SILENCER SATURDAY #148: Quiet Time With The 9mm Bul Armory Double Stack 1911
Hello everyone and thanks for joining us for another Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM R9 suppressor. Last week we took a look at some glamour shots of the H&K SP5K-PDW, a semiautomatic version of one of the most iconic sub machineguns in the world. This week we bring you a closer look at the 9mm Bul Armory double stack pistol – the first threaded model from a company that makes quality competition and carry guns. The SAS II Tactical comes outfitted with about every option you could want in a full-size, hammer-fired carry gun. But how does it suppress? Let’s take a look.
But first, in case you missed it, in the second edition of the TFB Debate Club, we take a look at the pros and cons of owning/shooting suppressors. Nick C. took the pro side an I decided to defend the con side. Yes, it was painful.
Bul Armory @ TFBSILENCER SATURDAY #148: Quiet Time With The 9mm Bul Armory Double Stack 1911
As most of you are painfully aware, I’m a GLOCK owner by trade. No offense to my friends at SIG, FN, Springfield and S&W – they all make fantastic models. But, as good as my Austrian polymer is, it’s my job to branch out and give you all a semi-balanced look at other pistol hosts and their features. I’m not going to lie, manual safety guns are not my cup of tea. But in the name of science, we press on.
The SAS II Tactical feels like the Browning Hi-Power and the 1911 had intimate relations. Not in a ‘five-scorpion bowls later in the handicap stall at Wendy’s’ sort of way. More of a ‘Jane Austin tale of two friends that finally decide they want more’ kind of deal. What can I say, if you want real history and lineage details, go watch Forgotten Weapons.
Bul Armory SASII Tactical – Specifications
https://www.bularmory.com/catalog/carry-commander/ (Closest model to this prototype).
- Caliber: 9mm
- Barrel: 4.25” ramped, bull barrel. Threaded 1/2×28
- Frame: Stainless steel with picatinny rail.
- Finish: Stainless steel / Black oxide / Optional PVD coated slide & frame.
- Magazines: 2
- Capcity: 9mm – 19 rounds
- Trigger: 3.0 – 3.5 lbs.
- Safety: extended lever.
- Sights: 3 dot./Shield Optics MRDS
- Weight: As shown (unloaded): About 32 Ounces.
- MSRP: About $1,500 +/- (TBD)
The stainless magazines easily fit 19 rounds of 9mm and drop free when empty.
- Length (With Piston / Without): 8.25″ / 7.75″
- Weight (With Piston & Spring / Without): 10.1 oz. / 7.4 oz.
- Diameter: 1.1 in.
- $899 MSRP
- WEIGHT: 10.8 OZ
- LENGTH: 8.50”
- DIAMETER: 1.67”
- $665 MSRP
- TOTAL LENGTH 4.7”
- WEIGHT 7.2 oz
- DIAMETER 1.48”
- $865 MSRP
YHM R9 (with direct thread mount)
- DIAMETER / LENGTH: 1.562” / 5.2”
- WEIGHT: 10.7 Oz.
- RATING: 17HMR – 9mm / .308 Win
- MATERIAL: 17-4 Ph SS
- FINISH: Matte Black Cerakote
- $449 MSRP
Ammunition Used Today:
- Seismic Ammo 185gr – $28.98/21 rounds
- Detroit Ammo 165gr – $41.34/50 rounds
- Winchester Ranger 147gr
When it comes to the use of micro red dot sights (MRDS) on pistols, I am probably the slowest adopter among the TFB staff. I still feel quicker with a standard three dot setup. However, one of the many places a MRDS makes the most sense is on a suppressed pistol. The dot on the Shield Sight floats about 1/16” above the fat little YHM R9.
With about 200 rounds through the SAS II Tactical (this Ammo Pandemic is a killer), 99% of which was suppressed, the observed blowback was minimal, with no real residue on the front of the optic.
The Octane 45 HD was very quiet, just behind the Odessa and not including the R9. It’s length helps with internal volume and the .45 caliber overbore helps with pushing gas forward instead of back at the shooter.
The YHM R9 was the quietest of all the silencers, producing satisfying thumps that didn’t wake the dogs. However, without the booster module, the SAS II Tactical was a single shot gun, keeping the gas and noise from being directed out the ejection port and back towards the shooter. The lightweight can almost cycled the pistol a few times (a titanium R9 might run this handgun boosterless).
The Dead Air Odessa was the quietest silencer of the group, but did show some blowback when using the Seismic Ammo. Two weeks ago I ran the Odessa at half length on the SAS II Tactical and while it was louder, it did not have any perceived blowback issues.
The Omega 9K was the loudest of the group regardless of ammunition choice. But none of today’s silencers and ammunition used in the SAS II Tactical required the use of additional hearing protection.
Overall, the best combination was the Dead Air Odessa using the Detroit Ammo 165gr 9mm rounds. That was fun. For the biggest wow factor, the R9 sans booster assembly was crazy quiet, albeit in single shot mode. It does seem like this double stack, hammer fired pistol suppresses better than most striker fired guns. It is definitely more refined.
The trigger on the Bul Armory SAS II is phenomenal – night and day in comparison to my usual striker fired workhorses. Some of the hollow points had an issue feeding/chambering, getting hung up halfway into the chamber. I don’t consider it to be a big enough data point to be an issue, but I’ll keep an eye on it and let you all know.
Have a great weekend everyone.. Be safe, have fun and we’ll see you here next week for another Silencer Saturday.
Silencer Saturday is Sponsored by Yankee Hill Machine
Buy YHM silencers and accessories at:
DEALERS: If you want your link to buy YHM suppressors included in future Silencer Saturday posts, email: silencers@thefirearmblog.com
Silencers - Science Pete@thefirearmblog.com
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Here's a question that I understand will have a subjective answer for @TFBPete:disqus or anyone else with experience:
Between the YHM R9 and the SiCo Omega 9k is there one that sounds better with 9mm and one that sounds better with .300blk?
I'm waiting for the Arsenal Firearms AF2011-A1 double 45 to have silencers fitted.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...