{"id":2309,"date":"2024-06-27T18:09:51","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T18:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2309"},"modified":"2024-06-27T18:09:51","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T18:09:51","slug":"silencer-central-banish-speed-k-review-the-backpressure-buster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2309","title":{"rendered":"Silencer Central Banish Speed K Review: The Backpressure Buster?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Joe Kurtenbach<\/a><\/p>\n

S<\/span>ilencer Central is known for two serious contributions to the shooting industry: Reimagining the suppressor purchase process, and its comprehensive line of Banish silencers. Regarding the latter, a recent addition to the family really stands out from the crowd \u2014 the Banish Speed K.<\/p>\n

The Speed K is different. For starters, it doesn\u2019t look like its stablemates. It was engineered and built differently than the rest of the line so that, ultimately, it would perform differently.<\/p>\n

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The compact and capable Speed K from Silencer Central<\/a> is designed for .223\/5.56mm carbines and offers drastically reduced backpressure. Image:\u00a0Jake Miller\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Design priorities for most suppressors are noise reduction and cost. The whole point is to quiet the volume of a gun\u2019s report, so a viable suppressor simply has to work. In addition, the market for suppressors is highly competitive, so price and value also play a significant role.<\/p>\n

Prior to the Speed K, Silencer Central pursued these sound objectives to a tee, and built the Banish line to offer excellent noise reduction and notable versatility at a fair price. Characteristics of the line included traditional stacked-baffle internal configurations as well as durable titanium construction. The result is tough, lightweight suppressors that offer top-tier noise reduction without top-tier costs.<\/p>\n

Too, most Banish suppressors are multi-caliber units that utilize a variety of interchangeable mounts and adapters to accommodate different muzzle thread pitches. Some are also modular, allowing users to add or remove baffles for greater suppression or improved portability. One example, the Banish 30<\/a>, can handle any cartridge from .17-caliber rimfires up to .30-cal. magnums. It can also be run in either a 7\u201d or 9\u201d configuration.<\/p>\n

\"Silencer\n<\/picture>
The Hellion \u2014 shown here in the optional gray color \u2014 features a short \u201cbullpup\u201d design that makes it an ideal platform for the compact Speed K suppressor. Image:\u00a0Carson McDaniel\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For what it\u2019s worth, my personal recommendation to first-time suppressor shoppers is to start with a utility .30-cal. can exactly like the Banish 30. Most folks get hooked by the benefits of suppressed shooting \u2014 the reduced noise and recoil \u2014 and will become repeat shoppers. With offerings from the Banish 22 (.17 HMR, .22 LR, 5.7x28mm, etc.) up to the Banish 46 (.45-70 Gov\u2019t, .338 Lapua, and below), Silencer Central has them covered.<\/p>\n

[Check out our article on suppressor internals<\/a>.]<\/p>\n

To sum up, Banish series suppressors are versatile, lightweight, durable, and, of course, quiet. They are ideal for recreational and hunting pursuits. The Banish Speed K, though, like I said, is different.<\/p>\n

Performance Priorities<\/h2>\n

Why depart from a proven recipe and make the Speed K different? The answer stems from its intended use case, its\u00a0raison d\u2019etre<\/em>. Unlike the rest of the suppressors in the Banish line, the Speed K was designed specifically for use on a semi-auto (or even select-fire) carbine chambered for 5.56\u00d745 NATO\/.223 Remington<\/a>. Further, it was intended to answer law enforcement requests for a new kind of suppressor \u2014 yet still provide a benefit that would appeal to the civilian shooter as well.<\/p>\n

\"thread\n<\/picture>
Shown here is the Speed K and direct thread adapter next to the threaded muzzle of the Hellion rifle. Image:\u00a0Carson McDaniel\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The issue can be summed up in one word \u2014 backpressure. Most people who have fired a suppressed semi-automatic rifle likely remember the blast of hot, pressurized gas that hits as the shot goes off. For a few shots? Not a huge deal. For a sustained string of shots \u2014 particularly at a good pace \u2014 it can become a real issue.<\/p>\n

Backpressure reduction now tops the wish list for tactically oriented suppressors \u2014 whether for LE- and military-oriented uses, while also offering benefits to civilian shooters \u2014 and the answer is fairly simple. Let more gas out the front. The problem is, if you let more gas flow quickly through the suppressor to mitigate backpressure, you are also letting more noise out the front.<\/p>\n

Enter the Banish Speed K. In consultation with dozens of professional end-users, Silencer Central set out to design a hybrid flow-through suppressor that would reduce backpressure, but still provide hearing-safe noise suppression. They also reimagined the external dimensions in order to reduce the silencer\u2019s length, ensuring that Speed K-equipped carbines would be portable and maneuverable within tight environments.<\/p>\n

Construction & Materials<\/h2>\n

To pull off this radical departure from the company\u2019s previous suppressor designs, Silencer Central employed both a different construction material and a new manufacturing technique.<\/p>\n

