Suppressors were a major part of GunCon this year. With $0 tax stamps, both consumers and manufacturers are taking full advantage. Of all the options there, one of the most unique is the new Yankee Hill Machine VICTRA-20 Modular Shotgun Suppressor. To make it even more fun, YHM and Caldwell shared a booth, giving everyone a chance to take down some clays.
Specs
What makes the VICTRA-20, along with the VICTRA-12 (which debuted last year), so unique is its modular design. Standard length is 10 inches, but it can be shortened to 4 inches. That really helps with weight and balance, especially on a longer field gun.
The standard specs are as follows:
- Model(s): VICTRA-20
- Bore Diameter: 20 GA
- Color: Black
- Caliber Rating: 20 GA
- Decibel Rating: 10” configuration-132 dB, 4” configuration-138 dB
- Length: 10.4”-4.4”
- Weight: 22 oz.
- Materials: 7075 Aluminum and 17-4 PH Stainless Steel
- Minimum Barrel Length Restrictions: 7.5” for mini-shells, 10” for 3” shells, and 16” for 3.5” shells
- Price: $889.95
Modular Suppression for 20 Gauge
The VICTRA-20 brings the same modular suppressor concept as the VICTRA-12 to 20-gauge shotguns, offering hunters, sport shooters, and home defenders a lightweight solution with customizable performance. As mentioned, the suppressor can be configured in 10-inch, 8-inch, 6-inch, or 4-inch lengths, allowing users to balance sound suppression, weight, and firearm handling to fit their application.
In its full 10-inch configuration, the VICTRA-20 reduces most common shotgun loads to an average of 132 dB at the shooter’s ear, while the compact 4-inch setup at a nimble 12 ounces averages 138 dB.
The suppressor mounts directly to the firearm via factory choke threads and proprietary VICTRA Mounts, with shot constriction occurring at the suppressor’s muzzle rather than at the mount. Each unit includes two 10-inch assembly rods, an Improved Cylinder choke, and two multi-use wrenches. Optional rod kits allow shorter configurations. Barrel and shell compatibility ranges from 2¾-inch shells on 7½-inch barrels to 3½-inch shells on barrels 16 inches or longer, making the VICTRA™-20 adaptable across a wide variety of shotgun platforms.
I will never say I’m a shotgunner. I’ve only shot two rounds of sporting clays in my life—and both of those were in the last two years. However, shooting this suppressor on a 20-gauge shotgun makes me want to take it up. On top of that, the Caldwell ClayCopter Surface-to-Air made it even more fun.
Of course, the modularity is what makes this intriguing. Throw it on a tactical rig or an SBS in a short configuration, and you have a compact package. Likewise, you can fine-tune the length for a turkey or duck gun, making the experience that much more enjoyable for all parties. The problem is that you’ll want to suppress every gun you own, which will be expensive!
Zooming Out
I’m a big fan of this. The value proposition is good. The only downside: you must purchase additional rod kits to shorten the suppressor. The full set of extra rods will set you back another $125. That’s a little annoying, but once you get them, you are set for life. As far as shotgun cans go, the VICTRA series has really impressed.