LayerX Suppressor Buying Guide
A guide to choosing between the LayerX Strake 9, Strake 9K and Raster 5K, including specs, barrel limits, PEW Science results on the MP5, mounts, and comparisons with other 9mm and 5.56 suppressors we carry.
How to Choose a LayerX Suppressor
LayerX, also written Layer X, makes three suppressors, each built around a specific type of host. Start with what you shoot most:
MP5, PCC or 9mm PDW
Strake 9
The full-size option. It is 6.5 in., 8.5 oz, titanium, and very low back pressure. It was also the quieter of the two Strakes on every host LayerX tested.
Shortest 9mm setup, pistols
Strake 9K
At 5.2 in. and 6.4 oz, the 9K gives up some sound performance for less length and weight. It works well on pistols with a booster and on short PCCs.
5.56 or 6mm SBR
Raster 5K
It is 5.02 in. and 11.4 oz in Haynes 282, full-auto rated, and optimized for 12.5 to 13.7 in. M4-style barrels, with a 10.3 in. minimum.
A few questions make the choice easier:
- Is it going on a roller-delayed or blowback 9mm? That is what the Strakes are designed around. Low back pressure means less gas at the shooter and less change in how the gun runs.
- Do you want one can for the MP5 and a 9mm pistol? Both Strakes take a HUB booster. The 9K's lower weight makes it the better fit for a pistol.
- Do you also shoot 300 Blackout? Both Strakes are full-auto rated on subsonic 300 BLK from 7 in. barrels and rated for supersonic 300 BLK from 9 in.
- Is your main gun a 5.56 carbine or SBR? The Raster 5K is the better fit. The Strakes can run 5.56, but only from a 16 in. barrel.
Why LayerX
LayerX Suppression is a Livonia, Michigan suppressor company founded in 2025. The team comes from legacy suppressor makers, defense suppliers and aerospace manufacturing, and one of its engineers, Josh, is a former AAC suppressor engineer (TFB, GunCon 2026). The Strake 9 was their first can.
The main differences show up in how each model is built and what it is designed to do:
- Each model is built for one kind of host. The Strakes are designed around how 9mm blowback and roller-delayed guns handle pressure, not adapted from a rifle can. The Raster 5K is tuned for short 5.56 carbines.
- Very low back pressure. LayerX's Strand DNA internals vent gas forward through a spiral channel fed from every baffle chamber. PEW Science measured the Strake 9's back pressure as very low and noted significantly reduced ejection port blast on the MP5 (SSS.6.231).
- One-piece printed construction. Every LayerX can is printed (DMLS) as a single part with no welds. The Strakes are Grade 5 titanium; the Raster 5K is Haynes 282, a nickel superalloy that holds its strength at high heat.
- Alphatek low-IR coating on all three, for heat wear resistance and a lower infrared signature.
- Test fired before shipping to clear manufacturing residue and confirm the bore is concentric.
- Transferable limited lifetime warranty.
The trade-off is typical of a high-flow design. A larger, more restrictive 9mm suppressor can be quieter at the muzzle. LayerX trades some of that muzzle suppression for a lighter, shorter design with less gas at the shooter. PEW Science found the Strake 9's shooter's ear rating was on par with several larger suppressors.
LayerX Strake 9 and Strake 9K
Both Strakes share the same materials, coating, HUB mount and caliber ratings. The difference is size: the Strake 9 is 1.3 in. longer and 2.1 oz heavier, and it's quieter on every host in LayerX's published testing.
LayerX Strake 9
The full-size Strake is the better choice if length is not a concern. It is built for MP5s, Scorpions, Stribogs, AR-9s and other PCCs, and it also runs on 9mm pistols with a booster.
Caliber: 9mm (rated up to .308 Win, see limits) | Length: 6.5 in. | Weight: 8.5 oz without mount | Diameter: 1.54 in. | Material: DFARS Grade 5 titanium (DMLS) | Mount: HUB (1.375x24), no mount included | Full-auto: 9mm at any barrel length; subsonic 300 BLK from 7 in.
On an MP5, the Strake 9 adds 6.5 in. and 8.5 oz before the mount. Because it vents early and continuously, it changes bolt speed and timing less than a more restrictive suppressor. On an MP5 or blowback PCC, that usually means less gas at the charging handle and ejection port.
