SILENCER SATURDAY #295: YHM 5.56 Showdown – Turbo vs Fat Cat
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 started off with an introduction to the YHM Turbo K-RB and this week we continue the YHM 5.56 showdown with a Turbo vs Fat Cat reduced back pressure battle royale. Did one winner take all? Let’s find out.
More YHM @ TFB:Disclaimer: The good people at YHM sponsor the Silencer Saturday series here at TFB; without their support you’d miss out on my weekly bad puns and borderline off-color jokes. But YHM knows that if something isn’t right with one of their products, I am going to let them, and you, know. And none of the TFB ad/sponsorship revenue comes to me.
Gear used in this review:SILENCER SATURDAY #295: YHM 5.56 Showdown – Turbo vs Fat Cat
As I have said countless times before, determining a difference in sound reduction for supersonic centerfire rifle suppressors and hosts is very difficult. So it’s best to find other characteristics that are important to your individual needs and address those before haggling over a few decibels. The YHM Turbo K-RB, Turbo T3, and Fat Cat have slight different sizes and internal volumes, but in the end the differences are fairly minor. Even the spreads in their weights only span a few ounces.
From last Saturday to today I shot an average of 50 rounds per day through each of the three suppressors and added in the original Turbo K for an extra data point. I had to split the rounds over multiple days due to scheduling issues, weather, and the amount of mosquitoes on the range – the rain this year has provided them with perfect breeding grounds.
Every day I removed my support-side hearing protection for a few shots with each can. Don’t do this, you will damage your hearing.
I started off the testing with the shorter 11.5” KAC and switched midweek to the 14.5” upper with the hybrid-length gas system. First, let’s review the numbers.
YHM Turbo K-RB Specifications:
- Manufacturer’s Page: https://yhm.net/556-suppressors/turbo-k-rb-5-56mm-suppression-system/
- Owner’s Manual: Click here
- Part number: YHM-2180
- MSRP: $549
- Weight: 11.7oz. (12oz. with Phantom® Q.D. Adapter)
- Diameter: 1.562”
- Length: 4.9” (5.5″ with Phantom® Q.D. Adapter)
- Construction: 17-4 Ph SS / Inconel Blast Baffle
- Mount: Phantom Q.D. Adapter with 1.375″-24 HUB Interface
- Decibel Rating: 138 dB
- Minimum barrel length: 10.5”
- Manufacturer’s Page: https://yhm.net/the-turbo-t3-sound-suppressor/
- Owner’s Manual: Click here
- MSRP: $600
- Weight: 12.8 oz (with Phantom® Q.D. Adapter)
- Diameter: 1.5625″
- Length: 5.59″ (6.5″ with Phantom® Q.D. Adapter)
- Construction: 17-4 Ph SS / Inconel
- Mount: Decibel Rating: 134 dB
- Minimum Barrel Lengths: 5.56 NATO: 10″ minimum barrel length
- SKU: YHM-2200; YHM-2210 (Cat Butt)
- Manufacturer’s Page: https://yhm.net/556-suppressors/fat-cat-suppressor/
- Owner’s Manual: Click here
- MSRP: $659
- Weight: 10.6 oz – W/adapter – 12.5 oz
- Length: 4.25″ – W/adapter – 4.50″
- Diameter: 1.94″
- Attachment: sRx Adapter 1.375 x 24 – HUB
- Construction: 17-4 Ph SS / Inconel
- Finish: High temperature black Cerakote
- Mount: sRx Adapter with 1-3/8″-24 HUB Interface
- Minimum Barrel Lengths: 10″ (5.56mm)
The original Turbo K may have actually been slightly quieter on the 14.5” host in comparison to the Turbo K-RB. It may have a slightly tighter bore (I forgot to measure it, but I will report back) but as a reminder, the reduced back pressure systems are not necessarily meant to improve sound performance. The goal is to have an almost neutral effect on the system, reducing the gas blowback and keeping cyclic rates at normal levels. Not coincidentally, I did have a few failures to feed on the first few shots on the 14.5” with the Turbo K, but the Turbo K-RB functioned perfectly.
The Turbo T3 really shines on the 11.5” system. Three inches in barrel length can really make a difference (TWSS) and the extra suppressor length and volume helps mitigate the extra blast. I couldn’t tell much of a sound difference when swapping between the Turbo K-RB and the Turbo T3 on the 14.5” system. My advice would to take advantage of a shorter suppressor on a longer barrel.
The Fat Cat and the Turbo K-RB sounded nearly identical on both hosts. So if you re trying to decide between the two, the Fat Cat is obviously shorter and fatter, while the Turbo K-RB is longer and skinnier. There’s a joke in there somewhere, but I’m obviously missing it. My choice would be to go for the shorter Fat Cat on the 11.5” host and flip a coin on the 14.5” host. Or choose one based on looks – it’s ok to be superficial from time to time.
All three of these suppressors are high performers, just pair them with the right hosts. My advice is the shorter the barrel, the longer the suppressor and the longer the barrel, the shorter the suppressor. But the YHM silencers are affordable enough that you may be able two buy two for the same price as one of the competing manufacturers models.
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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is it possible that can A suppresses ammo X better than can B, but can B fares better with ammo Y?
Difference on 5.56 bolt guns similar?