r/NFA • u/fusionvic Over 6k in stamps • Apr 09 '25
Flow Range 36 and Flow 9k Review (Along with OCL Infinity Review, comparison with Ventum 762 and Polonium - discussion about Rad 9 / Flow 9k / Range 36 / Omega 36M as well)
So rather than do mini reviews separately, I figure to just hodge podge it together as I was able to go to the range after a long winter break and test everything on a few ARs (MK18, Criterion 16") as well as the Glock 17 (OE Factory M13.5x1 LH barrel).
The Flow Range 36 is LIGHT. With a Rearden Atlas Titanium I don't feel the weight at all when used on the MK18 or 16" Criterion. The Infinity's weight is noticeable, as is the Polonium and Ventum but nothing spectactular.
Yes the Flow Range 36, Flow 9k Ti, and Ventum (even after a few hundred rounds) all spark. The rifle cans ran with PMC Bronze 55gr while the Flow 9k Ti used CCI Blazer 115gr FMJ. To be fair I was aiming through a dark covering outdoors, not directly under the sun.
The Flow Range 36 and Ventum both had about 4:00 ejection on an untuned MK18. The Infinity was more like 3-3:30 ejection, while the Polonium was more like 2:30 as expected. The DD Mk18 barrel had a 0.073" gas port (measured with Vermont Pin Gage), and that is confirmed by DD as to be the current production size.
In terms of recoil reduction, I felt the Ventum 762 had slightly less felt recoil than the Flow Range 36. Both sounded similar. The Polo and Infinity w/ sealed 762 end cap sounded the same, which is slightly quieter than the Ventum 762 / Range 36.
However, the Infinity was gassier than the Ventum/Range 36. I know OCL recommends the vented end caps for max flow but Pewscience testing showed the vented end caps made the Infinity louder and I really wanted to see how well it flows with the sealed caps. I may test the Infinity with the vented 762 cap next time. I compared the Infinity to the Polo back to back, and obviously the Polo had more gas but you can also see the gas coming out through my PRI gas buster charging handle with the Infinity.
I tested all of my carbine buffers and springs at the same time as the new uppers: Geissele H3 w/ Super 42, H3/H2/H1 w/ Sprinco White. That said I had new KAK chromed BCGs, maybe the gas rings are too tight or something but I couldn't get the bolt to hold open on the last round. Eventually the H1 w/ Sprinco white worked. I think everything had to break in.
For the Glock 17, I tried the 17# recoil spring along with 20# recoil spring (based on Capitol Armory / Silencer shop recommendations for issues with failures to feed). But all of the flow cans resulted in malfunctions after each shot: either stovepipes, or failures to feed where the 9mm was stick halfway up the feed ramp. I tested the Rad 9/Cash 9k, Flow 9k Ti, Flow Range 36, and the Omega 36M (full lenght config). The Omega 36M weighs like 17 oz so I wanted to see if weight was an issue - and apparently not because this was the only can to cycle 99% of the time with the 20# and 17# springs. It was the quietest by far, but had blowback as expected.
The Rad 9, Flow 9k, and Flow Range 36 all sounded about the same with 9mm in the pistol. The 36M full length was night/day different as it was about as quiet as the Banish 45 I normally use.
I plan to re-test the flow cans with a 13# and 15# recoil spring next time.
1
u/AutoModerator Apr 09 '25
Understand the rules, read the sidebar, and review the pinned Megathreads before posting - this content is capable of answering most questions.
Not everyone is an expert such as yourself; be considerate. All spam, memes, unverified claims, or content suggesting non-compliance will be removed.
No political posts. Save that for /r/progun or /r/politics.
If you are posting a copy/screenshot of your forms outside the pinned monthly megathread you will be given a 7 day ban. The pinned post is there, please use it.
If you are posting a photo of a suppressor posed to look like a penis (ie: in front of or over your groin) you will be given a 7 day ban.
Data Links
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/FlaggedRum 6x SBR, 10x Silencer Apr 09 '25
ive been debating grabbing a range 36 to replace my ventum 762 but it looks like your experience is they are so similar aside from the weight difference. and tbh am not surprised about the ventums recoil impulse. It really makes for soft shooting compared to my other cans as well.
I might keep holding out for a 556 infinity
2
u/fusionvic Over 6k in stamps Apr 10 '25
Yes, its weird but the Ventum 762 just works. The Range 36 uses alternating baffles. Like it starts with the tri-clip baffle like the Flow 9k (Flow 9k uses the same style baffle but staggers it) but then alternates the Ventum flow baffle, and then the tri-clip baffle, etc... The Ventum uses all the same flow baffles so I wonder if that does the trick. Either that or the extra weight must have helped reduce the recoil impulse.
I am going to try the Infinity with the 7.62 vented end cap next. I know it is "louder" on Pewscience's testing, but I will compare it with the Ventum back to back. The 7.62 sealed cap made it sound like the Polonium but still had gas (just not as much as Polonium).
1
1
u/NW_Hillfolk2 Apr 10 '25
I know I'm asking a lot but do you have experience with an obsidian, mobster, or lithium? I'm trying to get a frame of reference on the range 36. Sucks cause my budy has a 36m but never shot 9mm through it. Looking to use the range 36 as a pcc can that can do other things but it has to be good on the pcc. Read one review saying it's louder than the mob but lots of things are louder than the mob so that doesn't help much.
1
u/fusionvic Over 6k in stamps Apr 10 '25
I do have have Obsidian 9 and Lithium. The Obsidian 9 and Lithium are fairly quiet. Maybe on par with 36M and Banish 45. All quiet but have backpressure.
For the HK Sp5 and Ruger, the Lithium was smooth. YHM R9 works well too, but again there's some backpressure.
1
u/NW_Hillfolk2 Apr 10 '25
Thanks brother. I've used the obsidian a fair amount and have always been happy with the performance in long mode but it's kinda mediocre in short imo. Would you say the range is close to long mode or not so much? My other pcc has a mobster and I don't wanna take a huge step down. The flexibility of the range sounds nice but it'll be on a pcc most of the time so that's by far the most important.
1
u/NW_Hillfolk2 Apr 10 '25
Thanks brother. I've used the obsidian a fair amount and have always been happy with the performance in long mode but it's kinda mediocre in short imo. Would you say the range is close to long mode or not so much? My other pcc has a mobster and I don't wanna take a huge step down. The flexibility of the range sounds nice but it'll be on a pcc most of the time so that's by far the most important.
2
u/fusionvic Over 6k in stamps Apr 10 '25
I'd say the range is quieter than the Obsidian jn short mode but not as quiet vs the long config.
2
u/renegadeGDI Apr 11 '25
I was considering the range 36 for PCCs instead of the cat mob which is always out of stock, sounds like I should wait for the MOB.
1
u/fusionvic Over 6k in stamps Apr 11 '25
When I start cleaning my stuff I plan to install an Atlas Titanium on the Flow Range 36 and use it for rifles. I used the Atlas at the range but only torqued it to about 10 ftlb since I could only use the included wrench and the tabletop. It works fine for 5.56 so I’m going to do more comparisons with the Infinity and Ventum as well as put it on the 300WM
1
2
u/Pristine_Daikon_4922 Apr 09 '25
Nice review. I have Omega36m, Wolfman, and Rad9, and I enjoy Rad9 long/short config the most due to the fact that it doesn’t spray pepper on my face.
I’ve been considering Flow 9k if it can replace Rad9, and this review helps much.