• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Suppressors wells custom or thunderbeast

rdgshooteer

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 30, 2006
170
1
44
Lewistown, PA
I'm getting ready to purchase my first suppressor. Initially I was all in on the Thunderbeast either the 30p1 or ps but then I came across an old group buy on another forum for the wells custom and started to debate which one I wanted.

Wells is located in the same state which I have as a plus in case any issues arise. A local dealer does have a 30p1 in stock currently.

I have searched and the only reviews I can find on the wells is from a few years ago. The reviews seem positive on his cans. I am familiar with the quality and support that Thunderbeast provides from all the threads here in which they personally reply to issues and that is a huge plus seeing that kind of after purchase support.

I'm debating if its worth spending the extra money on. I guess my question is for the guys who own the wells suppressors is how repeatable is the poi shift and how are they for accuracy since seems a few people have had them in hand for a few years now. Also how have they handled any issues that may have developed since youve owned it.
 
The TBAC's are worth the coin... consider the wait and the possibility of being disappointed. No brainier here bud...
 
I know quite a few (10+) guys with Dave Wells' cans including my partner, and all are highly satisfied.

The repeatability on POI shift has more to do with how your can fits the barrel thread shoulder than the can itself. You are local enough that you could bring it to him to have it trued and matched up for a perfect fit.

He has put lots of cans and gift certificates up on local match prize tables too.

There's nothing wrong with either of your choices. They are both great cans. I'm just pointing at some other angles to be considered in the decision process.

--Fargo007
 
>> I know what makes up the internals of the Thunderbeast and how the armature is produced.

Why is this information necessary to a consumer? Let's suppose it is.

Please elaborate on what "makes up" the internals, and exactly how the armature is produced and why it is superior to anything else that MAY exist, since you confess you don't know the same information about the Wells suppressor, and no basis for that statement appears on the website you point to at all. Especially if we are going to consider the length of advertising as a measure of value comparison.

$1100 vs $450 is not an apples to apples comparison at all. For the $1000+ price range, the OP can look at a very wide variety of comparable suppressors from all over the place.

Does Thunderbeast have a model in the same price range that we can compare more appropriately?

--Fargo007
 
Fargo - he is your PA homeboy, got it. However as for as for *need* he doesn't tell you jackshit. Even basic stuff - what the tube material? Baffle material? Number of baffles? Aperture diameter? Weight? Mag rated?

To me I want to know (yeah, I can guess from the price most of the answers)

In the absence you can not compare it to anything else b/c he doesn't tell you enough about it; in fact he says so little, that each one of his cans could be different and still meet his description.

*I* would pass.

OP - a much better comparison to the TBAC is the AWC THOR.
 
I didnt want this turning into a pissing match between people. Like I said I had found it in a group buy on a PA shooting forum and they had the specs listed for his current cans. I was just trying to see what people on here that had posted a few years ago thought about them after running them for awhile. I know how well the Thunderbeast are and was just trying to get an idea about the Wells cans from those that have them. I know which way Im leaning and just want to make the best decision since it seems stamps are taking forever right now and probably only going to get worse. As it is Im going to have to remove the current brake thats on my rifle and get a thread protector regardless. When I had the rifle built a few years ago I was planning on an AAC so it has the 18t brake on it currently which Ill have to take off and switch out.
 
I like to learn... will a Wells suppressor owner post some info and photos on here? Any class 2 is a good guy, while proof is in the product whether they make good stuff.

I know quite a few (10+) guys with Dave Wells' cans including my partner, and all are highly satisfied.

--Fargo007
 
It's all about the Benjamins.

rdg - how much do you want to spend? That's how you make the decision on what to shop for.

If the OP wants to spend $1300, he has a wide range to look at including Surefire, TBAC, Gemtech or one of many other boutique grade high end suppressors.

Attempting to compare two products where one costs more than twice as much as the other as if they are 1:1 is senseless. So is comparing websites or dicks. Thunderbeast simply does not have a comparable product in the same price range, and Wells is unwilling to charge $1100 for his.

