Griffin Armament announced the new Sportsman Ultra Light HD .46 suppressor this week. They’re positioning it as a lightweight, budget-friendly option built specifically for hunting. It addresses durability limits seen in the original Sportsman Ultra Light line.
The Griffin Armament Sportsman Ultra Light HD .46
Unlike the earlier aluminum models, which Griffin says were limited to light sporting use and required cooling after a handful of quick shots, the new HD version uses full 17-4 H900 heat-treated stainless steel and tubeless laser-welding to deliver what the company describes as “near-titanium” weights with markedly greater durability. The “HD” in the name denotes the High Durability construction.
Griffin says the Sportsman Ultra Light HD .46 pairs that stainless construction with the firm’s patented ECO-FLOW baffle technology. They say that the system reduces user exposure to toxic gases. It also lowers system gas to improve the function on gas-operated hosts.
The .46 model uses industry-standard 1.375×24 HUB threading. That allows compatibility with Griffin HUB mount adapters as well as third-party mounting systems. It also accepts Nielson devices (booster housings) for use on Browning-style tilt-barrel pistols up to .45 caliber.
Ratings and Barrel Limits
Griffin rates the Sportsman Ultra Light HD .46 up to .45-70 rifle cartridges and .45 ACP pistol rounds. The company notes there are no minimum barrel length restrictions or constraints for magnum rifle calibers. Longer barrels do tend to promote longer service life, however.
All machining for the Sportsman Ultra Light HD family is carried out at Griffin’s Watertown, Wisconsin, facility. Griffin also cautions buyers that the suppressor does not include a muzzle device or HUB mount interface. Those mounting components must be purchased separately.
The Sportsman Ultra Light HD .46 carries an MSRP of $604.95.
I’ve had a Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light .36 suppressor for almost a year now. I bought it primarily for shooting .350 Legend, but I’ve used it on 5.56mm, .300 Blackout, and 9mm as well. It’s been a great can with its light weight and HUB mounting options. My only regret was that not long after I got it I started looking at .400 Legend rifles.
I now have two .400 Legends, and some .40 S&W, 10mm, and .45 ACP pistols and AR’s. I could really use a suppressor that will work with those. Based upon my experience with the .36 version, the new Griffin .46 is most likely what I’m going to pick up.
