SILENCER SATURDAY 301: The Dead Air Mojave 9 Suppressor
Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new YHM R45 Multi-Host Suppressor. Last week we were introduced to the new Dead Air Mojave 9. We continue the review this week with some range time with the Beretta M9A3 and the select-fire H&K MP5K PDW. Let’s see how the Mojave performs.
Dead Air @ TFB:
Editor’s Note: I incorrectly spelled the Mojave 9 in last week’s article as “Mohave”. I would blame the error on aliens or witchcraft if I could, but no supernatural activity was recorded in the area last Saturday. As punishment, I’m posting Mojave 9 banners throughout today’s article.
Question for our Silencer Saturday readers:
Im considering converting Silencer Saturday into a video review series with less written content that would include specifications and my main thoughts in bullet form. Leave me a comment below if you feel strongly either way.
SILENCER SATURDAY 301: The Dead Air Mojave 9 Suppressor
SILENCER SATURDAY 301: The Dead Air Mojave 9 Suppressor
Today’s range session was brief due to the rain, but I did have a chance to put a few hundred rounds through the Mojave 9 last Sunday. I went through the basic assembly, features, and specifications last week, but I will briefly touch on cleaning and disassembly below.
Let’s start with the very first shot – there is no detectable first round pop (FRP) with the Mojave 9. One of the biggest obstacles with silencers designed for subsonic rounds is balancing internal volume and the baffle stack to get the quietest possible report, without creating an environment for FRP. Dead Air must have made eliminating this problem a priority because each round sounds identical.
And each round sounds fantastic, especially when you factor in the slim tube diameter. The Beretta M9A3 was very quiet with 147gr 9mm rounds, almost to the point where I thought I could hear the slide moving on the frame. The MP5K was equally impressive, presenting that typewriter-like feel and sound with strings or bursts of fire.
For subsonic silencer performance, I use my dog as a decibel meter. Since he hates the sound of gunfire, I’ll know if he heard me shooting when I walk back into the house. For less than optimal suppressors, he’ll be waiting for me by the door, anxiously pacing back and forth. For quiet suppressors, he’ll stay on the couch. Today, he was where I left him, sound asleep. How’s that for science.
Dead Air Mojave 9 – Specifications
The Mojave 9 is a modular, multi-caliber pistol/subgun/carbine suppressor that provides ultimate suppression in its full-length configuration or an ultra-compact package with the removal of the front sound module. It utilizes cutting-edge additive manufacturing to provide a true balance of ultimate strength, light weight, class leading suppression, and reduced back-pressure to the shooter.
From the manual:
The Titanium front and rear modules are monolithic structures and do not individually disassemble. The two modules are best cleaned by submerging them in a mixture of 1-part CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust Remover) to 3-parts water. Allow the modules to soak fully submerged overnight, then remove the modules and allow them to drain from both ends. If compressed air is available, it can be used to assist in removing remaining cleaning fluid and grime from the modules. Always wear protective gloves and eyewear when cleaning and handling cleaning agents.
So it’s confirmed, the 3D baffles cannot be removed for cleaning but can be soaked in CLR.
SILENCER SATURDAY 301: The Dead Air Mojave 9 Suppressor
SILENCER SATURDAY 301: The Dead Air Mojave 9 Suppressor
SILENCER SATURDAY 301: The Dead Air Mojave 9 Suppressor
My one comment that probably has more to say about me being prepared than anything else, is that the Mojave takes P series fixed-barrel and three-lug adapters – none of which I have in inventory. The Holiday Inn Express engineer in me wants to say that kicking the diameter up by .15-.2 inches might make room for 1.375×24 “HUB” mounting systems and adapters instead of the P Series mounts. Again, not a criticism, just an observation.
The price is on the high side, but the Mojave 9 can be used on 300BLK hosts and it can be used in two different configurations. And don’t forget inflation – the silencer industry isn’t immune to our monetary policy… challenges? Is that the delicate way to say that?
A few of you may have concerns with the Sierra5 ‘issues” and may worry there is a broader quality control trend with Dead Air products. In my opinion, the limited number of Sierra5 failures can be attributed to a former parts supplier and doesn’t effect other product lines. It wouldn’t stop me from buying the Mojave 9 or any other Dead Air silencer.
In the end, this is a very quiet suppressor that is well made and modular. Dead Air is the horse-whisperer of subsonic silencer technology – I have yet to be disappointed with any of their subsonic-geared products. And the Mojave 9 is no exception.
Have a great week. Be safe, have fun, and we’ll see you back here next weekend for another Silencer Saturday.
