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Dillon Rifle Company Buying Guide

The DRC556 and DRC308 Hush Kits from the makers of the M134D Minigun: how Dillon's PIP design works, Inconel vs. titanium, what PEW Science measured, and the heat gear built for hot suppressors.

How to Choose a Dillon Rifle Company Suppressor

Dillon Rifle Company is the consumer brand of Dillon Aero, the Scottsdale, Arizona company best known for the M134D Minigun, a 7.62 NATO rotary machine gun that fires about 3,000 rounds per minute. The Dillon family also owns Dillon Precision, the reloading press maker (Dillon Aero). Dillon's suppressors are called Hush Kits; you'll also see them called Dillon Aero suppressors.

The lineup is two suppressors, each made two ways. Pick the caliber, then the material:

• DRC556: a dedicated 5.56, and it sounds amazing for its size. It's 5.35 in. long, 5.75 in. with the included mount, and PEW Science called its suppression highly unusual for a suppressor its size.
• DRC308: .308 and 7.62x51, plus smaller .30 cals like 300 BLK. It's 6.5 in. long, about 6.84 in. with a mount.
• Inconel 718 or titanium: Inconel for full-auto, high round counts and hard use; titanium for semi-autos and bolt guns where weight matters. See Inconel or titanium.
• Patterned or GOV: the patterned version has the textured logo pattern in your choice of color; GOV is the plain version.

Both are 3D printed as one piece, HUB compatible and ship with a direct thread mount.

How Dillon PIP (Purposely Induced Porosity) Works

PIP stands for Purposely Induced Porosity. Instead of relying only on solid baffles, a PIP suppressor has regions of finely porous metal, printed right into the structure, plus very small vents around the radius of the suppressor.

• Vents pressure, not sound. The porous sections are fine enough to bleed off pressure and a small amount of gas without being open enough to let the sound out.
• Less back pressure. Venting pressure along the way means less gas coming back into the action. That matters on short barrels, suppressed SBRs and full-auto hosts.
• A staged hybrid design. PEW Science classifies the DRC556 and DRC308 as staged hybrids: a mix of high flow features and conventional baffle geometry (SSS.6.194).
• One printed piece. Each Hush Kit is printed as a single monolithic body and core, with no welds or stacked baffles.

Dillon developed its suppressors with Centre Support Services. The same family of PIP technology is used in the PTR VENT series; PEW Science calls the DRC556 most similar to the PTR VENT Spiritus 5.56i. See our PTR VENT guide for more on PIP.

The trade Dillon made: the DRC556 is tuned for length. PEW Science found it delivers almost the same muzzle suppression as the longer Spiritus in a shorter can, with somewhat more back pressure than the Spiritus. PEW Science still rates its back pressure as not significantly high.

Inconel or Titanium?

• Inconel 718 is a nickel alloy that holds its strength at high heat. PEW Science notes that Inconel construction makes the Hush Kits more resistant to erosion from hot, high-pressure gas, and that their durability is likely higher than many suppressors on 5.56 and 7.62 NATO rifles. Pick Inconel for full-auto, forced reset triggers, suppressed SBRs and high-volume shooting.
• Titanium cuts 5.4 oz on the DRC556 and 7 oz on the DRC308. Pick titanium for semi-autos and bolt guns where weight matters more than sustained fire.

What PEW Science Measured

DRC556: 43.7 on a 14.5 in. M4A1

PEW Science tested the Inconel DRC556 with its included 1/2x28 direct thread mount on a 14.5 in. mid-length M4A1 with Federal XM193 (SSS.6.194).

• Suppression Rating: 43.7.
• Performance for its size. PEW Science called it "a somewhat compact dedicated 5.56mm rifle silencer with extreme muzzle suppression performance for its size," with free field muzzle blast suppression on par with much larger suppressors at only 5.75 in. with the mount.
• Built for heavy use. PEW Science notes the all-Inconel build offers the durability needed for heavy firing schedules.

