Silencer Shop Authority: Gemtech GM-45 Review
Over the past year or two, the silencer veterans at Gemtech have effectively revamped their entire suppressor lineup. By releasing lighter versions of classic cans and replacing older products with radically new designs, the company has churned out an impressive number of products in recent years. One of these relatively new developments is Gemtech’s G-Core monocore baffles that originally debuted at SHOT Show 2014 and is now featured in the company’s pistol and rimfire suppressors.
Several months ago, I had the opportunity to try the G-Core with the GM-22. I found that can to be extremely light and it likely offered the best tone of any .22 silencer I’ve examined to date. However, it was also fairly difficult to take down for cleaning. Even so, the G-Core intrigued me and I was curious to try other cans in the line. Thanks to my friends at Silencer Shop, today we will examine the GM-22’s much larger brother, Gemtech’s GM-45.
Size and Weight
If you’re in the market for a .45 ACP suppressor, it is important to realize that the GM-45 is a slightly different take on the concept than much of its competition. While other companies have all spent the past few years trading places with the quietest offerings on the market, Gemtech set out to make the GM-45 one of the lightest .45 cans available. At only 10.6 ounces, it beats even the shortened configurations of its rivals and feels more like a 9mm silencer than one made for the larger .45 ACP round.
To facilitate its light weight, Gemtech also made the GM-45 significantly shorter than other .45 ACP suppressors. End-to-end, it measures just under 7.5″, but like its peers is 1.375″ in diameter; so it will obscure standard pistol sights. Because the GM-45 is a shorter suppressor, it actually feels a bit lighter than it is, as its center of gravity sits near the booster assembly at the rear of the can. Also as a result of its shorter length, the GM-45 is a touch louder than other options.
Materials and Design
Driving the GM-45’s light weight is its nearly-100% aluminum construction. Outside of its stainless steel piston, the rest of the can is entirely 7075 T6 aluminum. The can’s core is anodized while the tube features a Cerakote finish.
Since the GM-45 is mostly aluminum, buyers will want to be careful with certain cleaning methods. Hoppes #9, “The Dip”, and ultrasonic cleaners should all be avoided. Thankfully, a brass brush and some CLP should be enough to break up most fouling that might build up inside the core.
Speaking of the GM-45’s guts, the silencer features Gemtech’s relatively new G-Core baffles. This monocore design sports four slanted full baffles and four scooped half baffles. As I mentioned in the opening, Gemtech has introduced the G-Core to most of their pistol and rimfire suppressors and I’ve found it offers pleasing tone, but sometimes comes with significant first round pop (FRP). Read on to see if the GM-45 continues this trend.
Taking the GM-45 apart is quite simple as the silencer breaks down into three main sections. At the rear of the suppressor is a dimpled ring/rear cap that can be unscrewed to remove the piston and spring from the booster assembly. Of all the pistol silencers I’ve tested, the GM-45’s piston (also used in Gemtech’s Blackside-45) is the easiest to remove when dirty. Forward of the rear cap is a thin section of flats that are actually part of the suppressor’s core. By holding onto the flats and twisting the GM-45’s tube counterclockwise, the monocore can be accessed for cleaning.
Since I mentioned the GM-45’s compatibility with Blackside-45 pistons, it is worth noting that Gemtech offers compatible pistons in all of the popular thread pitches for 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.. Currently, no 3-lug adapter exists for this can. Users who plan to use the GM-45 with .40 S&W or 10mm (its maximum supported caliber) should be aware that Gemtech only supports dry shooting with these calibers and use of a wet, ablative medium is strongly discouraged.
Range Report
Because the GM-45 is shorter than most .45 ACP cans, some performance sacrifices should be expected. Compared to something like my SilencerCo Octane 45, the Gemtech suppressor is at a noticeable disadvantage in the attenuation department. However, the difference is not a great as you might think. Gemtech advertises the GM-45 as capable of 21-23 dB of volume reduction when used dry. Top performers in the category often hover around 30 dB of attenuation, but the GM-45 is still within the realm of what many consider “hearing safe” (less than 140 dB overall). When I tested the can at the range, I was absolutely able to use it without additional hearing protection and without any sort of ringing in my ears. Still, it is advisable to use hearing protection at all times.
Beyond its suppression capabilities, the GM-45’s tonal quality supports the perception that the can is quieter than it really is. I’ve found this to be the case with other monocore suppressors. Thanks to the large internal volume of these designs, they generally offer lower pitch reports. Gemtech’s numbers might indicate a 7-9 dB disadvantage, but my perception put the GM-45 somewhere around 3-5 dB louder than my Octane.
Since the GM-45 is a monocore silencer and does have a rather roomy core, FRP is naturally a concern. In practice, the first shot through a cold GM-45 is only marginally louder than subsequent ones, likely because the silencer’s blast chamber is rather small. Based on my experience with Gemtech’s GM-22, I expected much more noticeable FRP with the GM-45.
Something that is often overlooked with Gemtech’s can is the fact that the GM-45 is closer to 9mm-sized suppressors than your average .45 ACP silencers. The maneuverability and handling advantages of a more compact suppressor are easy to ignore if you’re just looking at the spec sheet, but are far more apparent in hand. Since the GM-45 is around two ounces lighter than other leading .45 silencers and most of its weight is at the rear of the can, pistols seem much more balanced with it than other suppressors I have tried.
Conclusion
While the GM-45 certainly is not the quietest or most adaptable option on the market, its status as one of the lightest offerings in the .45 ACP class makes it a compelling product. Unlike the G-Cored GM-22, I had no problems taking the GM-45 apart for cleaning. Moreover, the silencer’s overall sound quality impressed me and even if larger cans have a slight attenuation edge, the GM-45 is well within the range that most consider hearing safe.
Those looking for the GM-45 can find it for around $600 at Silencer Shop. Actual pricing will vary somewhat among Powered By dealers.
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.