Silencer Saturday #350: New Direct Thread Gemtech Silencers

Welcome back to another edition of Silencer Saturday. This week we are taking a look at some new silencers from Gemtech. These models swap the original quick detach mounting systems for direct thread mounts. Why might that be something that you want to do? And what are the specific models with changes? Let’s go.

Silencer Saturday @ TFB:

• Silencer Saturday #349: Angstadt Arms Prophet Integral Silencer
• Silencer Saturday #348: Suppressing The Uzi
• Silencer Saturday #347: The Silencer Central Banish 46-V2
• Silencer Saturday #346: SilencerCo’s Hunting Suppressor Evolution
• Silencer Saturday #345: A Weird Sig SG550 Silencer From B&T
• Silencer Saturday #344: Thunderbeast Arms Silencer Summit 2024

Disclaimer: Silencers are highly regulated in the United States. Be sure you know and understand the applicable laws before you work in this space.

Why Direct Thread?

Apart from integral silencers, which we discussed at some length last week, most other silencers use a quick detach or direct thread mounting system. Quick detach silencers use a dedicated muzzle device like a flash hider or muzzle brake to mount the silencer. Typically the silencer threads onto that muzzle device with a few revolutions, and a secondary locking mechanism like a ring secures the silencer in place.

The other common attachment method is direct thread. A threaded insert screws directly onto the muzzle threads of the gun. For the most part, those thread pitches are standardized and a direct thread silencer can still move between guns when needed. However, this leaves exposed muzzle threads on the host gun when the suppressor is removed, so a thread protector (that always seems to get lost) is needed to keep the threads from being damaged.

One of the main reasons that quick detach suppressors gained popularity is the regulatory structure around suppressors in the United States. Each silencer requires a $200 tax stamp, and in the past, the waiting period between purchase and governmental approval was over a year. This creates an incentive to use one silencer on many guns, and direct threading a suppressor onto every gun would rack up a large tax stamp bill and would entail a lot of waiting.

The ability to quick detach a suppressor is handy, but is not without tradeoffs. In most cases, a quick detach mount will add at least some length to a suppressor. The locking mechanisms and muzzle device design can both push the silencer forward of the actual muzzle. This style of mount is also heavier than a direct thread unit. The added weight of a muzzle device, plus whatever mechanism on the silencer attaches to that muzzle device, will usually add weight. Also, taking the suppressor on and off of the gun repeatedly may not always return it to exactly the same spot. Any variation in that lock up, or added flex in the system, may hurt accuracy.

For those reasons, direct thread silencers are more prevalent on precision rifles. In that use case, the silencer is attached to the muzzle threads with a wrench and left on the gun unless there is a compelling reason to take it off, like replacing the barrel. With the long barrels that are prevalent on those rifles, adding extra weight for a QD system (which can increase the suppressed/unsuppressed point of impact shift) and length when the attachment method may hurt accuracy is a bad trade off. With those considerations in mind, it makes sense that Gemtech would look at adding more direct thread options in its rifle suppressor lineup.

Gemtech’s New Models

Gemtech has three new direct thread models of existing quick detach cans. For the most part, the specifications are very similar to the QD models. Gemtech’s QD models mount on Elite Taper Mount (ETM) muzzle devices, which use a ratcheting system to secure the suppressor.

In lieu of that attachment method, the direct thread models include a threaded adapter for direct mounting to the muzzle. The threaded insert is, conveniently, threaded 1.375x24 (AKA Hub threaded) so it is compatible with all kinds of other attachment systems.

Neutron 7.62 Direct Thread

The Neutron is Gemthech’s dedicated .30 caliber silencer. It is rated for calibers from 5.7x28 up to .300 Win Mag. It is a hard-use suppressor, constructed from stainless steel and Inconel. While it has a robust construction it is a tubeless design, which helps to cut out unnecessary weight. Gemtech lists various minimum barrel lengths for different calibers, ranging from three inches on the 5.7 to 16 inches on the .300 WM. Those length restrictions are the same on both the direct thread and QD models.

The direct thread Neutron comes in at a lower price point than the QD model. Gemtech lists an MSRP of $710 for the direct thread model, as opposed to $849 for the quick detach version.

Abyss Direct Thread

The new direct thread models of the Abyss are descendants of the original Abyss. Gemtech mades a 5.56 and 7.62 model of the Abyss in both QD and, now, direct thread. The size and weight of the two caliber options are very close. The Abyss is designed for very hard use, and is rated for full auto use. It also features flash mitigation as well as sound suppression.

Both Abyss direct thread silencers are less expensive than their QD counterparts, at $719 for the 5.56 and $749 for the 7.62 model. The QD 5.56 version has an MSRP of $849 and the 7.62 model is $945, so the cost savings by going to direct thread is substantial. And if the silencer is going to live on one gun most or all of the time, saving some money by giving up the quick detach feature could be a good trade off.

Matching a silencer to the right kind of job is important, and the new Gemtech direct thread options open more doors. If you want to be able to swap between an AR and a bolt gun, opting for the QD model is probably the right choice. But if the silencer is going to be dedicated to one specific gun for long periods of time, saving a little money by going direct thread can make a lot of sense, particularly where the silencers are still HUB threaded and could be retrofitted to another type of mount in the future if your needs change.