In a market that’s dominated by rifles like the AR-15, enthusiasts have been turning to many of the AR’s alternatives, with one of the most popular being the AK-47. To the uninitiated, the AK may appear as an antiquated relic of the 20th century, but thanks to its rise in popularity over the last few decades, it boasts an incredible parts aftermarket and is nearly as adaptable as the AR-15.
Today, there’s a vast assortment of components and accessories you can add to your rifle, ranging from enhanced stocks and triggers to specialized handguards and chassis systems. However, much like many other rifles, one accessory that’s always paired well with AKs are suppressors.
However, before you set off to buy a silencer for your rifle, it’s important to recognize that the eccentricities of the AK’s design, while intriguing, can make selecting a suppressor a bit of a challenge if you don’t already know what to look for in one.
Understanding AK Suppressors
If you’re already privy to the AK platform, you’ll know that they most often make use of the 7.62x39mm round, a .30 caliber cartridge, meaning you can theoretically use any .30 Cal suppressor on your AK. However, just because the bore diameters match, doesn’t mean that a .30 Cal suppressor is automatically going to be compatible with your AK.
AK Suppressor Compatibility
In most cases, AKMs require either a thread adapter, or a QD muzzle device to make them compatible with most commercially available suppressors. For the most part, .30 Cal suppressors are designed for rifles chambered in .300 Blackout or .308 Winchester, which most often use a 5/8×24 thread pitch (one of the most common thread pitches for suppressors).
Most AKMs, however, use an M14x1 Left-Hand thread pitch with a locking detent to hold muzzle devices in place. Because of this, there aren’t many readily available AK silencer options that use a direct thread mounting system, with the Dead Air Wolverine being one of the few that’s designed specifically for the AKM, but we’ll discuss it more in-depth further below.
AK Thread Concentricity
Due to the AKs design and build process, they naturally have more variance in tolerance than rifles like the AR-15. While the looser tolerances of AKs is part of what draws so many enthusiasts to the platform, it isn’t the most conducive for suppressor compatibility. As mentioned above, AKMs most often use a M14x1 LH thread pitch, but depending on the model, the muzzle threads are a part of the gas block, not the barrel. This is most common on AK-74/AK-100 series rifles as well as others that use a front sight gas block combo like the Zastava ZPAP M92.
Because of this, there’s more room for variance in the thread’s tolerance and concentricity. Slight variances like this are present in nearly every AK pattern rifle, so whenever you add a muzzle device or a suppressor to your AK, it’s crucial to make sure that it’s in line with the bore of your rifle. If it isn’t, your suppressor won’t be lined up with the bore, and you could potentially have a baffle strike. You’ll want to use an alignment rod to make sure everything is in line before firing.
AK Muzzle Devices
Since there aren’t many direct-thread suppressors for the AK, one of the most common suppressor attachment methods is a QD mount. With a QD mount, the suppressor mounts to the muzzle device rather than directly onto the muzzle threads, and since the AK’s ever-expanding parts aftermarket includes a whole swath of QD muzzle devices, it’s more-than-possible to add a suppressor to your AK.
Brands like JMac Customs, HUXWRX, and even SureFire all make dedicated AK muzzle devices that are each designed to be compatible with various suppressors. Plus, almost all of them are designed to bypass the locking detent on the AK’s front sight block, giving you the most secure fitment possible. Still, we highly recommend checking your muzzle device and suppressor alignment with an alignment rod before firing.
AK Suppressor Options
So, now that you know how to effectively mount a suppressor to your rifle and check it’s alignment, the big question remains, what’s the best AK suppressor?
Dead Air
Dead Air is one of the most recognizable brands in the suppressor space, known for crafting a variety of high-quality pistol and rifle suppressor options. And, as mentioned above, they’re one of the few brands producing dedicated AK suppressors in the form of the Wolverine PBS-1—a suppressor that’s often touted as the AK-47 suppressor by resolute AK enthusiasts.
Wolverine PBS-1
The Dead Air Wolverine is a .30 caliber suppressor that was designed specifically for the AKM. Aesthetically, it’s reminiscent of the original Soviet PBS-1 suppressors used on AKMs and RPKs, but it’s been upgraded and enhanced with modern technology to make them a more-than-viable option for most AK-pattern rifles. As we mentioned earlier, in its standard configuration, it can thread directly onto AKM rifles with M14x1 LH threads, but there are multiple inserts available for it to make it compatible with various muzzle devices and thread pitches.
Utilizing a stainless-steel outer construction and Cobalt 6 baffles, it’s full-auto rated and capable of withstanding harsh use in adverse conditions. Despite being a .30 Cal suppressor designed for 7.62×39, it can suppress up to .300 RUM, making it a solid choice for other AK variants like the Romanian PSL and Serbian M91, both of which are chambered in 7.62x54R.
