Tag Archives: silencer

Desert Tech SRS A1 Covert, 8.6 Blackout

Are Subsonic Cartridges Superior?

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Introduction

More and more often, we are seeing interesting developments when it comes to bullets and ammunition. Today I wanted to discuss an interesting situation regarding velocity of bullets, and how specialty designed slower cartridges are changing the future of shooting. Are subsonic cartridges superior? Well, depending on your purpose they just might be.

The velocity of a bullet when fired from a firearm has a lot to do with its utility and purpose. Most rifle bullets travel at supersonic speeds, that means they travel faster than the speed of sound. Conversely, many handgun bullets travel near or below the speed of sound. For the most part, this has been a result of typical construction limitations for both firearm and ammunition manufacturing. Handguns typically have less room for large powder capacity cartridges, which is why they are typically slower. Which is also why rifles often have much higher velocities, as rifle cartridges often have more room. Additionally, rifles need greater range than most pistol cartridges, which has resulted in their design for more velocity.

typical pistol cartridges (left) with a couple rifle cartridges (right). Even though all these cartridges have similar bullet weights, the velocities are around double from rifle rounds.

What is the Speed of Sound?

The speed of sound is determined by how fast a sound wave travels through air. We have all witnessed curious situations where we see something far off before we hear the sound. That is because the sound takes much longer to get to us than the light reflecting the image to our eyes.

To add another layer of complexity, not all air is the same. The speed of sound is relevant to the current atmosphere the sound is traveling through. Humidity and air pressure can greatly effect air density and therefore the speed of sound will change depending on the atmospheric conditions. For example; warm dry air will result in a higher speed of sound than cold humid air.

Moist air has visible effects as well as invisible effects

Why does this matter? Because bullets also travel through air, and they are also equally effected by atmospheric conditions. As a bullet travels through the air it encounters resistance, and much like a boat traveling through water, once it starts moving fast enough it creates a wave. The pressure wave caused by bullets traveling faster than the speed of sound creates a sonic boom. This is why even when using a suppressor, most rifles are still quite noisy. Because the bullet itself is breaking the sound barrier which is quite loud. The suppressor removes most of the noise caused by the report of the rifle, but the supersonic bullet causes its own noise.

This image shows both the sound waves caused by the bullet, as well as the waves coming from the unsuppressed muzzle

Subsonic bullets, those that travel below the speed of sound do not create the pressure wave or sonic boom. Much like a boat that idles across a lake doesn’t make much of a wave. And if you use a suppressor to remove the report of the firearm, these bullets can be fired pretty quietly. Almost like you see in the movies, just less stupidly.

Why would you want Subsonic vs. Supersonic?

Subsonic shooting with a suppressor can be very fun, and extremely useful if you are a hunter. Shooting a whole pack of coyotes could be doable with marksmanship and such silent shooting. The appeal of this covert shooting ability has enticed many shooters and engineers alike. Which has resulted in various new firearms and ammunition lines that are specifically designed for this purpose. Cartridges like the .300 Blackout and 8.6 Blackout have received a great deal of attention lately as suppressor use has skyrocketed. The use of these cartridges with a suppressor has made super silent shooting a reality, and it has become very addicting to those who practice it.

Culling some pest turkeys in suburbia is better done suppressed and subsonic, this was done with the TX22 and a Silencerco suppressor

It is important to understand the limitations of these specially designed products. There are ammunition lines and even cartridges that are specifically designed for subsonic use. Purpose built subsonic cartridges and bullets tend to have more limitations because of velocity. In order to maintain their speed below the speed of sound there are few ways to add energy other than increasing the size of the bullet. Some folks like those at Discreet Ballistics have designed solid copper expanding bullets, to increase the transfer of energy on impact. Another theory though disputed by some; is that increasing the rotational speed of the bullet can add energy on target. This is achieved by using fast twist barrels like one-in-five, one-in-three or even as fast as one-in-one twist barrels.

Image from Discreet Ballistics

The lower velocity of these bullets can greatly alter the effectiveness of them at extended distances. While it can be done, subsonic cartridges are much more susceptible to variations. And those variations are more pronounced as you cover more distance. The anonymity of super quiet shooting can be very valuable, but requires an extra level of understanding to know when and where it can be applied effectively.

This buck fell to a single shot from a subsonic 450 Bushmaster, a 405 grain solid lead-cast bullet with a flat meplat. The sound of the bullet impacting the deer was much louder than the gun going off. My Desert Tech MDRX

Standard Cartridges Too

Standard cartridges can also be down-loaded to subsonic speeds, particularly those that aren’t that fast to begin with. I used to load my 308 down with subsonic 220 grain bullets, and they were fun, and quite useful.

