A Look at SilencerCo’s Octane Suppressor

The SilencerCo Octane 45 can be used with smaller calibers too, like this Glock 26 9mm.

When I bought a SilencerCo Octane 45 suppressor, there were two models available, a 9mm, and a .45 ACP. Now, the Octane is becoming a small family with the addition of the compact Octane K 45. More on that later.

Before you question the lack of a .40 S&W model, consider that there is really no need for a specific size for that caliber. Generally speaking, and assuming we remain in vaguely similar pressure ranges, you can use a larger caliber silencer with a smaller caliber bullet with very little disadvantage. For example, I bought the SilencerCo Octane 45 specifically, so I could use it with .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 9mm, .380 ACP and even some 300 AAC Blackout loads.

There are only two minor disadvantages to buying an ‘oversized’ silencer. First, it may be physically a bit larger than you need for a smaller caliber. You can take a look a the dimension differences between the Octane 45 and Octane 9mm to see what I mean.

Second, you will lose just a bit of noise suppression efficiency. For example, shooting the same 9mm from the Octane 45 will be a little more than 3 decibels louder than the same load from the 9mm Octane model. But even that is not a hard and fast data point. Sound is a complex thing, and the dB reading is only one component. Since the Octane 45 is larger, the tone is different. You may or may not be able to tell whether the 45 or 9mm model is “louder” when firing the same 9mm load through each.

Given all that, I opted to go with the Octane 45, knowingly accepting slightly larger size and an ounce+ more weight in return for flexibility. I’m glad I did, as so far I’ve used the Octane 45 with a Glock 26 9mm, Glock 22 .40 S&W, a Beretta 92FS 9mm, an FNX 45 Tactical and even two different 300 Blackout rifles with subsonic loads.

Let’s talk about that for a minute. The subsonic 300 Blackout loads are pretty mellow and operate at pistol-level pressures, so the Octane 45 is rated for that use. Don’t use it with supersonic 300 Blackout loads as pressures are far higher and the Octane is not rated for that. Since we’re talking about ratings here, know that you can also use the Octane suppressors with full auto guns in the supported calibers. Got an H&K MP5 or Kriss Vector and a garage full of ammo? No problem.