TFB Review: Geissele Super Duty MOD1
Welcome back to another TFB review. This week, I’ll be looking at the Geissele Super Duty rifle. Geissele is known for its high-quality AR15 triggers and parts but in the last few years, they have started producing complete rifle units. There are a number of high-quality options for AR15s in this price bracket so what will be different for the Geissele? Let’s take a closer look at the Geissele Super Duty rifle and see how things go.
Specs
The Super Duty is the highest-tier AR15 that Geissele offers on the market today. They sell a few different colors and variants but the specific model I purchased for testing was the Tanozided (tan anodizing) 11.5” pistol. From the factory, my Super Duty came standard with a Geissele SSA-E X two-stage trigger, Airborne charging handle, grip, and end plate. Their maritime bolt catch and Super Configurable Safety also come standard on every Super Duty.
Almost every small part of this firearm has the small Geissele G on it which makes it feel like a cohesive unit. The firearm also comes with a Geissele safety lock and chamber flag with the Geissele logo on both. Other aspects are an SB Tactical SBA3 brace and a padded cardboard box. My particular model came with a HUXWRX flash hider as well since I typically use HUXWRX suppressors on most of my short rifles/pistols. Geissele uses a 1:7 twist cold hammer forged chrome lined barrel that is guaranteed to deliver match-grade accuracy with match ammo. MSRP on the Geissele Super Duty MOD1 is $2,425 and it is available through dealers currently.
Specs List
MSRP
$2,425.99
Manufacturer
Geissele Automatics
Manufacturer Part #
08-396S
Model
SUPER DUTY MOD1
Action
Semi-automatic
Type
AR
Caliber
223 Remington
Caliber
556NATO
Barrel Length
11.5″
Color
Desert Dirt Color
Type of Barrel
Cold Hammer Forged
Capacity
N/A
Subcategory
Modern Sporting Rifles
Finish
Anodized
Stock
SB Tactical SBA3
Range Time
I have roughly 875 rounds through the Super Duty MOD1. Before getting my Super Duty, I saw on Geissele’s website the gas port size was .067” with a carbine length gas system and a braided buffer spring along with an H3 buffer. It’s a relatively small gas port with a heavy spring. I was curious how the gun would work with some of the lower-pressured 223 Remington ammo. When it comes to the gun itself though, the Geissele Super Duty MOD1 is one of the softest ARs I’ve ever fired that doesn’t have an adjustable gas block.
The heavy buffer and spring tied with the smaller gas port really do make for an incredibly soft shooting system. The Super Duty handguard profile is slim but allows for a good grip when shooting various drills at the range. The SSA-E X two-stage trigger is certainly an enhanced trigger that is lightweight with a defined wall and a short reset that allows for fast double or triple taps at the range. The enhanced controls are also a big plus that makes manipulation of the safety and bolt catch very easy which is an added bonus. I ended up registering my Super Duty as an SBR to install a front vertical grip and a stock on.
Accuracy and Reliability
In terms of accuracy, the Super Duty MOD1 does live up to its reputation of being an accurate rifle. For testing, I used SIG Sauer Match 77gr ammunition along with Federal Premium American Eagle 55gr and 62gr Federal Fusion hunting ammunition to represent a few different grain weights. For the accuracy testing, I shot 5-round groups for a consistent group at 100 yards with the gun being sled mounted to minimize any variables. With the 77gr SIG match ammo, the average group was 1.53” at 100 yards whereas the Fusion 62gr ammo grouped at 1.68” on average with a 5-shot group. Finally, the 55gr American Eagle ammo averaged 1.81” which was the least expensive ammunition out of the three but all groups were below the 2” mark regardless even with an 11.5” barrel length.
When it comes to reliability, an AR-style rifle at this price point not only has to be absolutely perfect but also excel with things like fit and finish along with how the experience is to shoot it. Throughout my 875 rounds fired, I experienced no malfunctions or oddities. That should be exactly how an AR should perform for $2,400+. Everything worked flawlessly but the only slight negative comment I have about the Super Duty is the different coatings between the maritime bolt catch, safety selector, magazine release, and end plate. It’s a very small criticism that should show the overall quality of the Geissele as a whole.
Suppressor Options
With the gas port size and heavier buffer and buffer spring, the Geissele Super Duty MOD1 is the perfect suppressor host. In general, flow-through suppressors are fantastic for shorter semi-auto ARs but there are other great options on the market as well. Let’s take a closer look at some of the options that are fantastic for the Super Duty MOD1.
Huxwrx Flow556 TI
One of my all-time favorite suppressors is the HUXWRX Flow556K suppressor and this is the titanium version of that suppressor. At just over 11 ounces, the Flow556 TI is full auto rated and offers an extremely lightweight option while making shots hearings safe. This is the next evolution of the HUXWRX 3D printed suppressors and it will be a hard use option for those who want to throw a suppressor on their Super Duty and use it on a regular basis. I don’t often get excited about suppressors, but this Flow556 TI is one that I highly recommend.
Technical Specifications
Length: 6.8″Weight: 11.4 ozDiameter: 1.8″Build Material: DMLS TitaniumFinish: Cerakote FDE or Matte BlackFull Auto Rated: YesBarrel Restrictions: No
Silencer Shop makes getting suppressors easy and you can buy the HUXWRX Flow556 TI suppressor from the link below.
HUXWRX FLOW 556 Ti
DeadAir Sandman S
One type of suppressor I don’t typically cover for ARs chambered in 556 is the larger 762 suppressors that can be used with both 762 and 556 caliber rifles. Not everyone wants to buy caliber-specific suppressors but rather wants to pick up one suppressor and use it for all their rifles across the board. The DeadAir line of suppressors is rugged and can take a wide variety of calibers The Deadair Sandman S is slightly heavier than the HUXWRX suppressor but offers bulletproof reliability with cobalt baffles and a stainless steel core as well. This allows for not only a high volume of fire but also switching between firearms for a lifetime of rugged use.
Technical Specifications
Weight: 17.7 ozLength: 6.8”Diameter: 1.5”Materials: Cobalt 6 Baffles and 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Welded Core, Stainless Steel TubeFinish: Black or FDE Cerakote® body, Nitride attachmentsAttachment: KeyMount – KeyMo
You can buy the Dead Air Sandman S suppressor from Silencer Shop through the following link:
Dead Air Sandman-S
Overall Thoughts
The Geissele Super Duty MOD1 is one of those rifles that offers high-quality fit and finish right out of the gate by a manufacturer that knows a thing or two about making high-quality parts. The 11.5” Super Duty MOD1 with the DDC finish is a solid AR-style firearm that would be considered high-tier in most communities. Despite the higher price of this firearm, it is one of the best options in that price bracket.
What do you guys think about the Geissele line of rifles? Do you think they are worth the high-tier price tag? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have questions about the Geissele Super Duty MOD1 or firearms in general feel free to shoot me a message @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you in the next one.
TFB is proud to partner with Silencer Shop as our preferred vendor for all of your NFA needs. Whether you are searching for a new suppressor, SBR, or trust, Silencer Shop is here to provide a seamless and fast service for your next NFA purchase. Head over to www.silencershop.com to begin your NFA journey.