Suppressors

EliteIron Suppressors

High-grade, rugged suppressors for field use

It’s beneficial to customers when a marketplace grows and increases competition. New entities bring new ideas and technologies from which everyone can benefit. There is also something comforting about looking to well-established manufacturers in the industry and seeing a consistent path of excellence. Since its inception in 2002, EliteIron (EI) is a name that has been successfully on that path. That doesn’t always mean being at the top of the popularity chart, but it does mean a product with specific, effective and tested design characteristics that shooters can count on.

EliteIron is based in Potomac, Montana. Dale Poling, the company’s project manager, has a long history as a competitive rifle shooter and worked for many years for a suppressor manufacturer. EliteIron has a simple formula of making high-grade, rugged suppressors for serious field use. They continue to execute a time-tested and straightforward approach to suppression. This is evident in their no-frills exterior design and a weight that won’t win any contests, but will give the operator what they need: effective noise reduction and long-term durability.

Proven Construction

Consistency goes a long way in manufacturing, and that may be the best descriptor of EliteIron’s products. Their suppressor tubes are non-magnetic 304 stainless steel and their baffles are SAE type 630 (17-4 PH) stainless steel. Looking more closely at these materials reveals why EI might use them. Both 304 and 17-4 are highly corrosion resistant. The 304 can be molded and shaped easily and is not very thermally conductive. The 17-4 is corrosion resistant at high temperatures, which is good for baffle design. It’s also machinable, which is beneficial for tooling. They don’t make any aluminum tubes. Their cans are heavier because of this, but durability will never be an issue.

EI uses what they call a heavily modified K-type baffle. Poling explained how each tube is checked for absolute concentricity. “Each tube is placed on a precision mandrel and turned to make sure the wall is concentric to the bore down to .005,” Poling said. “Even spacing all the way around results in the gas being controlled in 360 degrees.” All suppressor components are individually checked by hand prior to assembly to ensure quality control. After assembly, EI cans receive an expertly applied Cerakote finish.

Attachment

EliteIrons’ rifle suppressors are offered in two different attachment types. One is the traditional thread-on, while the other is their version of a muzzlebrake adapter. The CQC 1 is for .223, and the Bravo 1 is for .308. Each of these muzzle devices is threaded on the outside to accept EliteIron suppressors or, if you’re not using a suppressor, their muzzlebrake cover cap. This cap has ports drilled in its front to allow some benefits of the muzzlebrake while eliminating the punishing side blast. What’s nice about the CQC and Bravo attachments is that the user doesn’t have to time them with washers or spacers; simply attach to your barrel and tighten it down.

The CQC muzzlebrake features a muzzlebrake cap (left) that can be added when the suppressor is not attached. (Photo courtesy of “Shooting Times”)

EliteIron’s warranty is simple. If they’ve messed something up, they fix it as fast as possible on their dime; if the operator is at fault, they will repair it at a reasonable price.

EliteIron has a strong lineup of suppressors. Given their history in the industry and their no-nonsense approach, they should rank high on your list of options to consider when you go to make your suppressor choice. We’re confident you’ll find something that will work well for your needs.

Each EliteIron suppressor is as admirable as the next and built like a tank for hard, real-world use. (Photo courtesy of “Shooting Times”)

Bravo 1

Cartridge: .30
Length: 7.3 in.
Weight: 12.9 oz.
Diameter: 1.625 in.
Noise Reduction: 27 dB
Material: Titanium
MSRP: $1,095
Manufacturer: EliteIron

This .30-caliber can was designed specifically for AR-10s chambered in .308, although it can also be used on bolt rifles and 5.56. You can attach the Bravo 1 to a 5.56 caliber firearm with the 1/2x28 threaded CQC muzzlebrake.

Bravo STFU

The STFU is a beast that can stand up to .300 Win. Mag. (Photo courtesy of “Shooting Times”)

Cartridge: .308
Length: 7.9 in.
Weight: 14 oz.
Diameter: 1.625 in.
Noise Reduction: 33 dB (with subsonic ammo)
Material: Stainless steel
MSRP: $760
Manufacturer: EliteIron

What did you say? The Bravo Strategic Tactical Forward Unit (STFU) is interestingly named. It’s slightly larger than the Bravo 1 but with different internals that keep point of impact (POI) shift to a minimum. It differs in that it is a direct-thread, .30-caliber suppressor. When timed correctly, EliteIron states there should be only a half mil of POI change when the can is removed. If you like the tried-and-true, direct-thread attachment method, then the STFU may be what you need.

CQC 1

Cartridge: .22 to 5.56x45mm
Length: 7.9 in.
Weight: 14.5 oz.
Diameter: 1.5 in.
Noise Reduction: 33 dB
MSRP: $760
Manufacturer: EliteIron

Dale Poling received a challenge from someone within the law enforcement community to build an automatic suppressor for an 8-inch-barreled SIG Sauer 552 chambered in 5.56. Basically overnight, the CQC was born. Now on its second iteration, it is even more compact at 5.35 inches long and 14.5 ounces. The short length is a benefit when a shorter firearm is desired, and the CQC 1 is rated for automatic fire on an 8½-inch barrel. Due to its short overall length, the CQC 1 will be a benefit to military and LE communities, especially tactical teams that need suppression in a short firearm. The CQC 1 attaches using EliteIrons’ CQC muzzle device, which comes with the forward blast cover.

Sierra 338

Cartridge: .338 Lapua, .338 RUM
Length: 9.5 in.
Weight: 1 lb., 13 oz.
Diameter: 1.5 in.
Noise Reduction: 33 dB
MSRP: $935

The Sierra is one beefy suppressor, but it still retains a short length overall. It’s 9½ inches long and rated for .338 Lapua and .338 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM). The Sierra is a thread-on version available in a variety of thread pitches. Although the Sierra is tough, it isn’t unnecessarily heavy, weighing in at 29 ounces. Sound reduction is rated at 33 dB, which is welcome when shooting a magnum cartridge like the .338 Lapua.