I am aware that some have machined and built their own titanium moderators for less than Simon charges for his.
I recommend Simons' moderators because they are streets ahead of the commercially available products. I see too many products that are supplied which are adequate for purpose but are unlikely to last the distance.
The price is not unreasonable considering the raw materials, the programming of the machine and the guarantee/backup that comes with the product. I agree they weigh more than an A-Tec but they are made of Titanium rather than a lightweight alloy which will not stand up to the heavy use that a Titanium one will - why do the special forces consider Titanium mods for many of their uses?
If weight is the issue, A-tec without question. If attenuation is the issue, buy a T8. If, as the initial question posed, light, short and quiet (no mention of cost) is required then a titanium moderator must surely fit the bill. I am sure Simon would be only too pleased to assist any unsatisfied customers as I have found him far more helpful than any other suppliers of moderators
As with everything in life, there is always somebody who will do the same for less....apparently! I suffer it every day and completely ignore it. As I posted earlier, I recently had a client at the range who had a T8 on a Sauer 202, because of the shocking state of the moderator, the rifle was virtually worthless because of the pitting on the barrel under the moderator. I forbode any further shooting on the range because of the likelihood of an accident when the mod finally failed due to its excessive corroding - this is not the first time I have seen this. The client will likely buy another mod at a cost of £200-£300, a Titanium one may cost £600 with a lifetime guarantee. I fail to see the difference.
As always, other peoples experiences may vary.
Regards
HME