Muzzle devices, primarily brakes, comps and flash suppressors for the AR rifle:
There are likely around a brazillion different brands and styles of muzzle devices for these rifles (and other rifles and pistols of course) built for different purposes, to fill different needs, and man how the prices can vary. I get the need for specialty devices threaded for suppressors (or QD fitted) and the way most of those divert gas out the sides, in effect breaking up the blast and ultimately reducing noise even more. I mostly don’t get the hard core brakes that shunt more noise and gas to the sides and even partially rearward. I’m sure they serve a purpose on a full fledged precision bench rest rifle, reducing recoil. But how many times will that rifle get shot in a range trip compared to a tacti-cool balls out battle rifle?
I’ve seen the practical comparisons where they measured recoil in the form of rearward force of the rifle during the shot with several models. Some do that job very well, but at what cost vs benefit? I can’t wrap my head around why so many shooters use the heavy brakes on standard or battle type AR rifles. The blast and concussion seems far more of a nuisance than any perceived recoil to me. Again, on a sporter, standard, run of the mill and especially the SBR’s! If im gonna crank on a half pound of steel to the end of my rifle I want it to improve the shooting experience.
I still use the old birdcage on a few rifles, as long as it’s an improved model with the bottom side closed. Prone shooting with an open bottom cage can sure stir up some dust.
I also like a good pig on the threaded devices when not shooting suppressed. Very pleasant when shooting a SBR compared to others.
But my favorite all around AR comp and the one that makes the most sense to me is the linear style. The first ones I ever used were sold by DPMS, the Levang Linear Compensator. I don’t know how many I’ve owned over the years. Lately I’ve been buying the KAW brand. Blast goes straight out the front along with the concussion, downrange where it belongs. For anyone who hasn’t used these or a pig, you should give one a shot. They do reduce recoil to some extent but aren’t as efficient at it as the loud brakes. But I have to say, the shot feels much softer than with a side blasting brake. My .308 rifles seem almost the same as the 5.56.
So my query to all you dyed in the wool side and rearward exit brake fans, recoil really that bad?
Ever consider a Hydraulic buffer?
Have you ever been a victim of that magazine dumping mad man beside you at the bench shooting the 16 inch barreled LR-08 with the big tank style brake? Did you ever recover your hat and shooting glasses? Did that bite hole in your tongue heal ok?
I’ve never considered recoil from a 5.56 AR to be a hindrance. Recoil from a .308 AR, while a little snappier, still doesn’t slow me down.
So sell me on a good reason to choose blast over recoil. What devices are you guys using and why? And I sure hope I get at least one tactical response.
There are likely around a brazillion different brands and styles of muzzle devices for these rifles (and other rifles and pistols of course) built for different purposes, to fill different needs, and man how the prices can vary. I get the need for specialty devices threaded for suppressors (or QD fitted) and the way most of those divert gas out the sides, in effect breaking up the blast and ultimately reducing noise even more. I mostly don’t get the hard core brakes that shunt more noise and gas to the sides and even partially rearward. I’m sure they serve a purpose on a full fledged precision bench rest rifle, reducing recoil. But how many times will that rifle get shot in a range trip compared to a tacti-cool balls out battle rifle?
I’ve seen the practical comparisons where they measured recoil in the form of rearward force of the rifle during the shot with several models. Some do that job very well, but at what cost vs benefit? I can’t wrap my head around why so many shooters use the heavy brakes on standard or battle type AR rifles. The blast and concussion seems far more of a nuisance than any perceived recoil to me. Again, on a sporter, standard, run of the mill and especially the SBR’s! If im gonna crank on a half pound of steel to the end of my rifle I want it to improve the shooting experience.
I still use the old birdcage on a few rifles, as long as it’s an improved model with the bottom side closed. Prone shooting with an open bottom cage can sure stir up some dust.
I also like a good pig on the threaded devices when not shooting suppressed. Very pleasant when shooting a SBR compared to others.
But my favorite all around AR comp and the one that makes the most sense to me is the linear style. The first ones I ever used were sold by DPMS, the Levang Linear Compensator. I don’t know how many I’ve owned over the years. Lately I’ve been buying the KAW brand. Blast goes straight out the front along with the concussion, downrange where it belongs. For anyone who hasn’t used these or a pig, you should give one a shot. They do reduce recoil to some extent but aren’t as efficient at it as the loud brakes. But I have to say, the shot feels much softer than with a side blasting brake. My .308 rifles seem almost the same as the 5.56.
So my query to all you dyed in the wool side and rearward exit brake fans, recoil really that bad?
Ever consider a Hydraulic buffer?
Have you ever been a victim of that magazine dumping mad man beside you at the bench shooting the 16 inch barreled LR-08 with the big tank style brake? Did you ever recover your hat and shooting glasses? Did that bite hole in your tongue heal ok?
I’ve never considered recoil from a 5.56 AR to be a hindrance. Recoil from a .308 AR, while a little snappier, still doesn’t slow me down.
So sell me on a good reason to choose blast over recoil. What devices are you guys using and why? And I sure hope I get at least one tactical response.
Last edited:
