What Is a Hub Suppressor? A Deep Dive into Modular Suppressors & Mounts
As suppressor technology evolves, modularity has become a focal point in modern suppressor and mounting system design. The most widely adopted standard is the 1.375x24 thread, a mounting system known as HUB. But is it the right choice? What are the benefits and potential downsides? Was the adoption of HUB a bad idea for the industry? Whether you're considering your first suppressor, your fifth, or simply curious about how it works, understanding what HUB suppressors are—and why they matter—can help you make more informed decisions.
What Is a Hub Suppressor?
At its core, a HUB suppressor refers to any suppressor body or mounting system that uses the universal 1.375x24 TPI (threads per inch) pattern—also known as the HUB standard. This thread pitch has become the industry default for modular suppressor mounting, allowing end users to swap between different mounting systems, muzzle devices, and adapters with ease.
Originally popularized by SilencerCo on their Omega 300 and later the Hybrid 46 with their “Bravo mount” or "Omega Mount", which is the same as what is now referred to as “HUB” or 1.375x24. This thread pitch was largely adopted by many Form 1 suppressor manufacturers (Note: While no longer as popular, a Form 1 is a way for an individual that did not hold an FFL to legally manufacture a suppressor after receiving approval from the ATF. You can read more about that HERE) Since then, the HUB thread pitch has been adopted by many former Form 1 manufacturers that have turned their suppressors into production units to full-fledged defense contractors. Some examples of companies who offer HUB suppressors are: CAT, CGS, Otter Creek Labs, Liberty Precision Machine, Aero Precision, Diligent Defense Co, Huxwrx, YHM, FOR Systems, Dillon Rifle Co, Centurion Arms, Griffin Armament, B&T, AB Suppressors, LMT and many more.
Why the 1.375x24 HUB Standard?
The HUB standard solves a core desire for shooters: cross-brand compatibility. Without it, suppressor buyers would be locked into proprietary mounting systems—often incompatible with existing muzzle devices or future upgrades or waiting on inventory to become available from a single source manufacturer.
With a HUB-compatible suppressor, however, users can:
Change mounting systems (Direct Thread, QD (Plan B, CAT 1x16LH, etc), and more)
Adapt to various hosts with different barrel profiles or thread pitches. HUB has opened a world of versatility for those using rifles with obscure thread pitches as there is now almost always an option for some sort of direct thread adapter or QD mount.
Upgrade or replace mounts without buying an entirely new suppressor
Use specialized mounts like those designed for quick attachment, those with secondary retention systems, or lighter weight & minimal added length mounts
Key Benefits of Hub Suppressors
Let’s break down the biggest reasons why HUB suppressors currently dominate the modular suppressor landscape:
1. Modularity & Customization
The 1.375x24 thread interface gives you flexibility to customize your suppressor setup to your firearm, your needs, and your individual use case. For example:
Use a Plan B adapter on your AR-15
Use a direct-thread adapter for minimal added weight on a hunting rifle.
Change to mounting systems like CAT 1x16LH or any other that may suit your needs or desires.
2. Cross-Brand Ecosystem
You’re not stuck with one company’s muzzle devices. If you’re running a single company's muzzle brakes on your rifles, but want to try a suppressor from another brand—no problem. Just grab a compatible HUB-to-XYZ adapter and go.
3. Cost & Ease of Use
HUB-compatible suppressors are often more affordable and offer excellent long-term value. Whether it's your first or fifth suppressor, sticking with a mounting system you already own means there's no need to replace existing muzzle devices or sell off older mounts. Even legacy systems—like SureFire’s—now have HUB-compatible options available, making it easier than ever to integrate newer suppressors into existing setups. This kind of modularity improves compatibility across platforms, simplifies gear management, and helps keep overall costs down by making use of existing products you may already own. Cost can be further reduced by manufacturers who sell HUB suppressors without an adapter installed from the factory—letting the end user choose what they actually want. Even with integral QD systems, many companies include a default muzzle device that the buyer may not want, leading to an extra purchase anyway.
4. Aftermarket Support
The HUB interface (1.375x24) has become the most widely supported suppressor mounting standard in the industry, earning its place as the “universal” thread pitch among many manufacturers. That level of adoption has led to a thriving aftermarket—including our own RD® Products—giving users access to a broad range of mounting options. One of the biggest advantages here is freedom: you’re not locked into a single brand’s ecosystem. If a mount is out of stock, you’re not stuck waiting months—there’s almost always a compatible option available from another manufacturer.
And arguably, that kind of flexibility encourages more actual suppressor use and training. Less time on website waitlists means more time on the range—which we’re absolutely in favor of. Whether you already have a preferred mounting system or just want the freedom to adapt over time, HUB suppressors offer unmatched versatility—and that leads right into the next point: future-proofing.
5. Future-Proofing
Suppressor technology is constantly evolving, and so are mounting systems. HUB compatibility gives you confidence that today’s suppressor can be easily upgraded tomorrow with better or lighter mounts—without replacing the entire silencer.
Potential Downsides of Hub Suppressors
While HUB suppressors offer undeniable advantages, they’re not without trade-offs. Here are a few potential downsides worth considering:
1. Increased Weight & Length
Adding modular adapters—particularly QD systems that incorporate secondary locking or ratcheting mechanisms—can significantly increase both the overall length and weight of a suppressor compared to simpler direct-thread or integral QD designs. That said, the HUB standard enables compatibility with a wide range of aftermarket mounts, many of which are designed to add minimal length and weight such as the Plan B or CAT 1x16LH systems.
