Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE 5.56 NATO 11.5" 30rd Pistol

The M&P15 AXE is Smith & Wesson's answer to the biggest complaint about running a short AR suppressed: gas in the face. The upper uses Gemtech GVAC technology, which adds an expansion chamber to the gas block. Enough gas gets siphoned off to cycle the bolt carrier, the excess collects in the chamber and vents forward out the muzzle after the bullet leaves, and the shooter stops eating it. Anyone who has run a can on a direct impingement pistol knows exactly how much that is worth.

The rest of the build is set up for the same job. An 11.5 inch barrel keeps it short enough to work in a vehicle or a hallway, the muzzle is threaded and wears a Gemtech flash hider, and a free float M-LOK handguard leaves room for a light and a hand stop. The receiver is aluminum with a Picatinny top rail, and a Magpul BTR brace handles the back end. One 30 round magazine is included. In 5.56 NATO with an 11.5 inch barrel this is a compact, maneuverable package that gives up terminal performance only at distance, and it was clearly built with a suppressor in mind from the start.