A method of preparing organohalosilanes comprising combining an organohalide having the formula RX (I), wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and X is fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo, with a contact mass comprising at least 2% (w/w) of a palladium suicide of the formula PdxSiy (II), wherein x is an integer from 1 to 5 and y is 1 to 8, or a platinum suicide of formula PtzSi (III), wherein z is 1 or 2, in a reactor at a temperature from 250 to 700° C. to form an organohalosilane.