So I saw silencershop had one GEMTECH Aurora II left and I figured why not.  I heard that back in the day they were used by down pilots so $350 later it was on its way.  I think it was less than two weeks from purchase to pickup.  

I was a little weary of because of all the negative things I have heard about GEMTECH and even worse since S&W bought them.  And for what’s it worth I wouldn’t buy any other GEMTECH can besides this one when so many better choices are out there.

The can is so tiny and small it has zero problems running on my Glock 19.  Accuracy was shit past 7 yards because of the wipes but that’s to be expected.  However the suppression was easily hearing safe and downright pleasant.  I figured it would be right on the edge of hearing safe but I could shoot 20-25 rounds before I even came close to thinking the wipes needed replaced.  Really it’s the Vaseline doing the heavy lifting.  

I probably put 200 rounds through it of 22lr and 9mm and besides the hassle of changing the wipes it was super fun.  Not recommended for your first pistol can but does fill a niche that I truly have zero use for but awesome none the less.  I think I’m going to buy a G43X or another sub compact to dedicate this can too.  If you read this far I wouldn’t buy a GEMTECH can there are far better options out there but this one is so different I couldn’t pass it up.

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Already rewiped for the 3rd time.
lol

moving it to my 43X MOS as soon as I decide on an optic.



was on a staccato and it fit the holster with the suppressor on.

Awesome review.  I didn't know those existed.

Okay definitely getting a 43x now. Can you see the sights over the can?

The Aurora II is way better than my JK 105CC.   yes, the JK can do hollow points but it's still loud with a full pack of vaseline.
It gets rid of the supersonic pop but I like the Aurora II better.
I've got the TLR-7sub for my 43X and looking at different optics now.

The 43X with Aurora II will be my around the farm gun for coyotes.

I can't see over the can with the regular height sights, that's why I bought a 43X and will be sticking an optic on it.
I guess I could've just bought higher sights but I wanted a light too so I got a 43X MOS.

I have only had my can out for 1 session but I used wipes with a .25” hole in the center.  This is smaller than the HST opening and I didn’t have any issues shooting about 20 rounds.  They were a little louder cause they were faster but still subsonic.  I wouldn’t make a habit of it but it did work for a full set of wipes.  I found the info about the wipes in the Arfcom archives.  I order 100 with a ¼” hole I. The middle for around $15.

Thank you for the info about the 43x I’ll order one tomorrow.

I'm going to make some with a hole in the middle and try it out.
Thanks!

@Chowser

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09TW7Q15W?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I don't know why everyone has taken to shitting on Gemtech. One of my favorite cans, a trek T, is a gemtek. I shot it yesterday.

If you can hear the difference between my Trek II and Griffin GP, you are a better man than me. I have them on similar rifles, for similar purposes.

There are probably better designs 90% of the time these days, but price is a thing. I would buy Gem tech again, for the right deal. In my experience, they are mostly over built and simple designs, that work as intended.

That's what makes this suppressor interesting. It's a suppressed pistol that still does pistol things reasonably well. That is; fits in holster, short, light, easier to carry than a sbr, can be concealed, shot one handed...

Often, due to weight and length, a pistol suppressor defeats all the advantages of a pistol over an SBR. Which, in my opinion, makes them dumb.

How much of a pain and expense is changing out the wipes?

Changing the wipes is super easy and takes less than a minute.  However repacking the baffles with Vaseline is not a fun experience and is what takes the longest.  I was using wire pulling gel which is a lot easier to apply since it’s in a squeeze bottle.

I was just mag dumping into trash so I didn’t notice much.  But what I did see is a dramatic decrease in wild flyers.  I’ll definitely put it on paper next time.

Some of the Gemtech designs still perform comparatively well.  Minor tweaks to mounting options and maintainability in this market would sell.  An all titanium Outback-2 (k-baffle, not the monocore ‘upgrade’) was briefly available but didn’t get much traction at the time.  I think it would do better today.

GSL is keeping many of the classic Gemtech designs alive.  With a little competitive pricing & marketing both firms could help with market demand. If Silencer Central can move their product Gemtech & GSL should be able to have broader presence.

Thanks for the link.

I've been pounding out wipes by hand.  
Then carving out the X.

I'll switch to wire pulling gel.  The petroleum jelly is a pain and messy.
I've got plenty of gel from my first ancient suppressor (AWC Triad Ti) which worked better wet.

I’m surprised this simple cheap design didn’t get more traction when Form 1 cans were unhassled. I suppose boring bigger holes in something like a wipe spacer is post-farm-life challenging for a cordless drill maestro.  As well, a $200 stamp on a $50 tinker toy messes with people’s cost-benefit analysis. Same with simple rimfire Pill Bottle designs. Those should be free keychain trinkets in a big bowl at the gun store checkout counter.

I punched a few out too and I do think they suppress slightly better but not enough for me to not use the ones I linked.

Wirepulling gel will get your gun/optic a little more messy I have found but the trade off is worth it.  I’m not going to spend minutes packing Vaseline when I can do it with the gel in 30 seconds.

Thanks for your input on the JK CCX.  I was considering it but everything I saw on the aroura seemed like it was much quieter.

Yes, the Aurora is much quieter.  Even with the JK with all baffles loaded with PJ was louder than the Aurora.  I'm using IWI 158gr FMJ as my suppressor round.
I have some FM Hush but it won't cycle my slides.

I ended up buying the 22 end cap for the JK and stuck it on one of my kid's bolt guns for use with subsonic ammo.
He likes it.  He has no issues with it on coyotes.  Doesn't wake his siblings up.

What ever happened to the GSL BOSS. It was their version of the Arorua and they were adding a tube for space for additional wipes?

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That length pretty much defeats the point of an Aurora II.  What is the weight of that can if it wet?  Or is the extra section for spare wipes which would be a no no now?

I think the front module mostly was a way to package twice as many wipes to eventually use in the mounted half of the can.

Yes, the extra section is for additional wipes. Perhaps that is what killed it. I was thinking it was encroaching on the Gemtech Aurora II at the time and maybe that is why is got shelved.

That’s shitty that the atf changed the rules.  It would be nice to get extra wipes with your can instead of making your own.

I found shooting it on my 32 acp or any other center fire direct blow back was so loud it was pointless.