This agency was frustrated with attempts to match a suppressor to their 7.5"AR pistol platform. Size, performance, cycling reliability and consistency, recoil and muzzle management, blow-back, accuracy, etc. were deal-killers for every option...then came Defender. The armorer, range master, operator and even the captain were all amazed with what that small and simple device could do. Take a look at their candid reactions.

This expert thought he was evaluating Defender on the basis of sound attenuation. What we wanted to know is his impression of handling and gas blow-back. He was very surprised.

A retired SEAL once emphatically explained to me, "There is no SEAL Team 6! There used to be. Now, there's DEVGRU." I didn't question him. It's DEVGRU. Mark was DEVGRU from 2000-2010, then TEAM 18, and is now the DoS/ATA Sr. Counter-terrorism Advisor. He was an ATA team leader when we designed Defender for him and is now the ATA Senior Counter-Terrorism Advisor. He asked for a clean, simple design to complement what he considered the perfect AR configuration for CQB (Close Quarters Battle) in his environments. Hence, the Defender. Watch Mark's reaction to meeting the Defender for the first time.

Gas blow-back is a serious issue for professionals especially when working in close quarters. Adding a suppressor to a rifle generally increases blow-back to intolerable levels. This left-handed shooter for a state agency evaluates Defender on a 10" SBR for blow-back.

A 7.5” AR is a beast. The unsuppressed muzzle blast is painful even when using hearing protection and shooting outdoors. In close quarters, the concussion is similar to that of a stun grenade. Watch this SWAT live-fire training session video where a Defender 5.56mm suppressor from Acadian Armament is fired inside of a car just inches away from a team member’s face. Hearing safe – Clean Blowback – Reliable Cycling Defender from Acadian Armament. Different, by design.

Defender after almost 800 rounds from a 7.5" AR in SWAT live-fire training.

This test illustrates the remarkable ability of the Defender 556 to prevent baffle strike damage. Defender 556 is partially removed from the rifle and shots are fired at 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 turns off from the muzzle thread shoulder. Point of aim is the same for all shots. 16" Mossberg Patrolman in .223 55gr .223 ammo Target is at 50 yards.

Some will argue that the .224 Valkyrie isn't enough to take a hog down, but Kevin Ryan with Rougarou Hog Control ain't hearing none of that. There's some pretty good shooting here. 10 hogs showed up, none left.