Leveraging their protective handwear for welders, Mechanix Wear has introduced three new products to manage the extreme heat produced by weapon suppressors: a cover, transport bag, and mitt.
Manufactured from CarbonX thermal resistant fabric technology and constructed with heavy stitching of DuPont Kevlar, they will withstand heat up to 2000°F.
This 6″ suppressor cover (1.5″ outer diameter) mitigates radiant heat that causes burns and mirage distortion to the sight picture. The cover is made from CarbonX heat resistant fabric, padded with heavy felt and insulated with aluminum. It’s topped off with a CarbonX cord with metal lock to secure it to your suppressor.
Intended to hold up to two hot suppressors, this CarbonX Transport Bag is just over 14″ in length.
When it’s time to remove your suppressor from your weapon, the X-Pad Suppressor Heat Barrier protects your hand by serving as a mitt thanks to inserts for your fingers and thumb. This design helps grip the suppressor to get it loose. Extra insulation is provided by a heavyweight felt interior, withstanding up to 2000°F for 20 seconds.
Those interested in Mechanix Wear suppressor products should send an email here.
Those of you who are smarter than me about these things: this looks like you’re supposed to shoot with the cover on. But doesn’t that prevent the suppressor from radiating heat while in use? Is that a bad thing (does it affect accuracy, sound levels, life of the suppressor)? Or does it not matter how hot the suppressor gets as long as you don’t burn yourself on it?
My $0.02, YES. This application for a suppressor cover would be for a precision rifle that a trained sniper would use. It is to mitigate the heat-mirage that is visible in the scope and would interfere with the sniper distinguishing from heat above ground as seen through the optic in certain environments. Assaulters would not use this since they would be firing several rounds fast or the totality of rounds fired as compared to a sniper who’s firing cadence could protentional be a lot less.
Using a cover won’t effect sound levels. It may slightly reduce heat dissipation, but I can’t see that effecting accuracy or the life span of the suppressor. Most modern, suppressors made by reputable companies are built to far outlast the barrels they’re being mounted on.
A benefit of thermal covers like this can reduce added mirage while looking through an optic, especially a magnified optic.
As noted, another major benefit is reducing the tendency to burn body parts, clothing, or other material which the suppressor comes in contact with.
Unrelated to your question; the design of the mitt looks VERY similar to the design of another, Texas-based company’s suppressor mitt.
Mike,
The suppressor cover was desighed for accurancy or mirage midagation when shooting at distance. It has become a weapon training product at the range to not allow burns as you spoke about.
Ed did a great job of his explanation to what the suppressor cover will allow.
The 3 piece weapon safety kit will only allow proven value for you while firing the weapon and Safety at the highest level when transporting the weapon.
Thank you Mike for your interest in our MW Tactical products. Torch
These work very well with even the tracer loads in 5.56, also the 22 Nosler that is a screaming round. Small bit of smoke at first 5-7 rounds then everything settles down.
Well thought out, most of the burn injuries happen at nightfire. Most shooters have been up since 0600 and at the range all day, then at the beginning of night qualifying your dealing with very hot metal that has also been working since 0600.
Any safety to a Warrior hands is most welcomed.
The suppressor cover does two things: it cuts down on mirage, so you can see the target even after shooting enough to heat up the suppressor. And it greatly reduces the “ow” factor of brushing a hot suppressor on your hands, arms, legs or nylon gear that melts.
It’s to reduce the mirage effect caused by the suppressor principally, I don’t think the impact on service life caused by reduced heat dissipation could be quantified.
Great answers. I always learn a lot here. Thanks.
As far as service life of a suppressor is concerned, absent full-auto mag dumps you are going to wear out a fistful of barrels behind it before your suppressor starts to show problems. At least, well-built ones, anyway.
I hope they undercut all the “tactical” brands charging $100+
That email at the bottom of article gives a bounce back
I’m trying to track down what is going on.
Try it now, it’s supposed to be fixed.