DRC308: tested on a 14.5 in. full-auto SR-25

PEW Science tested the Inconel DRC308 on its newer standard 7.62 NATO host, a 14.5 in. automatic KAC SR-25, with Lake City M80, using a 3/4x24 direct thread mount, about 6.84 in. long as tested (SSS.6.211).

• Suppression Rating: 25.9 on the SR-25. A short-barrel 7.62 NATO gas gun is one of the hardest hosts to suppress, so this number isn't comparable with ratings on PEW Science's 20 in. bolt gun.
• Top 10 for its length. With a muzzle rating of 24.4, the DRC308 places in the top 10 of the 17 configurations 6.84 in. or shorter tested on PEW Science's 20 in. bolt gun.
• Back pressure not significantly high, and durability likely higher than many suppressors on 7.62 NATO rifles.

Dillon Rifle Company Hush Kit Models

How Dillon Compares

DRC556 vs. Other Short 5.56 Suppressors

On the same 14.5 in. M4A1 with Federal XM193, the DRC556 was the shortest of the three at 5.75 in. with its mount (SSS.6.194):

• vs. the PTR VENT Spiritus 5.56i: 0.5 points lower (43.7 vs. 44.2) in a can that tested 0.63 in. shorter (SSS.6.176).
• vs. the CAT WB: 2.7 points higher (43.7 vs. 41.0) in a can that tested about 0.35 in. shorter (SSS.6.130).

The HUXWRX Flow 556k is the closest in size, but PEW Science tested it on a 10.3 in. MK18 (SSS.6.83), a harder host, so its 33.1 isn't directly comparable. PEW Science hasn't published a DRC556 test on the MK18. The Flow 556k is a stainless Flow-Through can built around low back pressure.

DRC308 vs. Other Short .30 Cal Suppressors

These are all 3D printed .30 cal suppressors in the 6 to 7 in. range built to run on gas guns. Pick the DRC308 for .308 and 7.62 NATO on short or full-auto hosts, with Inconel durability and back pressure PEW Science found isn't significantly high. Pick the CAT AKB if you also need .300 Win Mag, and the Flow 762 Ti for a titanium Flow-Through can built around low back pressure that also covers magnums up to .300 PRC.

Dillon Hush Kit Mounts

• HUB rear. Both Hush Kits use the industry-standard 1.375x24 HUB thread, so they work with HUB mounts from other brands. Shop rifle suppressor mounts.
• In the box: a 1/2x28 direct thread mount on the DRC556 and a 5/8x24 direct thread mount on the DRC308.
• Torque: 20 to 25 ft-lbs, hand fitted.
• Skip brakes and comps. Don't run muzzle brakes, compensators or compensating flash hiders under a Hush Kit. Only the factory direct thread mount is fully covered by the warranty, and the wrong mounting device can void it.

Not sure which mount fits your rifle? Send us a picture of your rifle and we'll help you match it.

Heat Gear for Hot Suppressors

Dillon Rifle Company also makes soft goods lined with carbon felt rated to 1,800 degrees F, gear Dillon originally designed for M134 Minigun barrels. They let you put a hot rifle or pistol away right after you shoot.

• Jalapeño: a 23.5 in. suppressor and barrel cover that fits standard-length rifles with the suppressor attached, with a Fidlock magnetic buckle.
• Jalapeño Popper: a 9 in. pistol cover for a hot handgun or pistol suppressor.
• Tortilla: a 20 x 12 in. hot gear mat with a carbon felt side for heat and a cotton side for cleaning.

Suppressor covers are fine on a Hush Kit as long as they don't block the first row of logos and vents.

Cleaning a Dillon Hush Kit

• Ultrasonic cleaning is Dillon's recommended method.
• Don't paint or Cerakote it. The factory coating is about 0.001 in. thick and doesn't affect performance. Aftermarket Cerakote or paint can clog the PIP vents and can void the warranty.
• Covers are fine if they leave the first row of logos and vents open.

Dillon Rifle Company Suppressor FAQ

Who makes Dillon Rifle Company suppressors?

