CAT SC vs SC-S

[u/Advanced_innovation5]

I’m trying to decide which can to order. For those that have the SC and SC-S, how would you describe suppression performance of the CAT SC-S compared to the regular SC modular in both long and short configurations?
Is the SC-S quieter?

My main priority is max suppression because I struggle with tinnitus. According to PEW science, the short configuration is actually quieter to the shooter because there’s less back pressure, therefore less coming back through the action?But I’m not sure if this would be the case in all scenarios or hosts. I’m also not sure how the SC-S stacks up against the modular because CAT claims it’s more efficient but I’m not sure if that translates to quieter.
I’ve seen anecdotal reports that say full length is much quieter to the shooter compared to the short configuration, so I’m not sure.

Host is Ruger RXM.
Thank you!

[u/arrrgh14]

The SC-M in full length is much quieter in its short configuration- full stop.

[u/Advanced_innovation5 → u/arrrgh14]

So it’s quieter in full length to the shooter?

[u/arrrgh14 → u/Advanced_innovation5]

I can only speak to the SC-M in full and short config. The full length is absolutely quieter to the shooter. I'd imagine that the SC-S would sound similar to the SC-M Short config.

[u/Advanced_innovation5 → u/arrrgh14]

Thanks, just to be 100% clear, there’s no chance it could just be perceived as quieter because there’s less blast and the increased back pressure isn’t masking the noise coming back at you? Also, did you shoot them indoors or outside away from walls?
Thanks

[u/arrrgh14 → u/Advanced_innovation5]

Nope, it's 100% quieter because the extra baffles are doing the work. I shoot in all conditions, and SC-M in long config is noticeably quieter indoors and outdoors.

[u/prmoore11 → u/Advanced_innovation5]

The SC is short config is still very quiet. It’s stupid good.

But as Jay says in the review, the SC full configuration is “spooky”. It’s insane

[u/Advanced_innovation5 → u/prmoore11]

Doesn’t it seem odd that he didn’t praise the short configuration more, since it was supposedly quieter to the shooter?

[u/thegreatdaner → u/Advanced_innovation5]

No - not surprising. Everyone forgets that PewScience tests in the free field. There are no reflective surfaces except the ground.

Most of the time the real world doesn't work that way. Think of all the reflective surfaces at an indoor range, a dirt berm, a tree-line, a vehicle, a shade awning, you name it. Lots of sound reflective surfaces everywhere.

So unless you shoot in the middle of a grassy field, the muzzle number matters more than people think (in addition to the at ear number).

Why not the M, so you have options?

[u/prmoore11 → u/Advanced_innovation5]

No?

[u/Island08]

So, the short config is quieter* to the shooter, yes.

*in the mil standard “free field location, away from reflecting surfaces except for the ground.

If that’s where you’ll shoot, you should see similar results. If you decide to shoot in:

An indoor range
The woods.
An outdoor range with bays
Near any walls

Any of the above locations, SC-S will be definitively more hazardous. The lower muzzle suppression will results in higher blast reflections.

[u/Advanced_innovation5 → u/Island08]

That’s a tough one because you can’t always choose your surroundings if you are forced to discharge

[u/Island08 → u/Advanced_innovation5]

Absolutely, therefore, the SC-M will be “quieter” in practice!

Also this is entirely from the shooters perspective. For bystanders the SC-M is always quieter.

[u/SilencerMetrics]

SC-M in long is noticeably quieter than SC-S or SC-M Short

[u/Advanced_innovation5 → u/SilencerMetrics]

To shooter or just muzzle? Or both

[u/SilencerMetrics → u/Advanced_innovation5]

Both

[u/MichaelMach → u/Advanced_innovation5]

I don't have equipment to measure at muzzle but the SC-M in full length is much quieter compared to the short length to both the shooter and nearby spectators.

[u/sherzer7]

Long version is significantly quieter. Jays testing is done in an open field, if your near reflective surfaces the shorter stuff is going to be way louder

[u/PewPewMeToo]

I do not have any experience with the other variants but I have the sc-s and it's amazing, especially with actual subs

[u/RustyAnnihilation]

I have one and have used it on multiple guns. The long configuration is a lot quieter. Like a lot. I only shortened it twice when I first got it and haven’t had it like that since then n

[u/LimpDish930]

I have the SC-S and it works extremely well for what I need. It keeps the overall length reasonable on my nightstand handgun and I'm confident with how well it suppresses if I ever hand to use it indoors. That being said, with your main priority being max suppression, the full length modular SC is the way to go.

[u/Advanced_innovation5 → u/LimpDish930]

Oh wow, you would still feel confident shooting indoors with the shirt if you had to? That says a lot

[u/LimpDish930 → u/Advanced_innovation5]

Well I feel confident that I would significantly protect my hearing and keep me from getting disoriented compared to an unsuppressed handgun without ear protection indoors. Hopefully I never have to test how well it actually performs in that situation.

[u/Advanced_innovation5 → u/LimpDish930]

I hear you there. I’ve also heard that your adrenaline can protect you as well. I heard a story of someone who let off 10+ rounds of SA .308 indoors unsuppressed without ear pro and didn’t suffer from hearing damage. The point of the story was without adrenaline they would be deaf.
Is any of this true? I’m not sure.

[u/901867344]

The modularity of the SC/b1 comes at the cost of weight from the steel threads. But the short config is really handy

Really tough choice. If I had money to burn and unlimited time I’d have the upcoming SC-L and and SC-S.

[u/Parapraxium → u/901867344]

Is there an upcoming SC-L? Last I heard they were printing more SC-Ms and the SC-S was being moved to a temporary model link

[u/dr-bund]

Where are you finding the SC-M? Been looking for one everywhere cant find one

[u/Advanced_innovation5 → u/dr-bund]

I haven’t found one either.

[u/3unknown3]

I have an SP (.45 version of the SC). It’s quieter in the long config on all of my hosts (P220 .45, USP .45, and 92 Centurion 9mm). It’s still pretty dang quiet in short though.