Silencer Central’s Banish suppressors have always been outstanding safety devices, but the company is best known for the purchasing process it offers consumers—and rightly so. What used to be a confusing labyrinth of paperwork, fingerprints, photos and waiting has been reduced merely to waiting. Waiting for the ATF to approve the paperwork Silencer Central makes so very easy to complete. Apart from that, a couple of trips to your mailbox is as far as you’ll need to go to buy a suppressor from the Sioux Falls, SD-based company. That’s right; your can will be delivered to your door, so you don’t even need to leave your property to pick it up once it ships.
Because of Silencer Central’s incredible system, its suppressors are—wrongly—often an afterthought, but they happen to be outstanding cans. Until now, they have been titanium models with user-serviceable baffles. They’ve also been the traditional, long-tube style of suppressor. Enter the new Speed K, which was designed specifically for the tactical market (but is available to anyone legally allowed to own a suppressor).
The Speed K is a short, stubby can specific to 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem.-chambered rifles and large-format pistols. It mounts via direct threat to the muzzle and, in a departure from the rest of the Banish line, is made from Inconel rather than titanium. At a mere 4 inches long, I found it to be virtually unnoticeable at the end of the Smith & Wesson M&P15 Volunteer Pro I used as a test platform.
Because it threads directly to the muzzle, it adds probably around 3.5ish inches to the overall length of the carbine, which is substantially less than a traditional suppressor. To achieve significant sound reduction, it is a good deal thicker than your common can, at a full 2 inches in diameter. It is also a bit heavier than it looks at 14.1 ounces, owing to its girth and Inconel construction. As mentioned, however, it was barely noticeable at the end of the M&P15.
Putting It To The Test
I put 200 rounds from a wide variety of manufacturers with a plethora of different bullet weights and styles through the Banish Speed K in one sitting with zero failures of any kind. Furthermore, while I did not formally test for accuracy, the point-of-impact shift between a naked muzzle and with the Speed K installed was exceedingly minor. Sound suppression was obvious, even on our narrow, indoor test range. The other major benefit of a suppressor, and the Speed K really shined here, was in its recoil and muzzle-rise reduction. Even shooting offhand, I was able to keep the iron sights of the M&P15 on target after ever shot, with minimal movement of the carbine thanks to the Speed K’s performance, size and weight. Furthermore, it did not display the most irritating part of shooting a suppressed firearm, which is backblast that sends hot gas and/or particulates toward the shooter's face—which was very much appreciated.
Between its small size and superlative performance, the Speed K is an outstanding option for a home-defense carbine. Its short length makes maneuvering through your home simple and leaves less material hanging out beyond the muzzle for a criminal to potentially grab as you come around a corner. And having a suppressed firearm for home defense is a good idea, because while it certainly won’t “silence” the report of your carbine, it will reduce the noise level significantly (Silencer Central claims a report of 138.5 dB at the shooter’s ear, which would be a reduction of about 20 to 30 dB, depending on your particular AR and load). That can help you maintain a greater level of situational awareness, which is vital in any defensive scenario.
I look forward to further testing and evaluation of this excellent new offering from Silencer Central, and I plan to get one of my own, soon, using the company’s amazing purchasing system. Soon being relative, of course, since the ATF will still take its time approving my Form 4.
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56
Material: Inconel 718
Diameter: 2 inches
Length: 4 inches
Weight: 14.1 ounces
MSRP: $1,199
