Suppressors YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

[verdugo60]

Hey Guys,

I am not new to suppressors, but am new to Titanium ones. I am looking for a can I can easily use on multiple systems and have narrowed it down to the YHM 7.62 Phantom Ti or the Gemtech Sandstorm or Quicksand. I have not decided between QD or thread on, and this is where I need your help. I am planning on swapping between an AR10, an AR15, my precision bolt gun in .308 and possibly a .300 Win Mag project. I do like the Titanium and price wise I can get the Gemtech in either screw on or QD for about the same as the YHM because of a buddy. So, my understanding is screw on will give possibly better accuracy with either one, but for swapping between guns the QD might be more ideal. Will I give up alot in POI shift and accuracy between QD and screw on? Consistant POI shift is more important to me than sound reduction, they are so close anyways, I don't really care in the sound arena. Also looking for the link to that review that Lowlight did a while ago on all the 7.62 cans and POI shift. My search fu is not strong today I guess.

Thanks!

 

[blksno]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

If you're considering a Ti direct thread (for minimum POI shift), then give the SRT Shadow XL Ti a serious look. Quite possibly the best I've ever heard (on multiple calibers) although I don't have access to any sound measuring equipment.

For QD, I would choose the YHM mount over the bilock Gemtec uses. The bilock is a fraction of a second faster...but the bilock I experienced on a HVT QD wasn't near as solid of an attachment as the Phantom QD. Also, the Quicksand SAYS it's the lightest QD .308 suppressor on the market, but the Ti Phantom QD advertises 2.5 oz less and .7" shorter.

The HVT QD and the Phantom QD both had the same POI shift on my set up, but that may not be true for everyone. Each user will have a different shift and just because a QD has a shift, doesn't mean a direct thread won't shift just as much.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

I would also add a Thunderbeast 30-P1 to your search too. It weighs in at just under 16 ounces and is very well made. You just missed a group buy on the can. The can is very well thought of on this forum and there are also plenty of range reviews. Give it a look.

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

Just a caution on YHM's weight advertisements...their scale must be broken. Either that or they dont include the QD hiders (most likely this.) Add another roughly 6oz to the weight they claim and its more accurate. My 338 Phantom is the same way, the can itself only weighs an ounce more than my 7.62, but the brake is over half a pound.

However, that added weight is in the best place it can be, right at the muzzle, so its not quite like adding that to the whole can.

With that being said, my dealer has a Phantom Ti on his 700 for right now, and shooting it next to my SS phantom direct thread, his is a touch louder probably due to smaller size and less baffles due to QD. Outside of that though it is very nice, the can itself is stupid lightweight. Repeatable POI shifts and no accuracy degradation.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

Another vote for the 30P-1, mine is thread on (going on exactly the same guns you mention - along with a 300 BLK AR) and very quiet.

I've seen some issues with HVT QDs, they have a little more "play" than I like.

I have a stainless phantom, not a bad can, heavy as balls, Ti would be nice compromise. Their QD setup is better than gemtech's, but I am a thread-on guy.

Look at the thunderbeast.

 

[verdugo60]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

Allright guys, thanks for all the input. Thunderbeast may just get added to the list. I'm actually going to be moving to Colorado soon, so it would be good to get to know the guys over there at TBAC, since they do a lot of shoots. Crap, how good a deal was the group buy I just missed on the TBAC?

 

[verdugo60]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

Rancid,

Why did you go with screw on vs. QD? I figured the only reason to go QD would be to quickly switch between 3-4 guns or more, and have a brake or flashhider left on when the can is on a different gun.

Also the thought did cross my mind to just get a .338 TBAC for my Edge that I could use on my 308s, .223's...etc. Oh, beautiful dillemas.

 

[skinney_7]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

never shot the 30-P1, but like cbass said earlier, take a long hard look @ the SRT Shadow XL Ti, best i've heard yet.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

Thread-ons are SECURE. Sure, they might shoot loose a little (ant--seize helps allot) but they are either on well or not.

The HVT I used had "play", meaning you could grab the end and wiggle it and the can would move, I don't like that at all.
Surefire's QD system is better, and YHM even better still (the YHM QD threads on with course threads.)

I personally don't see the need to be able to swap a can between guns in a 3-second timeframe. I much prefer the security and precision of a thread-on can, it is personal preference.

Opinions will vary, as will reproducibility of results with thread-on vs QD vs. titanium vs steal vs maker vs..., but in the end, suit the tool to the job.

I have never run a 338 can, not sure what it will do to suppression of a 308 round. My guess is that the volume of the can probably offsets the bleed-out due to the hole being much larger than the bullet. That is how, in a very oversimplified way, it works with running a 30-cal can on a .223.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: verdugo60</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Crap, how good a deal was the group buy I just missed on the TBAC?

</div></div> I think I paid $887.00 or thereabouts for mine so I basically got the tax stamp for free so that is what I call a great deal.

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

I think a QD can will be a good idea for your current situation. If you were swapping between all 5/8 threads I would say thread on all day long. But when you want to use the can on barrels with 5/8 and 1/2 threads having a QD attachment will be nice.

If you go thread on you will have to deal with a thread adapter for your black gun, which, if you just want to leave it on there permanently is not bad. However, they really like to stay with the can sometimes and if you dont have a wrench you are SOL.

Ive shot my 7.62 phantom up against most cans, and it sounds as good or better than them all, as mentioned above its weight is its only downfall IMO. Which is why I just ordered a 30P-1 while the group buy was going on.

 

[AtomicLabRat]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

If you are swapping between weapons with multiple threads then a QD is the only way to fly.

On the thread-on note, I do like the TBAC and the sandstorm as I have had experience with those and own the TBAC.

 

[verdugo60]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

So it sounds like if I am going to do QD the YHM Ti might be a pretty good fit for me. Screw on: the TBAC or the XL one that a couple guys have recommended. Just curious if anyone has used the QD style 30P-1 from Thunder Beast? How secure is the QD/can connection? I'm kind of leaning towards QD because of the ability to switch fast between multiple guns at the range with no tools, and not worry about binding or coming loose when shooting. Someday when I am not a student I will put some more cans on the guns, but for now I want a really versatile can I can use on all my long-guns.

 

[verdugo60]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

Oh, I have looked at some info on the SRT Shadow now too, thanks for the heads up on them. One more in the mix...

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

Yeah the YHM is definitely a great value to get into the TI business.

Think about the TBAC brake attach more like a thread on, as its not really QD. It does still give you the ability to use the same can on several different thread pitches though.

The only downfall to any QD system is looks, dont expect your rifle to win any beauty contests when the can is not attached, this is due to how large the adapter has to be compared to the barrel diameter.

 

[Proarc]

Re: YHM Ti Phantom or Gemtech Sandstorm

Also the mount can be a cause of more POI shift over thread on