How could such a small suppressor make a difference? To really answer that question about the Micro Streamer from Silent Steel USA, we first need to understand a few things about suppressors. These will include their size, purpose and inner design.
We all know that suppressors do a few basic things. These include flash or signature reduction, noise reduction, and changes to how the gases are released from the end of your barrel (and eventually from the suppressor).
In addition, the size of a suppressor is often tied to the amount of decibel reduction, as well as its inner design, such as traditional versus high-flow technology (or, in the case of the Silent Steel USA line, FLOW-IQ Technology). More on the internal design in a moment, though.
Also, the material they are made of (which can vary from company to company, or even within the same suppressor from outside to inside) will play a role in heat dissipation and use scenario.
The first inner part of a suppressor we will discuss is the blast chamber. This portion takes the initial beating from the muzzle device, as with a comp or a brake. After that begins, there is the baffle design (or FLOW-IQ) to consider. This is where the benefits of a suppressor are truly formed. The end cap design will also play a minor role. I know there is a lot more to a suppressor, but this is a rough overall description to make sure we are all on the same page.
Applied Purposes of the Micro Streamer
While we will come back to the inner design of the Micro Streamer from Silent Steel USA, we should first discuss the purpose and size. The Micro Streamer is very small, coming in at 4.25” and weighing 11.25 oz. in the stainless steel-bodied model I was testing, and it was built with a purpose and for specific end users. The compact size was intended for those who wanted maximum maneuverability and the least amount of overall footprint while still being able to mitigate flash, concussion, sound and muzzle rise.
For me, this size really shines for common AR-style rifle lengths, such as 16” or 14.5”. Since the Micro Streamer is only 4.25” long, the added length of the direct thread version is very minimal for what you get out of it, performance-wise. The Micro Streamer will give about a 10-15 decibel reduction on something like a 16” rifle, which is quite good considering its small size.
Testing conducted with a Norsonic 131 Class 1 sound meter yielded a result of 141 decibels on a 16” SAINT Victor 5.56mm rifle and 142 decibels on a 16” .308. That is a very impressive rating for the size of this little fella. Remember, decibels are calculated in more of an exponential way rather than a traditional 1-10 scale.
For example, 140 decibels may be perfectly hearing safe for a short period of time while 150 decibels is immediately damaging to your hearing. You also have to account for time under conditions with OSHA safe hearing schedules.
Silent Steel USA Performance
I think we have a good understanding of the purpose and size of the Micro Streamer now. Maximum flash, concussion, and decibel reduction with the smallest possible size.
The test rifle for this piece is a 16” Springfield Armory SAINT Victor in Coyote Brown Cerakote. I thought this was the perfect host for a minimally sized suppressor as it would offer maximum 5.56 ammo performance while keeping overall length at a minimum.
For the primary optic, I employed a Vortex Venom 3-15 with the EBR-7C MIL reticle as I felt it was the perfect choice for this intermediate-range rifle. The newer Vortex Venom line has been very impressive for its price point and has been a go to for me when I want to build a 5.56 rifle I know I can get to 1,000 yards without having to spend a mint on the scope itself.
The Venom was held in place on a Vortex Pro Cantilever mount. And since this is an all-around-use rifle, a Holosun 407C red dot was mounted in a 45-degree offset with a Valhalla Tactical Ruhk mount. A Cloud Defensive Rein 3.0 light, Die Free Tiger Claw foregrip and Warne Skyline lite bipod were used as well.
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Having roughly 2,000 rounds through this specific SAINT Victor rifle already, I knew it was going to run hard and fast up close. So, I wanted to primarily focus on precision with this Micro Streamer suppressor first. I chose two ammunition types I knew I could get to perform for this task. First up was 77-gr. Badlands Munitions, which yielded a group of .952” — including the cold-bore shot. Also, I used 77-gr. PMC X-Tac, which shot an impressive .658” group with the cold-bore shot. Both were five-shot groups from the prone using a bipod and rear bag with no rest or bench.
After the initial groupings, I ran the range plates available to me that day out to 500 yards. Also, with a 16” rifle and a 3-15 scope, 500 yards was an easy day, particularly from the BOG Hunt Tripod I had with me that day.
After getting the rifle and suppressor very hot through a course of fire at various distances consisting of 30 rounds total, non-stop, I decided to shoot more groups, and I did not allow for any cooling time for the rifle or suppressor. While the rifle was very hot, I shot 69-gr. Sierra Match King for a five-shot group of 1.154”. Then, I moved onto 75-gr. Badlands and got a group size of 1.453”. I then shot my last group of 77-gr. PMC X-Tac, which printed a group of .826” while hot. For me, it was impressive to see the Silent Steel USA suppressor and the SAINT Victor Rifle — while extremely hot — maintain very good accuracy through 45 rounds of almost non-stop firing.
I also completed plenty of up close and fast-firing drills to see what the Micro Streamer was going to do. The flash mitigation was extremely impressive, the muzzle rise was definitely minimal, and there was a noticeable reduction in sound.
What Counts on the Micro Streamer Suppressor
The Micro Streamer I tested is made completely of stainless steel (there is an aluminum version designed for 9mm PCC’s or single-shot rifles). The stainless steel material gives it extreme corrosion resistance and full-auto capabilities. Inside, the Silent Steel USA Micro Streamer is a very cool baffle-less design. When I first took it apart with the included tool, it looked like a helical mesh design. Once you see the insides of it, you can almost instantly understand how it does what it does with the flow of gases and flash.
Inside of the Micro Steamer is a vented main tube with a removable end, closest to the muzzle. This almost resembles an impeller and is what initially begins to divert hot air, gases, and debris away from the centerline and around the outer and inner tubes, which have an internal mesh system. The mesh system further helps cooling, debris control and sound reduction. Another benefit of this internal FLOW-IQ system is that all parts are fully replaceable.
The FLOW-IQ technology also ensures you are not getting any additional toxic gases back into your face or lungs. You will also not have to worry about adjustable gas blocks or changing springs and buffers since the Micro Streamer is not adding any noticeable back pressure. It is full-auto rated if you are so inclined, and has passed the SOCOM stress test cycles to ensure you can really put a beating down on this suppressor without hurting it. And after you get it really nice and dirty, since you can remove the entire center section of the suppressor with the included tool from the front, it makes cleaning and inspection very easy.
Sizes and Mounting Solutions
The Silent Steel USA Micro Streamer is the smallest of the line, but they also offer a standard version at 7.6” long and a Compact at 5.9” long. All of these will have the same FLOW-IQ technology. Mounting options include direct thread, HUB compatibility or the Silent Steel USA quick detach system. Caliber offerings at this time are 5.56, 7.62, 9mm and .45 caliber across their suppressor line.
It can be used as a multi-caliber suppressor if you get the 7.62 version. Just make sure you get the appropriate HUB and muzzle devices to fulfill your needs. Also, bear in mind that if you choose to use it as a multi-caliber can, the best benefits of sound reduction will always be on the caliber for which it is specifically designed.
Conclusion
I am sure there are lots of questions and opinions already by this point. We have to go back to the beginning, where I brought up that I feel it is purpose-built and performance-driven. The Silent Steel USA Micro Streamer was designed with the specific purpose to give maximum noise reduction and flash reduction while giving almost muzzle brake-like maneuverability and size.
Is it the lightest or quietest suppressor on the market? No, it is not, and it was never designed to do one or the other of those things. What it does excel at is exactly what they designed it for — to be a micro suppressor giving the maximum decibel reduction, flash reduction and gas flow possible for something that is 4.25” long and 1.6” in diameter. And in those things, I think it does excel quite well.
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