SILENCER SATURDAY #287: The YHM R45 – Versatility FTMFW

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new YHM Fat Cat rifle suppressor. Last week we got a preview of the Daniel Defense Daniel SoundGuard SG-30 suppressor. This week we start to look at a whole host of new YHM suppressors, starting with the YHM R45, a versatile option for shooters with multiple hosts. But how does it perform? Let’s take a look.

• SILENCER SATURDAY #140: The New YHM R9 Suppressor – Your Golden Ticket?
• SILENCER SATURDAY #284: YHM Phantom 22 Rimfire Maintenance
• SILENCER SATURDAY #257: Limit TOXIC EXPOSURE – The New YHM Turbo T3 Suppressor
• TFB Behind The Gun Podcast #35: Chris and Andrew from YHM
• SILENCER SATURDAY #193: The New YHM Phantom Rimfire Suppressor
• SILENCER SATURDAY #189: The YHM Rifle Suppressor Lineup

Editor’s Note: YHM has been a sponsor of TFB’s Silencer Saturday for several years. Without their support, you wouldn’t have all of my raw wit and talent beamed into your homes every Saturday. But YHM knows that I strive to be as unbiased as humanly possible and I will speak up if a product doesn’t perform. My goal is to provide you with the best information possible so that you can spend your money on guns an silencers that will make you happy for many years.

Believe it or not, YHM suppressor reviews are some of my most difficult Silencer Saturday assignments. It’s not that they sponsor the series (see above) or that their products are too complex. YHM reviews are tough because it is hard to find any faults with suppressors that are well made, light, compact, affordable, and that actually perform. The old adage of “between weight, price, performance – pick two” is challenged with almost every YHM release. In fact, I think the last time I had anything “negative” of substance to say about a YHM suppressor was the NITRO N20 because of an elevated price tag compared to other YHM suppressors. In reality, the NITRO N20 is on-par with other manufacturer’s pricing for titanium silencers.

The difficult part is of these reviews is stating the obviously positive characteristics without coming off like a YHM shill. I have to really dig to find detractors (i.e. the bullet shape pattern aesthetics on the tube) so that you all aren’t stuck with a glowing review that feels too good too be true.

The YHM R45 is a logical progression of the YHM R9 suppressor that is universally loved for all the the reasons I stated above. As an added bonus, the R9 is a 9mm suppressor that can also see limited use on 5.56mm guns with the right barrel lengths. Most pistol suppressors just can’t handle any amount of centerfire rifle rounds. The same R9 characteristics holds true for the YHM R45; while the base caliber is .45ACP, it can handle rounds all the way up to .45-70 Govt.

In addition, the R45 weighs in at only 13 ounces and is priced at a very reasonable $659. Economical influences like fiat inflation and material availability have raised pricing on all YHM suppressors over the years (the Turbo K and R9 used to be in the range of $450). The R45 also comes configured with the 1.375×24 HUB universal threads for the use of multiple YHM mounting options or third-party mounts if your are invested in other systems.

YHM suppressors like the R45 offer about 90-95% of top-level industry performance for options in the same class. Can you squeeze out that last 5-10% of remaining capability of another host/suppressor setup? Sure, but be prepared to pay dearly for that boost and have other aspects like weight, versatility, and caliber selection take a hit.

Let’s take a look at the numbers.

YHM’s .R45 suppressor is our most versatile suppressor system to date. It was created to provide the shooting enthusiast a quiet, lightweight and cost effective suppressor. This one suppressor can be used on a variety of calibers such as .45 ACP, 9mm Luger, 5.56mm NATO, .300 Blackout, .308 Winchester and even .45-70! The notched rim and tri-port muzzle on the end cap make it stand out among the crowd. Like the R9, the R45® uses a tubeless design which consists of heat treated 17-4 stainless steel.

• Manufacturer’s Page: https://yhm.net/45-acp-suppressors/r45-45-cal-suppressor/
• Owner’s Manual: YHM R45 Manual
• MSRP: $659.95
• SKU: YHM-2190-24
• Mounting System: 1.375×24 HUB; Direct Thread
• Base Caliber: .45
• Max Caliber: .45-70 Govt
• Overall Length: 6.45″
• Diameter: 1.563″
• Weight: 13 Oz.
• Material: 17-4 Ph SS
• Finish: Matte Black Cerakote
• Method of Attachment: 5/8″-24 Direct Thread HUB Adapter
• Full Auto Rating: Limited Use

• YHM sRx Q.D. Adapter – 1.375×24 HUB adapter – $82.95 MSRP
• YHM sRx Short Muzzle Brakes – Several thread pitch options – $82.95 MSRP
• YHM sRx Short Flash Hiders – Several thread pitch options – $82.95 MSRP
• YHM HUB Direct Thread Mount – Several thread pitch options – $72.95 MSRP

Boomers are going to gnash their teeth at the fact that I don’t own a threaded 1911 for a .45ACP test and alas the HK MARK 23 is threaded in all kinds of German ‘metric’ mystery science. So for a pistol test we are left with the 9mm Beretta M9A3 with subsonic ammunition. As expected, the R45 is a very good performer for a 9mm host – the added length makes up for the generous bore diameter. Comparing the R9 to the R45, it is safe to say that the R45 is noticeably quieter, but the difference isn’t jaw-droppingly dramatic. If you are hunting for marks in the negative column, I guess you could say that the 1.56″ diameter precludes the use of unobstructed standard height sights (that’s never bothered me).

A more fun test is the R45 at the end of the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun with .45-70 Govt subsonic ammunition. At 6.5″ in length, the YHM R45 is a better choice than a lot of the .46 caliber suppressors marketed to big bore shooters and hunters. While not exactly quiet, shooting subsonic .45-70 through a capable can is a real smile-inducing experience. Let’s put it this way, pulling the trigger is dramatically quieter than an unsuppressed .45-70 shot and launching 550gr of hard cast lead is an amazing experience.

YHM continues to produce reliable, affordable, and high-performing suppressors. The YHM R45 adds another layer of versatility to an already versatile lineup, This one suppressor car transition between a Colt Commander, a 300BLK PDW, and a big-bore hunting rifle and still provide impressive performance across the chart. If you want me to nitpick anything, I’d point to small design features or a lack of color options. Otherwise I can’t think of any reason not to buy the YHM R45.

Update: I just ran back out for a few more shots right before I hit publish. It really is perfect on the end of a rifle with a longer barrel. Very fun.

We have three more new YHM suppressors in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Have a great week. Be safe, have fun, and we’ll see you back here next weekend for another Silencer Saturday.