My Desert Tech SRS A1 Covert with a 16″ 1:3 twist 8.6 Blackout barrel and Anechoic suppressor

I’ve also loaded my 450 Bushmaster down to subsonic speeds and increased the bullet weight significantly for added performance. There is an added benefit to this scenario, a 308 can shoot subsonic bullets much like a 300Blk, but it can shoot much better when loaded with supersonic ammunition. A subsonic 220 grain bullet fired from a 308 chamber vs. a 300Blk chamber will fly the same all else being equal. But say you want to increase your energy on target and distance by changing bullets and powders for supersonic use. A 165 grain bullet fired at supersonic speeds from a 300Blk will be nowhere near as fast as one fired from a 308 chamber, all else being equal.

Its easy to see why the 308 Winchester (top) can achieve much higher velocity than the 300Blk (bottom) when both are shooting supersonic 150 grain bullets

What Not to Do

Many manufacturers have jumped into making firearms chambered for some of these dedicated subsonic cartridges. And that has resulted in a great deal of adoption by folks from every walk of life. It should come as no surprise that some are shooting dedicated subsonic cartridges and ammunition through firearms without a suppressor. While they are perfectly happy doing it, they certainly aren’t getting the bang for their buck. Shooting unsuppressed with subsonic cartridges like the .338 ARC or .300BLK is like wearing flip-flops to go hiking. The greatest asset of these cartridges is shooting silently with a suppressor, so if you aren’t going to use a suppressor, why cut your velocity, energy and range for no gain? Perhaps you might have another reason, but anything you can do with a subsonic .300Blk can be done better and for less with something like a 5.56 or 6ARC. The best advantage of the Blackout is its silent shooting, so if you’re going to shoot loud, you may as well shoot something better.

This fox was far too brave, walking between us in camp in the dark. A subsonic 308 quietly put him out. And later that day, the same rifle (different ammo) was used to shoot a cow elk 200 yards away.

The Right Application

As you might have gathered by now, there is a perfect application for subsonic shooting. A scenario where you need exceptionally quiet shooting, whether that be dispatching pests or something else. For example; a subsonic 22lr is great for taking out rats covertly in the dark. And if you use the slightest bit of imagination you’ll come up with other ideas. It is these specific scenarios where a subsonic cartridge is superior to supersonic options.

Suppressed subsonic 22 pistols are very handy for dispatching pests, this one is another Taurus TX22 with a YHM Phantom suppressor

Silencer Central Banish Meateater Suppressor

Product review, suppressors, , , ,

Intro

You could say I’m a bit of a fan of the Meateater show, I do my fair share of hunting and eating. I never would have expected the brand would have made it into my daily use. But that’s the subject for today; I bring you a review of the Banish Meateater Suppressor from Silencer Central.

Banish suppressors have been everywhere lately, and I have been pretty impressed with their lineup. The Meateater Suppressor is a more recent development, and based on the name alone I suspect it is targeting the hunting public.

silencer central Banish Meateater suppressor

The Banish Meateater Suppressor

As I dug into the Banish Meateater, I could see that its hunting focus was more than just in the name. The titanium construction made the suppressor quite lightweight, which is a paramount feature for hunters.

silencer central banish meateater

Part of the reason the can is so light is because of its simple design. A traditional baffle stack held in by two threaded end caps. On the breech side you have the industry standard 1.375 x 24 threaded hub, which allows you to change the mount to whatever best fits your needs. The suppressor comes with a 5/8-24 threaded cap, but you could easily swap it out for a different one should you need to. This is a nice feature vs. having to have your barrel re-threaded.

banish meateater suppressor, desert tech srs M2, Apex Optics Rival
the Meateater made my multi-caliber Desert Tech SRS M2 even more pleasant to shoot

Innovative Design

At the front end of the Meateater is where this can gets interesting. The threaded end cap houses some very cunning features; the muzzle can be interchanged between thirty-caliber and 6.5mm. These two inserts allow users to optimize the suppressor for most every popular hunting caliber thirty or less. Reducing the muzzle cap to 6.5mm will optimize its performance for 22, 6mm, 25 and 6.5mm cartridges. While the thirty-caliber cap keeps it tight for .270, 7mm, and 30 caliber options.

here you can see the two different muzzle ports, the black one for smaller calibers, and the grey one for 30 caliber

