Thread: muzzle brake vs suppressor for 7.62x39

I've just bought myself a SKK for goat control. It's got a muzzle brake on it, and man is it loud! Originally I was thinking I'd remove the brake and just use a thread protector. I've never been keen on a suppressor as my useage is short(ish) range pest control, and I thought I didn't want the hassle of the extra length. After firing off a few (30rd) mags with this rifle I'm now thinking a suppressor might not be such a bad idea. I'm only a few kms away from a beach settlement and maybe a bit less noise might be a good thing.

So my question is, how much quieter is the rifle likely to be with the brake removed, and is it worth going down the suppressor track given the pest control useage? The obvious answer is to try it and see, but unfortunately the MB is locked into place and I can't get it off, it needs to go to a gunsmith. If it proved too difficult to remove I was going to suggest just shortening the barrel slightly (which would help in the bush), but if I later want to get a suppressor then cutting off an already threaded barrel would be a really really dumb move. Any advice welcome!