SILENCER SATURDAY #337: The HUXWRX FLOW 556 Ti Preview

Good evening everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the brand new YHM 338 Bad Larry Suppressor. Last week we discussed my upcoming departure as the editor of TFB and my hiatus as the host of TFB’s Silencer Saturday. Apparently I spoke to soon; We still have a few more weeks together before I hand off the series to someone who is smarter and more capable than yours truly. While I have been out of town, a package arrived from HUXWRX that I can only assume is the new FLOW 556 Ti rifle suppressor. As it is noon on Saturday and I am still somewhere over the Atlantic, you are going to have to settle for a preview of its features and capabilities and I will finish up next week with some range time next week. Let’s get into it.

More HUXWRX @ TFB

• SILENCER SATURDAY #281: Let It Flow Through You – HUXWRX FLOW 762 Ti
• SILENCER SATURDAY #239: Top 5 Initial Impressions – HUXWRX FLOW 556k Suppressor
• SILENCER SATURDAY #244: HUXWRX FLOW 556K Full Auto Range Time
• HUXWRX FLOW 556k Wins FBI Hostage Rescue Team 5-Year Contract

As a reminder, firearms such as silencers, short barrel rifles, and others are controlled under the National Firearms Act of 1934. The ownership and transfer of these items is highly regulated and they cannot be treated the same way as non-NFA firearms. In short, I wish there were no restrictions, but you should know and understand all of the applicable laws and regulations.

SILENCER SATURDAY #337: The HUXWRX FLOW 556 Ti Preview

HUXWRX, formerly OSS Suppressors, currently has two product lines for rifle suppressors. The VENTUM series uses traditional manufacturing processes to provide the user with all of the benefits of the flow-through technology with the added benefit of HUB mount compatibility. The VENTUM line is currently made from stainless steel and is priced somewhere under $1,000.

The other product line, the FLOW series, is manufactured using adaptive manufacturing technology which saves weight and complexity (the FLOW suppressors are basically one solid piece of metal). Currently there are four centerfire FLOW models: two made from stainless steel and two made from titanium. As with most new technologies, there are price penalties to pay over traditionally manufactured suppressors. But if you need an 11 ounce 556 can that prevents blowback and suppresses well, it doesn’t get much better than the HUXWRX FLOW.

The FLOW 556K was the first HUXWRX model to be made using additive manufacturing and was selected as the suppressor for the FBI HRT through a test and evaluation process against other manufacturers' cans. I don’t know the details behind the choice of a 5.5” length, but at 12.9 ounces the stainless steel suppressor is fairly tight and extremely durable.

Still, the full-size titanium FLOW model was an inevitable eventuality. Longer and lighter, the FLOW 556 Ti will be both quieter and lighter than the original ‘K’ model. In my opinion, it’s the ‘lighter’ part that is most important since 5.56x45 rounds through short barrels will always be loud. If the current patterns hold, I’d expect to see a FLOW 556K Ti version sometime in the future that may weigh in somewhere around nine ounces. 

There are some that will disagree, but using titanium versus steel for non-military applications should be the preferred option. When manufactured using additive manufacturing, both materials can withstand heavy firing cycles with steel better handling extreme heat (we discussed this a few weeks ago).

Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Specifications: HUXWRX FLOW 556 TI

• Manufacturer’s Page: https://huxwrx.com/flow-556-ti
• MSRP: $1,623
• User Manual: https://huxwrx.com/content/manuals/FLOWManual.pdf
• Caliber: 5.56, .223, 17 HMR, 5.7, 22 LR, 5.45
• Weight: 11.4 oz / 323 g
• Overall Length: 6.8 in / 17.2 cm
• Diameter: 1.8 in / 4.6 cm
• Length Added to Barrel: 6.1 in / 15.5 cm
• Barrel Length: No restrictions
• Coating: C-Series Cerakote™ Matte Black and Flat Dark Earth (FDE)
• Materials Utilized: 3D-Printed Grade 5 Titanium

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