Using the optimal muzzle cap in the Meateater is important because there is another innovative feature in the muzzle of this can. The endcap keeps back pressure to help force more of the pressure out through the radial brake that is incorporated to the front of the suppressor. Its purpose is to help reduce recoil felt by the shooter.

silencer central banish meateater
here you can see the on/off feature of the Meateater brake

Specifications

Length5.85 in
Diameter1.73 in
Weight10.3 oz
Construction materialTitanium
Thread Pitch5/8×24 included
ServiceableYes
Caliber.30 (6.5 muzzle cap also included)
Maximum Caliber300 RUM
Finish colorSniper Gray
Finish Cerakote
Sound Reduction32dB
Mounting StyleDirect Thread
Full-auto ratedNo
Mounting Hub Thread pitch1.375 x 24
Lifetime WarrantyYes
Bergara Crest Carbon, banish meateater suppressor
this Bergara Crest Carbon rifle greatly benefitted from the Meateater

Continue Reading HERE

PVA Modus 6.5PRC, Banish Meateater suppressor

The Meateater made an excellent companion to my PVA Modus 6.5 PRC

banish meateater suppressor, desert tech srs m2
The impressive report wasn’t visible through the Apex Rival 4-32X56 riflescope

The suppressed report of my rifles sounded very good, not quite as sharp as other suppressors. Almost as if the bleeding off of pressure through the brake vents made it sound better. It was an impressive suppression performance from a can that is neither heavy nor bulky.

Check out more suppressor reviews HERE

two Vets Tripods, non name v2, inverted, tripod, shooting tripod, carbon fiber, tikka t3x, kahles k318i, meateater, banish, suppressor, 25 creedmoor,
banish speed K suppressor, yankee hill machine Fat Cat suppressor

YHM Fat Cat VS. Banish Speed K

Product review, suppressors, , , , , , , , ,

Short Cans

As a long-time suppressor enthusiast I rarely see one I don’t want. In the decades since my first suppressor interaction however, I have noticed a few things about short suppressors. For a long time, there were suppressors designed primarily for law enforcement and military use that were very short. This effected their ability to subdue the report of a rifle to my taste. Times are changing however, and today we are looking at two very short and compact suppressors that do exactly what you’d want them to do. We are comparing the YHM Fat Cat VS. Banish Speed K.

yhm fat cat, banish speed k, suppressor

Both of these suppressors are very compact, and they both do a good job of subduing rifle noise. So today I wanted to put them up against each other to see which one I would pick if I couldn’t have both. These compact suppressors are designed for use on 5.56 or .223 caliber semi-auto rifles which most of us commonly use. My analysis will be based on various features but most importantly how these can’s stand up to a heavily used carbine or what many have colloquially called a “fighting rifle” or “battle rifle”.

Fat Cat and Banish Speed K Specifications

YHM Fat Cat Banish Speed K
Caliber5.56mm.223/5.56mm
Weight13.2oz (with adaptor)14.1 oz
Length4.5” (with adaptor)4”
Diameter1.94”2”
Construction Material17-4 Stainless/ Cobalt 6Inconel
Decibel Reduction20dB20.9dB
Minimum Barrel Length10” min.None
Full-Auto RatedYesYes
Mount StyleInd. Standard Hub MountInd. Standard Hub Mount
FinishBlack CerakoteBlack Cerakote
WarrantyLimited LifetimeLimited Lifetime
Baffle DesignTraditional Stacked bafflesControlled Flow
User ServiceableNoNo
Included Mount½-28 sRx Mini QD brake½-28 Direct Thread 

These two suppressors are very similar in size and specifications though there are some differences. The biggest differences that I feel are important I’ll point out here; The Banish Speed K is either 3D printed or DMLS fabricated from Inconel. Inconel is a very robust material (nickel chromium alloy) that is very resistant to both heat and abrasion. This makes the Speed K one solid piece of material, which can be very robust. But for those of us who have broken suppressors before, it makes them nearly impossible to repair if needed. The Speed K uses a finned blast chamber and clipped wall baffles to help reduce sound.

banish speed k, yankee hill machine fat cat, suppressor

The YHM Fat Cat is built in the more traditional fashion, welding together 17-4 Stainless steel. It uses a cobalt 6 blast baffle to help tame the extreme pressure, heat and abrasion coming from the muzzle. Cobalt 6 (cobalt-chromium-tungsten alloy) is also very resistant to heat and erosion. The fat cat uses an interesting funnel shape to increase the volume of the blast chamber, and it appears the design also helps create a turbulent flow to help reduce sound.

