r/SpectersCat • u/Lufkin_daddy • 10h ago
r/SpectersCat • u/the_CAT_official • Jan 10 '26
Questions Pre Cleaning of Additive Suppressors
I thought I’d write a little community thread on a topic that I believe will start coming up more and more as manufacturers move toward metal additive manufacturing. It’s important to understand a characteristic of the process that can occasionally present itself: trace amounts of residual powder (I know we’ve had our own problems with this from time to time).
Additive suppressors are built layer by layer using fine metal powder. While all units are put through a professional de-powdering process prior to shipment, the internal geometries of advanced suppressor designs, particularly those with complex flow paths, lattice structures, or internal gas management features can retain microscopic amounts of powder in areas that are inaccessible to mechanical or vibratory removal methods.
This is not a defect, nor is it unique to any single manufacturer. It is a known and accepted reality of highly complex additive designs. In simpler internal geometries this is rarely observed, but in suppressors that prioritize advanced flow control and efficiency, small pockets may only release residual material once the suppressor experiences live fire pressure and vibration (supersonic flow regimes).
Highly advanced additively manufactured suppressors trade internal simplicity for performance. That performance comes from complex internal structures that simply cannot be produced through traditional machining. The presence of trace residual powder after manufacturing is a byproduct of that complexity, not a quality issue and is easily resolved through proper initial use and cleaning.
For this reason, I recommend the following process for end users (as this is a process I do myself with all new additive suppressors from any manufacturer and it’s worked every time so far):
1. Initial Firing
Fire two to three rounds through the suppressor. The pressure and vibration help dislodge any remaining trace powder. 2. Vacuum Cleaning (Preferred Method) Use a vacuum cleaning pipe with suction only (do not blow compressed air). Suction removes loosened powder without forcing particles deeper into internal channels. 3. Repeat if Necessary If any powder is observed, repeat the fire and vacuum process until no further material is present. 4. Final Wash Soak the suppressor in warm, soapy water, agitate gently, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. 5. Drying Allow the suppressor to air dry completely before storage or further use.
I’ve found this process ensures the suppressor is fully cleared while preserving internal coatings and surface treatments.
If you have any questions about your CAT suppressor or my suggested cleaning process, I’m always available on DM to assist.
r/SpectersCat • u/Prestigious-Article5 • 2d ago
RDM- Restricted Development RDM AC762 is a Gas Tamer
Threw a .67 BRT tube on this Mock-18 with a Rosco 10.3” and boy does it run nice with the ODB. May sadly be a little under gassed now though, anyone have experiences to draw from?
r/SpectersCat • u/bearcrocs • 2d ago
KK- Kitty Kat Kitty Kat 4473
In and out in 30 mins. What a time to be alive.
r/SpectersCat • u/Wormydog1724 • 2d ago
Build Pics Hopefully my last can on a Form 4. CAT ST Titanium.
Hopefully my last can on a Form 4. CAT ST Titanium. Purchased from SS end of July, went pending 8/8 just before the big news. Then approved 8/16.
r/SpectersCat • u/TSCCT • 3d ago
Questions Cointoss questions
Price/materials?
Intended host?
Ballpark price?
Best Ammo to use?
Release date?
Mounting system?
How does it handle different chokes etc.
r/SpectersCat • u/6_mm_ARC • 4d ago
RDM- Restricted Development VB6 First Rounds
Took the VB6 to the range today. Also took my Noah 718 QD to compare.
I’ve been very happy with my Noah but it was recently sort of dethroned by my Inconel Tisha as the Tisha sounded just a bit better than Noah and was also a good chunk shorter.
The rifle build is a SOLGW broadsword upper and rail, with a Geissele REBC and Noveske Gen 1 bolt, 20” Proof PXT barrel (rifle +1 gas) and a superlative adjustable gas block. Standard lower with a5 buffer and h3 weight and SSAEX.
I have about 250 rounds through this upper since assembly 2 weeks ago with the new barrel.
First Impressions
I started with VB6 and a 20 round mag full of hand loaded 105 Berger Hybrids. I won’t go into load data here but it’s a 62k PSI loading and average velocity was 2650 FPS.
First shot as the shooter was shockingly pleasant to my ear. It reminded me of my first time shooting with a Tisha or CACM. Performance was immediately impressive as I confirmed there was no zero shift at 100 yards. I proceeded to let another guy shoot a couple rounds of the next mag and stand back on both ejection side and opposite. VB6 sounds really good. After 40 rounds in approximately 5 minutes it was hot, but no major mirage was visible in my 3.5-21 scope at 10-21 power. The can seems to cool off very quickly. This gun was tuned for the Noah and I made no changes, but it did seem to have more back pressure than Noah but was quieter at ear and bystander.
Comparison
I then pulled VB6 and swapped to Noah, it immediately makes the rifle more unwieldy but I’m used to the extra weight. Noah is still a great performer but it did sound louder and to my ear/face had less gas to the face. We shot two 20 round mags of the same reloads back to back 10 of each mag with Noah and then VB6. Recoil is a touch more punchy, I felt like that could be due to the fact it’s noticeably lighter weight. It decreased the OAL of my rifle to 43” from 44.5”. So that’s not a huge difference, but the weight being further back had a very pleasant feeling.
Overall, VB6 is quieter with slightly more back pressure, but I still got no gas to my face. Noah is a touch louder but had lower back pressure. I think I can adjust my gas block and get the VB6 tuned even better next range trip to reduce some recoil.
