Silencer Shop Authority: Gemtech GM-22 Review
When discussing suppressors and which ones offer the best value for the dollar, the argument usually begins and ends with .22 LR silencers. Compared to their centerfire brothers, rimfire cans offer better sound performance, lower weight, and cheaper price points. Thanks to these factors, .22 cans are often the optimal choice for suppression newbies, and thanks to immense growth in the suppressor industry, we have seen some intriguing products hit the market in relatively rapid succession.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing some less popular .22 LR suppressors. These cans are options that may not get the press that more established products receive, but are every bit as interesting. Since there are plenty of quality suppressors that fit this description, I had to work with my friends at Silencer Shop to narrow my choices to the ultra-lightweight Gemtech GM-22 and the rugged YHM Stinger. Two weeks ago, I covered the YHM silencer, and today we will chat about Gemtech’s G-Core powered GM-22.
Size and Weight
By all measures, the GM-22 is a small suppressor. At just 5 inches in length and 1 inch in diameter, the GM-22 is considerably shorter than many popular rimfire silencers, several of which are over 6 inches long. Even more impressive than its diminutive footprint is the fact that the GM-22 weighs just 2.5 ounces. For reference, standard A2 NATO flash hiders like those found on most AR-15s weigh 2 ounces alone. A suppressor that comes in at only ½ an ounce heavier than your average flash hider is a remarkable feat.
Design
Aside from the standard 1/2×28 threaded titanium insert, the entirety of the GM-22 is manufactured out of 7075 aluminum. Compared to the 6061 aluminum parts used on some other rimfire suppressors, 7075 adds considerable strength and is probably why Gemtech rates the GM-22 up to .17HMR. Extensive use of aluminum makes the GM-22 ridiculously light, but it does come with significant drawbacks. In order to avoid damage to the suppressor, shooters should keep harsh solvents like Hoppes #9, “the dip”, and ultrasonic cleaners away from the GM-22.
To address potential cleaning concerns, Gemtech treats the core of the GM-22 with what they call C3 Technology (the tube has a Cerakote finish). Based on what I can tell, this treatment is very smooth and has a similar feeling to Teflon. Gemtech claims that the C3 helps to prevent lead buildup, which can frustrate disassembly, and the company even goes as far to say that shooters can fire over 1,000 rounds through the silencer without taking it down for cleaning. In testing, they have apparently taken the consecutive round count as high as 3,500 before pulling the core! My experience has been a bit less promising. Prior to sending the GM-22 to me, Silencer Shop estimates that the suppressor had seen 1,000 rounds since its last servicing. After adding another 200 or so rounds of my own, I found disassembly to be very difficult.
Thankfully, Gemtech has smartly cut a square hole in the muzzle of the GM-22. This opening mates perfectly with a ¼ inch socket wrench for times when lead buildup binds the core to the suppressor’s tube. I found this feature absolutely critical. In order to remove the GM-22’s stuck core, I clamped a ¼ inch socket bit in my bench vise and dropped the muzzle of the suppressor onto the fixture. With a heat gun and some effort, I was able to pull the core without any sort of damage to the silencer. Once I had the GM-22 apart, I immediately noticed how well the C3 treatment works to combat lead buildup on the core itself.
At the heart of the GM-22 is Gemtech’s G-Core monocore baffle stack. Five of the nine baffles section the can (four of which are tilted) into separate chambers. The remaining four are scoop-shaped half baffles that help to siphon hot, expanding gas away from the bore line. The design works well and the relatively large volume of the GM-22 produces a nice, deep tone. Unfortunately, Gemtech was unable to overcome the noticeable first round pop that typically accompanies monocore suppressors. I will touch on this more in the Range Report.
Range Report
Because practically all .22 suppressors are very small, effective suppression is generally considered the most important trait of any rimfire silencer. With this in mind, and comparing the suppressor to its peers, the GM-22 offers mid-range sound reduction. I have yet to see metering results for the silencer, but compared to other cans I would estimate total sound pressure levels to be around 115 to 117 dB on both pistols and rifles. The GM-22 is far from a bad performer, it just does not top the suppression charts.
While explaining the design of the GM-22, I mentioned that it exhibits fairly significant first round pop (FRP). After mounting the suppressor or letting it rest, shooters should expect the burning powder to react with oxygen inside the core to create a slightly louder report than subsequent shots. Monocore suppressors tend to have slightly louder FRP because their cores generally take up less space than stacked designs, leaving an open, oxygen-rich environment. With the GM-22, I estimate the FRP to be around 4 or 5 dB louder than subsequent shots, but I also have to wonder if the flat blast baffle makes the FRP worse than it might be with a different design. Even having said all of this, FRP tends to be fairly overblown. If you fire any more than one round, you will quickly forget about it.
Where the GM-22 really shines is its tone. After the first round, it has to be one of the best sounding rimfire suppressors on the market. Usually, small silencers carry higher pitched reports than lager options. The GM-22 breaks this “rule” by offering up an amazingly deep tone. In fact, this suppressor may be the first that I can say actually sounds like someone slamming a large book shut. While it may not meter as well as larger, heavier designs, the GM-22 punches above its weight as far as sound quality is concerned.
Point of impact (POI) shift is an issue that most suppressor owners expect to contend with. Based on my testing, the GM-22 has a relatively minimal effect on POI. Mounted on my SIG 522, I measured an upward shift in the neighborhood of 1.25 MOA.
Conclusion
What the GM-22 lacks in absolute suppression, it makes up for with its excellent tone and absurdly light weight. At just ½ an ounce heavier than an A2 flash hider, the GM-22 is practically unnoticeable mounted on a rifle, but it really shines on pistols as it has very little impact on how the firearm handles. At around $325 from Silencer Shop, the GM-22 is competitively priced and should be on the shortlists of shooters looking for an ultra-light rimfire suppressor with respectable sound reduction.
An information security professional by day and gun blogger by night, Nathan started his firearms journey at 16 years old as a collector of C&R rifles. These days, you’re likely to find him shooting something a bit more modern – and usually equipped with a suppressor – but his passion for firearms with military heritage has never waned. Over the last five years, Nathan has written about a variety of firearms topics, including Second Amendment politics and gun and gear reviews. When he isn’t shooting or writing, Nathan nerds out over computers, 3D printing, and Star Wars.