Updated November 11, 2010

• 2010 Rifle Shootout Part 1!  This review covers 17 silencers.  Ten are 556 and seven are in 762.  Two weapons were tested in 556 and the Remington 700 LTR was tested in 762.  Test was conducted October 30, 2010.  Click HERE!

• Thompson Machine 22LR Silencer Review!  This review covers three of Thompson Machine's 22LR silencers on the Walther P22, the Ruger MK III with Tactical Solutions Pac-Lite upper and the venerable Ruger 10/22.  Testing included reference AND ear testing.  Click HERE.

• Baby 5.56 and 7.62 Silencer Shootout!  This shootout style review was completed on July 17, 2010 using four 5.56mm silencers and three platforms.  The baby 7.62mm silencers were tested with a 20" Remington 700.  These tests include both reference location and at the ear testing.  Click HERE.

• DeGroat Tactical NANO vs Thompson Machine Poseidon FREE RELEASE!!!  This shootout was conducted on the Glock 19 with two types of subsonic 9mm ammunition.  Two sound meters were used to show each gunshot with two different location readings.  This review is free for anyone who has a free account at this site.

• COASTAL ULTIMA REVIEW RELEASED!  This test included two silencers, one in 40 S&W and one in 45ACP.  Both wet and dry tests were done with multiple ammo types and TWO SOUND METERS were used!!!  This tells you what the dB ratings are at the EAR and the regular location.  The metering was done using one shot and two numbers!!!  Includes velocity readings  Click HERE

• Silencerco Osprey 45 vs AAC TiRant 45 vs HTG Cycle II 45 review is available!!!  I tested three 45 silencers on the HK USP 45 and the Glock 21.  This test included Mil Spec at the ear testing of both weapons.  Don't miss this review!!!  Click HERE!

• Are Dirty 9MM silencers louder?  This study is a culmination of over 2.5 years of shooting a 9MM silencer and watching the performance.  The results are finally in.  Don't miss it!  Click HERE!

•  2009 9MM SHOOTOUTS ARE COMPLETE!  On August 15, 2009 we did a shootout with TEN 9mm silencers.  They were the HTG Cycle2, the SWR Trident 9, the Gemtech Multimount, the YHM Cobra M2 and the new for 2009 Advanced Armament Corp. Ti-Rant 9MM.  Also tested were the new and older AAC EVO9, the Gemtech Tundra, the SWR Shadow 9 and an older SWR Silencer.  Each silencer was tested on the Glock 19 and the HK USP Tactical 9 with Remington UMC 147 grain ammo.  Click HERE

• 2009 45ACP SHOOTOUT RELEASE IS COMPLETE!  The 2009 45ACP Shootout was done on August 15, 2009 and the silencers tested both wet and dry with Remington 45 were:  Gemtech boostered and unboostered Blackside 45, AAC Evolution 45, YHM Cobra M2, SWR MFG HEMS 2, KAC OHG and two new AAC Silencers...the new AAC TiRant 45's.  A new standard of sound reduction in 45ACP technology has arrived!  Premium members click the picture!

• 2009 22LR SHOOTOUT RELEASE COMPLETED!!!  Thirty three silencers were tested in a single days time on January 31, 2009.  This is the most comprehensive review ever done on this site.  In some cases as many as six different host weapons were tested.  The review includes videos of how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble those silencers that come apart for cleaning.  This review requires the premium subscription to view.    Click HERE

• AAC Ti-Rant 9MM vs Gemtech Multimount Shootoff results are out!  In the 2009 9mm shootout, the AAC Ti-Rant and the Gemtech Multimount basically tied for first place on the full sized H&K USP 9SD. I thought it would be prudent to do a shootoff style review where we take each pistol I had not already tested and use two ammo types to see if a true winner could be found. Click HERE to see the review.