To achieve a balance of flow-through and noise suppression, the Speed K incorporates a sophisticated array of internal blast chambers, baffles and vents to contain and control the energy and movement of gases. The components each play a role in capturing, slowing, directing and releasing the shot blast\u2019s energy and gas.<\/p>\n

\"compact\n<\/picture>
The Speed K is very compact, with an overall length of just 4\u201d. Shown next to a .223 round for comparison. Image:\u00a0Carson McDaniel\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Such a complex configuration would be difficult, or impossible, to create with traditional reductive manufacturing methods, such as using a CNC machine. Too, welding machined parts together can create potential weak points, and you can be sure that a can intended for tactical use is going to be stressed.<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s solution was visionary. The Speed K is entirely made from Inconel through the additive process of 3D printing. The use of Inconel 718 alloy is not new to suppressor design, but it is still somewhat exotic. The material is similar in weight and strength to stainless steel, but it is renowned for its heat resistance. In fact, Inconel is probably best known for its use on spacecraft engines because it can withstand the blast from rocket boosters. Using a 3D printer, complex internals designs become easy to achieve as the material is simply added layer by layer, with no welds required.<\/p>\n

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In addition to the Inconel version I did all my testing with, which weighs in at 14.1 oz. and has an MSRP of $1,199, Silencer Central also offers a Speed K constructed of titanium. That version weighs in at 8.6 oz. and has an MSRP of $1,399. Both feature a black Cerakote finish.<\/p>\n

Hands-On<\/h2>\n

The result is an absolute unit. The Speed K is a monolithic, mono-metal suppressor that is both surprisingly short and deceptively hefty. With a direct thread adapter installed, the can is about 4.25\u201d tall and weighs just more than a pound in the Inconel variant I was testing. Its body diameter is right about 2\u201d. In the hand, it reminds me of the size and weight of a smoke grenade.<\/p>\n

Unlike Silencer Central\u2019s multi-caliber offerings, the Speed K is intended to be a dedicated 5.56\/.223 muzzle device. However, it is compatible with a wide range of rifle makes and models because it mounts using industry-standard HUB-pattern adapters. The can has an integral collar below the main body, the inside of which is threaded 1.375\u00d724 to accept thread-specific muzzle adaptors. Silencer Central includes one with the purchase of the Speed K and others can be added separately. There are eight thread options to choose from but, given the chambering, 1\/2\u00d728 is going to be the most common selection. The mounting adapters are made of titanium.<\/p>\n

\"Speed\n<\/picture>
The author ran the Speed K on a gray Hellion 5.56mm, with the two working together without a hiccup.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For testing, I figured if we are going to go short, let\u2019s really go short, so I affixed the Speed K to a Springfield Armory Hellion. The 16\u201d-barreled Hellion has an overall length of less than 30\u201d, so even by adding about 4\u201d for the suppressor, the bullpup is still shorter than a standard length, 16\u201d-barrel unsuppressed AR. That\u2019s an appealing package for defensive work in tight terrain.<\/p>\n

I shot a variety of .223 and 5.56 ammunition to test functionality, and there were no problems. Happily, there was also no perceptible backpressure. Even shooting rapid strings, it seemed that the Speed K\u2019s flow-through design was working perfectly. Too, the added heft at the muzzle helped keep the rifle from rising during recoil, so I had the impression of a very flat-shooting carbine.<\/p>\n

One of the nice features of the Hellion is its two-position adjustable gas block, \u201cN\u201d for normal, unsuppressed use, and \u201cS\u201d for suppressed shooting. Between the Hellion\u2019s piston-driven operating system and the flow-through qualities of the Speed K, I did not need to make any adjustments. With standard velocity ammunition, the gun cycled reliably without feeling over-pressured. It was nice to know, though, that if I wanted to shoot a spicy 75-grain 5.56 NATO load \u2014 or use a less sophisticated suppressor \u2014 the gun has a tunable gas system to accommodate.<\/p>\n

\"range\n<\/picture>
The Speed K suppressor proved to be a great match with the Springfield Armory Hellion bullpup rifle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Speed K earns high marks for its compact design and the way it handles backpressure, but how does it sound? According to Silencer Central, the suppressor offers 20.9 decibels (Db) of noise reduction. As a result, the Speed K should bring the volume of carbine fire (approximately 160 Db) down to the edge of \u201chearing safe\u201d (140 Db). I put the latter level in quotes because prolonged exposure to suppressed gunfire can still cause lasting damage to your hearing. Do yourself a favor and wear some ear protection whenever you go shooting, suppressed or not.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Having gone hands-on with the Speed K, I have nothing but admiration for the feat of engineering that it represents. As a dedicated suppressor for defensive-style rifles, the Speed K from Silencer Central is a great option. I couldn\u2019t be happier the company is pressing forward in this new direction.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

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Silencer Central BANISH Speed K<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Hellion\u2122 <\/h3>\n


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By Joe Kurtenbach Silencer Central is known for two serious contributions to the shooting industry: Reimagining the suppressor purchase process, and its comprehensive line of Banish silencers. Regarding the latter, a recent addition to the family really stands out from the crowd \u2014 the Banish Speed K. The Speed K is different. For starters, it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2309\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}