Good afternoon shooters and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday, where all firearms are meant to be seen, not heard. Today we dive into the rimfire world with a look at some secret spy tech: a very unique, purpose built silencer from Tornado Technologies. And we’ll also take a look at a lesser known silencer company that deserves your attention: the United Armament Corporation and their Hollywood and Hollywood Lite rimfire silencers. Because suppressed rimfire shooting is some of the most fun you can have with your pants on (if you shoot pants-less, I’d rather not know), we will have additional episodes of Rimfire Metering before the end of the year.

Some of my favorite silencers and host setups are those that are built with a specific purpose in mind. The classic Welrod and its modern day equivalent the B&T VP9 come to mind. But as we try to “normalize” silencers and change the public’s perception from Hollywood assassin weapons to standard safety devices, discussing pseudo spy tech can be tricky.

In the end, unique silencers that are small, use wipes and ablative media or are built with a non-standard appearance are interesting additions to a collection.

SILENCER SATURDAY #42: SPY TECH AND RIMFIRE Metering

First, lets take a look at the Tornado Technologies Oxy22.

Tornado Technologies Oxy22:

https://www.tornado-technologies.com/product/OXY22-PACKAGE/Tornado-Technologies-OXY22—Specific-Purpose-wet-wiped-suppressor-with-keyring-adapter/

The OXY22 is an ultra discrete Specific-Purpose, wet, wiped suppressor. It is intended for use by trained operators for specific purposes. Includes keyring adapter.The setup as issued is specifically designed for the Beretta 21A platform. By careful selection of wipe durometer it can be used on other pocket pistols such as the Beretta 950 and Walther TPH.

Specifications:

• Caliber: .22LR
• Overall Length: 1.5″
• Diameter: 1.0″
• Weight: 1oz
• Body Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Baffle Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Wipe Material: 90A Polyurethane
• Front End Cap Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Finish: Black Anodized MIL-A-8625F Type III Class 2
• $299

Credit: MAC Tactical

The Oxy22 is designed specifically to operate on the Beretta 21A. Other small .22LR platforms may work, but could require testing with different thicknesses of wipes. When in doubt, check the owners manual or contact Tornado Technologies for guidance. Since I have been unable to locate a Beretta 21A, today’s testing will feature a Walther PPK/S.

Tornado is well known for their precision barrel threading on unique guns. So if you have a 21A or another gun that looks impossible to thread, drop them a line. I’m sure they can figure it out.

Credit: MAC Tactical

A quick note about MAC Tactical. The overwhelming majority of NFA reviews you see here at TFB pass through MAC. Please help us by supporting the businesses that allow us to bring you timely reviews.

The entire silencer/host setup is tiny!

The good people at Tornado Technologies did an excellent job at putting together a complete package for the Oxy22. The silencer comes in a pill bottle with a label that has instructions right from the pharmacy. Included with the silencer is a syringe for applying the ablative media, a thumb drive with the user manual and a threaded keychain for discreet carry.

How does this tiny suppressor sound? Let’s take a look.

Variables/Equipment

• Decibel Meter: B&K2209
• Temperature: 62deg F
• Humidity: 51%
• Barometric Pressure: 29.4 inHg
• Ammunition: Remington Standard Velocity Target
• Host: Ruger MKII with TacSol PacLite Upper

Reminder: Observations posted here are specific to the time, location and hosts available. A tester at a different location or with different host weapons could record different observations for the same silencers. In addition, decibel readings are a small part of the decision process when shopping for a new silencer (or ammunition). Know your requirements and do your own research.

Industry Standard/Control: SilencerCo Warlock

MILSTD Muzzle

• 119.4
• 117.4
• 116
• 118.1
• 115.6

MILSTD with 1cc of wire pulling gel 

• 113.8
• 116.8
• 117.1
• 115.
• 120+

Tornado Technologies Oxy22

MILSTD Muzzle

1cc of wire pulling gel

• 130+
• 130+
• 133.1
• 134
• 134.9
• 138.3
• 138.
• 137.5
• 139.1
• 140+
• Add 1cc of wire pulling gel
• 130.5
• 131.1
• 134.1
• 136
• 138.1

The initial two or three shots were surprisingly quiet – I actually expected the meter numbers to read lower. By the end of a 10 round magazine, the Oxy22 was pumping up against 140dB. However, even with a used wipe, adding more gel brought the readings down to the lower 130’s again.

Shooting wet is always a bit messy, but the small volume and the wipe-closed muzzle forces some gel back into the action and on to my hands. A small price to pay for such a cool silencer. For $300, I have no regrets in purchasing the Oxy22.

Moving on…

United Armament Corporation was kind enough to let me borrow two of their rimfire silencers for review. The Whispertec Hollywood and Hollywood Lite. Let’s take a look.