• 2008 762/308 RIFLE SILENCER SHOOTOUT RELEASED!!!   On October 25th, we performed the largest civilian single day independent silencer test every conducted in the USA.  Eleven 762 silencers were tested on two weapons using Federal Gold Metal Match Sierra 168 grain BTHP.  Click the picture for the reviews.  The Gemtech HVT, the AAC 762SD, and the YHM Phantom 762 were also tested on a 16" 556 upper with M855 ball.  See the individual reviews for those results.  CLICK HERE..PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

• 2008 556/223 RIFLE SILENCER SHOOTOUT RELEASED!!!  On October 25th, we performed the largest civilian single day independent silencer test ever conducted in the United States.  Fifteen 556 silencers were tested on 3 different weapons with Nato M855 ball.  The results are finally here with over 40 videos and 130+ pictures.  Click HERE to see the results in sortable tables...PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

Welcome to the only independent online testing resource for civilian legal silencers.  This website is dedicated to researching the ins and outs of silencers in practical civilian use.  I will be conducting tests on various weapons and silencers and sharing those results here.  Just signup with the link above so you can access the forums and stay up to date with all the latest silencer developments and chat with industry professionals.   Using the information provided may save you the expense and headache wasting $500-$1,000 on a loud silencer or one that doesn't properly fit your needs.  Is there such a thing as a loud silencer?  You bet there is!  Don't waste your hard earned dollars on one. 

Some of the free tests include the AAC Prodigy, the Gemtech Outback II, the LRM M169 9mm upper, the Tac 67 cleaning pictures, the SRT Arms Integral 9MM system, the John Norrell Ruger 10/22 and others.  Many videos are included and lots of pictures are located in the reviews so you can see what everything looks and sounds like.  Heads up shootouts with the Beretta 92FS, the Glock 17, the Sig P226 Tactical and the H&K USP 9SD are available with many different 9mm silencers. 

Many rifle class silencers have also been tested and those results are available now!  See the list at the bottom of the site for a complete detailed list of what has been tested.  New tests are conducted monthly on a variety of calibers

Other silencer reviews are coming up in the future and will provide you with in depth detail of each silencer.  The owner of Silencer Research LLC is John Titsworth, Jr. and Silencer Research LLC is a type 07 Federal Firearms License holder and a 02 Class special occupation taxpayer.   I don't take money from manufacturers, dealers, or advertisers, so your support is vital in keeping the reviews coming.

Free Silencer Review and Tests

DeGroat Tactical NANO vs Thompson Machine Poseidon FREE RELEASE!!!  This shootout was conducted on the Glock 19 with two types of subsonic 9mm ammunition.  Two sound meters were used to show each gunshot with two different location readings.  (requires FREE signup, if you are not already a member) Released April 18, 2010

SRT ARMS INTEGRAL 9MM UPPER

This is a review of the SRT Arms 9mm upper for the AR15/M16 weapons platform.  Four types of ammunition were tested for sound signature and velocity was recorded for each shot.   (requires FREE signup, if you are not already a member)

Hearing Protection LLC Checkmate 22LR Silencer

On November 23, 2007 I reviewed the Hearing Protection LLC Checkmate 22LR silencer.  The Checkmate is a monolithic baffle silencer that uses a three lug attachment system.  It can be used either with or without a rubber wipe.  The silencer is all aluminum and can be disassembled by the end user for maintenance.  For this review I also shot two other monolithic baffle silencers for comparison.  I tested the YHM Mite and the AAC Prodigy with two types of ammunition on the P22. (requires FREE signup, if you are not already a member)

357 Magnum Suppressed Rifle

On November 18, 2007 I tested a New England Firearms Handi Rifle chambered in 357 Magnum with four 9MM silencers.  The weapons barrel has been shortened to 16.1 inches and threaded to accept the silencers using the 1/2X28 TPI threading.  In this review we tested some hand loaded 180 grain jacketed hollow points.  (requires FREE signup, if you are not already a member)

