I recently ended a long search for a new pistol suppressor.

That search lead me to the Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 9. Right now, the market for suppressors is hotter than ever thanks to the BATFE allowing the use of the E-File system again for Form 4’s.

Plus, there are more than a dozen quality manufacturers on the market. So why this particular suppressor you ask? What makes it maybe the best 9mm suppressor on the market?

First Look at The Rugged Obsidian 9 Suppressor

When I first started looking for suppressors, I made a list of things that were important to me. I also included a list of attributes and went to work on research. below is my list and reasoning.

  • Easy to clean: My old YHM 3100 can is sealed and not the easiest to clean. I didn’t want to repeat that scenario
  • Affordable: These were my dollars being spent, not a give away of demo deal.
  • Multiple mounting styles: Needed to support 1/2-28 threads for some of my guns and 3 lug adapter for at least two of my guns.
  • Length of Warranty: Because it’s me and I break things, spending my own money makes warranty even more important
  • Db Noise Reduction: Pretty obvious I wanted decent noise reduction because after all that is why you buy a suppressor
  • Build Quality: I wanted a suppressor with a reputation for quality builds so it can last a lifetime. I intend to use this mostly on .22’s and 9mm’s but .300 Blackout was also a hope/dream to be able to support.

Rugged Obsidian 9 Overview

The Basics of Why I chose the Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 9

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to cleaning the Obsidian 9, it follows a common path of suppressors today. And that is modularity of design. The new generation of suppressors feature removable baffles for easy maintenance and cleaning. Which is a huge improvement over older designs. This design also allows for the use if interchangeable end caps as well as replacement parts in the rare event you have a baffle strike.

suppressor baffle stack
Baffle stacks on the Obsidian 9 allow for easy maintenance

In addition to the modularity which addresses several of my six requirements. There is one issue on build design many people might overlook. Rugged Suppressors placed their serial number on the base section of the suppressor barrel. Which aside from being the strongest part of the barrel, is the spot least likely to have a baffle strike. This means in a nut shell, if you happen to have a baffle strike, it’s likely you wont have obliterated the serialized part of the can.

One major trait of the Obsidian 9 it is a 2 piece suppressor. Allowing the owner to decide if they want the suppressor to be used in it’s “Standard 7.8” or “Short 4.85” configuration. Switching between these two configurations takes seconds. And only requires removing the upper section and replacing the end cap on the base section of the tube. Simply tighten as per the owners manual and back to the range you go.

Materials & Specs

The Rugged Obsidian 9 is made of a combination of hard coat anodized aluminum (body) and 17-4 stainless steel baffles and mounts. But don’t think that somehow it makes this suppressor overweight or unruly. Weighing in at 12.7 ounces in the long configuration and 8.7 ounces in the shorter configuration. I have found this suppressor to be very usable even on lightweight .22 LR caliber pistols like the Walther PPQ 22. To date I’ve run this can on 7 different rifles and pistols and found that they all perform flawlessly and the weight is hardly noticed on any of them.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the coating of the Obsidian 9 and the color choices available as of August 2022. Our Obsidian 9 came with a wonderful coating of Black Cerakote which we wanted although a Flat Dark Earth variant is available. I reached out to Rugged Suppressors and they said no new color options are expected in the near future.

Rugged Obsidian 9 suppressor
Balances well on Ruger 22/45 Lite and other lighter pistols. Shown in short configuration.

Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 9 Specifications

  • Diameter: 1.37″
  • Weight: Long Configuration:12.7 Ounces. Short Configuration: 8.7 Ounces
  • Length: Long Configuration: 7.8 Inches. Short Configuration: 4.85 Inches
  • Materials: Tube: Aluminum. Baffles: 17-4 Stainless Steel. Mount: 17-7 Stainless Steel
  • Caliber Rating: .300 Blackout Subsonic, 9mm, .380, .22 LR
  • Warranty: Lifetime
  • MSRP: $820 $611 as of 8/6/22 on Silencershop.com
Rugged Obsidian 9 adapters
1/2-28 and 3 Lug Adapters Shown

Verdict & Options

While I have only owned this suppressor for a few months, I’ve really tried to use it across as many weapons as possible. To date, across 7 different weapons with no problems or issues and a few thousand rounds. There are a few things that I have learned along the way. Mainly that this Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 9 is boringly reliable. And that you should never wait too long to clean a suppressor. Outside of that the Obsidian 9 has not provided me with anything other than a smile on my face every time I use it.

Recently the Obsidian 9 and its larger brother the Obsidian 45 have dropped in price significantly to under $700 on Silencershop.com . I will say that is much less than I paid in January 2021 when I ordered mine, and I’m a bit jealous. When you consider the price, build quality, warranty, ease of use, and modularity, you can see for under $700 that is a lot of value. I wholeheartedly believe that the Obsidian 9 is the best 9mm suppressor on the market.

Rugged Obsidian 9 suppressor
CZ P-09 makes a great host for the Obsidian 9

That being said there is only 1 thing that I would mention or caution to potential buyers. If you own or intend to own a .45ACP or .40 S&W that you want to suppress, step up and get the Obsidian 45. This will give you all the features of the 9mm but allow you to use it from .45 ACP all the way to .22LR. I was not interested in the .45 caliber version because I have not owned a .45 ACP or .40 S&W in over a decade and never intend to do so again.

I hope you enjoyed this look at the Rugged Suppressors Obsidian 9, if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below and I will get back to them as soon as I can. Thanks again and get out and explore the great outdoors and maybe go to the range for some shooting.

This article by Rick Dembroski was originally published by thegearbunker.com.

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