I know this is a pretty specific topic, but I wanted to see if anyone on this board has any hands-on experience.

I picked up a stripped Daniel Defense MK18 upper on Cyber Monday (0.070-inch gas port) and I'm starting to assemble the lower. Does anyone have any recommendations for MK18 cans? The standard answer seems to be the RC2, but I feel like I might be able to get better performance at a lower cost. I saw the SAW Tisha knocked it out of the park on Jay's Pew-Science list, but I'm not sure if any of those have shipped yet.

Also, does anyone have experience with H2 vs. H3 buffers on suppressed MK18s?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

For my MK18 setup I use a Yankee Hill Phantom with their QD muzzle device, but it is one of their first versions of the Phantom they made many years ago, which is all stainless steel and heavy as all get out. That said I think suppression is good for a 10.5 and I haven't had any issues with hundreds of rounds through the setup.

I like the Kynshot Hydraulic Buffer. I bought the RB5000HP due to being way overgassed when suppressed. I also bought a Tubbs flat wire buffer spring at the same time. Whatever suppressor you choose, make sure it is a low back pressure type can. I am really intrigued by the new Echocore Sector 5.56.
I currently have a Dead Air Lazarus on my AR and I was kind of disappointed in its back pressure regulating abilities.

Is there noticeable sparking with the Rhino S after a couple hundred rounds?

My griffin armament recce 5 and recce 7 both work well on my mk 18. Honestly don't recall the buffer I'll take a look at it tomorrow. I think I used a spikes heavy or the standard colt buffer. I did end up using a BCG you can adjust the gas on but never needed to mess with it so far. Seems pretty forgiving to me so far.

People complain about the gas on mk 18s online but I'll be honest whenever I get out to the range to shoot it, I'm having so much fun I never notice. So put it on whatever you have lying around and shoot the piss out of it and then adjust from there if you need to or want to.

I haven't run it that hard at all, I've probably put 500 rounds though it since the 1st of the year. I have done a couple mag dumps and didn't see any sparking with them.

You could also get a BRT reduced pretty gas tube to reduce over gassing. I have it for a 12.5" LMT with a higher back pressure can and it is super enough with no gas to face even in rapid strings.

I run my mk18 suppressed (switch between a few different SiCo cans I have) with a Geissele super braided spring and H3 buffer. It runs excellent.

I run a mk18 upper. BRT gas tube, A5 a5h2 buffer system and either an ocl infinity or rhino x. You will get severely gassed out if you run a non flowthrough style can. plan b mounts are the way to go as far as mounting, I've ran YHM but they are bulky and heavy and the lockup system can fail.
https://imgur.com/a/xaEi12T

MontgomeryAg2010 said:

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I run a mk18 upper. BRT gas tube, A5 a5h2 buffer system and either an ocl infinity or rhino x. You will get severely gassed out if you run a non flowthrough style can. plan b mounts are the way to go as far as mounting, I've ran YHM but they are bulky and heavy and the lockup system can fail.
https://imgur.com/a/xaEi12T

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https://imgur.com/a/76E68H2#MNANWV9

https://imgur.com/a/76E68H2#E9dldq7

Surefire RC2 is the can that is supposed to be on an actual MK18 clone. Recently built one with the DD upper, a B. Kings lower with M16 cut pocket, 3 position selector with full auto parts kit installed (Type 7FFL with SOT), running an H2 buffer, and the RC2 can. All correct furniture and lower receiver markings including ID plate with cage codes. One of the most accurate clones you will find outside of an armory.

An H3 buffer will slow your cycle rate down a little, but its not going to make a difference if you aren't running in full auto or an FRT.