It won’t be long after you purchase a silencer, especially for rifles, that you’ll be needing an ASR. In fact, you’ll need one before you fire the first shot. In some cases, you’ll need an ASR before you can even attach a silencer to your firearm. But what in the wide world of silence is an ASR?
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It stands for Active Spring Retention. An ASR mounting system allows the shooter to use an effective flash hider or muzzle brake (muzzle devices) without a suppressor, and then to rapidly install a suppressor directly onto the muzzle device with a few spins of the suppressor. Then, the shooter turns a lock ring and locks the suppressor into place; at this point, the suppressor will not come loose by itself the way direct-thread mounted suppressors do.
SilencerCo sells several suppressors that can use an ASR mount as well as a traditional direct-thread mount, three different muzzle devices compatible with ASR, and several different ASR mounts:
ASR Mount ($139 – $162) – Note: This is the mothership, and it pairs with all of the items listed below. There are three variations of ASR mounts, Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie, and the variation you’ll use depends on the suppressor you choose. For example, the Omega 300 suppressor uses a Bravo ASR mount.
ASR Muzzle Brake ($94)
ASR Single Port Muzzle Brake ($94)
ASR Flash Hider ($94)
If you purchase a silencer from SilencerCo, you must pay attention to the accessories that come with the suppressor. In some cases, the suppressor will include one or more direct-thread mounts; in others, an ASR mount, and in some an ASR mount and an ASR muzzle device. If you decide you want an ASR mount for your suppressor, you MUST also have an ASR muzzle device that couples to the ASR mount. So, if you want an ASR mount, but the suppressor comes with a direct-thread mount, you must buy an ASR mount and an ASR muzzle device (unless you already have the ASR muzzle device for a different SilencerCo suppressor).The company includes appropriate accessories so you can attach the devices correctly. You will need to know caliber of firearm, and the specification of the threads (for example, ½” x 28 tpi) on the firearm muzzle so that you can order the proper accessories.
Why is it crucial to know about ASRs or attach one to a threaded barrel?
I have been in the field, on hunts using suppressed guns, without such aids, and believe me, I didn’t like having to check to see if the suppressor had come loose with every few shots. (Note: This was with other silencers from other companies.) Threaded attachments loosen during vibration, and believe me there is a lot of vibration during the operation of a firearm. By the way, if you use a direct-thread mounted suppressor, buy an oven mitt, designate it for suppressor use and keep it in your shooting bag. You’ll need that mitt to keep you from burning your fingers when tightening a hot suppressor (they all get hot after a few shots).
Why is it bad for a suppressor to come loose?
For one thing, your firearm will lose its zero. Once the suppressor is loose, your point-of-aim no longer has anything to do with your point-of-impact.
Secondly, imagine what would happen if a bullet struck a baffle inside a loose suppressor, because a loose suppressor is no longer aligned with the gun’s bore. No doubt, the result would be a damaged suppressor, but what if it also affected the barrel of the gun?
How can you make sure an ASR stays the course?
Over at SilencerCo’s blog, Jason Baird (yes, my husband, aka Dr. Bomb) wrote a lengthy article explaining in detail, with photos, how to install ASR mounts and other accessories. If you think you’re remotely interested in doing this service on your gun, give this a read and go for it. If not, or if things go south, see a gunsmith. You may also call customer service at SilencerCo, and ask questions.
Meanwhile, make sure that you get the complete package. For instance, I’m about to review the new Velos LBP silencer. According to the website, it ships with an Internal Charlie Flash Hider Front Cap, a Charlie ASR mount, an ASR Flash Hider in 1/2 x 28, a spanner wrench, and a Charlie tool. It also has a little tube of Rocksett thread locking compound used to keep the (direct-thread mounted) ASR muzzle device from loosening.
If you’re ready to take the leap into the world of silencers, now you know the rest of the ASR story and you won’t find any better in the wide world of silence than SilencerCo’s lineup.
Visit SilencerCo.
Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com. View all posts by Barbara Baird
