Good morning substars (copyright 2020 – Pete) and welcome to another installment of TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new R9 suppressor. Which coincidentally is our topic today Last week we discussed damaged suppressors and the legal and regulatory hoops owners have to go through to make repairs. Repeal (and F) the NFA. This week we finally bring you a look at the the YHM R9 suppressor – a 9mm can with benefits. I’m usually not a fan of do-it-all wonder silencers. Is the R9 the exception? Let’s take a look.

YHM @ TFB:

• New Suppressors: YHM R9 – YHM Nitro N20 – YHM Turbo Integral
• SILENCER SATURDAY #112: YHM Resonator K – Quiet, Short, Light, Affordable
• Suppressed Nation Reviews the YHM Resonator K Rifle Silencer
• New Release: Mini Phantom QD Brake For YHM Suppressors
• SILENCER SATURDAY #138: Picking The Best 5.56mm AR15 Suppressor For You

SILENCER SATURDAY #140: The New YHM R9 Suppressor – Your Golden Ticket?

Building off their successes with the Turbo K and Resonator K suppressors, YHM has brought those key features into the 9mm world. A compact footprint to keep pistol caliber carbines compact, a universally accepted 1 3/8”-24 threaded mounting platform for a variety of adapters, and the ability to handle higher pressure calibers on other hosts.

At just under 11 ounces, the R9 is light enough to be almost transparent on the end of some hosts – one of the most important features for a Kurz sized silencer.

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When YHM engineers set out to make a suppressor, they look far beyond that of just making the designated caliber quieter. They make it work across the board so that you, the shooter, can enjoy versatility across your entire arsenal all at a budget friendly price while maintaining that rugged durability you’ve come to expect from YHM®. This was the intent with the R9™ 9mm.

The primary goal was a 9mm suppressor capable of handling high volumes of fire and the ability to run other calibers such as .300 BLK and .308 Win. It was primarily focused on suppressing 9mm (specifically sub-machine guns and SBRs).

The R9™ is capable of being used on a handgun in conjunction with our Nielsen Booster Assembly.

Specifications:

• $449 MSRP
• Manufacturer’s page: https://yhm.net/r9-9mm.html
• Silencer Shop: https://www.silencershop.com/yhm-r9.html
• 1-3/8”-24 rear mounting threads and ships in the 1/2”-28 Direct Thread format.
• Fully-welded tubeless design
• Made from 17-4 PH Stainless Steel for increased strength and corrosion resistance
• Limited Full Auto
• SUPPRESSION LEVEL: 123 dB
• DIAMETER / LENGTH: 1.562” / 5.2”
• WEIGHT: 10.7 Oz.
• RATING: 17HMR – 9mm / .308 Win
• MATERIAL: 17-4 Ph SS
• FINISH: Matte Black Cerakote
• 9mm: 125 dB on 10.5″ Barrel
• 9mm: 123 dB on 4.25″ Barrel
• .308 Win.: 142 dB on 20″ Barrel

Minimum Barrel Lengths:

• 7.62×51 / .308 Winchester: 16″ minimum barrel length
• 350 Legend: 16″ minimum barrel length
• 6.5 Grendel: 16″ minimum barrel length
• 5.56 NATO: 16″ minimum barrel length
• 300 Blackout: 8″ minimum barrel length

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On The Range With The YHM R9 Suppressor

Now we get down to business: how does the R9 sound on a variety of different hosts? Normally I like to evaluate new silencers independent of how they perform compared to other manufacturer’s models. But the compact 9mm can market already has some impressive performers and, without a proper decibel meter, the best way to relay my observations is to compare it to silencers you may have heard in person. I picked two top sellers for today’s review:

SilencerCo Omega 9K:

• MSRP: $865
• Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Length: 4.70 inches
• Caliber ratings: 9mm, 300BLK (supers – 8” barrel length minimum)
• Modular mounting

Dead Air Wolfman (short configuration):

• MSRP: $965
• Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Length: 5.13 inches
• Caliber ratings: 5.56, 300BLK, 7.62×39, 9X39, 350 Legend, .380, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 9mm (Supersonic rifle rounds require the KEYMO micro brake and adapter)
• Modular mounting

Ammunition:

• 9mm: Seismic 185gr JHP
• 300BLK: Discreet Ballistics 190gr FMJ Target 

Hosts:

• H&K SP5K-PDW – 9mm – Barrel length: 5.83 inches
• H&K SP5 – 9mm – Barrel length: 8.86 inches
• Remington Model 7 – 300 BLK Barrel length: 16 inches
• Wolfman: Direct thread
• Omega 9K: Three-lug
• YHM R9: Direct thread

Environmental:

• 64 degrees
• Rain
• Outdoor Range

Note: I had hope to capture some video or at least give you some images of the R9 in action, but today’s range day was overshadowed by a steady, soaking rain.

YHM R9 Observations & Comparisons:

Shooting the 300BLK Discreet Ballistics subs in a 16” bolt action rifle is a very pleasant experience. It’s not as jaw dropping as using the full size Resonator or the Nomad L, but it definitely holds its own with the Resonator K. I’d say it’s slightly louder than the Resonator K, but I did not do a side-by-side comparison. I also don’t have the necessary mounts to compare the Omega 9K or the Wolfman on a 300BLK host. Give me a few weeks to put together another showdown.

On the SP5, the YHM R9 seems to out perform the Omega 9K and fell slightly shy of the Wolfman in short configuration without the wipe. The R9 is a perfect balance of suppression and length on the end of the classy SP5. The combo is quiet and hearing safe with subsonics, but not MP5SD level performance.

On the shorter, more svelte SP5K-PDW, I honestly had a hard time discerning between the three contestants. On the sub-six inches barrel, the R9, Wolfman and the Omega 9K all gave an adequate level of suppression that lives up to K-size silencer expectations.

YHM R9 Conclusions:

The YHM R9 lived up to my expectations for a K size suppressor. It’s about as quiet as you can get out of a five inch 9mm can. It accepts the de facto industry standard mounts, can handle 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds on 16” barrels and should have a street price close to $400.

While the Omega 9K is a very good can, for the price savings and performance, the YHM R9 suppressor seems to be a much better choice in every category except for weight. While the Wolfman is slightly quieter on the SP5, as a modular silencer that costs twice as much, it really is in a different category than the R9.

If you’re in the market for a compact 9mm suppressor that provides excellent noise suppression, a variety of mounting options an can handle 5.56/7.62 rounds on the right hosts, the YHM R9 is a no brainer. I’ll be putting my money where my mouth is and buying this R9 and give it a forever home. It is one in a very small list of real do-it-all type suppressors that I’d recommend as a golden ticket for a variety of hosts.

Thanks for reading TFB’s Silencer Saturday. Be safe and we’ll see you back here next week.

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Silencer Saturday is Sponsored by Yankee Hill Machine:

Buy YHM silencers and accessories at:

Silencer Shop – Hansohn BrOthers – dead eye gun supply –

Mac tactical

All YHM Products At Brownells

DEALERS: If you want your link to buy YHM suppressors included in future Silencer Saturday posts, email: silencers@thefirearmblog.com

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special Thanks: Mac Tactical