2. Tolerance Stacking
Modular systems inherently introduce additional threaded interfaces, which can lead to tolerance stacking and, in some cases, minor alignment or concentricity issues—especially if components are not properly machined or torqued. While such issues are uncommon when using well-made parts, the risk can increase when mixing components from different manufacturers. For this reason, we strongly recommend using HUB mounts from reputable brands and verifying alignment with a dedicated alignment rod before firing through any suppressor. That said, alignment should always be verified—regardless of whether you're using a HUB system or a direct-thread/non-modular suppressor. HUB simply adds one more step to the process due to the adapter interface, which makes checking all connections even more important.
3. Compatibility
Physical compatibility is another key factor—specifically, whether your muzzle device and HUB mount combination will physically clear the suppressor’s internal geometry. To remove the guesswork, we built the Revival Defense Suppressor Mount Compatibility Chart: a growing reference tool featuring products from numerous manufacturers. With so many mounting options available, this chart gives you clarity and confidence when choosing the right setup.
4. Installation / User Error
While this point isn’t exclusive to HUB mounts—any suppressor that requires end-user installation of an adapter faces similar considerations—it’s still worth noting. One of the primary reasons we developed our patent-pending Castle-Lock™ system for RD HUB mounts was to address this. It allows users to apply proper torque using a standard armorer’s wrench or castle nut tool with a torque wrench, ensuring the adapter is securely installed. The result is a mounting interface that behaves as close to an integral system as possible once torqued in place.
5. Performance
We’ll go into more detail below, but in short, some high-performance suppressors can be more sensitive to factors like mounts and muzzle devices, although this varies significantly from suppressor to suppressor. Simpler suppressors, on the other hand, tend to be more forgiving.
The Hidden Cost of Universal Compatibility
Performance optimization is a consideration when evaluating HUB suppressors. Modern, compact designs often outperform larger predecessors, but mounting combinations can impact function—affecting backpressure, flash, or tone. Think of a high-performance suppressor like a Formula 1 car: it needs the right environment to perform. Using a mount that doesn’t fully utilize a suppressor’s internal geometry can hinder performance, similar to running an F1 car without race fuel. The muzzle device directly influences the shock reflection inside the suppressor, and complex designs may require a specific mount for optimal performance.
In contrast, simpler suppressors are more like a 1997 F-250 7.3 Powerstroke diesel truck—reliable even in poor conditions. While this isn’t a concern for most suppressors, high-performance models can be more sensitive to varying inputs.
HUB suppressors are popular for their universal compatibility, but that appeal only holds if they perform reliably across a wide range of setups. Selling a HUB suppressor that struggles with common mounts is like offering an F1 car without access to race fuel—or worse, failing to mention it needs race fuel at all. In that scenario, both the manufacturer and the user lose. Some brands may feel pressured to offer HUB compatibility, but if they don’t fully understand how their suppressor performs across common mounts—such as muzzle brakes, flash hiders, or three-prong flash hiders—they risk misrepresentation through inconsistent results and disappointed customers.
One of the primary benefits of HUB is its flexibility in allowing the user to choose from a variety of compatible mounts. However, if a suppressor is extremely sensitive to specific mounting inputs, manufacturers should provide clear guidance or recommendations to ensure users get the best performance from their suppressors. While it’s unrealistic to expect manufacturers to test every mount on the market, some form of baseline or benchmark testing could go a long way in helping performance-focused users select the right combination for their needs.
That said, not all suppressors are highly sensitive to mounting inputs. Many manufacturers know their products well, offer reliable recommendations, or design their suppressors to perform consistently across a variety of HUB-compatible mounts. Still, it’s something worth considering when choosing a HUB suppressor. When in doubt, reach out to the manufacturer—most will provide a clear and accurate answer if the information isn’t already publicly available.
Common HUB-Compatible Mounts and Adapters
Here are some of the most popular mounting systems that use or interface with the HUB thread standard:
Direct Thread
HUXWRX
SureFire
Area 419 Hellfire
All of these mounts offer a HUB component that threads directly into a suppressor body with 1.375x24 internal threads, allowing for use with compatible muzzle devices. Read more about muzzle devices and selecting the right one here.
RD® Products and HUB Mounts
At Revival Defense, our line of RD® suppressor mounts is designed specifically for HUB-compatible suppressors. From Plan B style mounts to systems like CAT 1x16LH, our mission is to provide shooters with premium, American-made mounting solutions that are reliable, repeatable, and built for hard use.
Whether you're upgrading an existing setup or building a new host system from scratch, our goal with RD® HUB suppressor mounts is to create performance-driven, practical muzzle devices and mounts for the modern-day shooter.
Final Thoughts
The HUB suppressor system is essentially a standardized 1.375x24 thread pitch that allows for modularity across a wide range of suppressors and mounts. It offers a practical path toward compatibility and flexibility, especially for users who want to run different mounting systems or swap parts across platforms.
That said, there are trade-offs. When the proper steps are taken—such as using well-made parts and following installation guidelines—HUB suppressors don't generally present significant downsides. While considerations like weight, tolerance stacking, and performance sensitivity exist, they are manageable with the right precautions, making HUB systems a practical solution for many users.
We always make a point to outline potential downsides in every situation not to discourage, but to educate—our goal is for each customer to make an informed purchase based on their individual use case, goals, and budget. Transparency helps ensure the system you choose fits your needs without surprises.