Known for making a variety of near clone suppressors for hard to source weapon platforms, Griffin Armament also has your back for retro builds. They have released a second generation linear compensator built to the original Colt XM177 Moderator dimensions. Modern materials, design, and finish with that classic Vietnam era look. As a bonus, this product will extend a 12.5" barrel to 16" when pinned and welded.
Colt began testing a number of 10" machine guns that are a part of the CAR-15 design in the 1960s during the Vietnam War. Colt experimented with the "Duck Bill" 3 prong flash hider and then a second generation of 3 prong flash hiders, but neither really met the needs of the US Army in reducing muzzle blast. The early Moderators were 3-1/2" long and had no flash slots. In the mid-1960s the 4.3" version was introduced as part of the XM177 Commando rifle. By 1967, the XM177E2 continued to use the slotted 4.3" moderator with a grenade ring. The grenade ring was used in conjunction with the XM48 grenade launcher. The 4.3" moderators were tested by ATF and found to make some minor sound suppression, and Colt stopped making the moderator.
Yes, a number of manufactuers have made Commando style compensators, some better than others. From lookalikes that are too big, too long, wrong ports, or bad materials, we at Charlie's have seen them all. For a cheap blaster, a chunk of bar stock with a hole may be fine. But if you are looking actual performance and handling, Griffin does not dissapoint. Now on its second generation, the XM Linear Compensator matches the original Colt prints for external dimensions while internally being a non-NFA linear compensator. It is also perfect for pin and weld use on 12.5" barrels to make a non-NFA 16" upper.
To be fair, Charlie's carries several brands of liner compensator, and we like them all. Griffin works a little harder to be more authentic, but each is a retro interpretation of the original.
The XM Linear Comp is machined from billet 17-4 stainless steel and features a plasma nitride black finish for durability and corrosion resistance. It can be used solo or with an optional Colt blueprint spec grenade ring also from Griffin.
For your XM177 or E1 build you would not use the grenade ring. The XM177E2 is "clone correct" with the grenade ring. Air Force issued carbines are seen with and without grenade rings due to a mix of models being used as well as receiving weapons from the Army. The USAF GAU-5 series is a deep dive on its own!
Pictures courtesy of American Rifleman and Retro Black Rifles.
Griffin Armament
Knights Armament (KAC)
Knights Armament (KAC)
