Dead Air Suppressors all they are cracked up to be?

Exile_D

Exile_D

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What is everyone's experience with DA vs the other main brands out there?
My initial research led me to believe DA were one of the best out there. However, it seems like folks had some issues with their QC and CS not too long ago.

I was looking at getting a Mask for my .22 rifle and pistol, a Nomad (maybe the Ti version) for a .300 blackout AR pistol and possibly Wolfman for 9mm Banshee. I would like to suppress my ARs, but it sounds like only OSS makes ones that won't cause a lot of gas in the shooter's face.

I've read some really good things about the Occulus for a .22 suppressor as well as Rugged in general.
 
I have the Odessa-9, and although I love what it does with 158gr Fiocchi's out of a G19, it sucks. I hate it. Wish I would have (at the time) bought another Rev 9, or something.

Can't say anything bad about the company, itself, though.
 
kcult said:
I have the Odessa-9, and although I love what it does with 158gr Fiocchi's out of a G19, it sucks. I hate it. Wish I would have (at the time) bought another Rev 9, or something.

Can't say anything bad about the company, itself, though.
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What is the problem with the Fiocchi's, G19 and Odessa?
 
I have a Mask and a Nomad-30 and couldn't be happier. I have another Mask in jail and am thinking about a Nomad-Ti.
 
Exile_D said:
What is the problem with the Fiocchi's, G19 and Odessa?
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Nothing, as far as sound goes.

I found out, twice so far, that the screw together, external baffles (or whatever the nomenclature) start coming loose.

I was advised to put some fancy glue on them, but the manual just says to torque them, until the dots align, and no more. I really don't want to glue them together, but if I want to continue using it on a pistol, I will need to.
 
Yes, DA is all that and a bag of chips. The only two negatives things I’ll say about them:
1. The Sandman lineup is fantastic, but limits you to their muzzle devices. Those cans don’t have removable mounts like that Nomads. They’ve also release a KeyMo adapter you can use on other brands.
2. The pistol cans use proprietary pistons, unlike the Rugged/Silencerco/Griffin cans that are interchangeable. (ETA: the Odessa uses the R/SiCo/GA pistons)

The Dead Air Mask in particular may be the best current offering in that market.

Rugged is also top notch. They share the same #1 negative as DA…except I don’t think they have any cans that have removable mounts? And I don’t think they’ve ever released a separate mount to use with other cans.

ETA: ECCO makes an adapter for 1.375-24 cans that attaches to Rugged muzzle devices…it uses the taper, but doesn’t have the extra lock ring; available here: click me
 
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And just in case you didn’t know…

While DA and Rugged are both semi-new to the industry, their founders (Mike Pappas and Henry Graham) both came from Silencerco. Tons of experience before the new companies even existed.
 
..... Dead Air is a design/marketing company. All manufacturing is done by someone else, and I think they had some issues when they were changing manufacturers a couple of years ago or so (late 2019- early 2020?). I had some minor issues with a can I bought from then around that time, but nothing major. There can be some problems when you outsource work...... the manufacturer might make several products for people and might not be too keen on the products themselves. Those things usually work themselves out fairly early though. Some of their products are very good though..... I still want a large Nomad TI, but it's not in my budget any time soon.
 
OP, I was wondering the exact same thing...
I'm planning on purchasing a .30 can for bolt .308, the DA Sandman L claims to be the "quietest" @ 31db reduction.
Would be nice if a test drive was possible!
 
DF58BB6E-9655-4591-B913-F7557A3BEC33.jpeg
I’ve got a sandman s. Muzzle device choices are limited but I’m not sure if it’s that way across the board. I like the mounting system, but I don’t have any experience with any other suppressors.

I run a superlative arms adjustable gas block and a Raptor LT charging handle, so the gas to the face is bearable. Though I think the SA AGB is doing most of the heavy lifting.
 
Rob said:
OP, I was wondering the exact same thing...
I'm planning on purchasing a .30 can for bolt .308, the DA Sandman L claims to be the "quietest" @ 31db reduction.
Would be nice if a test drive was possible!
Click to expand...
I’m in Wilmington I sent you a PM about the test drive.
 
@BigWaylon I know the internet personalities consider the keymo system king for qd applications (for example sharing across ars and in not super accurate bolt gun work) are you in that same boat?
 