YHM Ft Cat suppressor, desert tech Quattro-15

Both suppressors use the industry standard hub mounting system. I can’t tell you how much I like and appreciate the industry moving this direction. It has made mounting your suppressors infinitely easier. You can use whichever mounting system you prefer, whether it be the YHM sRx QD system as provided with the Fat Cat, or something else like the Dead Air KeyMo system, or Plan B from Q. Both suppressors also use a tri-clipped muzzle port, this has become a common feature among many cans.

desert tech WLVRN, eotech Vudu, banish speed k
this combination is an excellent medium range carbine

Host Firearms

To properly test these two suppressors, I put together a small collection of rifles that would give them both a good workout. For pure sound testing, I would run them on my Savage Model 12 chambered in .223. The bolt-action rifle would give the best opportunity to hear the report of both suppressors. I would also use My Desert Tech WLVRN with the 20-inch .223 barrel, the adjustable gas system of the WLVRN would allow me to tune for performance and see how the two cans affected its function.

Quattro 15, trijicon MRO, banish speed k suppressor
this little rifle’s upper half is from CMMG, while the lower is from Desert Tech

Additionally I would run them both on a couple other AR15 based rifles like most folks would likely use. One of them a 16-inch Aero Precision build and the other a short barreled 5.56 that we’d also run some full auto through the cans.

yhm fat cat suppressor
the Fat Cat was an excellent companion to my AR-15

Shooting the YHM Fat Cat and the Banish Speed K

Sound Suppression

Shooting these two suppressors across the host firearms gave a pretty good idea of how they compare. I kept switching them out back and forth to compare.

YHM Fat Cat, desert tech WLVRN, eotech vudu
the Desert Tech WLVRN worked great with the Fat Cat and the Eotech VUDU 1-6

Both suppressors sounded very hearing safe on the longer rifles. The 16″ Quattro 15 and the 20″ WLVRN were very pleasant to shoot without hearing protection. Of course I have to add the caveat that you should always wear ear protection, even when suppressed.

Backpressure

Almost every suppressor out there adds at least some back-pressure in my experience. And these two were not exempt.

desert tech Quattro 15, eotech vudu, banish speed k suppressor

Finish Reading Here

yankee hill machine suppressor fat cat 5.56
Both cans worked great with YHM’s Phantom QD muzzle devices

YHM Fat Cat, Desert Tech Quattro 15, Trijicon MRO
my little gun used a Trijicon MRO

Finish reading about these two suppressors here

bergara B-14 HMR carbon

What is a Suppressor?

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Preface

As suppressors continue to increase in popularity and application, you are going to see a lot more of them around here. For those of you who are new to suppressors, today we are going to go over the various suppressor types to help you better understand the subject. Even if you think you don’t want or will never need one, it’s a good topic because your perspective might change sooner than you think. Today we’ll go over everything including materials, manufacturing processes, internal designs, mounting configurations and such. Hopefully by the time you finish reading, you will have a better understanding of your suppressor options.

this 300blk carbine uses a Dead Air Sandman K for compact and quiet shooting

What is a Suppressor?

Suppressors have been called a lot of things; in the movies they call them silencers though it’s a bit misleading because they are hardly silent. A suppressor is like a muffler, but they don’t work the same way. Mufflers simply bounce pressure and sound waves inside a chamber to reduce the noise that comes out the tailpipe. A suppressor is similar but has to overcome the enormous volume and pressure of a gunshot. Most rifle cartridges generate in the ballpark of near 50,000 PSI, your vehicle’s engine generates around a hundred times LESS pressure.

desert tech srs m2 apex optics banish suppressor
my Desert Tech SRS M2 chambered in .223 uses the Banish Buck 30 for great sound suppression

The deafening noise of a rifle going off will make your ears ring, because of the supersonic wave created by all this pressure leaving your muzzle. The job of a suppressor is to slow the expansion of all that gas, so that when it leaves the muzzle of your firearm, it is no longer creating the sonic boom. This is done by slowing the high pressure gas as it exits the muzzle using various chambers, while letting the bullet escape its way to target untouched.

desert tech quattro 15
this Banish Speed K suppressor is perfect for my Quattro-15, read more about it HERE

As all this high-pressure gas is slowed within the walls of the suppressor, the energy has to go somewhere. The result is a rapid increase in heat. Essentially all the energy of the expanding gas is turned into heat instead of noise.

