Good afternoon everyone and thank you for joining us for another Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM R9 multi-host suppressor. Last week we brought you the first in a three part series of the AB Suppressor Raptor rifle silencers. This week we start our journey into the world of sweet Swiss silence with a step by step look at how to mount the B&T ROTEX-X rifle suppressors. Do you like NATO birdcage flash hiders? Because this is how you get NATO birdcage flash hiders. Let’s take a look.
B&T @ TFB:
- [SHOT 2022] B&T Unveils Massive New Lineup of Guns and Suppressors
- New B&T ROTEX-X Suppressor Now Shipping
- [IWA 2022] B&T’s NEW Short Stroke Piston AR? The SPC223 is Coming…
There’s no denying it, I have a man crush on B&T suppressors. It probably has something to do with the fact that B&T NFA items were once forbidden fruit – importation of suppressors for common use is prohibited by law. Mainly it has to do with precise Swiss engineering and unique designs that are trusted by military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Luckily, B&T USA now has manufacturing facilities in, well, the USA. And over the last five to ten years, B&T has made great progress in bringing their highly sought after products to the U.S. Not only that, but they have found a way to dramatically drop prices – a quality rifle suppressor for $675 is impressive. And availability has also improved; a web search showed several retailers with ROTEX-X models in stock and ready to ship on a Form 3 to an FFL/SOT.
Not to worry; I won’t let my lust for B&T products cloud my vision. If something could be better, I will let you know.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: How To Mount The B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
I used to mock the use of birdcage mounting systems – if you are going go through all the trouble of buying, transferring, and waiting for a suppressor, you should be able to invest in a quality mounting system. However, the prices of some manufacturer’s muzzle devices can reach $150, which adds up quickly when you plan to use several different hosts. So the pile of NATO flash hiders we all have sitting in our parts box starts to look better everyday.
In the above image, the ROTEX-X with QDN mount is on top and the RBS with QDR mount is in the middle. The ROTEX-IIA for the QDR mounts are SureFire compatible muzzle devices. We’ll focus on that setup in the coming weeks.
As a reminder, do not use the standard crush washer to mount birdcage flash hiders on AR-15 rifles if you are using them as suppressor mounts. Before mounting any NATO flash hider compatible suppressor, the muzzle device needs to be removed, inspected, and reinstalled using shims to ensure proper alignment. If necessary, spend the money to use the services of a competent gunsmith. Know your limitations and seek help when appropriate.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
One of my small criticisms is that both the B&T and B&T USA websites are a bit disorganized and are lacking in the information and documentation departments. This is an easy fix (I am willing to volunteer my services) but as a consumer I want to be able to use the company’s website to find my exact model, download the user manual, and maybe watch a few instructional videos about its features. For example, the B&T USA site only has a page for the ROTEX-X Compact model, not the standard model and I had to dig a bit for the mounting instructions.
I have used NATO flash hider mounting systems before, most recently with the Griffin Armament GP-N 5.56mm silencer around this time last year. And the Knight’s Armament NT4 and flash hider gate mount will arrive this coming week. For less than $10 you can have a solid QD suppressor mounting system – outside of direct thread options, that is as good as it is going to get.
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
The ROTEX-X is an evolution of the well-know and widely used ROTEX-V. The new Rotex-X maintains the same performance attributes of its predecessor, yet has been reengineered to reduce its weight by 20%, thus reducing deviation in point of aim/point of impact — all while providing industry leading sound and flash reduction, and ease of use, thanks to its compatibility with any NATO MIL-STD flash hider.
- Part Number: SD-122983-US
- Product Page: (BT-USA.COM): https://bt-usa.com/products/rotex-x-5-56mm-compact/
- Manual (BT-AG.CH): https://bt-ag.ch/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TM-SD_RIFLE-EN.pdf
- Data Sheet (BT-AG.CH): https://bt-ag.ch/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DS-123029-EN-Rotex-X-Kal-556.pdf
- MSRP: $675
- Buy Now:
- Color: Grey/Black Cerakote
- Finish: Bead Blast
- Material: Thermax/Inconel
- Caliber: 5.56mm
- Attachment Options: NATO-Spec A2 Flashider
- Length: 6.6 in
- Diameter: 1.5 in
- Weight: 19 oz.
When looking for the ROTEX-X specifications, I noticed that the grey bead blast finish is treated with Teniferiert QPQ (Tenifer). If you remember, several years ago GLOCK switched from a Tenifer treatment process due to environmental concerns. I am making the assumption that the reason we are seeing black Cerakote B&T models in the U.S. rather than the classic grey bead blast treatment, has something to do with the lack of domestic Tenifer salt bath treatment availability.
The other difference is the 20% weight savings from the ROTEX-V models. The U.S. specifications still shows the use of Inconel, but the Swiss specifications only show the use of stainless steel. This could account for the weight savings and the lower retail pricing, or it could be just be an administrative oversight. The ROTEX-X also lacks the wave-style standoff device “teeth” found on the ROTEX-V suppressors.
Let’s compare the ROTEX-V and the ROTEX-X models.
B&T ROTEX-V Specifications (BT-AG.CH):
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: How To Mount B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
B&T ROTEX-X Specifications (BT-AG.CH):
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: How To Mount B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
ROTEX-X Diagrams and Nomenclature:
I wish this diagram showed a few more baffles. All we can see is the beginning of the blast cone just past the flash hider.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: How To Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
It is also interesting to see the markings breakdown. I can get the serial numbers and article numbers confused at times.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: How To Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
I love Swiss engineering. This exploded diagram of the ROTEX-X mount is very helpful for understanding how the system works.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: How To Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
The Knob (#4) and the Slider (#2) are the only two features we will be using for today’s demonstration.
Mounting the B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressor
The following steps are taken directly from the B&T users manual linked above.
- Clean the contact surfaces on the suppressor and flash hider / compensator and make sure that they are free from dirt and mechanical damage.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: How To Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
- Push the knob to the left and pull the slider out as far as it will go. It locks in the open position. If the slider is already in the open position, this step can be skipped.
- Loosen the suppressor body by approximately one turn in an counter-clockwise direction. If the suppressor body has already been loosened, this step can be skipped.
- Slide the suppressor over the flash hider/compensator and align the slide parallel to the flats of the flash hider/compensator.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
- Push the slider down till it snaps audibly into position.
- Tighten the suppressor clockwise until it is firmly seated on the flash hider / compensator.
SILENCER SATURDAY #228: Mount-NATO! B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressors
- Before firing, check that the barrel and suppressor are properly aligned and free of obstructions.
Removing the B&T ROTEX-X Rifle Suppressor:
- Loosen the suppressor body by approximately one turn.
- Push the knob to the left and pull the slider out as far as it will go.
- Pull the suppressor off the flash hider / compensator.
The process is simple with a bit of practice. Loosen the mount one turn, slide it onto the birdcage, push the knob left, press the slide down, and hand tighten the mount. The best part is that you just save yourself about $100.
I promise that we will actually shoot this beautiful can in the very near future.
Be safe, have fun, and we’ll see you back here next weekend for another Silencer Saturday.
Silencer Saturday is Sponsored by Yankee Hill Machine
