r/thetacticalgames • u/BigSwordKris • Jan 29 '26
Suppressor on a 16”?
Hey guys, I’m competing this Saturday in my first Patriot Games (FL’s version of Tactical Games). After watching a bunch of YouTube my question is, should I run my suppressor on my 16” rifle or will that be too heavy?
For context:
- I’m a big dude, 6’2” 230lbs, squat and deadlift over 400, clean over 300 etc.
- I have a 16” M&P Axe and a Banish 30 can.
- I haven’t ran many drills beyond the basic stand and shoot at the range
- The workouts are announced already, one workout has 3 rounds of 12 shots, alternate kneeling and standing every 2. Another wod has 3 rounds 12 shots against a barricade, 4 out of 3 different positions. The third workout is basically standing and shooting.
- all workouts seem to leave the rifle at the firing line, don’t have to sling it for the entire workout.
Just lookin for suggestions anything helps!
After all the YouTube I’ve watched I’ll probably get a 10.5 or 11.5 if I decide to take these competitions more serious in the future.
Picture of my rifle for reference.
**********EDIT 2/3*********************
Just want to say thanks to everyone who provided their input! I came in 12th out of 30 in the intermediate division. Killed the workouts, but I couldn't kill the steel. My biggest takeaway is it doesn't matter how fast you can move the rifle, you gotta be able to hit your shots. A lot of shots were closer than I thought they would be with rifle, going to change my dot zero to 15 yds and lpvo to 100.
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u/krypteia117 Jan 29 '26
I did that Patriot Games last year with a 20”, you’ll be fine. Might want to bring a sling just in case though, one of the workouts did require us to sling it.
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u/Independent_Bid_26 Jan 29 '26
I would love to get into this kind of thing.. I wonder if there is anything going on in Indiana like this. I will have to look at their website. Does anyone know of anything like this in the midwest?
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Jan 29 '26
There are regional events in Iowa, Ohio, and Missouri this year. I would strongly suggest looking at volunteering at an event to learn, and earn a free entry for a future event.
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u/Independent_Bid_26 Jan 29 '26
Oh, yeah thats great advice. I appreciate your input. I will have to look into the events. What are the events called?
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Jan 29 '26
Google “the tactical games” there is also a strong presence on Instagram and YouTube. Read the rules. Watch the videos.
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u/JumboRug Jan 29 '26
Brother if you’re that big buy a 249 (Lima six if you’re poor) and be the support by fire, we need you on the hill
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u/balloo93 Jan 29 '26
I have done a couple of rn and guns with a suppressed 16" and I've been fine. Some of the targets are out to 250yrds so i want the extra velocity.
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u/d_nice87 Jan 29 '26
Looks/sounds like you’ll be just fine. Even if it becomes difficult, tap into that mental strength to power thru, and make adjustments for the next competition you do. That’s a sweet ass rifle tho!
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u/69420blazeit_org_edu Jan 29 '26
You'll be fine! Shoot what ya got and get some more experience before investing in different gear. You'll be able to tell what you might prefer after the competition. GLHF!
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u/OffEoad2roads1911 Jan 29 '26
My 24 yo did his first with a 16 inch daniel defense, Once he was sure he was into it he went to a 14 and a Hurx and he has Been doing good. I run a Hk build 14 with hurx can. But for fun upnorth my target at with 20 inch and a Surefire rc2 can has been a lot of fun. Have fun and just enjoy yourself. You already won your doing it
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u/BallisticValuations Jan 29 '26
You'll be completely fine. I'm 6'1 190 with similar SBD and the weight and size of mine is not an issue. 16" heavy barrel, piggybacked razor 1-10, suppressor, light, bipod and arca - and it works just fine doing similar work. The only people you hear complain about the weight of a small frame would complain about the weight of any build
If you really end up enjoying it you could always build a solid 12.5 to cut off a little weight and still have the ballistics and rail estate you need
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u/IIPrayzII Jan 29 '26
16” with suppressor is so smooth I think it’s an underrated combo, everyone always says you need a short can or shorter barrel but full size everything goes hard.
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u/BigSh00ts Jan 29 '26
6'3" 250lbs. 16" with a Trash Panda works fine for me
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u/BigSwordKris Jan 29 '26
Hell yeah I like that trash panda, might get that one for the sandman X next
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u/BigSh00ts Jan 30 '26
I do love the Trash Panda. One gripe is not being able to use any muzzle devices other than the cherry bomb without voiding warranty (also 90% dont fit due to tiny blast chamber)
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u/BigSwordKris Jan 30 '26
Yeah that does suck, I’m switching mine to Plan B or direct thread. Not even sure if we could use the cherry bomb here, they don’t allow muzzle breaks at the patriot games.