Suppressor Construction

For the longest time suppressors were mostly made with the same idea; a sequence of baffled chambers that would capture the expanding gas. Enough of these chambers would be stacked until the exiting gas was slowed enough to be sufficiently quiet for its owner. “K” cans as they are often called are a compromise of putting just enough of these chambers to reduce the report of the gun. Just enough means that they are usually louder than larger suppressor designs.

my Desert Tech MDRX wearing a CGS Group Hyperion K

The baffles between these chambers have a hole just big enough for the bullet to pass through, while trapping much of the gas behind it. Many of these baffles and holes have features to increase turbulence of gas as it passes through. Clipped baffles have offset ports in them, and as gas passes through them it creates turbulence further restricting the straight flow of gas to the muzzle, much like a Tesla valve. Additionally different suppressor designs might vent pressure through just the muzzle, or from multiple points at the front of the can. Some designs even incorporate a muzzle break at the front of the suppressor to help reduce recoil.

Pistol suppressors often use a booster piston assembly, these are necessary to allow many semi-automatic pistols to function. The booster piston allows movement in the barrel/suppressor assembly, this movement is needed for the pistol to unlock the barrel and slide during operation.

Continue Reading here

a Canik TP9 with the YHM R9 suppressor using a YHM Nelsen Booster

my YHM Phantom 22 broken down

One of the Dead Air QD mount options

remington 700 vortex banish suppressor

quattro 15 vudu banish suppressor

desert tech WLVRN 223 wylde suppressed

Top Reasons to own a suppresor

Product review, suppressors,

Preface

If you grew up watching movies where assassins and heroes alike would covertly shoot their adversary using a silencer, that might be reason enough to buy one. But today we are going to discuss other reasons to own a suppressor, or suppressor as they are more correctly called.

adding a suppressor to your favorite rifle will only make it better, this SRS M2 is my favorite

Due to the unreasonably complicated and costly process to obtain a suppressor, it isn’t something many take lightly. With any luck and some hard work that might change soon. In the meantime, I’ll go over the reasons I think you should own a suppressor.

America

First off, this is America. It pains me to know that Europeans can walk into a local gun shop and pickup a suppressor (or moderator as they call them there) and walk out without any further drama. While they can’t do the same with a firearm, it still seems unfair to me.

The right to bear arms is clear, any infringement on that right is immoral. So many of us have endured the intruding touch of the federal government in exchange for owning and using suppressors. While I hate to pay an unfair tax, I also see an incredible value with suppressors. It is with great distaste and contempt that any of us should continue buying our rights back from the government. But if we continue pushing the topic, it could eventually change.

bergara B-14 HMR carbon
this Bergara HMR Carbon fitted with a GDM suppressor makes an excellent hunting rifle

Owning NFA regulated items is one way to normalize them, and convert them into what is called common use. Making them more commonly used among the public will help turn the tide against those who want your $200.

Continue Reading Reasons to own a suppresor Here

Taurus TX 22
pistols like this Taurus TX22 are a blast to shoot when suppressed by the YHM Phantom 22

Kriss vector
the Kriss Vector is much more pleasant to shoot with the SilencerCo Osprey

First Round Pop – Why The First Shot Is The Loudest Using A Suppressor

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The whole reason you bought a suppressor was to get rid of the noise involved with shooting right? Today we are going to discuss one of the phenomenon that comes with suppressors, and one not everybody is familiar with. First Round pop (FRP) as it is most commonly known, is the additional sound that comes when the first shot of a string is fired from a suppressed firearm. But is it something you need to worry about?

this Daniel Defense Delta 5 sounded great with the YHM R9 suppressor

What Causes FRP?

FRP is caused by the presence of unburned oxygen in the suppressor when a shot is fired. The available oxygen inside the suppressor is ignited by the burning gasses and pressure from the muzzle. Subsequent shots are typically less volatile due to the combustion of the oxygen during the first shot. As you continue to fire cartridges, the suppressor body is filled with burnt gas from previous shots, eliminating secondary combustion inside the suppressor. Obviously, if your shots are spaced out enough, the gasses can leave the suppressor and be replaced by fresh air, allowing the cycle to start anew.

What Effects First Round Pop?

FRP varies between suppressor type, cartridges, velocity and other variables. A larger suppressor can house more oxygen, and higher pressure cartridges can cause additional pop volume. You could also experience additional pop from using a suppressor of a larger bore than necessary, as it allows faster ventilation of the suppressor body. The size of the cartridge and the powder charge inside it can also effect the significance of FRP.

