Griffin Armament Recce 5 Silencer Review: MOD 4
Some silencer designs are so good that they have become staples in the industry. The Griffin Armament Recce 5 is one of those silencers. It performs well and keeps improving, thanks to continuous investments in technology from the guys at Griffin Armament.
When the Griffin Armament Recce 5 was first introduced in 2014, it was a super-solid 5.56 silencer. Capable of full-auto fire and a rock-solid taper mount system. It was one of, if not the, quietest 5.56 silencers on the market and became a mainstay of the Griffin Armament lineup. I had the opportunity to test and shoot these early Recce’s, now known as Mod 1, and I was impressed with the performance.
At the time of the Recce 5’s introduction, few silencer companies were using taper mounts. But after Griffin Armament introduced their taper mount system, several companies quickly saw the advantages: consistent POI, ease of attachment, no parts to wear down, and a mount that doesn’t work loose under rapid fire. The mounting system plays a big role in the performance of a silencer, and if the silencer comes loose or has a POI shift from attaching, then it doesn’t matter how quiet the silencer is. Griffin Armament hit a home run with the taper system, and they continue to use it.
One of the most impressive demonstrations I had with the Recce 5 was when the guys from Griffin Armament came down to Texas for a silencer demo. They had five different silencers from different runs, and the serial numbers were far apart. They shot a 5-shot group at 100 yards using a different silencer each time, and the group size was under ½ an inch. This incredible accuracy is due to the tight tolerances that Griffin Armament holds across their entire line.
Austin Green, co-owner of Griffin Armament and lead engineer, told me that his goal when producing silencers was to make them identical so that if a police department or military unit had a set of silencers, they could share them between rifles, and there would be no POI shift. So, no matter which silencer they picked up for their gun, it would be zeroed. I can’t imagine the amount of quality control that goes into the production line to ensure this is the case, but Griffin Armament pulls it off.
The Griffin Armament Recce 5 has been around for almost a decade but has not stayed the same. Griffin Armament is known for continually improving their existing products when they develop new technologies. As of this writing, we are on the MOD 4 version of the Recce 5.
There are multiple changes incorporated into the newest version of the Recce 5. These include new ECO-FLOW baffles, integral flash reducer, and Taper Mount-RI (rapid index) mounting system. The new ECO-FLOW baffles reduce the backpressure on semi-autos and provide better sound performance over previous generations. I didn’t notice any blowback on the ARs that I tested with.
The end cap of the Recce 5 features a built-in flash reducer that works exceptionally well while only adding a few tenths of an inch to the overall length. Additionally, it adds to the overall appearance of the silencer.
Aside from the improved baffle design, the new Taper Mount-RI interface is one of the most significant changes. This allows you to mount the silencer much quicker than the original design. In my testing, I could mount the silencer in under 7 seconds compared to around 10 seconds with the original design. This was without trying to go fast, just a standard speed. The new interface is built into the silencer and is backward compatible with all generations of the Griffin Armament taper mounts.
The Griffin Armament Recce 5 is built from 17-4 stainless steel and is H900 heat treated to be incredibly durable. Different silencer companies use different materials, but stainless steel has proven to be longer lasting compared to other materials, like Inconel or Stellite. Due to the extremely durable construction, the Recce silencers do not have a minimum barrel length restriction. Of course, longer barrels will make the silencer last longer, but only marginally. Additionally, the Recce 5 is rated up to .22-250.
Included with the Recce 5 is an EZ-Brake taper mount. The newest generations of taper mounts have also undergone improvements. Like the Recce, they are made entirely of 17-4 stainless steel black nitride coated and are highly durable. The new taper mounts feature wrench slots to allow you to torque them down to the required 35ft/lbs for 1/2×28 threads. The backs of the taper mounts have slots for use with a screwdriver or AR multi-tool if the device gets stuck in the silencer due to not torquing it to the correct spec on the rifle. Over a dozen flash hiders, brakes, and compensators are available to fit your personality and rifle.
With all of these improvements, it is easy to see why the Griffin Armament Recce 5 has endured for so long and is still a top performer in its class. Performance, durability, and attention to detail ensure that the Recce 5 will continue.
Key Features: Griffin Armament Recce 5
Diameter: 1.47″
Overall Length: 6.2″
Length Added: 4.9″ when using EZ Brake 3.9″ when using longer devices
Weight: 14.5 Ounces
Materials: High strength, high temperature, corrosion resistant 17-4PH Stainless Steel
Attachment: .22 cal/5.56mm Taper Mount devices
DB Attenuation: 5.56mm (35DB) 14.5″ M4
Finish: High Temp Cerakote
Full Auto Rated: Yes
MSRP: $695
Jeremy Mallette is co-founder of International Sportsman. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he has spent more than a decade in the outdoor industry, from hiking and camping to silencers and hunting. His father taught him to shoot at age six, and he received his first firearm at age eight — a 1942 Colt Commando .38 special revolver. He enjoys yearly trips to Kansas for pheasant hunting, spending time with his children at the deer lease, and collecting unique firearms.
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