Squanchy said:
@BigWaylon I know the internet personalities consider the keymo system king for qd applications (for example sharing across ars and in not super accurate bolt gun work) are you in that same boat?
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I’m not in the same boat of saying it’s king…

But it is quite popular. QD systems in general are the best option to swap between ARs, especially those with different thread pitches.
 
Exile_D said:
Is there one you would consider the king of QD systems?
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For me? YHM.

I’d say YHM, DA and GA are the three most popular these days with all the modular mount options out there.
 
BigWaylon said:
2. The pistol cans use proprietary pistons, unlike the Rugged/Silencerco/Griffin cans that are interchangeable.
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I need to make one correction. Their Odessa silencer does use Rugged/SiCo pistons…but their others all use DA pistons.
 
I was in the same boat myself. I've only recently started hearing about some weirdness from DeadAir but my impression is that the sandman is still one of the toughest suppressors out there, not to mention Solgw, fcd, lantac, etc are all making keymo muzzle devices.

My sandman S is still in jail, but I'm really enjoying it so far, even if my round count is super limited.
 
I'm still waiting on their dedicated 5.56 can, I probably jumped the gun in spending a bunch on DA Keymo stuff because I've not got 6 gun with keymo devices 4 of them pin and weld and now I'm kinda stuck with them.
 
Prudii said:
I'm still waiting on their dedicated 5.56 can, I probably jumped the gun in spending a bunch on DA Keymo stuff because I've not got 6 gun with keymo devices 4 of them pin and weld and now I'm kinda stuck with them.
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I saw in an interview with mike pappas he said they didn’t have any plans of doing a dedicated 5.56/.223 can. This was a little while ago maybe there’s something in the pipeline now?
 
Bigdave0924 said:
I saw in an interview with mike pappas he said they didn’t have any plans of doing a dedicated 5.56/.223 can. This was a little while ago maybe there’s something in the pipeline now?
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It’s coming. Was supposed to be last year, now pushed to this year. Todd said this right after SHOT since nothing was announced:

I'm not going to apologize that we don't play the "tease it 'til you make it" game. We'll only release something once we know it can actually be sold and it's ready for wholesale distribution. This suppressor has been used by some industry partners and is actually in training and marketing videos, but out of respect they haven't fully revealed it yet. Please be patient. Showing prototypes is NOT a new product launch, despite what practically every company in the gun industry thinks it is and has trained the public. I could've showed about about six different prototypes to tease this launch and I'll I'd have to deal with is more questions and less time to get my work done.

Yes, we expected it to launch last year. The whole country thought we'd be in a different place last year. I'd hazard a guess that we're more disappointed than you are, so you're in good company.

Todd Magee
Dead Air Engineering
 
BigWaylon said:
It’s coming. Was supposed to be last year, now pushed to this year. Todd said this right after SHOT since nothing was announced:

I'm not going to apologize that we don't play the "tease it 'til you make it" game. We'll only release something once we know it can actually be sold and it's ready for wholesale distribution. This suppressor has been used by some industry partners and is actually in training and marketing videos, but out of respect they haven't fully revealed it yet. Please be patient. Showing prototypes is NOT a new product launch, despite what practically every company in the gun industry thinks it is and has trained the public. I could've showed about about six different prototypes to tease this launch and I'll I'd have to deal with is more questions and less time to get my work done.

Yes, we expected it to launch last year. The whole country thought we'd be in a different place last year. I'd hazard a guess that we're more disappointed than you are, so you're in good company.

Todd Magee
Dead Air Engineering
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That is how you launch a product correctly! Usually with DA once they formally announce something, it's a available to order, not pre-order, in a few days to a week.

BowWow said:
..... Dead Air is a design/marketing company. All manufacturing is done by someone else, and I think they had some issues when they were changing manufacturers a couple of years ago or so (late 2019- early 2020?). I had some minor issues with a can I bought from then around that time, but nothing major. There can be some problems when you outsource work...... the manufacturer might make several products for people and might not be too keen on the products themselves. Those things usually work themselves out fairly early though. Some of their products are very good though..... I still want a large Nomad TI, but it's not in my budget any time soon.
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Correct, their original manufacturing partnership did not work out. The original maker was designated as BE or BC and it's now KG.

