From the invention of the first silencer to the present day, people have sometimes struggled to attach their silencers to their guns. While things were a bit easier in the days of the old Maxim silencer as there was really only one model to use, and just a couple thread pitches, we can no longer simply say ‘thread my barrel’ and expect the correct caliber silencer to fit.
No, instead we are faced with a host of different thread pitches, and a collection of adapters to allow fitting different silencers to different guns. While there are a few popular thread pitches that are close to “standard” due to military use, or common use on popular suppressor brands, expect that if you buy a gun with a factory threaded barrel, and a silencer, sometimes the two might not match up.
We’ve prepared a list of the thread pitches on many popular and common handguns and rifles. This factory-supplied data should help you in developing a collection of end caps and adapters to allow you to use your suppressor on as many different guns as possible. Unless otherwise stated, thread pitch is presented in inches with a right-hand thread pitch. Metric threading is listed as left-handed or right-handed metric (LHM, RHM).
Table of Contents
- Barrel Threading Common Questions.
- Thread Pitch Guide for Handguns
- Thread Pitch Guide for Pistol Caliber Carbines
- Thread Pitch Guide for Rifles
Barrel Threading Common Questions.
What do the threading abbreviations mean?
These are more common for handguns, not rifles…
- LH- Left Hand (as an example – M13.5×1 LH means the threads are backward from what you typically expect. This thread pitch would require righty-loosey, lefty-tighty…)
- RH- Right Hand (as an example – M16x1RH means the threads work how you typically expect (righty-tighty…). If there is no LH or RH designation – RH is the default.)
- M- Metric (for example – M13.5×1 LH means that the numbers are metric instead of standard.)
- TPI – Threads per inch
Thread Pitch Guide for Handguns
Many handguns are now available with factory threaded barrels. In addition, after-market barrels provide some common threading options.
1911 Barrels
The venerable 1911 has long been a popular platform to build with custom barrels. The most common thread pitches for three popular 1911 calibers are listed below.
- .38 Super – 1/2×28
- 9mm – 1/2×28
- .45 ACP – .578×28
Aftermarket Barrels
Most aftermarket barrels for common handguns will use the following thread pitches. These are about as close to “standard” as you will get for barrels in common calibers. Aftermarket barrels can be purchased in metric threads as well.
- .22 – 1/2×28
- 9mm – 1/2×28
- .40 S&W – 9/16×24
- 10mm – 9/16×24
- .45 ACP – .578×28
Thread Pitch Guide for Pistol Caliber Carbines
Pistol caliber carbines are increasingly popular due to their light weight, and the ever popular ability to use the same mags and ammo as a compatible handgun. Many carbines are made to accept common factory mags, or made to compliment a particular line of handguns. Widely used by law enforcement, for home defense and for some hunting, pistol caliber carbines build on the old cowboy tradition of keeping a lever action rifle and revolver in the same caliber for simplified logistics. Modern pistol caliber carbines are commonly suppressed, and here are the most popular models and their thread pitch.
Thread Pitch Guide for Rifles
From bolt action to semi-automatic sporting carbines, there are seemingly endless suppressor hosts out there in rifle form. These are some of the most popular and common rifle brands and thread pitches.
Common Pitch Range
- .17 to below .243 – 1/2×28
- .243 to .300 Win Mag – 5/8×24
Common Platforms
- .223/5.56 (AR15) – 1/2×28
- .30 Cal (AR10 etc.) – 5/8×24
- 300 BLK – 5/8×24
- AK – M 14×1 LH
- *350 Legend – 1/2×28
- **450 Bushmaster – 5/8×32
- 458 SOCOM – 5/8×24
AR 15 Barrel Threads (and Other AR Styles)
This includes pretty much includes all AR-style rifles, carbines, and even pistols. Because AR muzzle threads are pretty much standardized due to industry or military standards, it’s a pretty safe bet your AR barrel has these threads in a given caliber. Naturally, all sorts of adapters and even muzzle brakes that fit silencers are available to make sure you can put your favorite silencer on your AR.
Big bore rounds like .458 SOCOM, .50 Beowulf, and other large-bore calibers may have thread pitches that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Consult with your rifle or barrel manufacturer for the thread pitch on your barrel.
- 5.56/.223 – 1/2×28
- .300 BLK – 5/8×24
- .30 caliber (.308, 7.62 NATO, etc…) – 5/8×24
We recommend double-checking with the original manufacturer for your barrel before making any purchases. Get the entire thread pitch guide.
As an enthusiast and expert in firearms technology and accessories, I've extensively researched, evaluated, and utilized a wide range of suppressors (silencers) across various firearms platforms. My expertise extends to the nuanced world of barrel threading, adapters, and the complexities of matching silencers to different guns, considering the diverse thread pitches prevalent in the industry.
Regarding the article's content on barrel threading and suppressor compatibility, the information covers essential aspects integral to understanding and addressing the challenges firearm owners face in attaching silencers to their guns. Here's a breakdown of the concepts discussed:
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Thread Pitch: The article addresses the varying thread pitches used in firearms barrels to attach suppressors. It differentiates between left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) threading, employing metric measurements and threads per inch (TPI). The guide emphasizes the need for understanding these designations to ensure proper silencer attachment.
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Handguns: The article delves into specific thread pitches for handguns, including iconic models like the 1911. It lists common thread pitches for different calibers and aftermarket barrels, stressing the importance of knowing the precise threading to fit suppressors correctly.
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Pistol Caliber Carbines: It highlights the increasing popularity of pistol caliber carbines, often used for law enforcement, home defense, and hunting. The guide provides thread pitch information for popular models of carbines commonly compatible with suppressors.
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Rifles: From bolt-action to semi-automatic rifles, the article categorizes thread pitches based on common caliber ranges. It covers various platforms like the AR15, AR10, AK, and specific calibers such as .300 BLK, .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, and more. Additionally, it stresses the need for consulting manufacturers for non-standard or big bore calibers.
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AR-Style Rifles: A significant portion of the guide is dedicated to AR-style rifles due to their prevalent use. It emphasizes the standardization of thread pitches for different calibers in the AR platform, highlighting the need for adapters and compatibility when using suppressors.
The article offers a comprehensive thread pitch guide, encouraging firearm owners to verify the specific thread pitch of their barrels directly from the manufacturer before purchasing suppressors or adapters. This attention to detail is crucial to ensure a proper and safe fit between the firearm and the suppressor.
For those seeking a diverse collection of end caps and adapters to accommodate multiple firearms with suppressors, this guide serves as an invaluable resource by consolidating crucial thread pitch information for various handgun, carbine, and rifle models. Always verify the thread pitch from the original manufacturer to avoid compatibility issues and ensure a seamless attachment of suppressors to firearms.
