Dead Air Silencers of Heber, Utah, launched Sandman suppressors 10 years ago, and today Sandman K, L and S models represent the core of the company’s product line. Now, after 10 years on the market, Dead Air has released the Sandman X. It’s a professional-grade can ready for heavy-duty use that leverages Dead Air’s decades of experience to optimize sound, balance backpressure and eliminate muzzle flash.
The Sandman X is 3D printed from Haynes 282, a wrought, gamma-prime strengthened super-alloy from Haynes International that was developed for high-temperature structural applications in industrial gas-turbine engines. The material possesses a unique combination of creep strength, thermal stability and weldability not found in other commercially available alloys. With a creep strength in the range of 1,200 to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit, it far exceeds usage applications of other alloys without sacrificing weldability. All this makes it an excellent material for a heavy-duty can.
The Sandman X is a .30-caliber can, rated for chamberings up to .300 Remington Ultra Mag. and energy up to 4,200 ft.-lbs. It has no barrel restrictions, and it is full-auto rated. Inside the can are two patent-pending Triskelion baffles and three cone baffles surrounded by Dead Air’s Triskelion gas management system. The design provides excellent acoustic performance and thermal management. Though the unit is optimized for use on a host rifle chambered in .308 Winchester, it works equally well with smaller cartridges.
It is intended to be threaded directly to the muzzle of a rifle, but as the Sandman X is a modular system, a couple of other mounting options are available. For a quick attach, buyers may opt to use a Keymo or Xeno adapter.
The KeyMo thread-to-taper system uses a detent clutch plate to resist loosening from vibration or high thermal shifts during shooting. It is not a ratchet system so it doesn’t lock in place. Sufficient vibration or thermal shift—or a hand torque—will break the taper connection to remove the suppressor. The Xeno mount is a lightweight thread-to-taper system with non-negotiable repeatability and return-to-zero, which makes it a great option for precision rifle setups without sacrificing durability. It is designed with left-hand threads to ensure that when it is removed it actually comes off the muzzle device without unscrewing or leaving the adapter behind. Either alternative mounting system includes accessories with each purchase like a Tool-less Tool Pack, a 5/8x24 TPI Xeno three-prong flash hider or KeyMicro flash hider, and either a Xeno adapter or Keymo adapter.
Overall length of the Sandman X is 6.4 inches for a Xeno setup and 6.9 inches for a Keymo setup. Diameter is 1.65 inches. Weight is 14.5 ounces for a Xeno can or 16.8 ounces for a Keymo can. Finish comes in Black or Flat Dark Earth Cerakote. Its retail price ranges $999-$1,049.
To learn more about the Dead Air Sandman X, visit deadairsilencers.com. And to ensure you see more reviews of awesome gear like this, be sure to logon to NRA.org and join us at the National Rifle Association.
