SILENCER SATURDAY #266: MP5 + B&T SQD = Awesome

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the new YHM Turbo T3 5.56 rifle suppressor. Last week I made my pitch that everyone should own a 5.56mm bolt action rifle and suppressor combination (the Ruger American Ranch in particular). This week we dive into a classic pairing that is becoming more and more prevalent every year in the United States – H&K and B&T. Specifically, the B&T SQD RBS – Super Quick Disconnect and Reduced Backpressure System 9mm suppressor – on the H&K MP5 and MP5K sub-machine guns. Yes it’s awesome, but we should look at the details before typing in our billing information. Let’s dig in.

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I don’t hide the fact that I am a B&T fan; they make high quality firearms that look like they walked off the set of a Bond film. And after Austin’s interview with Karl Brügger last year, my love for Swiss engineering was solidified even further. Even so, I shelved my biases as much as possible and marched into the woods to quietly launch 147gr bullets at 1200 rounds per second minute with the B&T SQD.

Besides the expected top shelf Swiss quality, the B&T SQD has two features that set it apart from previous 9mm SMG suppressors. The first of which is the SQD interface. Months ago we dug into a basic history of the tri-lug mounting system and its origins. After decades of field use, it is still the reigning King of SMG and pistol caliber carbine (PCC) quick detach systems.

Most of the later tri-lug attachments utilize push and turn to mount, and turn and pull to remove sequences. It’s quick and straightforward. The SQD takes the tri-lug experience to the next level by removing the need to twist or turn the suppressor to find the lockup points. Instead, the SQD simply pushes past the tri-lug mount and clicks into place. To remove, simply press the button on top and the SQD springs forward off the mount.

If you are considering using the SQD on H&K’s SP5K PDW, be aware that the hand guard and vertical foregrip assembly has a slightly different design from some MP5K hand guard assemblies. The hand stop is flared forward slightly which prevents the SQD from seating properly. After a few hours of research last night, it appears that they hand stops on the original MP5K have a vertical flat edge compared to the SP5K version. The original German H&K version is currently out of stock at places like HKParts. However, two minutes with a sander and I was in business.

The MP5/SP5 has no beef with the SQD and locks up perfectly without any interference.

The new Super Quick Disconnect, or SQD attachment, for our RBS9 suppressor has many new features that have yet to be seen in any previous suppressor produced by B&T. The RBS9 SQD is an ingenious fusion of the reduced backpressure system (RBS) technology for which B&T is known for, and a totally new one-hand, 3-lug mounting system. The system is both smooth and fast to use.

The new SQD mounting system is perhaps the fastest 3-Lug attachment system of its type. The new RBS SQD suppressor will fit all 9mm weapons featuring a 3-Lug barrel interface. This includes but is not limited to B&T’s APC9, SPC9, GHM9, as well as HK’s MP5, MP5K and variants with in-spec tri-lug barrels.

The suppressor mounts onto the barrel of the submachine gun by simply pressing it over the barrel. The spring-loaded retaining collar will snap down onto the 3-Lug attachment, automatically locking the suppressor into place. The suppressor will remain securely in place, until the operator wishes to remove it. By simply depressing the tab, the suppressor is free to be removed from the barrel and stowed or reinstalled.

• Manufacturer’s Page:  https://bt-usa.com/products/sqd-full-size/
• MSRP: $650
• Color: Black
• Finish: Type III Hard Coat Anodized
• Material: Aluminum
• Caliber: 9mm
• Attachment Options: Tri-Lug
• Length: 8.80 in
• Diameter: 1.8”
• Weight: 14 oz
• One-Hand Install/Removal
• Fastest On/Off Tri-Lug Suppressor Available
• Significant Reduction of Gas Blow Back
• Minimal Rate of Fire Increase in Full-Auto Firing Mode
• Comparable Sound and Flash to A Conventional Suppressor

Shooting the B&T SQD on the MP5K and the SP5/MP5 pushes me that much closer to selling my MP5SD. The SQD is just as quiet as the SD without all the extra weight and complexity. If you want to shoot 115gr and 128gr bullets at subsonic speeds, the MP5SD makes sense. Personally I’d rather mount up the B&T SQD to the full size or the PDW and still have the ability to shoot supersonic rounds if needed.

The B&T SQD is very quiet and is right at home on the end of the iconic H&K SMGs. The QD system is quick and solid, it’s light, and very affordable. The one downside is that none of the B&T suppressors are user serviceable, which is only important to me on rimfire suppressors. I would give the B&T SQD the full Silencer Saturday endorsement – even if I wasn’t a full blown B&T fanboy.