The Rugged Obsidian 9 is a high performance modular centerfire pistol silencer intended for multiple uses.  The silencer is versatile as it may be used in two configurations (long and short). In its long configuration, its gross suppression performance is very high, though it does have relatively high back pressure.  When the distal section is removed to create the short configuration, the signature suppression performance drops significantly, resulting in more acute hazard to both the operator and bystanders.  Nonetheless, the short configuration of the silencer does offer significant hazard reduction over that of an unsuppressed combat handgun. The Obsidian 9 represents a popular, common example of traditional technology optimized to the limits of its efficacy.

In this review, the Rugged Obsidian 9 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a full-size handgun firing a full-power subsonic centerfire pistol cartridge. How would the Rugged Obsidian 9 silencer perform on your self-defense handgun, in both long and short configurations?