He's asking for feedback here on the Wells cans. Let the guy get some. I don't own a Wells or a TB and have no homeboy, fanboy or religious relationship with either company. I have had quite a bit of contact with Wells cans because I run a training company and lots of matches in the area. I'm saying what I know from personal experience. They are solidly built and work great, he's a local manufacturer, and has sponsored lots of matches in the area by putting his products on the table.

--Fargo007
 
Not to throw a wrench in your thinking, but I really like brake attach suppressors and would suggest you go that route for a few reasons. The first reason being, a brake attach suppressor allows you the ability to mount your suppressor on rifles with different thread pitches. Second, the brake will take the first hit from everything spewing out of the barrel instead of the blast baffle of the suppressor.

I would recommend going with a Thunder Beast. I have shot a ton of different suppressors and have yet to find one that I like more for precision rifles.
 
Thank You everyone for your input. I was just trying to make sure I was making the right choice before buying and waiting what ever the long wait is going to be.

For those that are interested here are the specs that were listed for the group buy on another forum.

The second is a .30 caliber (7.62) all Stainless Steel suppressor. This unit is priced at $350.00/can, not including the tax stamp. The suppressor is made from Stainless Steel. It has a M-baffle design, which most manufacturers are using today. The dimensions are 1 3/8 inches by 8 inch length. These suppressors are rated for full auto and magnum loads. The weight of this can is 14 oz.

I am definitely leaning more towards the Thunderbeast as I have seen the support that they provide after purchase. Including the person on here who had there .338 can explode on the range. I also like the idea that the titanium will cool down quicker than stainless steel. How well do the covers they sell for suppressors work for cutting down on mirage coming off the can?

I have no price limit really. I just want to make sure I don't pay more than I need too.
 
If Wells is very close to you then call him and see if you can test one on your rifle. Not a harmful question especially if the company owner wants people to believe in his product. You know that TBAC is rated very well so half that battle is over.
 
If you get a titanium can, you need the cover for sure. They heat up faster than steel, but they also cool faster too. The covers do work.

I haven't used a TB suppressor cover but they look great on the website.

The first comp you come out and shoot with it, you will wind up with muzzle brakes on either side of you and you will be like: "why... oh why....."

LOL

Best of luck and catch you soon. I might see you on the range (but not hear the shots). ;-)

--Fargo007
 
The Thunder Beast cover works great at cutting down on mirage. But with any cover, you will want to pull it back off of the suppressor in-between shooting strings, as it is keeping most of the heat inside the suppressor. If you were to run a can hard on a semi auto with a cover on you may have to scrape the cover off the can as it will probably bake right onto it.
 
OP no PM sent, right here in the open.....

KNOWING HOW IS UNIMPORTANT IF YOU NEVER LEARN WHY - armorpl8chikn
MARKETING 101 IS LETTING YOUR CUSTOMER LEARN WHY KNOWING IS IMPORTANT - rt51

nothing to hide, dude. just wanted to send along a little info that didn't even concerning the suppressor

your description of how a suppressor's internals and construction is excellent


EDITED
 
Last edited:
Thank You everyone for your input. I was just trying to make sure I was making the right choice before buying and waiting what ever the long wait is going to be.

For those that are interested here are the specs that were listed for the group buy on another forum.

The second is a .30 caliber (7.62) all Stainless Steel suppressor. This unit is priced at $350.00/can, not including the tax stamp. The suppressor is made from Stainless Steel. It has a M-baffle design, which most manufacturers are using today. The dimensions are 1 3/8 inches by 8 inch length. These suppressors are rated for full auto and magnum loads. The weight of this can is 14 oz.

I am definitely leaning more towards the Thunderbeast as I have seen the support that they provide after purchase. Including the person on here who had there .338 can explode on the range. I also like the idea that the titanium will cool down quicker than stainless steel. How well do the covers they sell for suppressors work for cutting down on mirage coming off the can?

I have no price limit really. I just want to make sure I don't pay more than I need too.