It's rated for more than 9mm. Minimum barrel lengths: .357 Mag/.38 Special 16 in., 300 BLK supersonic 9 in., 300 BLK subsonic 7 in. (full-auto), .350 Legend 16 in., .338 ARC subsonic 12 in., 8.6 BLK subsonic 12 in., 5.56 NATO 16 in., 7.62x39 16 in. and .308 Win 20 in. In practice, it is best suited to 9mm and 300 BLK PDWs, with the option to use it on a 16 in. rifle when needed.
No mount is included. Plan on a 3-lug for an MP5, a direct thread adapter for a threaded PCC barrel, or a booster for a pistol (see Mounts).
Test results and reviews
PEW Science: Composite Suppression Rating of 48.5 on an 8.9 in. HK SP5 with Speer Lawman 147 gr subsonic, direct-thread mount (muzzle 47.5, shooter's ear 39.8; SSS.6.231, July 2026). PEW found first round pop less than 5 percent more severe than follow-up shots, and better controlled than the HUXWRX CA$H 9K and the short Dead Air Wolfman.
Boomstick Diagnostics: At the shooter's ear, post-first-round-pop: 114.0 dBA on a Daniel Defense PCC9, 116.1 on a CZ Scorpion, 116.3 on an MP5K and 117.6 on an MP5S, with Ammo Inc 165 gr Stealth (April 2026, published in LayerX's Performance Lab).
LayerX Strake 9K
The 9K is the compact Strake, about an inch and a quarter shorter and two ounces lighter. It is aimed at short PCCs, PDWs and pistols.
Caliber: 9mm (rated up to .308 Win, same limits as the Strake 9) | Length: 5.2 in. | Weight: 6.4 oz without mount | Diameter: 1.54 in. | Material: DFARS Grade 5 titanium (DMLS) | Mount: HUB (1.375x24), no mount included | Full-auto: 9mm at any barrel length; subsonic 300 BLK from 7 in.
The 9K adds an integral inverted flash hider and small brake ports in the exit vents, which help with muzzle flash. It uses a hybrid version of the Strand DNA core.
The 9K is the better of the two for a pistol. Add a HUB booster and it runs on threaded tilt-barrel 9mm pistols such as Glocks, SIGs, Berettas, HKs, CZs and M&Ps. At 6.4 oz, it also keeps reciprocating mass low.
The trade-off is sound performance. In LayerX's published testing, the 9K ran 0.3 to 3.9 dBA louder at the shooter's ear than the Strake 9 on the same hosts (see test data). If length is not a concern, the Strake 9 is the better starting point.
We sell the Strake 9 on our site. The Strake 9K and Raster 5K are ordered on LayerX's site: at checkout, pick To Your Door via Capitol Armory. LayerX ships the suppressor to us, we file your eForm 4, and after approval it ships from our facility to your home.
Test results
Boomstick Diagnostics: At the shooter's ear: 114.7 dBA on a Daniel Defense PCC9, 116.5 on a CZ Scorpion, 117.0 on an MP5K and 118.4 on an MP5S with Ammo Inc 165 gr Stealth (April 2026, LayerX's Performance Lab). PEW Science hasn't published a 9K report yet.
LayerX Raster 5K
LayerX Raster 5K
The Raster 5K is LayerX's short 5.56 suppressor, built for 12.5 to 13.7 in. M4-style carbines and MK18-style SBRs. It is over-bored so it can also run 6mm.
Caliber: 5.56 NATO, 6 ARC, 6 Creedmoor, 6 PRC | Length: 5.02 in. without mount | Weight: 11.4 oz without mount | Diameter: 1.6 in. | Material: DFARS Haynes 282 superalloy (DMLS) | Mount: HUB (1.375x24), no mount included | Full-auto: Yes
Minimum barrel lengths: 10.3 in. for 5.56, 10.5 in. for 6 ARC, 14.5 in. for 6 Creedmoor and 6 PRC.
The Raster is printed in Haynes 282 instead of titanium. Haynes 282 is a nickel-based superalloy that retains strength at the temperatures produced by fast strings and full-auto fire, which matters more on a short 5.56 barrel than on a 9mm.
