Silencer Saturday #364: New Design From Contra Cans

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. SHOT Show is fast approaching and new product announcements are still flooding in. This week we have a new silencer reveal, and a closer look at how it works and why it was made. Let’s get into it!

Silencer Saturday 363 @ TFB:

Silencer Saturday #362: Liberty Suppressors 10/22 IDF Clone Silencer Saturday #361: Hunting With Suppressors Silencer Saturday #360: Suppressing The Beretta Cheetah Silencer Saturday #359: A Primer On Subsonic Ammunition Silencer Saturday #358: A Holiday Suppressed Gift Guide

Disclaimer: Silencers are highly regulated items in the United States. Be sure you understand the law before you try to buy one. If you make a mistake you could face serious prison time.

The Trend

Back in November, I made some predictions about what kinds of new silencers we would probably see at SHOT Show 2025. My guesses were lower-cost options, more additive manufacturing, and more designs that reduce back pressure. As the new crop of releases are coming out those seem to have been pretty accurate. We will see even more of them next week at the show, so stay tuned for more of that coverage.

A newcomer to the silencer industry reached out to emeritus Silencer Saturday author and editor Pete (who left very large shoes to fill) about another design that fits with my predictions but does some very unique things as well. After discussions with the designer I am very intrigued and thought it was worth writing up to share.

The Design

This new suppressor comes from Contra Cans. At first glance, it is a reflex design with vents on the front. Both of those things have been done before but not usually on the same suppressor. More and more silencer designs are incorporating forward venting to reduce back pressure, while reflex silencers remain uncommon.

But the cutaway view shows some really interesting ideas. Additive manufacturing, aka 3D printing, has opened up new doors in suppressor design. Rather than taking a piece of metal and cutting off parts to make a baffle, and welding those various pieces together, and additive design builds up layer by layer in the printing process. That manufacturing process can create very complex designs and is not limited by manufacturing concerns (like a cutting tool needing to reach an internal surface).

The Contra design incorporates a main chamber incorporating the area in front of the muzzle up to the initial baffle and back into the reflex portion behind the muzzle. As gasses fill that space they enter a series of helical coils that wrap around the body of the silencer, eventually venting out of front of the silencer. Contra describes this system as being able to “drain gas as fast as it leaves the barrel.”

Another interesting design feature is the small ports around the outside of the muzzle end of the suppressor. A second set of helical vents moves forward from the initial baffle toward the muzzle ending in a series of ports. Those ports are perpendicular to the bore and gas venting through them tightens the silencer onto the muzzle. Think of it sort of like a spinner firework where the spray of sparks rotates the body of the firework, only more controlled.

Models

Contra plans to produce a range of lengths, both forward of the muzzle and behind the muzzle. Various options have up to three inches of overlap with the muzzle, and up to five inches in front of the muzzle. The outside diameter of all of those models is 1.5 inches. All models are direct thread, but there are also plans for other mounting patterns like HUB. Total weight on the 6-inch OAL models is around 15 ounces, with the shorter models weighing less.

The anticipated shipping date is Q1 2025. Prices are anticipated to be $899. Contra Cans has offered to send me one to try out after SHOT Show is over, and I look forward to sharing my impressions once I get some hands-on time with it.

If you have questions about the suppressors feel free to reach out to Contracans@protonmail.com.

We’ll end with a press release and some additional photos of the complete silencers and cutaway views.

From the manufacturer:

“Until now suppressor firms have with few exceptions used this technology to simply print legacy designs.Contra Cans utilize ‘neutral-flow’ technology to expel gasses more efficiently than other designs hitherto, which in turn allows the provision of extremely durable Inconel frames in the same weight class as most of the bigger brands provide with their steel/titanium hybrids.By using math over myth, Contra Cans have been designed to permit the exfiltration of gas at the same rate it is induced. And in so doing they are able to provide sound reduction levels that enable over-barrel or ‘reflex’ designs to finally compete with conventional approaches to suppression.The cans come in a range of options to suit all barrel lengths and purpose profiles.Contra Cans employ a direct thread design, for several reasons. DT ensures tighter barrel alignment, allows the shooter to save several ounces of weight by losing the traditional flash-hider, acts as a heat-sink more efficiently (given the Inconel can take the heat) while concurrently providing a far stronger mount than collar locks when using the can to break glass or thrust doors/targets.Contra Cans also utilize self-tightening ports to ensure the suppressor does not work itself loose like other wrench mounted options have been known to do on occasion.Contra Cans balance durability, functionality, weight and size and are auto-rated, coming with and without external pattern options. With varying lengths forwards and backwards, the suppressors will come in packages of 4,5 & 6 inches OAL within a diameter of 1.5 inches.Contra Cans push suppressor design and manufacture to the limits to provide shooters longer options favoring sound reduction or shorter options favoring utility at once.In short, Contra Cans go backwards to take shooting forwards…”

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