SILENCER SATURDAY #290: Universal Big Bore – Silencer Central Banish 46
Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new YHM R45 Multi-Host Suppressor. Last week we got a shot at the new YHM Sidewinder M2 9mm suppressor. Today we take out the Silencer Central Banish 46, a universal pistol and rifle silencer that can handle anything from .22LR to .45-70 Gov’t. Will the Banish 46 change my mind on multi-caliber and multi-host suppressors being a primary solution? Let’s take a look.
More Silencer Central @ TFB:Editor’s Note: Silencer Center advertises with TFB. However, they, and hopefully you, are aware that I try to be as unbiased as humanly possible in my reviews. I also do not handle any of the advertising contracts at TFB – I just shoot, photograph, and write witty content for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Hop at SHOT Show 2022 Range Day to speak to Silencer Central about their new Banish 46 and 338 suppressors.
SILENCER SATURDAY #290: Universal Big Bore – Silencer Central Banish 46
Look, I am not a huge fan of suppressors that are built to be used across a wide range of host firearms and calibers. They are usually too big, too heavy, and loud on calibers that are smaller than the maximum bore diameter. A pistol is a much different host than a 20″ lever action rifle, just like a .22LR rimfire host is wildly different than a 5.56mm short barreled rifle.
The holy grail of silencers is an ultra-light, compact, multi-host suppressor that is “quiet” across a wide swath of calibers. I use quotes around quiet to remind us that unless we are shooting subsonic ammo, our shots will always be loud in the eyes (ears) of audiologists everywhere. This golden chalice suppressor might be modular, but it is definitely user-serviceable, yet mechanically simple to maintain. It can withstand single-digit barrel lengths from even the most abusive cartridges. This mythical silencer is also aesthetically pleasing and is a wonderful conversationalist at social events.
Hopefully you see where I am going with this exercise – it is basically impossible to build the perfect suppressor. Like life, shooting quietly is about balancing needs, wants, and expectations. The more you ask of your silencer, the higher the cost, weight, and complexity until you reach the point where diminishing returns crashes into unrealistic expectations and disappointment.
My crude attempt to chart theoretical performance versus theoretical universality is a way of visualizing the more universal a suppressor is designed, the less performance can be expected over a broad range of hosts. Flame away number whisperers, I am no Rain Man.
However, there is an argument for universal suppressors. If you accept the ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ mentality, a suppressor built for many hosts and calibers can reduce overall costs, eliminate the need for multiple silencers that sit idle, and allow you to pack lightly for hunts and range trips.
The key, as always, is to manage expectations and to center the performance on the host and caliber you expect to shoot the most. I have told my story several times, but I started with a universal suppressor as my first purchase and bought three dedicated suppressors within a month of shooting it for the first time. I expected a 9mm silencer to be a high-performing rimfire silencer and was disappointed.
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
Silencer Central Banish 46
The BANISH 46 is a modular silencer designed for use with a wide assortment of rifle calibers including .338 Lapua up to the mighty .45-70 Government as well as pistol calibers including 10mm and .45ACP.
The unique design of the BANISH 46 makes it the one suppressor to fit any gun – rifle or pistol. It’s never been easier or more convenient to use one suppressor for smaller pistol and rifle calibers like .380ACP and .223/5.56 as well as larger pistol and rifle calibers like .45ACP and .45-70 Government. Silencers are a significant investment, so it’s a huge plus to be able to use one can on multiple different firearms in a wide variety of calibers.
- Model: Banish 46
- Manufacturer’s Page: https://www.silencercentral.com/products/banish-46/
- User Manual: Click Here
- Caliber: .460
- Length: 7.9″ (short) 10″ (long)
- Diameter: 1.73″
- Weight: 16.3 oz (short) 20.4 oz (long)
- Baffles: 10
- Material: Titanium
- Thread Pitch: 1.375 x 24″ universal mount – direct thread, muzzle device, piston
- Direct Thread:
1/2 x 28, 5/8 x 24, 5/8 x 32, 11/16 x 24, 3/4 x 24
- Muzzle Brake:
1/2 x 28, 5/8 x 24, 11/16 x 24, 3/4 x 24
- Piston:
.578 x 28, 1/2 x 28, 5/8 x 24, 9/16 x 24, M13.5 x 1 LH, M14.5 x 1 LX, M16 x 1 LH, M16 x 1 RH
- User Serviceable: Yes
- Caliber Range: .223 to .460
- Color: Black
- Finish: Gun Kote
- Sound Reduction: 34.5 dB
- Full-Auto Rated: Yes
- Features:
Versatile – Pistols And RiflesModular DesignInconel Blast Baffle
Part 1 – The Banish 46 on a 5.56mm AR-15
One of my favorite suppressor/host combinations is the MK12 rifle with the Allen Engineering AEM5. This is a purpose-built combination that takes advantage of barrel length and suppressor length to make a supersonic round sound as quiet as possible. If the Banish 46 is the king of universal suppressors, the AEM5 would be the heir farthest away from the throne. But the AEM5 performs its assigned task brilliantly.
Let’s put this universal suppressor up against the ultimate task master and see how it ranks.
The Banish 46 is bigger in length and girth, but the AEM5 has it beat in weight.
The MK12 and AEM5 combo is a blessing to the 5.56×45 cartridge. Yes it’s long, heavy, and uses a proprietary mount, but it is still the reigning AR-15 suppressor champion. It is “quiet” with a pleasant, high pitch tone.
Somewhat surprisingly, the Banish 46 did a great job on the 18” barrel. It may have been slightly louder than the AEM5, but it had a deeper tone. I had predicted that the large .46” bore would allow all the noise to flow out the front. But the extra length and hefty diameter must make up for the bore size. Color me impressed.
I still think the cost should be lower, but Silencer Central sales are brisk so the Banish 46 must be properly priced. Stay tuned, over the next two Saturdays we’ll try out the Banish 46 on a variety of different hosts to see if this is truly a multi-host suppressor worth owning.
Have a great week. Be safe, have fun, and we’ll see you back here next weekend for another Silencer Saturday.
Silencers - Science Pete@thefirearmblog.com
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So it's gigantic and massively heavy?
I don't have the Banish but I do have the Primal on my Marlin 357. I cannot wait to get out and bag a deer this year. October can't get here soon enough.