I know nothing about Wells, or even TB for that matter, but to my thinking an all stainless suppressor of these dimensions with ANY internals at all will weigh more than 14 oz. My YHM Titanium weighs more than that, and their stainless versions are like 35 oz. IIRC
 
14oz SS mag rated .30 cal can? Someone is playing fast and loose with the truth.
 
I have seen and shot both suppressors before as I have a buddy that runs Wells Suppressors and I have a Thunderbeast 30p-1. If I had known Dave Wells before I definitely wold have had more of his cans but I met him about a year ago after i already had some other suppressors...BTW, he is a stand-up guy. The cans have different tones when firing but as far as Decibel suppression they seem to be about the same. The accuracy was the same as far as POA to POI with no flyers from either. All in all I would say since you live in PA I would go visit Wells Customs and hear it for yourself.
 
Still, I sure would like to know what makes up a Wells can.

Rolling,

I point out that it is extremely bad form to edit one's post after responses to it in context have been posted.

I'm going to help you get to this information. Let's start with this:

How is it that you have such detailed technical information on what is inside of that suppressor, and how do you come to know the specific manufacturing techniques that are used?

Thanks,

--Fargo007
 
The upside here is that I have learned a LOT about TB's cans and I like what I see a whole lot. They appear 100% impressive in every regard and I look forward to seeing one in person.

You wrote:

I know what makes up the internals of the Thunderbeast and how the armature is produced.

Since much of that information is not publicly available on the website, how exactly did you discover it?

You offer highly technical and publicly unavailable information authoritatively to the OP as a necessary and important element in his decision process as a comparator alongside your repeatedly professed lack of knowledge about the internals of the Wells suppressor.

If you want me to get you the equivalent information on the Wells suppressor, it makes sense that I should follow the exact same process that you undertook to acquire the information you posted and claim to have such expert knowledge of. Especially since you are claiming by reference to be an expert on this topic, and I am freely admitting I am not.

Unless of course that relying on the intellectual dishonesty of "not knowing" the makeup of the other suppressor happens to be central to your argument. If that's the case and you have made a mistake in pursuing this the way you did, just say so.

The neurotic cartoon-responses were an amusing way to fail to answer the question. Thank you for those. I point out that I will still try to get your question answered, but knowing how you acquired your information is relevant so I can proceed the same way.

Cheers,

--Fargo007
 
Rolling and fargo, you both have a lot to offer. For the sake of the rest of us, please restrict your posts to useful exchanges of information relevant to the topic of the OP. If you must continue your banter, exchange tele numbers and argue your BS privately. Thank you!
 
JSTARZ,

So they are pretty much on par then with each other from your experience? Im gonna take your advice and try and set something up with him for after the Holidays.

Once I get a chance to try it out. Ill post the results on here of my experience with it.
 
RollingThunder51 is certainly one of the most enthusiastic silencer guys on the forum and his praise is appreciated. But let me clear a few things up. He doesn't have any privileged information from us about our can or how it's put together. By shining flashlight down a 30P-1 or (easier) a 30BA or 338BA, or even using a borescope, you can figure a lot out. There have been a few prior threads with our baffle photos that have caused people to speculate on "what? how? and why?". Some of this speculation was right on and some of it had sort of taken a wrong turn from observation to conclusion. The basic way the 30P-1/30BA is put together isn't really secret, although there are a few "trade secret" type aspects of the design and the construction methods which involve some technology and artistry that make our cans particularly consistent and accurate. Hope this helps.
 
To the OP:

I once thought that if a company was local, I would have better luck getting the suppressor fixed if there was a problem. I bought locally here in CC, straight from the manufacturer. That manufacturer was Shooter's Depot, who I later learned was one of the worst manufacturers in the nation and would not back their awful products. They would ignore my phone calls, so I had to physically drive up there to get things done. In my case it was dozens of times since the suppressor had problems just about every time I went out to shoot.

The point of the story is that a good manufacturer, even in another state, is better than than a POS that lives just down the road from you. I've never heard of Wells, and they may be good to go, but you KNOW that TBAC is good to go. I also like the fact that they have a presence here on the forum and will answer your questions promptly. They have a lot to lose if an unhappy customer bashes them. Think about that.