Like the 9K, it has an integral inverted flash hider and exit-port brakes for flash and recoil, plus the same hybrid low-back-pressure core.
Order it on LayerX's site and choose To Your Door via Capitol Armory at checkout. We file your eForm 4 and ship it to your home after approval.
Test results
Boomstick Diagnostics: Tested on six 5.56 hosts with Winchester M855, ranging from 120.9 to 127.9 dBA at the shooter's ear. That includes 120.9 on a 12.5 in. Meridian Defense AK16, 122.4 on a 13.7 in. build, 124.3 on an 18 in. Triarc SPR and 126.9 on a 10.3 in. Daniel Defense MK18 (April 2026, LayerX's Performance Lab). PEW Science hasn't published a Raster 5K report yet.
Strake 9 vs. Strake 9K: Same Hosts, Same Ammo
LayerX had Boomstick Diagnostics test both Strakes on the same eight hosts in April 2026. These are post-first-round-pop averages measured at the shooter's ear (Leq, dBA). Lower is quieter. Ammo is Ammo Inc 165 gr Stealth 9mm except the S&W 1854, which used Magtech 158 gr .38 Special.
| Host | Strake 9 (dBA) | Strake 9K (dBA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith & Wesson 1854 (.38 Special) | 109.2 | 111.3 | 2.1 |
| Stealth Arms Platypus | 110.2 | 114.1 | 3.9 |
| Daniel Defense PCC9 | 114.0 | 114.7 | 0.6 |
| Springfield KUNA | 115.8 | 117.2 | 1.4 |
| CZ Scorpion | 116.1 | 116.5 | 0.3 |
| HK MP5K | 116.3 | 117.0 | 0.8 |
| HK MP5S | 117.6 | 118.4 | 0.8 |
| Angstadt Arms MDP Gen2 | 119.5 | 120.3 | 0.8 |
On most PCCs, the gap is under 1 dBA, so the 9K makes sense when length matters. The larger differences show up on the Platypus and the 1854. Full per-shot reports are in LayerX's Performance Lab. For the independent comparison against other brands, PEW Science's MP5 testing is the one to read (SSS.6.231); it's covered in the comparison section below.
How LayerX Compares
Strake 9 vs. other MP5 and PCC suppressors
All four of these were tested by PEW Science on the same HK SP5 as the Strake 9, and PEW compares them directly in SSS.6.231. Specs are each maker's.
| Length | Weight | Diameter | Material | Mount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LayerX Strake 9 | 6.5 in. | 8.5 oz | 1.54 in. | Printed Grade 5 titanium | HUB, none included |
| CAT MOB | 7.39 in. (HUB) | 9.9 oz (HUB) | 1.65 in. | Titanium | HUB or QD |
| PTR VENT 2 | 7.6 in. | 8.9 oz | 1.5 in. | Printed titanium | Alpha (1.125x28), 1/2x28 direct thread included |
| OCL Lithium | 6 in. | 5.7 oz | 1.5 in. | Welded Grade 5 titanium | HUB, 1/2x28 direct thread included |
| Resilient RS9 | 7 in. | 12.5 oz | 1.37 to 1.70 in. | 17-4 stainless | HUB, 1/2x28 direct thread included |
PEW Science's MP5 results show the trade-offs clearly. The CAT MOB and PTR VENT 2 are quieter at the muzzle and also keep back pressure down, but both are longer. The Resilient RS9, which also vents early, is quieter at the muzzle. The OCL Lithium is quieter at the muzzle with higher back pressure, and PEW expects the Strake 9 to put less gas in your face even though their shooter's ear ratings are very close. The Strake 9's strength is that it gets a shooter's ear rating on par with these cans in a 6.5 in., 8.5 oz package with very low back pressure. If you want the quietest 9mm can and don't mind length, look at the CAT MOB or PTR VENT 2. If reducing gas at the shooter is the priority on a blowback PCC or MP5, the Strake 9 is built around that goal.
Compared with the Dead Air Wolfman in its short configuration, PEW found similar muzzle numbers, with the Wolfman producing more back pressure and the Strake 9 better controlling first round pop.
