR-10.
One of the most remarkable features of the Rotex X is that it will quickly attach/detach to any standard Mil-Spec A2 type flash hider, affectionally known as the birdcage. This allows you to add the can to your standard flash hider without buying expensive proprietary QD mounts. It is simple to mount, loosen the can just a bit off the locking ring, slide the mounting system down until it bottoms out, snap the lever in on the mount, and tighten. Such a mounting system is easily changed and interchanged with NATO rifles chambered in 5.56×45.
With that said, some of the reasons you should seriously consider this silencer is while it is made from Inconel and Thermax, full auto-rated, and has no barrel length restrictions, the MSRP is only $675. When I was informed of that, my first question was how. The answer was the Rotex X is based on the Rotex V, which Eastern Europian Nations widely use from infantry to their special forces. With so many in circulation, the research and development costs have been recouped, so the savings are passed to the consumer. The Rotex V is a fine can, but the Rotex X is updated and redesigned with weight reduced by 20% and excellent suppression levels. Finding a silencer without barrel length restrictions is tough today, and that same can being full auto rated is nearly impossible, especially at this price point.
A great deal of technology has gone into this can, and let’s go over a bit of it. It is a baffle stack can, but not in a traditional way, it uses what B&T calls a star-type barrel, and they are placed for optimum performance for suppression levels but are so designed to reduce back pressure. Reducing back pressure on a silencer designed for an AR-15, especially if it is full auto-rated, is imperative. With increased back pressure, there will be blowback into the shooter’s face, but equally as problematic, you will get bolt overspeed. Bolt overspeed can cause malfunctions during an average firing cadence but will cause a malfunction in heavy rapid, semi-automatic, or full auto fire. This can be negated by increased buffer weight and adjustable gas systems but all that would need to be readjusted when firing without the silencer. While this can will QD to the birdcage flash hider on any rifle, it is specifically tuned for the AR-15 for reliability and suppression. Firing the host rifles out to 100 yards, there was no impact shift or loss of accuracy with the Rotex X attached. By design, there is a reduction in muzzle rise and perceived recoil as the can has muzzle brake characteristics.
Suppression levels were excellent with hearing-safe levels even from the 11.5″ barrel from the Colt 6933 SBR, as reviewed here. The Colt 6930 and Barnes Precision Machine select fire were other rifles used throughout the review. We ran some 400 rounds through the can with just less than half of that full auto, and there were no issues or problems with the can or rifles used.
Let’s talk a bit about B&T; they are based in Switzerland with about thirty years of experience manufacturing silencers from rimfire to .50 BMG and all points in between, with about 500 different options within their product line. Most of the product line came to fruition due to a specific need and someone asking for it. Much of their line carries a NATO Stock Number or NSN. B&T has a manufacturing facility in Florida, so many of their cans are being produced there and available to the US population. B&T is an accomplished manufacturer of quality materials brought to the US consumer.
Specifications
Length: 7.8″
Weight: 21 oz
Diameter: 1.5″
Finish: Black CeraKote
Material: Thermax/Inconel
Caliber: 5.56×45 / .223 Remington
Attachment: NATO Spec A2 flash hider, aka “birdcage.”
Suppression: about 28 dba
Service life: minimum 5000 rounds
MSRP: $675
Acknowledgments
[…] The Rotex X is an excellent choice for the AR platform, and you can read my review by following this link. With so much MLok and Picatinny Rail, it would be no problem to outfit this rifle for duty, home […]
[…] Centurion, which is reviewed here. While that can worked fine, I tried the B&T Rotex X reviewed here. It worked a little better since the Rotex X QDs to the A2 flash hider and is a dedicated 5.56 can. […]