Supressor Questions

[firemanstrickland]

Hello All,

I would like to suppress bot my AR and Sig 226. For the rifle I am torn between the silencerco specwar, the specwar K, and the YHM phantom. Between the phantom and specwar which one has better sound reduction? and the k version, I know its lighter, is the weight reduction worth the loss of decibel reduction? also.....on my 226, I was looking at the Thompson machine posiedon 9 suppressor? does anyone have any input on these? PLEASE HELP!!

 

[bikemutt]

I would urge you to contact a reputable seller such as Silencer Shop, or a local dealer, to determine the differences between suppressors. These are fairly costly items and any individual owner is unlikely to own multiple makes and models within caliber.

Having said that, I own a YHM Phantom QD 30 cal and have absolutely no regrets. I shoot .223, 300 BLK, 7.62x39 and .308 through it. I can't say how it compares to any other 30 cal suppressor for reason stated above, but I like it

 

[greyling22]

for whatever it's worth, my buddy just got the phantom for his 16" AR, and he thinks it is way too heavy. He really regrets buying it and wishes he had picked up a lighter can.

 

[Telekinesis]

I have a TM Poseidon on my 9mm 226 and while it's a good can I would not recommend it as a first pistol suppressor. It is designed mostly as a practical suppressor - to make a certain number of gunshots hearing safe in a small package. To do this it is designed to use ablative (water or wire pulling gel) and a wipe, both of which need to be replaced regularly for the best suppression. I find that wipes and gel should be replaced after about 15-20 rounds, which means every mag or two you end up taking the can apart and replacing the wipe/gel. I would characterize the sound level as "hearing safe, but not really comfortable without ear pro".

Unless you're on a really tight budget, I would go with a full sized 9mm suppressor. You get better suppression without the on range maintenance required of the micro cans. I love my Poseidon, it's great at what it was designed to do, but to be honest since getting my full sized 9mm can the Poseidon has only had a handful of rounds put through it. The full sized can is just so much more convenient for range use.

FWIW if I were in the market for a new 9mm pistol can, I would be buying a Liberty Mystic X.


I don't have any direct experience with the rifle cans you mentioned, but in general .223s are going to be louder so I would try to get as much suppression as you can.

Another thing to look at us how you plan to use the rifle suppressor. If you're just shooting slowly from a bench you can go with a titanium can which is good for weight but bad for dealing with high levels of heat for long periods of time. If you're looking for a can to use in rapid fire or carbine classes, I would make sure that the can was rated for FA. If you ever plan to make a SBR, make sure the can is rated for short barrel lengths. Nothing sucks more than spending a bunch of money and time waiting for a transfer only to burn up your blast baffle.

 

[greyling22]

don't forget that unless you get the silencerco osprey you won't be able to use your sig sights because the can will stick up above the barrel and obscure your sight picture.

 

[Telekinesis]

don't forget that unless you get the silencerco osprey you won't be able to use your sig sights because the can will stick up above the barrel and obscure your sight picture.

That's not necessarily true. As long as you have some sort of dot sight like night sights or even the stock Sig line and dot sights, you will still be able to see the sights and use them to line up the shot. The target will be a bit more obscured but I find that I can still make hits easily. It doesn't inconvenience me enough to really worry about it.

If it really bothers the shooter though, they can get raised sights (though they don't always work with all holsters if that is a concern).

 

[Theohazard]

don't forget that unless you get the silencerco osprey you won't be able to use your sig sights because the can will stick up above the barrel and obscure your sight picture.

The Osprey will still block the stock sights on most handguns: The Osprey is barely lower than a traditional silencer. Don't get me wrong, it's a great can, but it's a myth that won't need to change your sights to see over it.

But, like Telekinesis said, it's not all that necessary to change your sights as long as they're visible against the black rear of the can.

 

[griff383]

I second that YHM cans are great but way too heavy. I always tell people to get the lightest can possible based on my very first purchase of a (old version ) YHM 30QD that weighs 28oz.

I also second the liberty mystic x, I have the old version and am toying with sending it in for the x upgrade.

 

[bikemutt]

for whatever it's worth, my buddy just got the phantom for his 16" AR, and he thinks it is way too heavy. He really regrets buying it and wishes he had picked up a lighter can.

Which is why the Phantom Ti is the one to get IMO, I should have mentioned that.

