GPS Tactical Suppressor Cover
Are you struggling with heat mirage in front of your optic when running a suppressor, or have you even burned yourself on it? Both issues can be solved by using a quality suppressor cover.
Intro photo: The cover effectively protects the shooter from burns caused by the hot surface of the suppressor.
Sound suppressors are now common and widespread accessories among shooters and hunters. They save your hearing and generally tame the rifle’s behavior during firing. They have been widely adopted by long-range precision shooters as well as by competitors in “action” disciplines (and generally those of a “tactical” nature), who often fire long strings in rapid succession. The downside of suppressors is increased weight and a shift in the firearm’s balance, and it is simply another accessory that costs money and occasionally needs cleaning. There is not much that can be done about that. However, something can be done about the heating of the suppressor’s surface during firing. A red-hot suppressor cannot be removed with a bare hand, and you can easily burn yourself on it during handling. I have even experienced a case where a shooter, after firing from the prone position, rested the rifle on a case and the overheated suppressor permanently damaged it. Another issue arises when shooting with an emphasis on precision. The air above the hot surface of the suppressor shimmers, creating the so-called “mirage effect,” which makes aiming difficult or even impossible. You do not have to fire many rounds before it starts to appear. Both problems can be effectively solved with a suppressor cover, which also protects the suppressor from scratches.
Black and sand color options are also available.
Which cover to choose
There is a fairly wide selection of covers on the market. Most are simple neoprene covers, available from around 600 CZK, but they do not last very long, especially the cheaper ones without an outer protective layer. The insulating capability of neoprene—how hot the surface becomes—also has its limits. Although the material can withstand temperatures of up to about 120 °C in the short term, if you really push it during firing, this limit can be exceeded, and trying to remove melting neoprene from a red-hot suppressor is not pleasant. Moreover, neoprene exposed to prolonged high (or conversely low) temperatures tends to harden. A much more durable and effective solution is a two-piece cover with an inner layer made of a special heat-resistant material. There are not many of these on the market, but they do exist. For the purposes of this article, we tested a cover from the American brand GPS Bags, which is otherwise best known as a manufacturer of well-designed, high-quality shooting backpacks, bags, and cases.
GPS covers are available in three lengths, three colors, and two diameters. The smaller diameter versions are 127 mm in length, produced in black and sand, and intended for rimfire rifles. For “full-power” firearms, lengths of 152 and 190 mm are available, with color options including the MultiCam camouflage pattern and its darker variant. It was the longer MultiCam version that we had on hand for testing.
The cover consists of two layers.In practice, without reservations
As for the construction, the inner layer of the cover is made of fiberglass fabric in a flexible weave, coated with silicone. The outer layer is 1000D nylon with a thick yet soft intermediate layer. Around the circumference there are three (two on the shorter version) hook-and-loop retention straps with metal loops. The assembly is complemented by a cord that can be used to secure the cover to the firearm to prevent shifting. Personally, however, I would not be concerned about movement. Properly tightened straps hold the cover firmly in place, the materials generate a sufficient degree of friction, and during testing I did not observe any shift worth mentioning. I tested the cover on suppressors with a 44 mm diameter and it fit perfectly, but thanks to its flexibility and adjustability, pairing it with any common diameter should not be an issue. Overall, the cover gives a very high-quality impression. The stitching is overbuilt, workmanship is flawless, and the materials used are top-tier.
The suppressor is perfectly protected against mechanical damage, and as a bonus the cover slightly improves sound suppression. The difference will be negligible in measurable terms, but to the ear the report is marginally more pleasant.
I tested the cover on an AR-15 rifle in .223 Rem and on a precision bolt-action rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, combined with BeeSilent and B&T Print-X suppressors. On the bolt gun, equipped with a high-magnification riflescope, I specifically focused on mitigating the “mirage effect,” and I truly have nothing to criticize. Repeatedly, and in various weather conditions, after initial heat-up I deliberately fired 10+10 round strings at a faster cadence, and I did not observe any significant heat shimmer in the optic.
With the AR-15, I naturally focused on higher round-count shooting. This involved several dynamic, combat-style competitions, and above all a dedicated test in which I fired 120 rounds in under five minutes. The cover performed well here too. The surface was, of course, heated, but the suppressor could still be unscrewed from the rifle with a bare hand without causing burns, and nothing was melting anywhere. After cooling down and inspecting the layers, I found no signs of damage.
Detail of the inner fiberglass fabric layer in a flexible weave, coated with silicone.Pros / Cons
+ Effectively suppresses mirage effect
+ Withstands higher temperatures than cheap neoprene
+ Effectively protects the shooter from burns
- Price
- Increased suppressor bulk and weight
GPS Tactical Suppressor Cover in the 190 mm version with MultiCam Black camouflage pattern.
Conclusion
The price of the cover is 1,301 CZK regardless of the variant. Compared to neoprene competitors, it is therefore more expensive, but in terms of performance it clearly surpasses them and, within its category, actually ranks among the more affordable options. For example, a similar cover from Cole-TAC costs around 2,900 CZK in our market.
Leaving the price aside, the only drawback I see is the added weight and bulk. A 44 mm suppressor with the cover increases to approximately 58 mm in diameter, and the weight rises by 180 g (in the case of the 190 mm version I tested). That is certainly not negligible, but at the same time it is not a flaw specific to this particular GPS model; rather, it is common to all two-layer suppressor covers on the market without significant differences. If you want a truly robust solution, there is simply not much room for compromise here.
The tested cover, as well as other GPS products, can be purchased from STROBL.CZ s.r.o. More information can be found at strobl.cz, or directly on the manufacturer’s website at goutdoorsproducts.com
The GPS cover is a high-quality and functional accessory for the range or hunting.
The downside of a robust cover is the increase in suppressor bulk and weight.Photo sources: Author’s archive, manufacturer’s materials - goutdoorsproducts.com
Author: Tomáš Prachař
The article was originally published in Lovec magazine by Extra Publishing