Strake 9K vs. compact 9mm suppressors
| Length | Weight | Diameter | Material | Full-auto (9mm) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strake 9K | 5.2 in. | 6.4 oz (no mount) | 1.54 in. | Printed Grade 5 titanium | Yes |
| SilencerCo Omega 9K | 4.54 in. | 7.3 oz | 1.48 in. | Cobalt-6 and 17-4 stainless | Yes |
| Energetic Sonus 9K | 5.05 in. | 8.1 oz | 1.5 in. | 17-4 stainless | Yes |
The 9K is the lightest of the three and the only titanium one. The Omega 9K is the shortest. SilencerCo and Energetic don't say whether their listed weights include a mount; LayerX's 6.4 oz is without one. The Omega 9K uses SilencerCo's Alpha mount, while the 9K and Sonus 9K are HUB.
Raster 5K vs. short 5.56 suppressors
| Length | Weight | Diameter | Material | Min. barrel (5.56) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raster 5K | 5.02 in. (no mount) | 11.4 oz (no mount) | 1.6 in. | Printed Haynes 282 | 10.3 in. |
| OCL Polonium K | 4.8 in. | 11.5 oz (no mount) | 1.625 in. | Welded 17-4 stainless | 7.5 in. |
| Resilient Stacy's Mom K | 4.935 in. | 11.8 oz | 1.615 in. | 17-4 stainless | 10.3 in. |
| Exigent FireTeam556 | 5.75 in. | 14.9 oz | 1.62 in. | Printed Inconel 718 | 10.3 in. |
All four are full-auto rated and HUB-threaded. The Raster 5K, Polonium K and Stacy's Mom K are within about a quarter inch and half an ounce of each other. What separates the Raster is the material (Haynes 282 instead of stainless), the integral flash hider, and the low-back-pressure core. The Polonium K is rated down to a 7.5 in. barrel and is known for strong sound reduction with more back pressure. The FireTeam556 is longer and heavier, also printed from a superalloy.
LayerX Mounts
Every LayerX suppressor uses standard HUB (1.375x24) rear threads, and none ships with a mount. Choose the mount based on the host:
- MP5, SP5 and other 3-lug barrels: YHM HD 3-Lug Mount or Resilient Titanium 3-Lug Mount. LayerX also makes its own Ti-Lug, a 2.6 oz titanium 3-lug HUB adapter with a DLC finish.
- Threaded PCC barrels (most 9mm are 1/2x28): a HUB direct thread adapter, such as the Diligent Defense Titanium Direct Thread Adapter or SilencerCo Bravo Direct Thread Mount.
- Pistols: a HUB booster, such as the Resilient Titanium Booster Housing or SilencerCo Bravo Piston Mount. Match the piston to your barrel thread.
- Quick-detach on a rifle (Strake 9 on a 300 BLK, Raster 5K): SilencerCo Bravo ASR Mount or Dead Air Xeno Adapter, with the matching muzzle device.
Check the barrel thread before ordering. Our thread pitch chart covers the common ones, and you'll find every option in pistol mounts and pistons and rifle mounts.
Buying LayerX Through Capitol Armory
Capitol Armory is LayerX's direct-to-door partner, and LayerX is on our Partner Brands list. There are two ways to buy one:
- Strake 9: buy it on our Strake 9 page.
- Strake 9K and Raster 5K: order on LayerX's site and choose To Your Door via Capitol Armory at checkout.
Either way, we prepare and file your eForm 4, you sign electronically, and after ATF approval the suppressor ships from our facility to your home. The NFA tax on suppressors has been $0 since January 1, 2026. Approval times are set by the ATF; our ATF wait times page shows what we're seeing. For the complete process, see How to Buy a Suppressor.
LayerX FAQ
Is the LayerX "Strike 9" the same as the Strake 9?
Yes. The suppressor is the Strake 9 (Strake, not Strike). It's LayerX's full-size 9mm PCC and MP5 suppressor, and we carry it on our Strake 9 page.
Who makes LayerX suppressors, and where?
LayerX Suppression designs and tests its suppressors in Livonia, Michigan. The company was founded in 2025 by a team from suppressor, defense and aerospace manufacturing.