DA can are great and I've had great customer service from them for the one issue I had with a Key-Mo adapter for my Nomad-30. The adapters had been out of stock EVERYWHERE and I snagged one in Oct 2020 direct from DA. Fast forward a few months and I go to swap the Nomad-30 from a rifle with a brake to one with a flash hider (or was it the other way?) and it won't lock into place. Anyway one muzzle device is just a smidge longer than the other and the run of Key-Mo's mine was from were just enough out of spec that they would work on one but not the other. DA sent me several muzzle devices and Key-Mo mounts to test out before we sorted out it was the Key-Mo not any of the muzzle devices.



Rob said:
OP, I was wondering the exact same thing...
I'm planning on purchasing a .30 can for bolt .308, the DA Sandman L claims to be the "quietest" @ 31db reduction.
Would be nice if a test drive was possible!
Click to expand...
SandmanTi is the one you want for a bolt gun IF you can find it. Second choice would be the Nomad-L, third would be Nomad-30.
 
BowWow said:
The Sandman?
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The Sandman-Ti was one of DA's very first offerings and it appears they no longer list it on their website. It's the same baffle stack size as the Sandman-L and w/o the Key-M. It's much lighter since it's not made out of Stellite; which you do not need for a bolt guns rate of fire. For $650-$700 it is an impressive direct thread titanium suppressor that is lightweight and offers great sound reduction and tone. With the release of the Nomad-30 then Nomad-L and their ability to be either direct thread or Key-Mo most people choose one of those rather than than the Sandman-Ti.

However, I'm certain a few are still out there in dealers inventory and for $700 well worth it!!

www.silencerwarehouse.com

Dead Air Sandman-Ti

For those demanding ultimate silence from a precision rifle suppressor the Sandman Ti is your huckleberry. It features a direct thread attachment and a titanium tube...
www.silencerwarehouse.com



Also I just realized my Sandman-Ti comment was replying to @Rob originally.

Your choice of Nomad-L Ti is pretty much the pinnacle of DA's current lineup in form, function and price. It's am awesome suppressor! I think it was retailing for $1150-$1200 which is nearly 2X the Sandman-Ti (if you can find one). The non-Titanium Nomad-L at $875 is not a bad deal either.
 
Rob said:
OP, I was wondering the exact same thing...
I'm planning on purchasing a .30 can for bolt .308, the DA Sandman L claims to be the "quietest" @ 31db reduction.
Would be nice if a test drive was possible!
Click to expand...

I can’t get past the weight of the Sandman series. Even the smallest, the K, was louder than a YHM turbo K on a 10.5” (to my ear) as well as more costly so the Sandman line is a non starter for me, especially since I have zero desire for KeyMo mounts

The Nomad Ti and LT however are greatly appealing. My LT has been pending for four months and change now. Gotta grab a Plan A and a Griffin .30 cal mini brake and I’ll be set
 
I sell quite a few DA cans. I like them personally. The NOMADs and MASK seem to be moving faster than others.

I do like the GEMTEC HALO and TREKs as well on the ARs
 
I’d be hard pressed to go with a Gemtech presently. 10-15 years ago, sure but not nowadays

Griffin makes a GP-Nato that’s similar to the Gemtech Halo’s A2 mounting solution that’s more modern in terms of weight and baffle design (16oz vs 22oz)
 
One issue with a dead air 5.56 van will be compatiibility w current .30 cal keymount devices. I can envision some fools accidentally mounting their 5.56 can on a .30 cal rifle and game over. With the swappable endcaps it’s a non issue just replace the ruined endcap. I’m not saying this is excusable stupidiity but dead air will have to deal with it.

regarding gemtech cans, I’m fairly happy w my trek II but it’s heavy and,extra gassy on an AR. For the same exact price one can get into a griffin GP5 or YHM turbo k…to me those are far superior choices covering both DT and QD. Im not usually one to freak out over warranty statements but gemtech’s is the shittiest ever.

Warranty

Default Description
www.gemtech.com www.gemtech.com
 
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92G said:
Im not usually one to freak out over warranty statements
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Never noticed this before on gemtech's website. Odd because their parent company doesn't act that way about warranty on their firearms.
 
92G said:
regarding gemtech cans, I’m fairly happy w my trek II but it’s heavy and,extra gassy on an AR. For the same exact price one can get into a griffin GP5 or YHM turbo k…to me those are far superior choices covering both DT and QD. Im not usually one to freak out over warranty statements but gemtech’s is the shittiest ever.

Warranty

Default Description
www.gemtech.com www.gemtech.com
Click to expand...
That is pretty much Ruger's stance as well on their products along with a few other companies that have reputations for excellent service.
 
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