Anyone tried the Vector Arms suppressors?

[JClem555]

I was just wondering if anyone has tried one of the Vector Arms 9mm UZI suppressors. Their website states:

"Cutting-edge technology used by H&K in Germany and the German army. Quietest UZI suppressor on the market. Interior components have self-aligning interlocks that enable operator to dismantle/reassemble without alignment tools."

That certainly sounds good...but I have not heard much about them...

Also, I spoke with one of the guys at Vector, and was told that it would not really matter if one was used with a compensated or non-compensated barrel for the Mini. Any comments on that?

[osprey21]

I asked this same question a while back and after doing a little digging I think these were actually built by CCF (Capital City Firearms) here in the United States under licensing from B&T. The two parties have however parted ways with no love lost between them so the story goes .

IIRC... These are right at 30db+,- reduction dry.

[Joe in Fl]

JC, I have a Vector can and love it. It is a little heavier than the aluminum cans as it is all steel. It comes apart and goes back together very easily. Very quiet. I use it with my .22 kit also.
I have shot it side by side with number of other cans and can not tell the difference.
HTH, Joe

[JClem555]

Thanks for the reply on the Vector. I actually bought one, and it was about time for the transfer to come through. I figured I would see what kind of input I got before I actually got it in my hands and tried it (kinda late to change anything if I got bad replies, but I figured I would ask anyways). I did get a chance to try it out yesterday. I only had one box of 147 gr American Eagle flat nose to run through it.

My first impression was that it was louder than I had expected, and I even had to put my ear muffs back on. It obviously made things quieter...but not as much as I was expecting.

I am just wondering if maybe the American Eagle 147 gr ammo is a little on the hot side for subsonic. The only other mini I have shot with a can on it was with the IMI blue tip ammo made specifically for subsonic guns. It was very quiet...In fact, I was shooting it into a bullet trap inside the closet of someone's office. Nobody else in the building had a clue about it either.

My plans are to get some 158 gr IMI ammo and try it along with the 147 gr stuff. Since the suppressor can be taken apart so easily, I may also play around with some lithium grease inside it. The one I shot before was a few years back, and I have not seen that guy in a while. I did not think to ask him if he had anything inside to make it wet...I just know it was definitely a lot more quite than my attempts so far with 147 gr ammo.

If anyone has any more input on the Vector cans, ammo variations, and using the compensated vs. non-compensated barrel, please let me know.

[Joe in Fl]

JC,
I read your post about 147 AE being loud it is also through mine. So for s**** and giggles I took my UZI out today and tried several types of different 147's/158's. I would guess by the naked ear the Winchester 147 Silver tips were one of the quietest. The IMI 158's were also very quiet. I also had a few boxes of Fiocci 158 subsonic. WOW!! were they quiet. With all three above mentioned rounds there was more noise from the bolt going into battery than the round itself.

The can with the .22 kit is very quiet also. It sounds like a Singer sewing machine.

Well I guess I got my FA fix today, alomost 900rds with no complaints about FA fire from the trap shooters. Hell, they could not even hear it on the next range.

HTH, Joe:heavy :heavy

[stymie]

subsonic is what I use exclusively in my UZI & MAC. You can't find better smg ammo for suppressor use! ...low flash, Hollywood quiet, clean burning, extremely accurate & hard hitting!

Botach carries the IMI & Entreprise Arms carries the Fiocchi from time to time.

IMI costs $200 & Fiocchi costs $325/1,000rds.

(...insert subliminal suggestion here!) Get an AWC MK-9... you'll never regret it

[JClem555]

Hey Joe, Thanks for the reply. So the AE 147gr is pretty loud in your Vector can too huh? Maybe it is just a hot round then. What about the regular stuff, 115 gr, 124 gr, etc,...Have you tried any of that in the suppressor? I hear a lot of people talking about still being able to shoot the hotter rounds without any ear protection with an UZI can. I know when I tried the 115 gr, there was no way I could have done without the ears. It may still get sent back to Vector just to get them to check it. They are usually pretty good about service.

[JClem555]

and oh yeah....thanks stymie for the input on where to get some 158 gr.....that fiocchi seems a bit steep on price though

[Joe in Fl]

JC,
I have shot the other stuff ie; 115,124 etc. yes they sound like hv .22lr. With the barrel not being ported as the MP5SD is there is no bleed off of pressures to reduce velocity. I would not shoot regular ammo without hearing protection suppressor or not. My hearing has been damaged over the last 30 years from shooting that about all I shoot is suppressed. Do you have a chronograph? If not find someone with one and measure your ammo until you find one that stays subsonic in your gun. Check over at subguns .com for the seller of "Special K" ammo. It also is designed for suppressed weapons.
HTH, Joe

[JClem555]

No chronograph of my own....I might be able to get a hold of one though...I checked the Federal web site for the AE 147gr, and they say 960 fps for it. That is with a 4" barrel test gun, so I guess 3 more inches could make a difference. I will just have to try a lot of loads and see.

[JClem555]

Another question Joe...What kind of results do you get with the .22 kit in there? Obviously, the opening is much bigger than a .22 caliber, so you are going to lose some of the gases and everything that the suppressor is trying to control. Is it still significantly quieter, and what about the sonic crack of a .22?

Well, it is in fact on its way back to Vector. I hope they can test it or do something with it. I have always tried to protect my ears from any damage, whether it be gunfire, a loud machine shop, paper mill, etc,.... Even then, I really doubt my ears are so much more sensitive than everyone else who claims to not need the ear protection with the suppressor.

The suppressor was not even stamped with "Vector" on it. I believe it said "CSS" from Bountiful, Utah. The paperwork lists "Companion Shooting Supplies" as the manufacturer. I remember the first time I called Vector about a suppressor, I specifically asked who made them, and the lady on the phone said "oh, we make them ourselves"....so I really do not know. I will say that Vector's service is absolutely excellent with the guns, I just hope they can help me on this too, whether they made it or not...

[stymie]

JClem555...

Companion Arms/Shooting Supplies was Vector Arms' "sister" company & was in the process of being assimilated by Vector a few months ago.

[JClem555]

Ahhh...I see. Thanks for the clarification. So it was made by Vector....even if indirectly.

[JClem555]

I'm sure Vector will take care of it. I hear they have a pretty good reputation for customer satisfaction. I hope so....I have had to deal with them before on sending a couple of things back, and they were always responsive and helpful. Customer Service is definitely one of the best things about Vector. I just hope they don't come back and say that's as quiet as it is supposed to get...we can't do anything else.