Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) has always been one of the innovators in suppressor design.  The AAC Illusion 9 continues that tradition.  The Illusion 9 uses an eccentric design whereby the hole the bullet travels is offset from center.  “Timed” correctly, this effectively lowers the majority of the suppressor volume which allows the suppressor to run on many 9mm pistols while using factory sights.  The typical round suppressor is “taller” and blocks out the factory sight picture – which can be solved by installing new tactical sights but that incurs additional expense (and frankly, no one likes tall tactical sights).

AAC Illusion 9

AAC Illusion 9

The cool thing about the AAC Illusion 9 suppressor is the A.S.A.P system – Assured Semi Auto Performance.  When I first mounted the Illusion 9 on my M&P Pro the alignment was off by about one-third turn.  Simply pull the suppressor outward, twist, align, and snap it back into place.  Perfect, the silencer was now properly aligned with the thinnest part of the can at the 12:00 up position.

AAC Illusion 9

AAC Illusion 9

Specifications:

  • Weight = 10.4 ounces
  • Length = 7.88 inches
  • Diameter = 1.25 inches
  • Materials = 17-4 Stainless Steel, 6061 T6 Aluminum, 7075 T6 Aluminum
  • Finish = T3 hardcoat anodize, Nitride
  • Sound reduction = 33db

Servicing the AAC Illusion 9 is straightforward if a bit awkward.  Compared to a monolithic core it takes some manipulation to piece together, hold straight, get into the tube, and align properly.  If it slips at all, pieces go bouncing around the workbench.  Each baffle has a notch which correctly aligns the entire stack.  It kind of magically lines up as you screw the end cap on.

AAC Illusion 9

AAC Illusion 9

AAC Illusion 9

AAC Illusion 9

I did not have time for extensive testing but the suppressor ran fine on my M&P.  Impressions are of a slightly loud(er) first-round pop and the overall tone was a bit higher-pitched than expected but that is to be expected with the smaller diameter tube.  For those looking for an alternative to the Silencerco Osprey this is the one.

The Illusion 9 does have several advantages over the Osprey 9:

  • The Illusion 9 is cheaper.
  • The Illusion 9 is user-serviceable.
  • The Illusion 9 sits lower than the Osprey 9 (which blocks most factory sights).

Here is a size comparison to the Yankee Hill Sidewinder 9:

AAC Illusion 9

AAC Illusion 9

Check out the SilencerShop for pricing and availability.

The following two tabs change content below.
Publisher of Tactical Gun Review and Texas Outdoors Network. I love hunting for Texas whitetail deer, wild hogs, and high-volume Argentina dove. When not hunting you can find me fishing along the Texas Coast or on a wild Colorado river.

Latest posts by Mike Coker (see all)