United Armament Corporation – Whispertec Hollywood Suppressor

https://unitedarmco.com/product/hollywood–suppressor/

The WHISPERTEC™ Hollywood was designed to be right at home on any 22LR, 17WMR, 22 Magnum and 5.7x28mm pistol or rifle with a ½-28 threaded muzzle. The “Hollywood” is our ultra-durable, black nitride treated suppressor.

Proudly manufactured in the USA, by United Armament Corporation. The WHISPERTEC Hollywood is 100% CNC machined, and features UAC’s proprietary Hemi-blast™ baffle design. The Hemi-baffle™ virtually eliminates first round pop, reduces ejection port blowback and reduces muzzle lift. The 17-4 PH Stainless steel interlocking baffle stack prevents gas leakage between the baffle stack and the outer tube for long life, providing less frequent and easy owner cleaning. The WHISPERTEC™ Hollywood Suppressor is truly world class in build quality and performance. The outer tube and end caps are manufactured from heat treated 4140 chrome moly steel, and then black nitride treated for maximum durability and easier cleaning. With an SPL (Sound Pressure Level) reduction of over 40db, the Hollywood is definitely “Hollywood” quiet. The Hollywood outer tube is finished to assure a smooth, snag-free outer shape capable of rugged, tactical handling without damage. Our end caps are ultra-durable and designed to protect the tube threads.

Included with every Hollywood Suppressor is a heavy duty, nitride treated wrench set, for disassembly, assembly and installation. Our precise tool set provides you the ability to properly torque your suppressor. We also include a true American made Molle carry pouch to keep your suppressor at the ready.

We offer an optional custom fit, environment resistant case to protect your investment in transit or while stored in your armory. Our case can be used as a small field or ammo case too.

Precision engineering, combined with robust materials and exacting CNC manufacturing allows us to provide you a suppressor to meet, and exceed all of your rimfire needs. Rifle or pistol mounted, we are certain you will agree, that the WHISPERTEC™ Hollywood lives up to it’s name in sound suppression performance.

Built to the highest standards, the Hollywood suppressor comes with a Lifetime Warranty.

Hollywood

• Length : 6”
• Caliber: .22LR, 17WMR, 22 Magnum and 5.7x28mm
• Weight: 9.4 Oz.
• Sound Reduction: Approx. -40 dB
• Baffle Stack: Interlocking Stainless Steel
• Barrel Thread: ½-28
• Hollywood Tube material: Black Nitridecarburized 4140 Chrome Moly
• Barrel Adapter and Endcap Material: Black Nitride Carburized 4140 Chrome Moly
• $359

Hollywood Lite

• Length : 6”
• Caliber: .22LR
• Weight: 6.6 Oz.
• Sound Reduction: Approx. -40 dB
• Baffle Stack: Interlocking Stainless Steel
• Barrel Thread: ½-28
• Hollywood LITE Tube: Anodized 6061 T6 Aluminum
• Barrel Adapter and Endcap: Nitridecarburized 4140 Chrome Moly
• $359

I was very impressed with the build quality of both models. There were no machining marks and the finish was even and blemish free. The included tools made disassembly easy.

The baffle stack is a click together, encapsulated type that seals in debris, allowing for easy cleaning. A horizontal line on the outside of the baffles helps to keep the stack alignment consistent.

My one criticism would be that both models might be slightly overbuilt, pushing the weight higher than I’d prefer. But both are completely manageable and shouldn’t factor into your purchase decision unless you are looking for an ultralight host/silencer build combo.

Lets take a look at the numbers.

United Armament Corporation – WHISPERTEC Hollywood lite

MILSTD muzzle 

• 119.5
• 117.5
• 117.
• 116.6
• 118.1
• 118.
• 117.2
• 119
• 114.4 BHO

At The Ear

• 120+
• 117
• 120+
• 117.9
• 118.6
• 116.1
• 113
• 115.4
• 113.5
• 112.9 BHO

MILSTD Muzzle with 1cc of wire pulling gel

• 116.1
• 116.6
• 120+
• 114.1
• 114.9

At The Ear with 1cc of wire pulling gel

• 114.6
• 116.8
• 117.
• 116.6
• 115.1

The decibel reduction performance is on par with industry leader’s models. It is important to note that at these levels of suppression, it is very difficult to detect a sound difference between a 117 dB reading and a 114 dB reading. The United Armament Corporation Hollywood silencers perform well enough to be called “Hollywood Quiet”.

In future rimfIre metering episodes, we will use rifle hosts and additional models for a broad sampling of comparative performance.

Thanks for reading. See you next week.

TFB’s Silencer Saturday is brought to you by Sig Sauer

Credit: TRexArms.com