Sub-sonic vs. Supersonic

Subsonic shooting is the apex of suppressed shooting, movie-quiet suppression is the goal with sub-sonic suppressed weapons. So as you might imagine, FRP is the adversary of sub-sonic shooters. Some folks even go as far as purging their suppressor with inert gasses prior to shooting to avoid it. Other things such as suppressor wipes can also help keep oxygen from entering the suppressor body and causing FRP.

Supersonic cartridges are already quite noisy, so it is less likely as big a concern for those shooters. Personally I don’t worry too much about it, and for the most part I rarely even notice.

Living with First Round Pop

If your like me, you probably don’t worry much about a few extra decibels when you start a shot string. But if you are one of those who like to play sniper in the back 40 with raccoons or hogs, then you may go to extremes to avoid this pesky pop. Make sure you have the best suppressor for the host you intend to shoot with, some are much better matched to your host than others. The right suppressor can produce less FRP, and if you use some of the other practices to reduce it you can get some very unsuspicious results. There are suppressor gels that you can squirt into the suppressor prior to your first shot that will aid in suppressing FRP. You could also purge your can with inert gas before heading out, and cover the muzzle to keep it inert. You could also do something as simple as adding a touch of water to the inside of your suppressor prior to shooting to help keep down the FRP. Just make sure that whatever practice you use is approved by the suppressor manufacturer, this will help you avoid costly repairs and additional wasteful NFA taxes.

Final Pop

First round pop is simply a biproduct of suppressor design, it can be a problem if you are a CIA spook or suburban hunter. But in the end it is mostly a manageable problem for some, and very minor inconvenience for others. Fuss with it if you must, and enjoy the pleasant sound of silence when it seems least likely.

-CBM

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Dead Air Sandman K

Product review, Shooting hardware, suppressors, , , , , ,

The Project

In the search for a very small and useful rifle, my brother put together a 300 Blackout pistol. Though a deeply committed rifle junkie, I’m not exactly a huge Blackout proponent but I can surely see what the appeal is. One thing I do know for sure, is that unless you are going to run it suppressed, you are leaving most of the Blackout’s magic on the table. That is where todays subject comes in, the Sandman K was selected to go with this little project, and today we’ll take a look at how it performed the task.

The Sandman

The name suggests a peaceful slumber, I interpret that to mean the Sandman at a minimum won’t cause a huge disturbing raucous. Which is exactly what the Blackout was meant to avoid.
The Sandman family of suppressors was meant to provide heavy duty service to shooters who prefer suppressed fire. Dead Air claims the Stellite and stainless construction are among the most durable materials used in the suppressor market today. The suppressor is five and a half inches long, and weighs in at just under thirteen ounces. The Sandman has a thirty-caliber bore rated for cartridges up to 300 Winchester Magnum, and it also has available end caps with 5.56 and 6.5 bores. The Sandman mounts to Dead Air’s QD nitrided muzzle devices, they boast single-hand installation and removal that is simple and fast. All this comes with a Cerakote finish for a handsome and durable service life.

Installation

Once the Blackout pistol had been finished, it was time to install the KeyMount muzzle brake. This was a little bit of a challenge because the barrel was recessed inside the handguard, and to be sure it stayed there a serious thread-locking plan was undertaken. The KeyMount design is easy to understand, but I have had a couple issues with it. It uses a three lug ratchet cap that aligns with the muzzle device, and once pushed all the way down to the seat you can twist the suppressor a couple times tightening up the entire assembly on a tapered shoulder.

The Sandman and the Keymount brake

The Sandman on the 300blk rifle, note Holosun Sight and magnifyer

I say problems, but really it was just a lack of training or getting used to the function of the Sandman. Getting the lugs lined up properly can take a few tries at first, much like a USB you have to try it the same way a couple times to get it right. Once the can is locked up though, it is solid as can be. The system is indeed quick, and strong which explains why so many have switched to it. One thing I did find, which I think can happen with many of these QD type suppressor mounts is they get quite tight to the mount at times. Particularly when whoever installed it did so with significant exertion, the suppressor can be a bit of a chore to break loose and even more so if it has been on the host for a significant period of shooting and time.
One of the great benefits of this system and again what has made it so popular and prolific is the ability to switch the suppressor between hosts quickly and easily. Having extra muzzle devices can give you a great many options for using the Sandman and others that utilize the same mounting system.