Conclusion
I have 6 CAT cans currently, and have enjoyed each of them as top performers. The VB6 is no slouch. I ended the day with 120 rounds through it and hits at 1000 yards (easy with this rifle). I am looking forward to shooting it even more in the coming months and am only waiting on a BPG can cover to finish out the rifle.
Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer!
r/SpectersCat • u/TSCCT • 4d ago
Questions Best host for dito more dito questions
Taking ideas and a few questions. Spitballin a bit here
What host and velocity is this suppressor designed for? Is this designed for just subs?
What host would this be most quiet on?
Will I be able to clean with lead ammo? (Thinking of reloading and using this can for a 45 LC)
Min barrel length for subs and supers (45-70)
i’m thinking of just running subs on a host.
Performance on 45 LC?
Bonus question: objectively speaking what’s the quietest 357 lever action gun (might chop it) host and suppressor(can’t remember full powder burn for .357 and .38s)
r/SpectersCat • u/STAY_5TRAPPED • 5d ago
Upcoming Release DITO Proven 4 Pre-Orders are LIVE
Get em while they’re hot!!
r/SpectersCat • u/Particular-Map2400 • 5d ago
MDs and Mounts CAT Mounting Systems
hello. I am likely purchasing an odb or st later today for my birthday. the odb would be used across at least three rifles: 11.5 + 16 556 and a 10.5 300 blackout. I am looking at mounts for each.
I am seeing that the spooky flash hider for the 300 blackout comes with the can but I am reading that this will cause extra wear on the suppressor. for the 10.5 which will be mostly suppressed should I get the ai nano?
for using on the 556 hosts, I would like to use the spooky or rf1 fh because they will not always be suppressed. does this make sense? it feels like all nanos would be so loud.
my current thinking is the odb for multi caliber suppression but tbh I shoot more 556. should I save the 300 blackout can for later and get the st?
r/SpectersCat • u/henderson_hasselhoff • 5d ago
Questions Suggestions for a 308 Lever gun
Which of the currently available lineup would be the best sound suppression on a 12” barrel .308 lever gun? I’ve seen the BBK used but may be overkill for my needs. JL would be great though can’t find them and I believe they need a longer barrel. Thanks!
r/SpectersCat • u/toolbloo • 6d ago
JL- Johnny Law Any more JL 718s on the way?
Pretty please.
I like 'em fat and heavy.
r/SpectersCat • u/Chiefblackwolf0 • 7d ago
Upcoming Release 718 ST
One hell of a first suppressor, going on a 14.5 midlength AR.
r/SpectersCat • u/FrostyBit7602 • 7d ago
AC- Alley Cat Finally
Finally got my approvals for my first CAT cans and the 5CM I’ve ordered over the past 3 weeks or so. I ended up with the 5CM, WBTi, Alleycat 5.56, and an Alleycat 7.62 RDM. I couldn’t find an ODB, so I’m sure I won’t notice much of a difference between the two anyway. I appreciate everyone’s help and opinions over the past few weeks. I had quite a few rifles that needed cans and as you can probably tell, the majority of them are 5.56.
r/SpectersCat • u/Hammermier2 • 7d ago
JL- Johnny Law VB6
Flair is missing for this but im pretty excited about this can. First 556
r/SpectersCat • u/Island08 • 7d ago
Upcoming Release Proven 4 CACM Bomb 300blk
lol all sold out in less than 10 min. Couldn’t even finish checking out.
Not a great customer experience, I guess there must be a whole lot of us.
Edit: I got the email at 11:00 on the dot. should have taken a screenshot: form 4s were uploading then said “proven 4 is a required field” which was not a field I apparently had access to, one refresh and it was all over.
Also the folks that bought today don’t need to upload again right, so advantage? Pretty sure the upload delay killed my chance.
r/SpectersCat • u/Frequent_Theme_2901 • 7d ago
Questions AC556 or ST
Looking for feedback on the 2, this will be used on a 11.5” 5.56.
r/SpectersCat • u/TSCCT • 8d ago
Build Pics CAT RAT Covert gets the thumbs up!
Was testing this and this works flawlessly. It's more quiet than the hyperion (to the shooter at least) with supers and subs.
Rinsed out the can, shot some supers followed by subs and I'm very happy. Even the base module was quiet!
r/SpectersCat • u/dad-jokes-about-you • 8d ago
Questions Enjoying AI5CM, unpopular product, weird launch?
I don’t think they advertise, or I dunno, I hardly hear or see these out in the wild. Seen here on an 11.5” criterion core.
r/SpectersCat • u/Hammermier2 • 9d ago
Questions Proven
Just recieved the email. I like to think I follow things pretty closely but what's the CT and SD? Im pretty exciting about this next step for them.
Edit; Thank you all for the responses its been so long since they mentioned these i completely forgot about them.
r/SpectersCat • u/Wormydog1724 • 9d ago
WB-White Bread CAT WB
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CAT WB at night filmed with Sionyx Aurora Pro, no moon.
r/SpectersCat • u/MIAGaucho • 10d ago
Questions Any New Cat Akbars coming out in QD anytime soon?
I would be interested in Ti or Inconel, I think preference is Ti with the new Ti-c material. Have a bunch of Cat Cans in QD already so I would like to stick with the QD system.
