The Jay Situation

Latest Episodes:

Episode 323 - PTR VENT 1 300 BLK Testing and Blackbird F556 Technical Discussion (23-SEP-2026) Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topics:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.237 – Blackbird Suppressors F556 on the 10.3-in MK18. HUB compatible 6mm silencer optimized for 5.56, 5.4 inches long without a mount, advanced hybrid design… how does this debut silencer from a new company in the space fit in with the playing field? Very strong performance, with some nuance to learn about. Technical discussion. (00:06:47)

a. Intro to the F556 (00:09:59)

b. F556 general overview (00:11:19)

c. F556 silencer design and functional physics (00:15:22)

d. F556 MK18 Hazard Map in Silencer Hazard Map Brief 8.1.34 (00:23:13)

e. Technical performance discussion (00:31:16)

f. Performance Comparisons and Overall thoughts (00:48:45)

2. Sound Signature Review 6.238 – PTR VENT 1 on 8-in 300 BLK bolt-action. Welcome back, VENT 1 and PIP. It’s been a minute. What happens when this high performance 30 caliber silencer gets significantly lower pressure input than it did in the 2024 .308 report? Spoiler alert – it scales very well. This performance is very high. Introduction to today’s report. (00:54:24)

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Episode 322 - Blackbird Suppressors F556 MK18 Testing - Introduction (16-SEP-2026) Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topic:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.237 – Blackbird Suppressors F556 on the 10.3-in MK18. HUB compatible 6mm silencer optimized for 5.56, 5.4 inches long without a mount, advanced hybrid design… how does this debut silencer from a new company in the space fit in with the playing field? Very strong performance and a testament to some design principles that continue to show efficacy. This silencer is available in both titanium and Haynes. Introductory discussion to today’s report. (00:05:16)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

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Episode 321 - FOR Systems MK12 Mod FOR M4 Reflex 5.56 Technical Performance (10-SEP-2026) Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topic:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.236 – Front of Rifle Systems MK12 Mod FOR reflex silencer on the 14.5-in M4A1RIII. Once again, cloners rejoice! Or maybe not! Check out this modern adaptation of reflex suppression for the MK12 platform, doing things quite a bit differently than the famous OPS INC 12th model reflex silencer. How does it compare to the Otter Creek Labs OCM5 and OCM6? Technical discussion (00:08:23)

a. Intro and why test on the 14.5-in M4 instead of the 18-in MK12? (00:10:01)

b. MK12 Mod FOR general overview (00:13:57)

c. MK12 Mod FOR silencer design and functional physics (00:20:42)

d. MK12 Mod FOR Hazard Map in Silencer Hazard Map Brief 8.1.33 (00:31:12)

e. Technical performance discussion (00:39:55)

f. Performance Comparisons and Overall thoughts (00:57:05)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

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Episode 320 - FOR Systems MK12 Mod FOR M4 Reflex 5.56 Testing and AI 3CM 300 BLK MCX Tech (02-SEP-2026) Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topics:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.235 – Apparition Instruments 3CM in both the long and short configuration on the 6.75-in SIG SAUER 300 BLK MCX AR-18 consumer retail LVAW analog. Technical discussion of this new silencer from AI that is somewhat similar to the CAT RAT to accommodate last week’s report (00:06:57)

a. Intro to the AI 3CM (00:09:59)

b. AI 3CM general overview (00:11:19)

c. AI 3CM silencer design and functional physics (00:15:22)

d. AI 3CM Hazard Map in Silencer Hazard Map Brief 8.1.32 (00:23:13)

e. Technical performance discussion – suppressing the MCX (00:31:16)

f. Performance Comparisons and Overall thoughts (00:48:45)

2. Sound Signature Review 6.236 – Front of Rifle Systems MK12 Mod FOR reflex silencer on the 14.5-in M4A1RIII. Once again, cloners rejoice! Or maybe not! Check out this modern adaptation of reflex suppression for the MK12 platform, doing things quite a bit differently than the famous OPS INC 12th model reflex silencer. How does it compare to the Otter Creek Labs OCM5 and OCM6? Intro discussion to today’s report (00:54:24)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Episode 319 - Apparition Instruments AI 3CM 300 BLK MCX Testing and Rugged Obsidian 45 1911 Tech (26-AUG-2026) Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topics:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.234 – Rugged Obsidian 45 in both long and short configurations on the .45ACP 1911 full size combat handgun. How does its back pressure manifest? How does the long and short configuration performance differ? Does the Obsidian 45 hold up in 2026? Technical discussion of last week’s report. (00:07:34)

a. Intro and some Rugged history (00:10:23)

b. Rugged Obsidian 45 general overview (00:18:43)

c. Rugged Obsidian 45 silencer design and functional physics (00:29:05)

d. Two Hazard Maps in Silencer Hazard Map Brief 8.1.31 (00:42:05)

e. Technical performance discussion – suppressing a pistol (00:45:56)

f. Performance Comparisons and Overall thoughts (01:01:05)

2. Sound Signature Review 6.235 – Apparition Instruments 3CM in both the long and short configuration on the 6.75-in SIG SAUER 300 BLK MCX AR-18 consumer retail LVAW analog. This is the first report evaluating AI silencers; how does this similar modular system to the CAT RAT perform? Introductory discussion for the report published today. (01:04:49)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

