Sound suppressors have never been more popular. Legal for civilian ownership in 39 states, the unfair stigma associated with these devices is dissipating while more and more people are recognizing their numerous positive attributes. Owning a suppressor does require a fair amount of time, paperwork and expense (the cost of the item plus a $200 federal tax), but the process continues to be streamlined.

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Of course, as a result there are new companies jumping into the suppressor market with some regularity. Gemtech is not one of these Johnny-come-latelies. In fact, the Idaho-based company has been making high-quality suppressors since 1993. Gemtech only makes suppressors and suppressor accessories, so this is not a side business for the company but rather its bread and butter.

Quiet Strikers

Those new to the suppressor market may wonder why they should go to the trouble and expense of buying one. If you are ever forced to shoot in low-light conditions where your night vision could be compromised by muzzle flash, suppressors solve this problem. Since the internal baffles are temporarily trapping the escaping gases, unburned powder that would otherwise exit the barrel and create a muzzle flash is also trapped and burns inside the baffles.

Most importantly, however, suppressors protect your hearing. This is especially important if you have to fire indoors. Again, in an indoor scenario, you likely won’t have hearing protection. After a few shots, your hearing will be seriously compromised, and you will suffer permanent damage. Tactical teams are increasingly using suppressors for this very reason.

Various comparisons can help us understand relative noise levels. A normal conversation is 40 to 60 decibels. At 85 decibels, it is possible to sustain hearing damage if the noise is continuous. A gas-powered chainsaw reaches about 110 decibels, and at 120 decibels hearing damage can occur from a single noise. Your ears will hurt at 130 decibels, and a high-powered rifle will produce 160 to 170 decibels of sound. A good suppressor will reduce the sound level by 20 to 40 decibels, a much safer range.

Strong & Lightweight

The latest and greatest offering from Gemtech is its G-Core line, available for .22 LR, 9mm and .45 ACP pistols as well as the 300 Blackout. The G-Core features a solid two-piece design with a unique use of turbulence voids, meaning the specific design of the internal baffles. It was designed using computational fluid dynamic software, which allowed the engineers to digitally test the suppressors before samples were built. The designers also used a finite element analysis process to maximize the strength and weight properties of the final product. The prototypes were tested with live ammo to the point of failure, and the final result was a suppressor that maximizes both sound reduction and accuracy. According to Gemtech, the G-Core units are “the strongest suppressors we have ever tested.”

The GM-22 is designed for .22 LR and similar rimfire cartridges, including the .22 WMR and .17 HMR. The sound reduction is an impressive 36 to 39 decibels, and with subsonic ammunition (which Gemtech also produces), the sound signature is down to airgun levels. Made from 7075-T6 aluminum, the unit is only 5 inches long and weighs 2.5 ounces. It is also rated for full-auto fire. The tube itself has a flat black Cerakote finish that helps reduce its infrared signature, and the GM-22 will fit on standard 1/2×28 threads.

The integral MIST-22 suppressor should also be a welcome addition for rimfire fans of the ubiquitous Ruger 10/22. This suppressor replaces the barrel and has internal baffles that are surrounded by an aluminum sleeve.

The Gemtech GM-9 is designed for 9mm centerfire weapons and will accept multiple adapters for different pistols and carbines. The GM-9 offers a sound reduction of 30 to 37 decibels and will handle full-auto fire. One of the best features is that it comes apart easily and can be serviced by the user. The GM-9’s 7075-T6 aluminum construction helps keep the weight of the unit down to 5 ounces.

Made for .45 ACP weapons, the GM-45 offers a 32- to 35-decibel sound reduction when wet and 21 to 23 decibels dry as well as extreme versatility. Most larger-caliber suppressors can just as easily be used on smaller-caliber guns, saving the user money, and the GM-45 is no exception, as it can work with 9mm, 10mm and .40 S&W weapons. Rated for full-auto fire, the GM-45 is only slightly larger than the GM-9.

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Finally, the GMT-300BLK is optimized for rifles with a 7.5-inch barrel or longer and chambered in 300 Blackout using both subsonic and high-velocity ammo. Rated for full-auto use, the GMT-300BLK delivers an impressive sound reduction of 36 to 39 decibels. The titanium unit weighs 14 ounces.

For more information, visit gem-tech.com or call 208-939-7222.