I'm about to purchase my first suppressor and install it on my Ruger SFAR. My question is regarding the use of a muzzle brake in conjunction with a suppressor. I know that a suppressor reduces recoil to some extent but is recoil even less if the suppressor is installed over a brake?

At this point I'm thinking I will just leave the brake on the SFAR but I also have bolt action rifles in 308 win and 300 wm that I may want to switch the suppressor to in the future.

Should I consider a brake with a QD setup for the suppressor?

Brake with QD setup is the way to go. It’s more secure for the suppressor and the brake acts as extra baffling for the suppressor.

Not 100% sure if the brake reduces recoil while suppressed. However, objectively, I think it does when shooting my QD mounts with flash hiders vs brakes.

If you plan to use on multiple rifles I like direct thread and no brake QD mount as it just adds cost. Use that money and just get two suppressors.

If you direct thread, tighten it with a wrench. If you hand tighten something with a 90 degree shoulder, it will come loose if you shoot very much.

For me, I like the Griffin Plan a taper mounts. Due to the tapered shoulder, I can hand tighten and it doesn't come loose. I notice a difference in recoil with vs without a suppressor. I don't notice a difference in recoil using direct thread, muzzle brake, or flash hider with a suppressor. That could just be me, and maybe someone who is smaller might notice a difference. If I plan to only shoot suppressed I use a muzzle brake (Griffin EZ Brake). The muzzle brake acts somewhat like a blast baffle. I personally won't put a brake on any AR type rifle unless it is a dedicated suppressor mount.

I'd also buy a suppressor with a hub mount (1.375x24) that allows different choices for mounts.

Due to the close proximity of the brake to the suppressor, there will be almost no benefit to having the brake. I run the 51T on my Omega for 'convenience' (swap between 2 ARs), and honestly, it's not all that convenient as you still have to screw/unscrew the suppressor a fair number of threads to get it off. However, since one AR is 5/8 and the other is 1/2, my choice is either the QD mount, or buy a new butt-end of the suppressor in order to share it.

I would avoid any "QD" attachment, many silencers have been launched down range because they were not properly installed. Direct thread is the way to go.

Which suppressor are you ordering?

I opted to run my YHM direct threaded to avoid $75 per rifle for a muzzle device. Also saves a couple inches and a couple ounces of weight. Only takes a few more seconds to thread vs a quick detach.

IMO QD's became an easy item to blame for the person behind the gun not doing their job. If you launch a DT suppressor (and it happens), you don't have anything to blame and nobody wants to confess to being a goober. Therefore you don't hear a lot about it happening.

If you properly install either they work just fine. If you screw up either, you'll launch either.

There may be instances of that for sure, but I've been using the YHM Resonators for a few years with their QD brake and it is a superb setup IME. The clamp on brakes have the "launching" capabilities down pat though.

Yep, YHM QD system is great! I used to hate how long and bulky their attachments were, but they've come out with micro brakes/flashiders and I've swapped all of mine out to them.

The YHM system is fool proof.

Direct thread is the way to go. QD systems have caused more baffle strikes than anything else.

Thanks for all the great feedback guys. I think I will go with Direct Thread and forego brake and QD. I may change my mind after I get more experience.

I have heard this claimed many places, but have never seen any testing where it could be shown that a muzzle brake reduces noise more than a flash hider or more than nothing other than just the suppressor covering the crown of the barrel.

If you are somebody else knows of any such studies showing an actual additional noise reduction, I would like to know. I have brakes on some, flash hiders on others, and run direct thread on a couple more, but using the same suppressor and I can't tell the difference at my ear, but I don't know if I would be able to tell the difference if it knocked off a db or two, but a db or two could be significant.

Well, it adds cost, but also adds weight (to the suppressor, rifle, or both due to mounting configs), but for many, adds speed and convenience. Of course, the QD mounts are really cool.

I run them both QD and direct thread. The benefits of speed and convenience are pretty pointless for me. The only things the QD mounts do for me is make sure I don't cross thread a suppressor on the end of my rifle...which can be an expensive mistake.

If I had need to remove my suppressor after every hunt, I would definitely go the QD route, but I don't. My suppressors may be on a given rifle for months and months.

Yessir. Run my Saker 762 with the YHM QD system on multiple rifles.

I run a QD mount simply because I don’t want to screw up the threads of a barrel or the suppressor. Also, I use 1 suppressor on a multitude of rifles from 1/2 to 5/8, so I never have to worry about the suppressor fitting each rifle.

I like the way the suppressor locks on to the QD mount vs direct thread. If those ounce and few dollars are a concern, go to the gym and you’re probably in the wrong hobby.

A wise choice.