AAC M41000 vs. YHM Stainless Phantom 5.56 Silencer Shootout

On December 23, 2007 I shot the first official 5.56mm silencer shootout.  The silencers I tested in this review are the Advanced Armament Corp. M41000 and the Yankee Hill Machine Company Stainless Phantom.  They were tested on the M4 Carbine with both 14.5" and 10.5" barreled uppers.  The ammunition tested was M193 55grain military ball with Lake City head stamp.  Also tested were some 5.56mm TTI Armory Subsonic rounds.  (requires FREE signup, if you are not already a member)

Liberty Suppressors Shoofly

On April 20 ,2008 testing resumed here at Silencer Research and I reviewed a new suppressor from Liberty Suppressors called the Shoofly.  The Shoofly is a smaller than usual diameter 22LR silencers and was designed to match the outside profile of a bull barreled Ruger 10/22. (requires FREE signup, if you are not already a member)

YHM Stainless Steel Mite

On May 26th 2008 I reviewed the Yankee Hills Manufacturing Stainless Steel Mite.  This particular version comes with the Quick Detach system to speed up mounting and dismounting the suppressor from the host weapon.  The silencer is full-automatic rated, disassembles for cleaning by the end user (requires FREE signup, if you are not already a member)

Reflection Tests

I performed a test to determine what difference, if any, the testing location has to do with sound pressure level readings.  I tested 4 weapons with 4 silencers in 4 different locations on the same day.  I tested the John Norrell integral 10/22, the AAC Prodigy on the Browning Buckmark, the AAC Evolution 9 on the Sig P226T and the Gemtech M496D on the M16 with 14.5 inch barrel.  One of the main reasons for performing the test was to see if tests in an open field over grass would be similar or comparable with tests done on my official test range.  (requires FREE signup, if you are not already a member)

TAC 67 Disassembly pictures and commentary

This now discontinued model silencer has one stainless steel blast baffle followed by 4 aluminum baffles.  Both end caps are threaded to allow complete disassembly by the end user.  The baffles used in this silencer are the ported "K" baffles.  The pictures here are indicative of around 1,700 rounds fired from a fully automatic M16 22LR conversion. This review is only of the silencer internals.

John Norrell Arms, Inc. Custom Silencer

This large 22 can was built by John Norrell Arms, Inc. as a custom project.  The criteria were excellent suppression coupled with a longer cleaning interval and extra weight to help control muzzle flip.  The cleaning pictures that are located in the subsequent page show around 5,000 rounds of fully automatic fire from an M16 22LR conversion.  These baffles are "M" baffles.  This silencer might be one of the largest 22LR silencers in existence.

LRM 169 vs Gemtech Talon w/Trinity

  This review of two 9mm uppers for the M16 platform include pictures, ballistics, and some videos.  Videos of silencers are deceiving as they don't adequately represent the way a silencer sounds in real life.  One of the goals of Silencer Research in the future is to make realistic videos that more closely replicate the sound of real suppressed gunfire.  The LRM 169 is an integral upper for the M16.  The Gemtech Talon upper is a non-integral upper for the M16.  The Gemtech Talon upper is designed to be fitted with a Gemtech Trinity 9mm can.  The Gemtech Talon requires the use of 147 grain ammunition in order for the velocity of the projectile to remain subsonic.  The LRM 169 does not require the utilization of 147 grain "subsonic" ammo.  One can shoot almost any type of regular 115 or 124 grain 9mm ammo and the M169 bleeds off the gases to make the round subsonic. This isn't an official sound test, and was done long before I started this site. 

The John Norrell Arms Ruger 10/22 integral silencer

 I tested 5 types of high velocity ammunition for both dB and ballistics/velocity.  I have fired at least 12,000 rounds of CCI Minimags through this suppressor.  The ammunition produces very consistent velocities and seldom causes any cycling problems.  I loaded an Eagle 30 round plastic magazine with 15 rounds and fired the weapon to test for dB levels as well as the velocities. 

Buckmark vs. Ruger

I performed a short test to see what Tactical Solutions barrel was quieter, as well as compare other features and options when using the Tactical Solutions barrels.  The Browning Buckmark uses the Trail Lite barrel and the Ruger series uses the Pac Lite receivers.  Both are high quality products with pros and cons.  The Tactical Solutions aftermarket products greatly reduce the weight of the factory guns.  I believe they also increase the accuracy. 