Dillon Rifle Company, the consumer brand of Dillon Aero in Scottsdale, Arizona, the company known for the M134D Minigun. The Dillon family also owns Dillon Precision.

Are Dillon Aero suppressors the same as Dillon Rifle Company suppressors?

Yes. Dillon Rifle Company is how Dillon Aero sells its suppressors to the consumer market, so a Dillon Aero suppressor and a Dillon Rifle Company Hush Kit are the same thing.

What is a Dillon Hush Kit?

Dillon's name for its suppressors. The current Hush Kits are the DRC556 for 5.56 and the DRC308 for .308 and 7.62x51.

What is PIP?

Purposely Induced Porosity: regions of finely porous metal printed into the suppressor, plus small vents around its radius, that bleed off pressure and a little gas without letting the sound out. It lowers back pressure while keeping sound reduction high.

Is the Dillon DRC556 related to the PTR VENT?

Both use PIP technology. PEW Science calls the DRC556 most similar to the PTR VENT Spiritus 5.56i: both are 3D printed Inconel. The DRC556 is over half an inch shorter and larger in diameter, with almost the same muzzle suppression.

How quiet is the DRC556?

It sounds amazing for its size. PEW Science rated the Inconel DRC556 at 43.7 on a 14.5 in. M4A1 with XM193, and called its muzzle suppression extreme for its size.

How quiet is the DRC308?

PEW Science rated it 25.9 on a 14.5 in. full-auto SR-25, a much harder host than a 20 in. bolt gun. Its muzzle rating of 24.4 places it in the top 10 of 17 configurations 6.84 in. or shorter that PEW Science compared.

Inconel or titanium: which Dillon should I get?

Inconel for full-auto, forced reset triggers, suppressed SBRs and high round counts. Titanium for semi-autos and bolt guns where weight matters. Titanium saves 5.4 oz on the DRC556 and 7 oz on the DRC308.

How much does the DRC556 weigh?

1 lb 1.4 oz in Inconel and 12 oz in titanium, both with the included mount.

How much does the DRC308 weigh?

1 lb 4.2 oz in Inconel and 13.2 oz in titanium, both with the included mount.

Is the Dillon DRC556 full-auto rated?

Yes. Fire full-auto in bursts totaling 90 to 120 rounds, then let it cool for 10 minutes. Inconel is the version to pick for full-auto.

What is the minimum barrel length for Dillon suppressors?

10.5 in. for both the DRC556 and DRC308.

Can I use the DRC556 on 6mm ARC or .243?

The DRC556 is optimized for 5.56 and .223 and works with smaller .22 cals. Don't use it on 6mm ARC, .243 Win, .22 Creedmoor or larger.

Can I use the DRC308 on 300 Win Mag?

No. The DRC308 is for .308, 7.62x51 and smaller .30 cals like 300 BLK. Don't use it on 7mm PRC, .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua or larger.

What mounts do Dillon suppressors use?

HUB (1.375x24). The DRC556 ships with a 1/2x28 direct thread mount and the DRC308 with a 5/8x24 direct thread mount. Torque to 20 to 25 ft-lbs.

Can I put a Dillon Hush Kit over a muzzle brake?

No. Don't run muzzle brakes, compensators or compensating flash hiders under a Hush Kit. Only the factory direct thread mount is fully covered by the warranty.

What does GOV mean on a Dillon suppressor?

GOV is the plain version without the textured logo pattern. The patterned version comes in black, green, grey or tan.

How do you clean a Dillon suppressor?

Ultrasonic cleaning. Don't Cerakote or paint it; that can clog the PIP vents and void the warranty.

Can I use a suppressor cover on a Dillon Hush Kit?

Yes, as long as the cover doesn't block the first row of logos and vents. Dillon's own Jalapeño cover is lined with carbon felt rated to 1,800 degrees F.

Ready for Your Dillon Hush Kit?

Every Dillon suppressor purchase includes electronic filing, and your suppressor ships from our facility to your home. Need a trust or fingerprints? We handle those too, and you can upload an existing EFT file right on our site.

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