Although the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous is only two days, we managed to use the time wisely and packed in a lot of exposure to new products. One of the things I got to check out was the Dead Air Sandman-X suppressor. With the suppressor tax stamp being zeroed out, a lot more companies are jumping into the market. However, there’s something to be said for a time-tested company with proven products.
The Sandman-X
The Dead Air Sandman-X is a professional-grade, heavy-duty suppressor with a .30 caliber bore diameter. It’s rated for calibers up to .300 Remington Ultra Magnum with an energy rating of 4200 ft-lbs. In other words, it’s going to work on just about any .30 caliber rifle you want to use it on. It incorporates decades of research and is designed to optimize sound, balance backpressure, and eliminate muzzle flash.
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The Sandman-X measures 1.65 inches in diameter, and the overall length varies by mount. For example, it’s 6.4 inches with the Xeno mount and 6.9 inches with both the KeyMo and KeyMo Gov mounts. Weight is similarly mount-dependent, coming in at 14.5 ounces with the Xeno, 16.8 ounces with the standard KeyMo. The heaviest configuration is 16.9 ounces with the KeyMo Gov.
The suppressor is constructed from durable Haynes 282 alloy. I had to look that up. Haynes lists it as a “premium, gamma-prime strengthened nickel-based superalloy.” They say that it’s specifically engineered for high-temperature structural applications. Also, it’s renowned for its exceptional creep resistance and thermal stability. That sounds like alien tech to me. Maybe we’ll find out more when the next batch of UAP files drops. Either way, it’s good stuff.
Dead Air finishes the Sandman-X with a high-temperature Cerakote, and it’s available in Black or Flat Dark Earth. The Sandman-X has no barrel length restrictions and is fully rated for full-auto use.
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MSRP ranges from $999.00 up to $1,149.00, depending on what mount you choose.
Range Work
I had a chance to inspect the Sandman-X up close and fire off a few mags from a .300 Blackout SBR at the Brush Creek Ranch range facility while at the Rendezvous. It’s an obviously well-made can with a clean design and a nicely applied finish, and clear, deep markings. With the rush of new companies to race to the bottom with low-priced suppressors these days, it’s nice to see companies still taking the time and effort to do things right.
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For a .30 caliber can of its capability, it’s fairly compact and light. It balanced nicely on the PSA Sabre that Dead Air had set up for us to shoot. Sound signature was excellent, and any gas blowback was either nonexistent or negligible. Considering what the Sandman-X is rated for, you could probably run it on a .300 Blackout forever without issue.
Provenance Matters
With tax stamps being zeroed out, more and more companies are jumping into the suppressor business. Competition isn’t a bad thing by any means, but there’s something to be said for a company with the experience that Dead Air has. They’ve been around and are still likely to be around if you need support down the road.
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Years ago, I got burned on a “deal” of a suppressor only to have the company go out of business shortly afterward. I’m out of luck if I ever need parts or support. So with Dead Air, you not only get the expertise and experience of folks who’ve been around, but they’re also likely to be there later if you need them, too.
The Sandman-X performed great and is built tough, so you may not need anything else, but it’s good to know they’ll be there if you do.
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