The professed advantage of the 416 lies in running short and quiet... the only thing is, it's noticeably louder than a comparable DGI gun and prints wider pairs or slower splits (your choice).
There's a reason both SOF elements who gave it a shot are placing it in the trash can next to the SCAR-L...
I've never heard anyone claim a piston was quieter than a DI.
Run better over a wider range of pressures, yes. Quieter, no.
Any SBR is going to be loud, even when suppressed.
None of them are hearing safe.
Suppressors are to minimize the obnoxious concussion of a SBR in confined areas and to eliminate flash and dust signatures.
My house carbine is a suppressed 12", not because it's hearing safe, but because there's zero muzzle flash and the concussion is significantly less with a suppressor.
As to splits... it's a 5.56 not .50bmg the difference between 4 (.25 splits) and 5 shots (.20 splits) per second on semi-auto is negligible.
I will say the piston gun stands up to sustained suppressed fire far better than a DI gun. The bolt is cleaner, cooler and stays lubricated far longer.
It's easier to consistently regulate the gas on a piston gun as well, especially with a adjustable gas block with bleeder.
The DI guns also blow a lot more hot gas back into your face from around the charging handle.
Like I said, my house gun is a standard 12" suppressed so I'm not a fan boy when it comes to pistons but I do acknowledge that they do have their advantages when it comes to SBR/suppressed.