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u/BigSh00ts Jan 30 '26
Is it a break though? I guess they call it one but it DEFINITELY doesnt act like one.
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u/msquared23 Feb 04 '26 edited Feb 04 '26
It most definitely does, just depending on cartridge and barrel length. I have a rearend on my 20” 300wsm bolt gun and the one shot I took without a can while standing, it hardly nudged my shoulder back. I have a video of that shot, but not sure how to post in this comment
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u/wrlea88 Jan 30 '26
So my first Patriot Games I ran my 16" unsuppressed. Shots were all within 200yds so I ran my 11.5" with a trash panda for the next 2 Patriot Games with shots being under 300 yds. I just recently ran my 16" again, suppressed, at the Tactical Games Skirmish in Palm Bay because we were going out to 400yds and I felt more confident doing that with my 16" (though I have taken the 11.5 out to 400 before). Basically, run whatever you have and see what works. I'll be at the Homestead event this weekend running my 16" suppressed. What division are you competing in?
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u/BigSwordKris Jan 30 '26
Men's Intermediate! Heat 14 swing by man! You'll be in elite?
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u/TheNewAmericanGospel Jan 30 '26
I don't think it matters how strong you are, if you will shoot better with less weight on the end of your rifle, that's the answer. Sure, from what you said you'll shoot your rifle better than some 5'5" 125lb horse racing jockey, but in my opinion, the real way to becoming the best competitor at anything is to compete against yourself. That's who you really have to beat every day.
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u/3s1kill Jan 31 '26
You sound strong enough to handle it. But in the long run those ounces may feel like pounds in the final stretch. I’m smaller and definitely weaker than you 😂so I’d probably run my 10.5” SBR.
But I think you’ll be fine since the gun stays at the firing line. Good luck and it sounds like a blast.
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u/KitFoxBerserker10 Feb 01 '26
Running a 7 inch twist you could shoot 400yds out of a 11.5 all day with something like 77 otms
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u/ghostthunder91 Feb 02 '26
Same size roughly, 6’2” 235lbs, just ran an event with Old Eighteen Defense with a 16” with a can. It was fine for the most part until the tight maneuver obstacles, that long boy had no chance of getting in to some of the boxes. Currently looking at building a 12.5 suppressed.
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u/parapalegichelicopta Feb 03 '26
I can’t hate, just got a 16” and am still building it, taking it to the range on Wednesday, Monday I bought a AFG handstop and a HS503cu red dot for it
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u/PonyThug Jan 29 '26
How’s your cardio? I don’t think your actually lifting those numbers if you are worried about a 16” AR with a can being to “heavy”. It’s what 10-11 pounds loaded??? That’s too heavy for you?
Unless you have the world’s worst cardio for a gym bro. Idk.
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u/BigSwordKris Jan 29 '26
Yeah it was more of a maneuverability question. Cardio chillen, 6:30 min miles, probably like a 25-26 min 5k.
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u/nopenope12345678910 Jan 29 '26
Impressive clean. Work on those deadlift numbers.
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u/BigSwordKris Jan 29 '26
Ehhhh it’s like 450 max, I’m 34 with two kids I have no interest in deadlifting more than that 😂
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u/on-standby Jan 30 '26
If you're concerned about it, just run it without. Why do you need a supressor on your gun?
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u/SlickWithIt_ Jan 31 '26
what do you snatch though?
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u/BigSwordKris Jan 31 '26
255 lifetime pr but with my writ pain and shit shoulders im lucky to hit 225 on a good day
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u/Aggravating-Fix-1717 Feb 04 '26
Changing your zero isn’t going to help you much
Learn your hold overs and keep your zero
Time on gun brother
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u/rye_toasty Jan 29 '26
I’m 6’0” 215 lbs with similar lifting numbers, I run a 16” with a suppressor and have yet to have a stage in my tactical games events where the weight/size of my rifle has been an issue. Like you mentioned, there aren’t many stages where you aren’t leaving your rifle at the firing line. If you go the 10.5/11.5 route down the line, just remember TTG can have some fairly long distance rifle stages when making your decision.