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Suppressors: Direct Thread vs. QD

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    Suppressors: Direct Thread vs. QD

    I thought this was a great article written by the folks at Capitol Armory, so I asked their permission to repost it. Ironically, I own the two cans they mention at the bottom of the article. Guess that squarely puts me in the "Texas hunter direct thread" camp.

    Original: http://www.capitolarmory.com/blog/di...ppressors.html


    On the phone and across the counter at Capitol Armory, we strive to ensure that our customers are well informed about the variety of options before them. Between the paperwork, the wait, and the financial investment, a silencer is a very "big" purchase. Because of that, we try to make you, our customer, feel like you have the knowledge to make an informed decision. One of the most common questions we get from customers evaluating a silencer for their rifle is, "What sort of mount is best?"

    Fundamentally, there are only two ways to effectively attach a silencer to the end of your rifle. The first is by means of a direct thread interface. Simply thread the silencer on until it is tight, and you are good to go.

    The second method is by way of some sort of muzzle device attachment. Usually, this mount is attached semi permanently to the muzzle of the host rifle and gives a consistent style of mount for the silencer.

    We sell silencers that use both types, and have found that each type has positives and negatives that are dependent on the customer's use case.



    Direct Thread

    Direct thread silencers offer several advantages, namely less weight, more simplicity, and lower cost. All things being equal, a direct thread silencer will be a touch lighter as it doesn't rely on a complex mounting system and it will usually allow for a slightly shorter overall length. Naturally, there are exceptions to every rule, but it is generally understood that direct thread silencers are lighter and shorter.

    Direct thread silencers are also much easier for the end user to operate and maintain. There are no latches, pins, or muzzle devices that need to be timed. Simply screw the silencer to the end of the barrel, make sure it is tight, and you now have a suppressed rifle.

    Most important to a good portion of our customers - direct thread silencers cost less. Again, there are always exceptions to the rule, but given the simplicity of the mounting system, direct thread silencers are usually less expensive for manufacturers to produce, and those savings get passed along to customers. More importantly, they cost less in the long run as our customers don't have to purchase additional mounts along the way to fit all of their rifles.

    From a performance standpoint, we find that well built direct thread silencers usually do as well as brake attach silencers on the sound meter. Similarly, since they orient the same way each time they are screwed to the muzzle, point of impact shift is usually fairly repeatable.



    Quick Detach

    One of the biggest problems with a direct thread silencer is that it can only be threaded to one thread pitch. The majority of the silencers in our store today are threaded 5/8"-24. That's just fine for the standard .30 caliber rifles on the market, but putting one of those silencers on an AR-15 that is threaded 1/2"-28 will be difficult without an adapter. Using a quick detached or fast attached silencer allows you to use the same silencer on multiple hosts, especially those with oddball metric sizes.

    As it relates to strong and durable lockup, quick detach silencers start to really shine against a comparable direct thread model. With the exception of the tapered shoulder that Sig Sauer cuts on their factory rifles, most rifles are threaded with a squared shoulder. With the exception of bull or M24 contoured barrels, this squared shoulder provides very little surface area for frictional lockup. Because of this, direct thread silencers will eventually come loose at some point. Short of gluing or welding the silencer in place, there isn't much a customer can do other than be diligent about checking that their silencer is tight before and during shooting sessions. From this perspective, direct thread silencers do require a bit more management.

    A well engineered quick detach system will use a tapered shoulder like the one seen on ThunderBeast's CB Muzzle Device. This tapered shoulder effectively increases the surface area available for frictional lockup, making it much stronger. This ensures that friction alone is enough to keep the silencer in place. Further security can be added by incorporating a locking system like the one seen on Dead Air's KeyMount.

    If a customer is planning on using the same silencer on multiple hosts, we usually guide them towards a quick detach model for another reason - muzzle protection. Beyond the durability issues cited above, a quick detach model leaves a device in place that serves to protect the crown of the muzzle from damage for those times when a silencer isn't screwed to the end.



