A-TEC Maxim-4 Moderator

One thing that has become apparent over the years in sound moderator technology is weight, as we see less of the heavy units of the past, for example the BR Tuote T8 tips the scale at 20oz. What I have here is the Maxim, the latest product from A-TEC of Norway.
Designed as a mid-sized/weight unit this hybrid reflex (over barrel) weighs 13oz and measures 7 ¾” long with a maximum diameter of 1 ¾”. Like all their over-barrel types the Maxim shows a longer baffle stack than expansion chamber and adds approximately four inches to the rifles overall length. It has a rear bushing that has to be bored out to the barrels O/D, this is held in with a circlip as opposed to a thread.

Modular

The unit is modular and shows a rear expansion chamber with four, screw-off baffle sections making up the stack. Made of 7075-T6, hard-anodised aluminium the only additions are the stainless steel cones at the front of each section that are doubtless there to reduce gas cutting. However, there is not one at the base of the first chamber, which is the one that would seem to get the most hammer from the emergent gasses…
Though eminently strippable,  A-TEC bill the Maxim as ‘self-cleaning’ and to be honest the view these days is that cleaning a moddy is not such a great idea due to all the build-up of firing residue that gets deposited inside. A quick squirt of spray oil before and after firing seems to do the trick.
There are two versions of the can in terms of calibre - .26 and .30, in other words the former will take you to 6.5mm cartridges and the latter .308 with a maximum of 300 Win Mag. There is also a Maxim-6 with six expansion chambers as opposed to four, which will increase length and weight a bit. A-TEC gives a 2-year guarantee and recommends cleaning every 1000-rounds. Typically there are a number of thread sizes ½ x20 UNF, ½ x 28 UNEF, 14x1mm and 18x1mm with options on spigot muzzles.

Improved Balance

My test unit was a Maxim-4/.26, 14x1mm with spigot. Which I fitted to my Mauser M03 223 Rem barrel. This is a heavy rifle and previous, full-weight cans had made it unbalanced. The A-TEC though adding 13oz, which was certainly noticeable, did not affect handling as much as others I had used.
A-TEC quotes a noise reduction of 25-29Db all I can say is that it worked efficiently in reducing the noise output so that without ear phones you felt comfortable. However, I would not say it’s the quietest can I have used, nor the loudest. In comparison to a stainless steel unit the noise sounds totally different with the steel giving more ring to the signature. The alloy sounded a bit flatter but was perhaps marginally louder.

For: Not too long, good weight and balance
Against: Not a lot
Verdict: Effective design, not too expensive

PRICE:
£235 (ball park)
Maxim-6 £290