 

[firemanstrickland]

I see, please keep all the helpful info coming. I BELEIVE after more research and contacting companies I am going to go with the silencerco suppressor for my rifle, but I have absolutely no clue about my p226. Can anyone tell me about the AAC-Tirant 9? or the Thompson isis2?

 

[wally]

don't forget that unless you get the silencerco osprey you won't be able to use your sig sights because the can will stick up above the barrel and obscure your sight picture

While I really like my Osprey, its not panacea as its still is higher than most front sights. But for what its worth it really makes little difference that the suppressor sticks up above the front sight as with your focus on the front sight the suppressor just becomes part of the blurry target image. This surprised me when I first started shooing suppressed.

Although a few years later my days of effectively using iron sights without "reading glasses" are behind me, so most of my suppressor hosts wear red dot optics like the Burris Fastfire III or the Trijicon RMR.

The ISIS-2 is a great option if you want a pistol suppressor that comes apart for cleaning because you want to shoot lead bullets. But in practice I find it has to come apart for cleaning after a low enough round count that it cuts short our outings or I have a bear of a time getting it apart. I much prefer my GemTech Multi-mount for witch cleaning is optional -- if you want to clean like the ISIS-2 you need to do it every 2-300 rounds but if you never take it apart they say it should be good for ~200K jacketed rounds and then they will clean it for a reasonable fee.

Centerfire rifle suppressors don't need cleaning as the high pressure gases "blow out" any fouling beyond a certain level.

 

[greyling22]

well I learned something tonight about the osprey. I didn't realize that it was still taller than most sights. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Surly]

For the rifle can, get a .30 cal in titanium. When you get a heavy 5.56 can, you will wish you had gotten one that's lighter and for a larger caliber at some point down the road. Avoid any QD mounts, as they tend to blow gas back in your face with shorter rifles.

 

[wally]

Avoid any QD mounts, as they tend to blow gas back in your face with shorter rifles.

How so? If gas is blowing back at you, try a heavier buffer and if that fails get an adjustable gas block.

 

[Theohazard]

For the rifle can, get a .30 cal in titanium. When you get a heavy 5.56 can, you will wish you had gotten one that's lighter and for a larger caliber at some point down the road.

I agree that most people will be better off with a .30 caliber can for the their first rifle can, but lighter isn't always better. Lightweight titanium cans will wear out much faster than cans made of stainless steel with inconel baffles, especially if you're shooting lots of rapid fire and/or with short barrels. There's a reason why some cans are heavier, and it has to do with durability.

Avoid any QD mounts, as they tend to blow gas back in your face with shorter rifles.

Gas in your face happens on any AR-type rifle regardless of the type of mounting system used. It's not because of the quick-attach mount, it's because of the extra gas coming back though the chamber that leaks out of the charging handle gap. There are ways to lessen this, but it's difficult to completely eliminate it. Some quick-attach mounts do leak gas, but I've never shot one that leaked so much gas that it shot back into my face.

And keep in mind that if you go with a direct-thread silencer, you'll have bare threads when it's removed from the gun. Also, you need to make sure it doesn't back off the threads during rapid fire. Those are the two main reasons are why most people go with quick-attach mounts for semi-auto rifles.

 

[Theohazard]

If gas is blowing back at you, try a heavier buffer and if that fails get an adjustable gas block.

Those two things will lower gas blowback through the chamber, but they won't eliminate it. The only way to get rid of gas-to-the-face on a suppressed AR is to physically block the gas with a charging handle mod and give it somewhere else to go (like out through a modified forward assist).

 

[Surly]

With QD three-lug mounts, gas escapes from between the mount and the can. I have a Griffin Amament Checkmate that does this on my .22 Uzi conversion. The .22 isn't bad.

When I purchased my Sandstorm, I was going to get a Quicksand, but was advised against it because of some of the barrel lengths of the rifles I have. There is quite a bit more pressure in a .308 compared to a .22 and I knew exactly what was being referenced.

I should have clarified to not get a three-lug mount. Oh well...there it is.

 

[wally]

I don't have any issue with tri-lug mounts and Gemtech Multimount suppressor. I've the Gemtech QD mount on the suppressor and GemTech and Brownell's (Trosusa) tri-lug mounts on several guns.

I've never seen the need for any "gas buster" type of charging handles on any of my ARs running my Halo suppressor or with the HVT-QD on 7.62x39 and .308 DI AR guns. I have added heavier buffers on the 11" ARs and 7.62x39 carbine.