    Closing Thoughts

    The ideal customer for a direct thread rifle silencer is the guy or gal who has one or two rifles, usually threaded 5/8"-24, but doesn't want to break the bank and doesn't do a lot of high volume shooting that would jar a direct thread silencer loose. For your typical Texas hunter or casual recreational shooter, something like the Sandman Ti or Harvester is usually a perfect fit.

    For the customer who has a variety of muzzle thread sizes (especially oddballs) in the safe, does a lot of high volume shooting, and/or wants to move the same silencer between multiple rifles quickly and easily, we usually suggest a silencer that attaches via some sort of muzzle device.

    Ultimately, we'd love it if you gave us a call or stopped by the shop, told us what you wanted to accomplish, and let us share our years of experience to help you find the perfect silencer for your needs.

    #2
    This was always a no brainer for me...if I wanted accuracy, go direct thread. I use direct thread on my AR SBR (mostly for hunting) & bolt guns.

    The quick detach are on the defensive AR uppers & SCAR (pending stamp)

    Comment


      #3
      QD solely because i want to be able to put my 30 cal on multiple rifles.

      Comment


        #4
        I'm a QD guy because the can is a AAC SD 7.62 and having the same can fit many rifles is advantageous.

        Does direct thread require a crush washer?

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Tony Pic View Post

          Does direct thread require a crush washer?
          Everything I have read specifically states DO NOT use a crush washer with a direct thread can, as the washer is made to deform slightly under pressure, and this can lead to the bore of the can not being perfectly in line with the bore of the rifle, causing a baffle strike.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by T_Sebastian View Post
            Everything I have read specifically states DO NOT use a crush washer with a direct thread can, as the washer is made to deform slightly under pressure, and this can lead to the bore of the can not being perfectly in line with the bore of the rifle, causing a baffle strike.
            Great info. Thanks for posting.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by TexasTealHunter View Post
              QD solely because i want to be able to put my 30 cal on multiple rifles.
              Multiple rifles can be DT also. IF you have a bunch of odd ball guns not 5/8x24 then it makes sense for QD.

              But if you shoot mostly AR's then seems DT is the way to go. Less weight and cheaper

              Comment


                #8
                I DT one can on 3 different guns, I only shoot 1 at a time so it’s no big deal to me.


                Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                Comment


                  #9
                  QD for .30 cal with adapters for multiple platforms include 5.56 which is still very effective.
                  Direct thread on for 22lr to keep the weight down plus factory threaded barrels are readily available.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Gunnyart View Post
                    QD for .30 cal with adapters for multiple platforms include 5.56 which is still very effective.
                    Direct thread on for 22lr to keep the weight down plus factory threaded barrels are readily available.
                    This and with heavier recoiling weapons I like the QD because they do not come loose.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by DaveC View Post
                      I DT one can on 3 different guns, I only shoot 1 at a time so it’s no big deal to me.


                      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                      Yes this is my thinking

                      Originally posted by Outbreaker View Post
                      This and with heavier recoiling weapons I like the QD because they do not come loose.
                      I heard this was a plus of QD...is keeps it more secure

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by gingib View Post
                        Yes this is my thinking



                        I heard this was a plus of QD...is keeps it more secure
                        And loosening will affect accuracy.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Outbreaker View Post
                          And loosening will affect accuracy.
                          For sure, but if you check it prior to getting in the stand or hunting with thermal you will know ahead of time.

                          Most people aren't shooting more then a few times at a time

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by gingib View Post
                            For sure, but if you check it prior to getting in the stand or hunting with thermal you will know ahead of time.

                            Most people aren't shooting more then a few times at a time
                            I just get obsessive with load development and want variable nailed down that I can.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              I have been using the QD's and like the ability to swap them around. A qd brake or flash hider is a lot easier to get than another suppressor.

                              Comment

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