On the Range

Once the K-Man was mounted, we set to test firing the host, and adjusting the gas system for optimal operation. As you might expect from a can this small, there was a little more noise than I was used to for suppressed fire. I also noticed a fairly prominent first round pop, with an accompanying flash. Super-sonic shooting with the Sandman K was definitely louder than what I am used to, but again that is a normal and expected occurrence for a suppressor this short. K cans are typically used for different situations where maximum suppression is not the main goal of the suppressor. They are more just to take the edge off for shooting inside buildings or similar situations where massive muzzle blasts are particularly unwelcome.
Sub-sonic shooting on the other hand is much more tolerable, and the real reason the blackout shines. Sub-sonic ammunition doesn’t have the noise associated with bullets breaking the sound barrier, and the Sandman K does just enough to break up the noise produced by the muzzle-blast to make it very pleasant to shoot. And it does it while adding as little as possible to the length of the host firearm.

The complete Sandman clan

The Blackout and Sandman combo turned out to be a excellent pairing. Much better I think than had we run the K on a regular centerfire rifle such as a 308 or something similar. While it of course would provide some suppression, it would certainly not be hearing safe. To be fair very few suppressors are hearing “safe”, but my personal position is; I don’t collect stamps and pay money to continue using ear plugs. So for me the Sandman K is going to stick with subsonic hosts, or at a minimum with diminutive cartridges.

Get your own Dead Air Suppressor

Conclusion

There are so many excellent suppressors on the market today, but some I feel are better for niche uses. Would I recommend the Sandman K for a first time suppressor purchaser? Absolutely not. The S or L model on the other hand would be an excellent choice.
But if you are knee deep in stamps and trusts, there’s nothing wrong with having a few dedicated cans for very specific purposes or hosts. For that purpose I think the Sandman K is a bulletproof option, it is neither the first and certainly wont be the last can purchased for a calculated purpose around here. As for the little Blackout, it does its thing real quiet now.

-CBM

Check out more suppressors here

The Tiny Terror of the Yankee Hill Machine Phantom 22 suppressor

Product review, Shooting hardware, suppressors, , , , , , ,

Introduction

The first time I heard the name Phantom, I assumed like many of you probably did that the name implied a ghostly illusion of anonymity while shooting. Having shot quite a bit of suppressed rifle-fire over the years, and having heard other’s shots from various angles and distances gives the name more credence in my mind.
The latest suppressor to join my NFAmily is the Yankee Hill Machine Phantom 22, and another Phantom it surely is.

The Yankee Hill Machine Phantom 22

The aggressive suppressor market is doing an outstanding job of giving end users the great gift of choice, and the Phantom 22 is an excellent example of giving customers what they want.
The Phantom 22 is constructed of both aluminum and stainless steel, the outer tube being made of aluminum and the baffles themselves being machined from stainless steel. The attachment to the host utilizes a stainless steel threaded insert as well for robust mounting and durability.

The suppressor uses a threaded end-cap at the muzzle, and the main tube is comprised of two sections that thread together just ahead of the blast chamber. Inside the main-tube is the baffle stack, with indexing tabs to keep them all aligned in the same orientation. The blast chamber also has a stainless steel liner that slips into place at the back of the baffle stack. The short section of the main tube at the rear features all the serial numbers and identifying marks.

The Phantom 22 weighs in at a miniscule four ounces, which is a good two ounces lighter than most twenty-two suppressors on the market. The diameter of 1.1 inches and only five and a half inches long make it not only light but less intrusive into your shooting. The suppressor is rated at 114 decibels (which I assume was with a 22Lr), because the suppressor is also rated for 22 magnum, 17 HMR, and even 5.7×28.
All this at a street price not far from three-hundred dollars makes the Phantom 22 a great option for those looking to get quiet in the rimfire game.

Opening the box

suppressed Ruger RPR.22LR
The Ruger RPR .22LR was an excellent host

I managed to get my hands on one of the very first production model Phantoms, with a single digit serial number I knew it was at the head of the line. I couldn’t believe how light it was as I lifted it from the box, before I even got it opened I was worried I had been shipped an empty box. But there it was, the beautifully anodized little tube I had been anticipating for some time. After admiring the exterior of the suppressor for a moment I decided to get right into the guts of what makes it so light. The front and rear tube sections are undone by hand without tools, the compression and friction of the assembly keep it quite snug.

Upon removing the rear section of the tube I noticed that the breach of the suppressor has an embossed tool as part of it to be used in loosening the end cap which I also threaded carefully out. The smooth stack of baffles slid smoothly out the front, making one of those soothing metallic slipping sounds. I took a couple of them off the stack, to see exactly how it was that they went together. And at the back of the stack was the blast chamber sleeve.

