Good evening quiet friends and welcome back to another edition of TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the YHM R9 multi-caliber suppressor. Last week we brought out the Innovative Arms DECEPTION 7.62 for a bit of a show and tell. This week we are going smaller with the Innovative Arms GRUNT Mini rifle suppressor. How does it stack up? Let’s find out.

I’m going to deviate from my standard practices today: normally I don’t like to do direct comparisons of suppressors in for review. Each manufacturer and model deserves to be judged on their own merits. But since the GRUNT Mini has been available for a number of years, some newer K-sized models have taken center stage in performance and popularity. Specifically the YHM Turbo K suppressor.

Obviously, TFB’s Silencer Saturday is sponsored by our friends at YHM. As I have stated in the past, none of the sponsorship money comes directly to me. In addition, the YHM team knows I don’t pull any punches – if they make something that doesn’t perform up to my expectations, they (and you) are going to hear about it.

Given the similarities between the GRUNT Mini and the Turbo K, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a head to head face off.

Specifications And Details:

Innovative Arms GRUNT Mini

https://innovativearms.com/portfolio/grunt-m/

At only 5” and 13.5oz, the Grunt-M (mini) is the most compact and lightweight in its class.  The patented one piece core is machined from billet bar stock and has no internal welds. The GRUNT-M is direct-thread on in 1/2 x 28 and is full auto rated on rifle barrels down to 10″. It also features wrench flats that allow easy pin and weld for short barrels, and is available in Black, OD Green, Flat Dark Earth, Burnt Bronze, or Brushed Stainless. The Grunt- M is rated for .22-250, and available with our patented Exoskeleton™ Shroud. Click the tabs below for more information, including pricing, customer reviews and how to order.

If you are shooting a suppressed direct impingement 5.56 AR15 rifle, then you may want to checkout the W.A.R. adjustable upper receiver.

As with all our silencers, the GRUNT-M can be fired “wet” or “dry”.  Do not use a crush washer in conjunction with any Innovative Arms silencer.

GRUNT-M 5.56mm

• Caliber: 5.56
• Weight: 13oz
  
• Length: 5”
  
• OD: 1.5″
  
• Material: Stainless Steel
  
• Finish: Black, OD Green, FDE, Burnt Bronze, or Brushed Stainless
  
• TPI: 1/2 x 28
  
• DB Reduction: 23-28 Dry
  
• FULL AUTO RATED
• The Grunt- M is rated for .22-250.
• MSRP: $599

GRUNT- M 5.56mm with Exoskeleton

YHM Turbo K 5.56mm

https://yhm.net/turbor-k-5-56-stainless-with-1-2-28-q-d-flash-hider.html

• Weight: 8.83 oz. (11.7 oz. with Phantom® Q.D. Adapter)
• Diameter: 1.562”
• Length: 4.75” (5.5″ with Phantom® Q.D. Adapter)
• Construction: 7-4 Ph SS / Inconel
• Mount: 1 3/8″-24 Adaptable Interface
• Decibel Rating: 138 dB
• 5.56 NATO: 10.5″ minimum barrel length

Weight And Length – Advantage: YHM Turbo K

At about six ounces heavier than the Turbo K, the GRUNT Mini is a bit of a beast, but it is also not unmanageable. The heavier weight gives the Innovative Arms silencer the ability to withstand some heavy punishment.

Mounting Options – Advantage: YHM Turbo K

The direct thread GRUNT Mini is a no frills yet solid system that is simple and worry free. Use the wrench flats to torque it down on your barrel. Thread adapters are available for different thread pitches.

The Turbo K on the other hand comes with the pseudo industry standard 1 3/8” mounting threads that allow for a selection of direct thread, flash hider and muzzle brake mounts as well as the ability to use other manufacturer’s systems. Modularity is a key feature.

Barrel/Rates Of Fire Limitations – Advantage GRUNT Mini

The GRUNT Mini is built like a tank and has the specs to back it up. With full auto capabilities and no listed barrel length restrictions, this can handle heavy use on virtually any host. Upgrade to the Exoskeleton version for additional strength and rigidity.

On the other hand the Turbo K is no slouch – it is rated down to a 10.5” barrel (I bet it would be fine on a 10.3” MK18 if you ask YHM) which should be suitable for 99% of the customer base. Anything under 10.3” inches on a 5.56mm platform is just sound and fury.

Noise Reduction – Advantage YHM Turbo K

I’m not sure how YHM does it, but they have found a way to make a respectably quiet Kurz can for a cartridge/system that was never meant to be quiet. Don’t get me wrong, you should always wear hearing protection, because shooting the Turbo K on an SBR will still be loud, but there is definitely some magic going on in that short little tube.

That’s not to say that the GRUNT Mini doesn’t perform – it does an above average job of knocking down the big 5.56mm blast. However, it might benefit from some internal geometry updates to contend with the more modern Turbo K. From looking down into the silencer, it appears to have a monocore baffle system as opposed to more traditional cone baffles.

Without the proper testing equipment, you’ll have to rely on my ears for a comparison. I’d estimate that the GRUNT Mini is three to four decibels louder than the Turbo K.

Price – Advantage YHM Turbo K

With an over $100 price difference, the Turbo K wins in the wallet-friendly department. Both the GRUNT Mini and the Turbo K are in the affordable/economical category, accessible to even the most modest of dirt farmers like myself. If you look hard enough, the Turbo K can be picked up for right around $400 and the GRUNT Mini for just over $500.

Conclusions:

These are both great cans for their intended purposes. Both will last a lifetime under normal use. Both are built well and come from respected companies in the industry. But, in my opinion, for the money, the YHM Turbo K is a better choice for less money. However, the GRUNT Mini versus YHM Turbo K comparison is a bit unfair – like taking a solid second generation car and comparing it to a fourth or fifth generation of the same model.

Thanks for reading. Be safe, have fun and we’ll see you here next weekend for another Silencer Saturday.

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Silencer Saturday is Sponsored by Yankee Hill Machine

Silencer Shop – Hansohn BrOthers – dead eye gun supplY

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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