Griffin Armament was a technology innovator in tubeless silencer design, developing the first commercially available tubeless suppressors in the US in 2010. Early Gate-Lok™ cans like the M4SD2 and M4SD as well as the first-generation Recce cans were tubeless designs. Tubeless designs are relatively featureless compared to user serviceable and modular suppressors; however, they can be made very lightweight due to not having a double walled material thickness like traditional tubed silencers and baffles. Deleting the outer tube helps reduce weight of the system but also imposes other engineering hurdles that can be difficult to overcome. Ten years after Griffin’s initial innovation into tubeless suppressors the company introduced a new tubeless series, the EXPLORR® suppressors. These suppressors sought to push the limits of what was capable. Using new tubeless designs, the 30 caliber EXPLORR was only 12 ounces in a full 17-4 stainless steel design and utilized tig autogenous welding. The goal was to create dedicated rifle suppressors that nearly matched the lightweight specifications common to full titanium suppressors.
Shortly after this however, laser welding became market viable and was incorporated into the build process, prompting the next generation EXPLORR® suppressors allowing even further reduced weights to the tubeless class. Additionally, ECO-FLOW™ baffle technology was integrated to the EXPLORR® series further reducing gas blow back and allowing for the most optimal sound suppression balance at the ear and the muzzle. The Taper Mount -RI™ (Rapid index) system has also been added to the new EXPLORR® generation allowing a faster install along with Griffin’s trademark low profile flash suppressor end cap to ensure total system performance. Lastly, the line has expanded to a total of 4 suppressors. Two dedicated Taper Mount -RI™ versions and two 1.375×24 utility mount versions or HUB (hybrid universal base) as this thread pitch is becoming known, comprise the series. The 1.375×24 HUB mount versions are extremely versatile allowing for Griffin Taper Mount interface, (they ship with Griffin’s PLAN-A adapter), A2 mount, 3 lug mount and more.
Austin, Owner and lead design engineer at Griffin Armament stated,
“I believe tubeless suppressors are closing on the limits of lightweight performance and durability. Ten years ago if someone told me we were going to make a 10 ounce, welded 300 win mag rated suppressor I wouldn’t have believed them. We always strive to be better. We want to make a better product, that’s lighter, more quiet, durable, and with better features. We did that here. The new EXPLORR™ series was designed to provide users with the lightest, most accurate, and durable suppressors on the market, hands down. You’ll find a host of special features on our cans and the EXPLORR® is no different. The weight specs and performance of this series is unbelievable. This can family is designed for guys who love shooting rifles with cans. We’re excited to launch the EXPLORR® and I believe it will help keep Griffin at the forefront of suppressor offerings. As always, I’d like to say thank you to all our great customers, without you we wouldn’t be able to have the careers that we love.”
This photo demonstrates weld technology advancements from early generation tubeless suppressors to current day (2021). Left: A circa 2012 (early generation) tubeless Griffin M4SD suppressor, crushed under 15 tons of pressure. Note bulges and split welds. Middle: Griffin EXPLORR® gen 2, laser welded suppressor crushed under 15 tons of force. Note, all welds are intact. Right: Griffin EXPLORR® gen 2, laser welded suppressor crushed under 60 tons of pressure. Note, all welds are still intact despite immense crushing force.
EXPLORR® Features
• Full 17-4 stainless steel billet construction
• Flawless wire EDM cut bores true to the mounting interface
• Fully H900 heat treated for increased service life
• Full circumferentially laser welded
• Patented and Tuned ECO-FLOW™ baffles
• Accommodates the entire Taper Mount line of muzzle devices
• Rear mount body is the serialized component, securing your investment
• Front three-quarter inch Hex Cap, and rear wrench flats
• Front cap features low profile flash hider
• Finished in high temperature Cerakote® finish
Models:
Model: EXPLORR® (Taper Mount .300 Caliber)
Size: 6.4”x1.5” Weight: 10 ounces, Interface: Griffin Taper Mount – RI™
Materials: Fully H900 heat treated 17-4 Stainless Steel
Finish: Cerakote® C Series
MSRP: $895.00
SPL (Sound Pressure Level in Decibels) :
• 138DB (20” 308)
• 135DB (16” AR15, 5.56mm)
• 132DB (300BLK Supersonic 9”Barrel 120gr)
• 127DB (300BLK Subsonic 9” barrel 220gr)
Model: EXPLORR® (Taper Mount .224 CAL)
Size: 6”x1.5” Weight: 9 ounces, Interface: Griffin Taper Mount – RI™
Materials: Fully H900 heat treated 17-4 Stainless Steel
Finish: Cerakote® C Series
MSRP: $795.00
SPL (Sound Pressure Level in Decibels) :
• 135DB (16” AR15, 5.56mm)
Model: EXPLORR® ( Utility Mount , 1.375×24 , .300 CAL)
Size: 6.5”x1.5” Weight: 11.8 ounces (including 1.375×24 PLAN-A) Interface: Griffin Taper Mount – RI™
Materials: Fully H900 heat treated 17-4 Stainless Steel
Finish: Cerakote® C Series
MSRP: $969.00
SPL (Sound Pressure Level in Decibels) :
• 138DB (20” 308)
• 135DB (16” AR15, 5.56mm)
• 132DB (300BLK Supersonic 9”Barrel 120gr)
• 127DB (300BLK Subsonic 9” barrel 220gr)
Model: EXPLORR® ( Utility Mount, 1.375×24, .224 CAL [.223 rem / 5.56mm])
Size: 5.8”x1.5” Weight: 10.8 ounces (including 1.375×24 PLAN-A) Interface: Griffin Taper Mount – RI™
Materials: Fully H900 heat treated 17-4 Stainless Steel
Finish: Cerakote® C Series
MSRP: $869.00
SPL (Sound Pressure Level in Decibels) :
• 135DB (14.5” AR15, 5.56mm)
www.griffinarmament.com/silencers/rifle-silencers/explorr-tubeless-silencers