What's the difference between the Strake 9 and the Strake 9K?
The Strake 9 is 6.5 in. and 8.5 oz; the Strake 9K is 5.2 in. and 6.4 oz and adds an integral flash hider. Both are Grade 5 titanium with the same HUB mount and caliber ratings. The 9K is a little louder: 0.3 to 3.9 dBA at the shooter's ear on the same hosts in LayerX's published testing.
Is the Strake 9 a good MP5 or PCC suppressor?
Yes. It was designed around PCCs and MP5-pattern hosts. On PEW Science's HK SP5 it scored a composite 48.5 (SSS.6.231) with very low back pressure, and its shooter's ear rating was on par with several larger suppressors. Larger cans like the CAT MOB and PTR VENT 2 are quieter at the muzzle.
How quiet is the Strake 9?
PEW Science rated it 47.5 at the muzzle, 39.8 at the shooter's ear and 48.5 composite on an 8.9 in. HK SP5 with 147 gr subsonic (SSS.6.231). Boomstick Diagnostics measured 110.2 to 119.5 dBA at the shooter's ear across seven 9mm hosts.
Does the Strake 9 come with a mount?
No. None of the LayerX suppressors include a mount. They use HUB (1.375x24) threads, so you can pick a 3-lug, direct thread, booster or QD mount for your host.
What mount do I need for an MP5?
A HUB 3-lug mount, such as the YHM HD 3-Lug Mount, Resilient Titanium 3-Lug Mount or LayerX's own Ti-Lug.
Can I use the Strake 9 or 9K on a pistol?
Yes, with a HUB booster (Nielsen device) matched to your barrel thread. At 6.4 oz, the Strake 9K is the better fit for a pistol.
Is the Strake 9 full-auto rated?
Yes. Both Strakes are full-auto rated on 9mm at any barrel length and on subsonic 300 Blackout from a 7 in. barrel. The Raster 5K is full-auto rated on 5.56.
Can I shoot 300 Blackout through the Strake 9?
Yes. Subsonic 300 BLK from a 7 in. barrel (full-auto rated) and supersonic 300 BLK from a 9 in. barrel.
Can the Strake 9 handle 5.56 or .308?
Yes, on longer barrels: 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39 from 16 in., .308 Win from 20 in. It is designed primarily for 9mm. For a 5.56 SBR, the Raster 5K is the better fit.
What barrel lengths is the Raster 5K rated for?
10.3 in. and up for 5.56 NATO, 10.5 in. for 6 ARC, and 14.5 in. for 6 Creedmoor and 6 PRC. It's optimized for 12.5 to 13.7 in. M4-style barrels.
Why is the Raster 5K made from Haynes 282 instead of titanium?
Haynes 282 is a nickel-based superalloy that holds its strength at high temperatures. Short 5.56 barrels and fast strings put a lot of heat into a can, so LayerX chose it over titanium for the Raster.
Can I buy the Strake 9K or Raster 5K from Capitol Armory?
Yes. Order on LayerX's site and choose To Your Door via Capitol Armory at checkout. We file your Form 4 and ship it to your home after approval, the same as anything bought on our site.
How does the Strake 9 compare to the CAT MOB?
The CAT MOB is quieter at the muzzle and also low back pressure, but it's 7.39 in. and 9.9 oz (HUB) against the Strake 9's 6.5 in. and 8.5 oz. Both were tested on the same HK SP5 by PEW Science.
How does the Strake 9 compare to the OCL Lithium?
The Lithium is shorter and lighter (6 in., 5.7 oz) and quieter at the muzzle. On PEW Science's SP5 their shooter's ear ratings were very close, and PEW expects the Strake 9 to send less gas back to the shooter.
What's the LayerX warranty?
A transferable limited lifetime warranty.
Do I still need a tax stamp for a LayerX suppressor?
The NFA tax on suppressors has been $0 since January 1, 2026, but you still need an approved ATF Form 4 before it ships to you. We handle the paperwork.
Ready for Your LayerX Suppressor?
Every LayerX suppressor purchase includes electronic filing, and the suppressor ships from our facility to your home. Need a trust or fingerprints? We handle those too, and you can upload an existing EFT file directly on our site.
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