9MM SHOOTOUT and PISTOL TRIALS

On July 22, 2007 I did an extensive review of three 9mm silencers with 4 separate popular pistols.  I used 3 common ammunition types.  The test was to determine the sound pressure levels of each pistol and each silencer as well as to determine the optimum combination.  I also tested the ballistics of each ammunition type both with and without the silencers attached.

LRM M169 TEST RESULTS 

On March 17, 2007, I tested the LRM upper on a factory Colt M16A2 registered lower receiver.  I tested 6 types of factory loaded ammunition for ballistics/velocities and for dB measurements.  The LRM 169 was loaded with 10 rounds of each type of ammo.  No jams or weapon malfunctions were noted during the entire test.  There is no way to test the LRM unsuppressed as it is an integral upper and you cannot remove the silencer for an unsuppressed reading.

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TERMS OF USE (MUST READ AND AGREE TO TO USE THIS SITE)

Silencers Tested in the 2008-2009 Premium Reviews

45ACP

AAC Evolution 45

AAC Ti-Rant 45 Full Length

AAC Ti-Rant 45 Medium Length

Gemtech Blackside (no booster)

Gemtech Blackside (with booster)

Knights Armament Corp OHG

SWR MFG HEMS2

YHM Cobra M2 45ACP

HP LLC Operator

Silencerco Osprey 45

HTG Cycle II 45

22LR

AAC Aviator

AAC Element

AAC Pilot

AAC Prodigy

AWC Odyssey 2

Costal Hornet

Costal Passport

Elite Iron Echo "L"

Elite Iron Echo "S"

Gemtech Outback II

HPLLC Stainless Checkmate

HTG Universal 2

HTG Universal**

Liberty Kodiak

Liberty Shoofly

Liberty Sparrow

Silencerco 22Sparrow

SoundTech 22

SRT Cheyenne XXL

SRT Comanche

SWR Spectre

SWR Warlock

Tactical Innovations Diamond

Tactical Innovations Quest

Tactical Innovations Stratus

Tactical Innovations Tac 65

Tactical Solutions Cascade

Tactical Solutions Cascade MC

Tactical Solutions Cascade Ti

Thunderbeast Arms "L"

Thunderbeast Arms "S"

YHM Aluminum Mite

YHM Stainless Mite

308/7.62

AAC CYCLONE

AAC 7.62SD 2008 (Also tested on AR15 in 223)

GEMTECH HVT (Also tested on AR15 in 223)

LIBERTY BLACKRAVEN II

QSM 300

SRT SHADOW Ti

SRT SHADOW XL

SWR OMEGA 30

SWR OMEGA 300

THUNDERBEAST 30P

YHM PHANTOM 762 (Also tested on AR15 in 223)

DELTA P DESIGN BREAVIS

TORNADO TECHNOLOGIES STUBBY

223/5.56

AAC M41000 07'

AAC M41000 08'

AAC M42000 08'

AAC RANGER

AAC SPR/M4 07'

AAC SPR/M4 08'

GEMTECH G5

GRIFFIN ARMAMENT SPARTAN II CQB

HTG ARIS-3

HTG Eureka

HTG UNIVERSAL 2

KAC NT4

QSM Ti 223

SRT HURRICANE

SRT HURRICANE XL

SRT Typhoon Steel

SRT Typhoon Titanium

THUNDERBEAST 223P

YHM STAINLESS PHANTOM

9MM

AWC ABRAXAS

AAC EVOLUTION 9 EARLY MODEL

AAC EVOLUTION 9 MOD 2009

YHM COBRA 9MM

GEMTECH TUNDRA

GEMTECH MULTIMOUNT

HTG CYCLE

HTG CYCLE 2

AAC TiRANT 9MM

SWR TRIDENT 9

SWR SHADOW 9

Degroat Tactical Nano

Thompson Machine Poseidon

Almost 80 silencers were tested in over 200 individual tests with many different host weapons.