Yesterday, SilencerCo released the Salvo 12 Shotgun Suppressor. It’s a single device that offers the user configurability based on use and preference. As you can see from the photo, you can set the Salvo 12 up in order to balance sound mitigation and weight. I had an opportunity to shoot this device and I can say, that it does perform as promised.
Timeline
The development team at SilencerCo has been working on shotgun products for some time now but about 6 months ago, the sales team asked for a specific capability and then the Salvo 12 went into full development.
Design
Let’s take a look at it in this video from SilencerCo to get the basics.
The serialized item is the back cap like on the Osprey, which is the least likely part to be damaged. As I alluded to earlier, the design is modular and scalable to the user’s needs. The Salvo 12 comes as a 12″ model but can be configured to a 10, 8 or even 6 inch version. This is because, due to ATF rules, a suppressor can be shortened but not lengthened. It is configured with the use of rods and connects to the shot gun via a Removable Choke System. The rods are readily commercially available and not designed specifically for the Salvo 12.
Removable Choke System
Here you can see the Removable Choke System attached to the gun and how the Salvo 12 connects to it.
It screws into place and is held tight with conical threads. Think of it as an adapter that has threads on either end. One end goes into the shotgun, attaching via the choke and on the other end, the suppressor itself screws on.
Why 12 ga?
The answer is pretty simple, 60% of shotgun ammunition purchased in the US is 12 ga. The others split the remaining 40% up fairly evenly with 20 ga slightly larger than the others. SilencerCo went after the largest segment of the shotgun market. As the product filters out to the buying public, they’ll keep their ears open and develop additional models as needed.
Ammunition Types
So far, SilencerCo has cleared the Salvo 12 for use with 3″ wadded slugs and all types of shot from 00 to No 9. The wadding clears the barrel during firing and I could see them falling as I shot clays yesterday.
Performance
In case you didn’t see it already, I shot this video yesterday. I didn’t turn down the audio. You can hear the steel in the background while I’m shooting. It works. The additional weight at the end isn’t horrible and you can easily still control your shotgun. One thing I noted was that the ladies who joined us for the demonstration had no problems firing a shotgun equipped with the Salvo 12. Even the ladies of small stature. Not only did it reduce noise but it also mitigated the recoil of the gun.
The advantages are obvious. Hunters will be able to go without ear pro and their dogs won’t suffer hearing loss. Follow up shots will also be a more viable option as game is less likely to be disturbed.
This chart, provided by SilencerCo lays out suppressor weights and performance.
Future Developments
Aside from additional calibers, SilencerCo continues to work with various types of ammunition to ensure compatibility. They are also looking at breaching applications and think they are about 90 days out. They still have to configure barrels for testing and work on stand off devices.
Rifled barrels for hunting are also a priority and they are working toward a solution but technical challenges exist.
They also mentioned that the MultiCam anodizing seen here could also be an option along with other patterns but this will depend on orders from their channel partners.
Price
A lot of people have been asking about price but I wasn’t sure if it was official yet, when I posted the initial story yesterday. It will be $1400 for the full Salvo 12 which includes the actual modular suppressor and removable choke system which you can see above. The removable choke system can also be purchased for $300 to accommodate other shotguns. For simplicity, it comes in packs of three with Full, Modified and Improved which are the most popular. At some point, SilencerCo will offer individual choke adapters. Until then, it’s the three pack.
Delivery
Look for the Salvo 12 to start shipping in September.