Depending on the mount, these suppressors can weigh anywhere from 19.8 (just over 1.23 pounds) to upwards of 24.4 ounces (1.525 pounds). Still, their robust construction and Combloc aesthetics make them a solid pairing for all AK variants.
Resilient Suppressors
A relatively new name in the industry, Resilient Suppressors has become a rising star in the suppressor industry known for their high-quality offerings and unique naming conventions. Their lineup consists of several different caliber suppressor options, including .30 Cal ones, but as far as AK suppressors are concerned, Resilient Suppressors has recently thrown their hat in the ring with their own dedicated AK suppressor, the Putnik.
Putnik
Much like the Dead Air Wolverine, the Resilient Arms Putnik is a .30 Cal suppressor designed specifically for the AK platform. Essentially, it’s a clone of the Russian DTK Putnik suppressor produced by ZenitCo. And like Dead Air, Resilient Suppressors has refined the design to retain the classic Soviet aesthetics while maximizing performance. Out of the box, it’s equipped with a direct-thread adapter that’s compatible with AK-74/AK-100 series rifles with a 24×1.5mm thread pitch, and it’s HUB/Bravo thread compatible as well.
A durable suppressor, the Putnik’s outer body is made from 17-4 PH stainless steel, while its baffles are made of titanium. Adding to the Putnik’s capabilities, it makes use of the same Tri-Axial baffle design used on Resilient Suppressors’ Jolene suppressor, and to compensate for the AK’s variance in thread tolerance, it has a progressive bore that gradually flares out to minimize the risk of baffle strikes. With this design, it produces much less backpressure than other suppressors and performs incredibly well on AKs of all calibers.
If you’re looking for a dedicated AK suppressor, the Putnik is a solid choice. However, compared to many of the other suppressors in this list, it’s much heavier. In its standard configuration, the Putnik weighs 20.9 ounces, or just over 1.3 pounds. It also measures 6.2 inches long and has a width of 2.365 inches, making it the widest suppressor in this list too. Still, it offers great sound suppression, and its overall design does a lot to make up for the AK platform’s thread variance.
HUXWRX FLOW 7.62 TI and Ventum 7.62
Another well-known name in the suppressor industry is none other than HUXWRX. Originally known as OSS Suppressors, HUXWRX has made several top-tier suppressor options for firearms of all sizes, and they’re also the pioneers of flow-through technology. As such, their FLOW 7.62 TI and Ventum 7.62 suppressors have quickly become some of their most popular offerings, and they pair well with the AK platform.
FLOW 7.62 TI
The FLOW 7.62 TI, as its name suggests, is a flowthrough suppressor that uses a titanium construction. It has an overall length of 6.77 inches and weighs only 11.8 ounces, making it one of the lightest suppressors in this list.
Despite being incredibly appealing as a lightweight suppressor, since it’s made of titanium, it’s important to recognize that it isn’t the best choice for rapid fire use. By design, titanium suppressors are best for low-intensity applications like precision shooting, hunting, and less intense recreational shooting. They heat up quicker and can retain heat longer than stainless steel models, meaning you can inadvertently damage it if you fire too many rounds through it at once.
Still, being a .30 Cal suppressor, it can be a solid pairing for AKs. Plus, to make installation easy, HUXWRX offers multiple QD muzzle devices for their suppressors, including options for both the AKM’s M14x1 LH threads and the AK-100 series’ M24x1.5 threads.
Ventum 7.62
If you’re in the market for a more versatile suppressor that can be used in a competitive or tactical training environment, the Ventum 7.62 is the move. HUXWRX’s Ventum 7.62 is constructed around a 17-4 PH stainless steel body, and houses titanium baffles. Much like the FLOW 7.62 TI, the Ventum 7.62 also uses a flowthrough design, minimizing back pressure and allowing for a more comfortable shooting experience. It also shares the same length as the FLOW 7.62 TI with it coming in at 6.7 inches long, though it is slightly heavier at 14.5 ounces.
Additionally, the Ventum 7.62 is full-auto rated and can suppress a multitude of .30 caliber cartridges. It’s also HUB compatible as well, so it can be used in conjunction with a multitude of QD muzzle devices, so long as you have the right adapter to do so. As such, the Ventum is a solid suppressor for AK pattern rifles that offers rugged reliability while maximizing performance.
SureFire
SureFire stands tall as one of the titans of the suppressor industry, known well for their immensely high quality and standards. Over the years, they’ve developed many suppressors, with one of their most popular .30 Cal options being the SOCOM762. Although such SureFire suppressors are generally associated with rifles like the AR-10 and SCAR, the SOCOM762 pairs rather well with the AK platform. The two SOCOM762 variants that best pair with the AK are the SOCOM762-RC2 and the SOCOM762-MINI2.
