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More than 30 years ago, Greg Latka, the founder of GSL Technology, decided to switch gears from a focus primarily on the aerospace industry towards following his passion – designing and building suppressors and other firearm parts. Ever since then, Latka and GSL engineered and manufactured some of the most popular silencer models sold in U.S. history, putting quiet combinations in the hands of tens of thousands of shooters across the country. If you’ve ever been to a stocking FFL/SOT NFA dealer, chances are you’ve seen or even held a GSL build.
So why is it that many of you have probably never heard GSL Technology? We’ll get to that part in a minute.
A little-known secret within the silencer industry is that some manufacturers don’t make all their parts in-house. In fact, a few manufacturers (and we aren’t talking about small operations) don’t produce a single end cap, tube or baffle. Instead, they rely on outside companies and resources to crank out parts. This can be due to the lack of local resources like stable manpower or supply chain deficiencies. Or the outsourcing can also come from a need for design services and engineering ideas. Typically, prospective buyers look at suppressor markings and think that the entirety of the build is produced in-house (at least I did, anyway).
Enter GSL, a Jackson, Michigan based, and ISO 9001 certified, manufacturing company that is focused on rolling out quality suppressor parts at impressive rates. GSL is one of very few ISO 9001 certified suppressor manufacturers in the U.S.
The ISO 9000 family addresses various aspects of quality management and contains some of ISO’s best known standards. The standards provide guidance and tools for companies and organizations who want to ensure that their products and services consistently meet customer’s requirements, and that quality is consistently improved.
Before you ask, I will not be mentioning specific companies that utilize GSL’s services. For one, it’s somewhat private information that could interfere with business relationships. But in reality, it’s not important. In most cases, companies request parts to be manufactured and GSL makes them according to the outlined specifications. The end result is a silencer that is exactly what the client requested and subsequently customers get a branded performer that meets the specifications as advertised by the company.
On the flip side of that story, sometimes prospective clients contact GSL to contract a suppressor build with “innovative” designs or configurations. While Latka and his team always listen to the companies needs, they will also use their years of experience to push them towards performance and durability. “Usually we take their prototype out to the range along with some of our builds, meter them for sound reductions and compare the models side-by-side.” More often than not, companies will choose to go with a GSL design with aesthetic customizations that make a unique model over the original prototype.
GSL Technology Current Patents
- 5,029,512 – July 9, 1991: Firearms Muzzle Silencer
- 5,559,302 – Sept. 4, 1996: Bayonet Type Coupling For Firearm
- 5,685,102 – Nov. 11, 1997: Snap-On Firearms Adapter
- 8,210,087 – July 3, 2012: Apparatus for Securing a Suppressor to Firearm
- 8,910,745 – Dec. 16, 2014: Ported Weapon Silencer
- 8,991,551 – March 31, 2015: Weapon Silencer & Baffles
Even though Latka was heavily invested in the aerospace industry, making couplers, rocket parts and other pieces for missiles and spacecraft, his continued interest and involvement with suppressors eventually lead him to be the President of Gemtech for about two decades. In this role he designed and manufactured some of Gemtech’s most popular silencers, working alongside industry icon Phil Dater. While the two didn’t always see eye-to-eye, between the mid-1990’s and about 2015, Gemtech ramped up production dramatically on some models, increasing from dozens of silencers to thousands of silencers manufactured each year.
But after a leadership and financial strategy change, Latka separated from Gemtech and returned to focusing on his work at GSL in Michigan: an easy process since GSL had already been manufacturing OEM parts for several firearms companies. While still maintaining this business strategy, Latka and crew are pushing full steam ahead to get the GSL brand more accessible within the silencer market.
GSL Technology’s suppressor lineup is deep, with at least 15 models covering almost every host combination available, including quick disconnect mounting systems, user serviceable configurations, and fully automatic rated models. With other new models/versions in development, GSL is definitely making a play to be more recognized by dealers and consumers in 2018.
GSL Technology- Suppressor lineup
We hope to have a few GSL silencers stop by TFB for a review and comparison in the coming months. Until then, take a look through the website at their available models. Pricing runs from about $300 for rimfire models up to about $1500 for a .338 Lapua precision silencer.
GSL Technology Quick Facts
- Designed 40 top-selling small arms products Suppressors, Tri-Lock Mount, Bi-Lock, and helped design the Grip Pod
- Extensive industry experience (50 Years)
- Strong reputation with Law Enforcement
- Fully integrated manufacturing facility
- Proven track record of innovative designs
- Class II FFL Dealer for 31 years
- 7 current patents – 2 patents pending
- ISO 9001 Certified
GSL Technology – HTTPS://WWW.GSLTECHNOLOGY.COM
Since 1985, GSL has designed suppressed weapons systems that are used by most Government agency units throughout the world and designed advanced systems to ensure their safety and protect their hearing. In addition, we have worked with a wide range of local, state and federal Law Enforcement and Government agencies that depend on our innovative, durable and proven designs.
For over 30 years GSL has continued to lead the charge on product design, engineering, and patents – all while continuing to manufacture high-end suppression devices for the industry at large.
