Suppressors are coming into their own, with high-performance options at every turn. SilencerCo is one of the industry’s most exciting companies, and their Velos LBP 556 suppressor is a big reason why. LBP stands for “Low Back Pressure,” meaning the Velos LBP is designed to minimize the gas that vexes suppressor-loving semi-auto rifle shooters. The 556 model is optimized for the 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington cartridges, providing maximum performance with AR-15s or other rifles chambered for those rounds.

My friends at Global Ordnance provided the 5.56 ammo for this evaluation. I thank them for their continued support.

SilencerCo’s Tank Tough Velos LBP

SilencerCo says the Velos LBP is their most durable suppressor, which is good news considering the company’s product history. They attribute that accolade, in part, to their patented Hoplon blast baffle, which deflects debris, increasing the suppressor’s lifespan on short-barreled and full-auto rifles. And the Velos LBP is indeed full-auto rated with no barrel length restrictions.

The 5.98-inch-long housing is machined from 17-4 stainless steel with the 3D printed Inconel 625 core fully welded to the front and rear modules. V-series Cerakote means the finish will stand up to hard use. It weighs a svelte 15.2 ounces with a 1.73-inch diameter.

The Velos LBP 556 ships with SilencerCo’s Charlie Internal Flash Hider Front Cap, a ½ x 28 threaded ASR Closed Tine Flash Hider, a spanner wrench, and SilencerCo’s basic tool and Charlie multitool. SilencerCo’s accessories are designated Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, and Maxim for easy compatibility identification.

The Velos LBP line includes the 556 K (a shorter version of the 556) and the 762, which is compatible with all cartridges up to .30 caliber. They also ship with the appropriate accessories.

Velos LBP 556 Performance

The Velos LBP 556 averages 137.1 decibels at the muzzle. “Hearing safe” is officially 140 decibels, but you’ll want to use ear protection. 137 decibels is still painful, and though it supposedly won’t cause immediate hearing damage, it will hurt you over time. Anyone who has employed a “silencer” knows that they aren’t really whisper-quiet like in the movies. Suppressors only affect the gas generated by firing the cartridge. They have no effect on the bullet’s sonic boom, or the noise from the firearm’s cycling action, if there is one. Only subsonic ammo can eliminate the sonic boom. Combining a suppressor with subsonic ammo is a truly pleasurable shooting experience.

That said, 137.1 decibels is still significant, considering the average unsuppressed supersonic 5.56 NATO round generates 165 to 171 decibels from a 16-inch barreled rifle. That number is even more impressive when you understand that decibels increase on a logarithmic, not linear scale. 165 decibels is A LOT louder than 137.

Running the Suppressor

Having ingested my share of gas from suppressed AR-15s, I was very pleased indeed by the Velos LBP’s performance. The gas blowback into my face was almost unnoticeable. I did get a little but it may have just been the wind. I ran the Velos LBP on my Rainier Arms RM-15 rifle, with its standard setup, including the ASR flash suppressor. 

But after a couple range trips to experience the suppressor by itself, I added SilencerCo’s proprietary Gas Defeating Charging Handle, which provides even more protection from escaping gases. It really was a match made in heaven, seemingly eliminating the gas entirely.

Back to the suppressor. As quality models do, the Velos LBP softened the rifle’s recoil along with reducing the noise. SilencerCo’s website has a video in which they prove the Velos LBP’s full-auto capability by making it glow orange. My semi-auto rifle was unable to replicate that effect, try as I might. But I did run it hard. I ran drills against a timer and another shooter. I also went through several 30-round magazines as fast as I could shoot and reload. The suppressor was smoking but not glowing. 

Tip: if you’re new to suppressors, they get very hot very quickly thanks to the gas swirling around inside them. DO NOT touch them until they’ve had time to cool. Heavy gloves and/or a good suppressor cover can help with this. Just understand that a cover will keep the heat in longer and regular shooting gloves aren’t much protection.

Moving on, the Velos LBP 556 has some 800 rounds through it right now, with no signs of wear, though I do wipe it down occasionally to remove normal residue. I love the short length and light weight, which don’t negatively affect my range performance at all. 

Verdict: A Very Nice Can

I’ve needed a suppressor for my various ARs for a while. So, this loaner from SilencerCo really fit the bill and convinced me to fill that need. The Velos LBP has been very impressive. Not only does it reduce noise and recoil, but I don’t get a face full of gas in the bargain. Honestly, the Velos LBP made the fancy charging handle unnecessary, but I like it anyway. The charging handle is much more desirable with non-LBP suppressors and does a good job. 

SilencerCo is a reputable company with a proven track record. I visited their West Lake, Utah production and testing facility once and saw it firsthand. I’m confident that the Velos LBP will last a long time for me once I get one of my own. And I fully intend to do that, which is probably the best endorsement I can give.

With suppressors more popular than ever, you’re going to want one. Or more. The SilencerCo Velos LBP 556 deserves a hard look for your AR-15.