Before going in-depth on them it’s worth highlighting that they each come standard with SureFire’s Fast-Attach system. So, with the right muzzle device, you can effectively mount either one to your AK.
SOCOM762-RC2
The SOCOM762-RC2 is the mainline SOCOM762 suppressor and offers the most in terms of durability and overall performance. It uses a stainless-steel outer body, and its baffles are made from a nickel-chromium alloy called Inconel, which offers exceptional sound suppression and has a high heat tolerance. It measures 8.4 inches long and weighs 19.5 ounces, making it one of the heavier suppressors in this list. Still, it offers solid performance, and having passed USSOCOM’s suppressor trials, it has a proven track record of top-tier performance, making it an ideal choice for AKs.
SOCOM762-MINI2
Meanwhile, if you’re in the market for a shorter suppressor, the SOCOM762-MINI2, is essentially a shorter version of the RC2. It’s constructed with the same materials, but is only 6.2 inches long, and weighs in at only 17 ounces, making it a better option for shorter AK pistols and SBRs that prioritize maneuverability.
Otter Creek Labs
Otter Creek Labs is renowned for crafting top-tier suppressors that offer solid performance at a budget-friendly price. Their suppressor lineup consists of multiple high-quality picks, but one that pairs particularly well with AKs is their Polonium 30 suppressor.
OCL Polonium 30
Aside from being a budget friendly .30 Cal can, the Polonium 30 has a lot of unique quirks that make it pair particularly well with AKs. For starters, it’s exceptionally durable—it uses a 17-4 PH stainless steel body and welded baffles to maximize durability. To boost its performance, the Polonium 30 has a series of raised ridges that increase its overall surface area, allowing it to dissipate heat more efficiently. It also comes equipped with both internal and external flash hiders, drastically minimizing the amount of flash put off after firing.
While a solid suppressor, it’s worth noting that it isn’t immediately compatible with AKs out of the box. The Polonium 30 comes standard with a 5/8×24 direct thread adapter, but like most other suppressors, its rear cap is secured to it with 1.375×24 threads, making it compatible with an assortment of aftermarket rear caps. As such, you can switch it out for one that’s compatible with your choice of QD muzzle device.
Optimizing Suppressed Performance
So, now that you have a general idea of what suppressors are compatible with the AK, it’s critical to recognize how they can affect your rifle’s performance. Many enthusiasts new to running suppressors often believe that all they need to do is mount it to the rifle and enjoy a quieter shooting experience. Although this isn’t untrue, there’s more nuance to how a suppressor can affect your rifle’s performance.
Backpressure Mitigation
For starters, suppressors increase backpressure, resulting in more gas spilling out into the receiver and ejection port after firing. While AKs are known for their reliability, this is partially because most, if not all, AKs are over-gassed. So, unless you’re using a flow-through suppressor, you’ll need to optimize your rifle’s gas tuning to get the most comfortable shooting experience possible, and the easiest way to do this is by using a KNS Adjustable Gas Piston.
Since you can’t just swap out your gas block with basic tools like you can with an AR, an adjustable gas piston is the best way to tune your rifle’s gas for suppressor use. As their name would suggest, they replace your rifle’s piston with an adjustable one, allowing you to tune the amount of gas siphoned from the gas port for optimal suppressed performance. Plus, with a proper gas tuning, less gas will spill out of the receiver when firing, giving you a more comfortable shooting experience at the end of the day.
Enhanced Recoil Springs
While a KNS adjustable gas piston will solve most of the cyclic issues on a suppressed AK, having an enhanced recoil spring is a step in the right direction too. Enhanced recoil springs, like those from ALG Defense, are designed to lessen the rifle’s recoil impulse, while minimizing the shock exerted on its internal components. Although they aren’t entirely necessary, they can help to further refine your rifle’s suppressed performance.
Conclusion
Simply put, suppressors are easily some of the best accessories you can add to your rifle, and they’re a perfect fit for the AK. Although AK pattern rifles don’t immediately appear compatible with most suppressors, it’s more-than-possible to add them to yours with the right components.
For the most adaptability possible, we highly recommend adding a QD muzzle device to your rifle. Doing so opens the possibility for you to run most, if not all, commonly available suppressors. While direct thread options like the Dead Air Wolverine and Resilient Suppressors Putnik are a solid possibility, they’re only compatible with base model AKMs and AK-74/AK-100 series rifles—but if you use a muzzle device with a QD mount, the sky is the limit.
Still, while we mentioned a handful of high-quality options above, it’s imperative that you research all your options before pulling the trigger on one. Buying a suppressor is an involved process, one that we highlight in our guide, “How to Buy a Silencer”, and at the end of the day, the best AK suppressor is the one that best meets your needs and preferences. So, if the one you’re looking at checks off all your boxes, you’ll be good to go, regardless of which one you choose.
