JK Armament 195 SGX 12GA Suppressor Review

in For Shotguns, Gear Reviews, Mitchell Graf, Suppressors

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

The mission-configurable JK Armament 195 SGX 12GA suppressor is the most versatile shotgun suppressor on the market. Whether you’re running buckshot, slugs, or birdshot, the SGX stands apart with its patented shot cup management system, variable choke caps, and lightweight modular design. Unlike some shotgun suppressors that shred wads and ruin patterns, the SGX refines your shot while reducing recoil and producing a deep, ear-saving tone. From home defense to bird hunting and sporting clays, this suppressor is a great tool to have in the toolshed.

gun with 195 SGX

Out of the Box

The JK 195 SGX 12GA ships with everything needed to get started except the CRMD mount. Inside the box is the JK 195 LT Taper Mount, JK 195 LT Tube, seven SGX baffle assemblies, and the cylinder choke flash reducer choke cap. It also comes pre-packed with the correct amount of petroleum jelly for running it “wet” if you want maximum suppression. Like all JK suppressors, the system is fully mission configurable. No special tools are required to swap choke caps or adjust the length.

195 SGX in box
The JK 195 SGX arrives in two boxes, ready to be run in a long or shorter configuration.

One thing to note is that the SGX requires the JK Bald Eagle 12-Gauge Choke Replacement Muzzle Device. If you plan on running it with a specific choke type, such as full, modified, or improved, you’ll need to budget around $105 extra per choke. With the suppressor itself retailing at $969, the total package ends up closer to $1,263 if you want a tighter choke and a way to mount it.

suppressor
You need a CRMD made for your choke thread pitch to mount the JK 195 SGX

Features and Design

JK Armament set out to create the most advanced 12-gauge suppressor available, and the SGX shows it. Their patented baffle system addresses the biggest flaw in previous shotgun suppressor designs: shot cup management. While other suppressors can chew up wads or scatter plastic shavings back into the gun, the SGX reshapes and supports the wad as it passes through. The result is no plastic fouling, cleaner operation, consistent patterns, and even a slight increase in velocity.

shooting clay
Blasting clays with a Retay ACR-R, JK 195 SGX, and Vortex Defender Shotgun Sight

On top of that, the SGX incorporates a variable shot pattern choke system. The included cylinder bore cap can be swapped out for different levels of constriction. For trap, skeet, or bird hunting where a tight pattern is important, JK Armament makes the only suppressors on the market that allow you to tune the spread without sacrificing suppression.

Chart from JK's website going over the choke end cap patterns
Chart from JK’s website going over the choke end cap patterns

For those who want to see how the choke end caps perform, I tested them during my review of the JK 195 VERSAX a while back. My full review of that suppressor is found here:

Review: JK Armament 195 VERSAX 12GA Suppressor

Performance

Shotgun suppression is always tricky due to the massive bore diameter, but the SGX still does a good job despite the round it is working with. With just one baffle installed, the suppression was minimal and hardly noticeable. At six of fourteen baffles, the sound signature was pretty much hearing safe, and at full stack, the SGX kept my ears protected after every shot.

suppessors
This suppressor can be configured to whatever length you prefer

It’s still not whisper quiet compared to some subsonic and even supersonic suppressed rifles, but that’s to be expected from a 12-gauge. The important part is that it tames the report enough to make shooting far more comfortable and practical without hearing protection. 

Handling

Even in its full configuration with all seven baffles, the SGX remains fairly lightweight at 22.4 ounces. While the weight on the end of the shotgun slowed me down slightly, it was minimal. In its shortest setup, it drops to just 4.3 ounces and 3.375 inches long. This makes it extremely manageable for different use cases. Being able to tailor the length and weight is one of my favorite features. Especially when switching from defensive use to clay shooting or bird hunting.

195 SGX
JK SGX 195 baffle stack reshapes and supports the wad as it passes through.

I ran the suppressor primarily with a red dot, and the height cleared without issue. However, with standard bead sights, the bulk of the can would obstruct the view. This diameter makes a shotgun suppressor block part of your view. Keep that in mind if you plan to stick with a front bead sight. It is much easier to superimpose a red dot onto my target than a bead. For this reason, I loved running the Vortex Viper shotgun sight when configured with the SGX. 

shotgun shells. 195 SGX
Some of the aftermath from shooting clays.

READ MORE HERE: Suppressor 101: A Cleaning Guide

Final Thoughts

The JK 195 SGX is versatile enough to handle everything from tactical use to sporting clays. The best part is that it is fully configurable with different chokes and baffle lengths. The shot cup management system and variable choke capability set it apart from anything else on the market.

At $969 plus the cost of the Bald Eagle CRMD and additional chokes, it isn’t a small investment. But considering the engineering behind it and the performance gains, I see it as money well spent for serious shotgun users. This is a lot cheaper than hearing aids, so for you bird hunters, this may be your saving grace. The fact that it can be tuned for length, tone, and choke constriction makes it the most adaptable 12-gauge suppressor currently available.

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