PMCI November 2021

pmcimagazine.com
PHOENIX SUPPRESSOR
quick detach suppressors. I have probably shot well over three
dozen designs throughout my law enforcement operations and
civilian instructor careers. Two of the earliest suppressors I could
remember using for the platform were 9mm suppressors from
Surefire and Gemtech. The Surefire design was narrow and
elongated compared to the Gemtech model MK9K. While the
Gemtech suppressors may have been bulkier, in my opinion, it
edged out the performance of the Surefire with the training and
duty ammunition we used at the time.
Flash forward to three months ago when I was on the range
talking with a few suppressor dealers about new products on
the market. During our conversation, I was introduced to the GSL
Technology brand. As I mentioned in the opening of this article,
once I discovered just WHO this company was and the man
behind it, I wanted to know firsthand about their products. The
best way would be in offering to do an in-depth review of some
of their products. I reached out to GSL directly and requested to
test out their tri lug Phoenix 9mm suppressor optimized for use
with the HK MP5 platform.
A couple of weeks after putting my T&E request, the Phoenix
suppressor arrived. As I unboxed it from the simple cardboard
container, I recognized the outside design from years past. The
information I had obtained about the Phoenix being revamped
MK9K design with a more modern updated redesign certainly
looked and felt true. It was everything I remembered about the
original suppressor I had enjoyed from years past. However, after
disassembly, the seven-baffle stack as well as inner and exterior
chamber leading off the blast baffles seemed to take the Phoenix
back to one of GSL’s original patents. Anyone familiar with the
OSS suppressors and their blast diffusion designs will enjoy GSL’s
similar design whose patents predate OSS by a couple of decades.
With an overall 8.75” and 2” in diameter, this isn’t a small can.
To compare this physically with something like an Omega K
suppressor would be unfair. What would be the goal? For sleek
lines and tacti-cool looks? If we’re looking at real world specs such
as balance, maneuverability of host weapon and performance,
then what does size really matter if these things are relatively
equal with one doing its primary job of sound suppression better?
GSL claims on their website page for this specific high volume,
full auto rated suppressor to have a 40 dB reduction in sound. For
those who are familiar with suppressors, you know that is a HUGE
reduction claim compared to others on the market and by that
fact alone, I could not wait to get on the range to test the Phoenix
as soon as possible.
PHOENIX SPECS
Caliber:
9mm PCCs, 38spc rifles, 357 rifles, and
(300blk-subsonic rounds only)
Sound Reduction: 40 dB
Length: 8.75”
Diameter: 2”
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