Basically the liner and stack of baffles contain the entirety of the gasses and rimfire debris, the outer tube is simply there to align and hold it together. It was immediately apparent that the idea was to keep all carbon and lead buildup contained inside the blast chamber sleeve. This would keep buildup from locking the assembly together as carbon builds up, which it of course it will, at an impressive rate. So even if you shoot thousands of rounds through this can, and stack the crud deep into it, you will still be able to disassemble it for cleaning.
Another feature that quickly manifest to me was the location of the legal markings, they were all part of the short portion of the main tube at the breach end. This made a lot of sense to me, in the unfortunate event that the can should come loose under fire, and you suffered the dreaded baffle strike, it would be very unlikely to damage the serialized part of the can. This would make repair or part replacement very easy, with something like 85% of the suppressor being easily swapped out for a new part.

Head for the hills!

suppressed Taurus TX22
The Phantom 22 worked great with the Taurus TX22

I couldn’t wait to get the Phantom mounted on a rifle and outside, but it’s first host actually turned out being my Taurus TX 22 pistol. I had shot thousands of rounds through my two TX pistols with various suppressors so I figured it would be a great place to start my comparison. I installed the 1/2-28 thread collar on my pistol, an threaded up the Phantom onto it. Two ounces doesn’t seem like much, but it sure seemed like I could feel a difference between the Phantom and the Dear Air Mask that had been on it last. And it was definitely a noticeable difference from the SiCo can that also frequented the muzzle of my TX’s. There are lighter suppressors sure, but who wants a suppressor that looks like anal beads?

I wasted no time burning through a paycheck’s worth of ammo, a couple mags later I needed to swing by the house to pick up more. Shooting the TX with the Phantom installed was similar to what I was used to, the increased backpressure caused by suppressors was noticeable. Particularly when dumping large quantities of ammo through the gun I could see and feel plenty of gas and debris in my vicinity. (Note: always wear the appropriate safety equipment when shooting)
I will say that with this pistol, you better be wearing glasses when shooting suppressed because you WILL feel stuff hitting you in the face.
I don’t recall how many rounds I’ve put through that pistol/can combination since, but it is no insignificant number. And yes there tends to build up carbon and other crud around the breach and ejection port of the pistol, but not so much as to deter me from keeping them married.

I’m more of a rifle guy than a pistol guy though, so I really wanted to see how it would do on a rifle.

Yankee Hill Machine Phantom 22 on rifles

tikka T1x with Kahles 318i
The Tikka T1X and Kahles K318i

The first rifle I was able to use with the Phantom was a Tikka T1X in 17 HMR, a very smooth little rifle you can read about here shortly. The rifle was fairly heavy for a rimfire, making recoil non-existent. The noise was still there though, the higher velocity of the 17HMR obviously creates quite a bit more racket than a 22Lr. But it was plenty quiet for my ears, shooting with the Phantom in the open country of the Rocky Mountains needed no hearing protection. The cold winter snow seemed to help soak up some of the sound as well. The Tikka saw no decrease in accuracy with the Phantom installed, which I expected to be the case.

Next I threaded the Phantom onto a Ruger RPR 22Lr to give it an additional workout. The Ruger shot outstanding with the Phantom installed, watching all my impacts one-hundred and fifty yards away was beautiful, and the icing on the cake was the thud sound every-time I pulled the trigger. I tried both super-sonic and sub-sonic ammunition through it and the results were outstanding. The anonymity that comes with shooting that quiet can certainly inspire the sensation of a Phantom presence.
Shooting long strings of fire barely heated the Phantom 22 up at all, though that could have something to do with the below freezing temperatures around here.

Score-Card

I’ve shot a few cans, but the other two rimfire cans I have are in the same competitive league as this one, so I think they are a great comparison.
I have to give the Phantom all high marks, it is just as if not quieter than my other cans. And the significant weight reduction cannot be ignored when compared to the others. And the price on the Phantom is hard to beat, if you can find one they are priced around $325 up to near the $400 mark.
The sound is outstanding, and the ease with which you can disassemble and clean this can makes it a perfect suppressor for just about any rimfire need.

The Phantom 22 next to the author’s SilencerCO Spectre II and Dead Air Mask, both excellent company for comparison.

Conclusion

As usual with YHM cans, this one is an obvious winner in my opinion, at least when compared to those that I’m familiar with. There may be better cans, there may be lighter cans or some other feature that outperforms this one. But I’ll have a hard time justifying to myself looking for a better one with this spectacular little suppressor in my stable, it is an absolute joy to shoot.

-CBM

If you like this review, check out the YHM R9 suppressor

desert tech trek 22
The Phantom 22 on the Desert Tech Trek 22