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Episode 318 - Rugged Obsidian 45 1911 .45ACP Silencer Testing and is the Silencer Form 4 going away? (20-AUG-2026) Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topics:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.234 – Rugged Obsidian 45 in both long and short configurations on the .45ACP 1911 full size combat handgun. We first evaluated the Obsidian 45 on 9mm pistol back in 2020 in Report 6.7. Now it’s back – can it compete with the legacy AAC Ti-RANT 45? How does it compare with the KAC and B&T silencers? Does back pressure still matter? All of these questions are answered in today’s report. This is an introductory discussion. (00:09:39)

2. Do you still need a Form 4 for personal silencer transfer? Or just a 4473? Great question. Let’s talk about this historic situation we haven’t had to think much about since 1934. (00:43:51)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Episode 317 - Otter Creek Labs Infinity 556K Technical Talk and Wright Armory i-DOT for USP45T (04-AUG-2026) Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topics:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.233 – Otter Creek Labs Infinity 556K on the MK18 with three different end caps. Bonus silencer tone study for PEW Science Members. How does the OCL Infinity technology behave when it has a more dedicated bore for the 5.56 cartridge? Any improvements over the larger 30 caliber Infinity? Technical discussion with an advanced analysis of “tone” physics that are always included in the Suppression Rating. (00:09:44)

a. Intro and recap of this monster project (00:16:09)

b. Infinity 556K general overview (00:17:35)

c. Infinity 556K silencer design and functional physics (00:27:04)

d. Three Hazard Maps in Silencer Hazard Map Brief 8.1.30 (00:38:18)

e. High level performance discussion and “tone” – why does it matter? (00:45:06)

f. Performance Comparisons and Overall thoughts (01:04:40)

2. Wright Armory i-DOT on the USP 45 Tactical. Worth it? Initial thoughts on daily carry with this interesting option to modernize your beloved HK USP. (01:11:50)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Episode 316 - Otter Creek Labs Infinity 556K Testing, Tone, and T&K Vorix 30 Ti Tech (29-JUL-2026) Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topics:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.232 – T&K Vorix 30 Ti on .308 and 300 BLK bolt-action rifles. Multi-cartridge testing for this lightweight and compact bolt-action rifle silencer, to fully characterize its behavior. Technical discussion of last week’s report (00:07:22)

a. Intro and recap – hunting silencer? (00:08:52)

b. Vorix 30 Ti general overview (00:11:55)

c. Vorix 30 Ti silencer design and functional physics (00:16:18)

d. Hazard Map Brief 8.1.29 (00:24:07)

e. Vorix 30 Ti silencer performance with .308 and 300 BLK (00:33:18)

f. Performance Comparisons and Overall thoughts (01:01:54)

2. Sound Signature Review 6.233 – Otter Creek Labs Infinity 556K on the MK18 with three different end caps. Bonus silencer tone study for PEW Science Members. How does the OCL Infinity technology behave when it has a more dedicated bore for the 5.56 cartridge? Any improvements over the larger 30 caliber Infinity? Introductory discussion for today’s big report on this variable back pressure hard use silencer with an advanced analysis of “tone” physics that are always included in the Suppression Rating. (01:08:13)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Episode 315 - T&K Vorix 30 Ti .308 and 300 BLK Testing and LayerX Strake 9 Deep Dive (22-JUL-2026) Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topics:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.231 – LayerX Strake 9 MP5 testing. It’s been about 3 months since you’ve seen the MP5! Welcome back, subgun friends. This is the relatively light and compact Strake 9. Hybrid designs and low back pressure – what happens when the silencer is small? Can this beat the HUXWRX Cash 9 at its own game? Technical deep dive for the report published last week. (00:10:12)

a. Intro and recap – what is this silencer for? (00:11:59)

b. Strake 9 general overview (00:14:50)

c. Strake 9 silencer design and functional physics (00:17:49)

d. Hazard Map Brief 8.1.28 (00:24:39)

e. Strake 9 silencer performance (00:30:58)

f. Performance Comparisons and Overall thoughts (00:40:46)

2. Sound Signature Review 6.232 – T&K Vorix 30 Ti on .308 and 300 BLK bolt-action rifles. Multi-cartridge testing for this lightweight and compact bolt-action rifle silencer, to fully characterize its behavior. A little under 1.5-in diameter, and less than 8 inches long… yet bringing the performance? Pleasant surprises seem to becoming more commonplace in today’s silencer market, which is great! Let’s take a look at these interesting physics in this introduction to the report published today. (00:46:16)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

Episode 314 - LayerX Strake 9 MP5 Testing and Listener Questions (16-JUL-2026) Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Today’s Topics:

1. Sound Signature Review 6.231 – LayerX Strake 9 MP5 testing. It’s been about 3 months since you’ve seen the MP5! Welcome back, subgun friends. Today we introduce the relatively light and compact Strake 9. More companies entering the 3D-printed space. Hybrid designs and low back pressure – what happens when the silencer is small? Can this beat the HUXWRX Cash 9 at its own game? Introduction to the report published today. (00:08:40)

2. Listener Questions are back! Let’s dive back into Solicitation 8, answer your queries, and learn more about silencers! You can always find the other episodes with Listener Questions over the years by clicking on this metadata tag. It will pull up all the Listener Questions episodes on our website! (00:23:11)

Sponsored by Legion Athletics and the PEW Science Laboratory!

Legion Athletics: use code pewscience for BOGO off your entire first order and 20% cash back always!

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