[Skunkabilly]

Do flash suppressors reduce recoil at all or just hide (divert?) flash?

Trying to decide if I should get a pre-ban or just get a NIB postban and have Wilson put on their muzzlebrake instead.

[BigG]

Not real ones, well, the A2 style on the AR15/M16 had slots only in the top so it may give a slight downward impetus to the muzzle. Most flashhiders are for just that to hide the flash from the shooter so he doesn't get blinded.

[Sir Galahad]

Hold the phone here. Excuse me, but who need a muzzle brake on a .223?? If you're firing full auto, that's one thing. But I've never felt the need for recoil control and I'm firing .308 bolt action 18" barrel, 7.62x54 Mosin, and AK and recoil isn't killing me. And I'm 5'7" 125lbs at heaviest!

Muzzle brakes are ungodly loud. On a .50BMG, they make sense. But a .223?? :what:

[444]

Once again, let me beat the drum for muzzle brakes on an AR15.

The point of this is not taming bone crushing recoil. The point is the muzzle rise, or the movement of your sights from the target when firing, and decreseing the recovery time between aimed shots. Ideally, you don't want the sights to deviate at all from your point of aim when you fire. If this were possible, you will be able to immedately follow up with additonal shots as required and have them go right where you want them. To me, the acid test is when doing double taps on a target. If you fire two shots pretty much as fast as you can, how precisely can you place those two shots. My friends and I frequently practice a drill where our rifle is hanging from a tac sling. We have three IDPA carbdoard silhouette targets placed at 10 yards. At the sound of the timer, we double tap each target. Using the Wilson muzzle brake, I more usually have my two shots on each target within 2" of each other and often closer. My times are also much faster than my friends. They tried my rifle and couldn't wait to replace their pre-ban flash suppressors with Wilson brakes.
Let's say that a muzzle brake doesn't do all that much (which I dont' agree, but let's say that anyway). Let's say it provides only the slightest advantage to the shooter. Why wouldn't you want every advantage no matter how slight ? If you are going to have something hanging on the end of your barrel anyway, either for looks or function, why not hang something on the barrel that is going to do something no matter how slight ?

A couple of good examples of the use of muzzle brakes; I have read of prarie dog shooters using muzzle brakes on rifles such as .223s. They want to be able to see where their shots hit through the scope both for the satisfaction of a hit, and to get their sight dope from a miss. They are using pretty heavy "target" type rifles, recoil isn't the issue. Having their sights stay on target after the shot is. Another common use of muzzle brakes or compensators is in the IPSC race gun. These handguns arn't .500 Linebaughs, they arn't .454 Casuls. They are usually some variation of the 9mm; .38 Super, 9x23 or whatever. They don't exhibit hand braking recoil. The point is to permit a faster recovery time, meaning faster follow up shots and higher scores.

[BigG]

...for looks...

99.995% of AR15s sold are never shot in IPSC competition or prairie dog hunts, I'll wager.

[444]

I agree, that is why I mentioned; for looks.
If you are putting something on there anyway even if it is just for looks, why not have it actually do something useful to you ? I am not above buying something for looks. I like the fact that the Wilson brake looks very much like the GI issue flash suppressor. But I like what it does, and would prefer it to having a flash suppressor that doesn't really do anything I find valuable. I am not a just for show, not for go kind of guy, but looks do matter as long as the accessory is functional.
Just because you arn't going to use your AR for IPSC or for prarie dog hunting doesn't mean you don't have any need or desire to make quick, accurate follow up shots. I don't care if you are shooting beer cans in the desert, one of the beauties of having a semi-auto rifle is the ability to make quick follow up shots, and being able to do this faster and with more accuracy is a big plus in my book.

[Gewehr98]

Since Skunkabilly is limited to either that FAB-10 or pump-action AR-style rifles at his current abode in the PRK?:rolleyes:

[Gewehr98]

As seen in the Chevy Truck Sportsman's Challenge, etc.

Here's one of Volquartsen's offerings:

http://www.volquartsen.com/images/onyx.gif

[GLOCKT]

So by Bushmaster stating it's AK74 style brake,reduces felt recoil by 70% and muzzle climb by90% they're feeding us BULL?
I for one don't think Bushmaster and it's fine reputation would claim gains like this and not be able to back it up.
Granted it's truly loud,but has merit to it's claims.
5'7" 185 lbs after 100 rounds,I come home with a tender shoulder and slight bruising.I welcome any advantage to reduced recoil and muzzle flip.
My Crossman BB/pellet gun is the only rifle I own that doesn't recoil.

[Midnight]

I assume the Wilson brake is post-ban legal? Does it install with set-screws or must it be threaded on and silver-soldered? I keep seeing very good reviews of it.

[Redlg155]

You have to send off the upper to Wilsons for the installation. It is threaded and permanently attatched to your barrel.

Back to the topic...The best Flash supressors do not normally offer any recoil reducing properties. From everything that I've seen or heard, the Vortex type are the best out there for the job. A A2 type will help to keep the muzzle down, but does not control the rearward movement.

Skunk,

Unless you move aren't you stuck with just the approved FAB 10 or whatever silly AR type they approve? As I understood it the granfather clause for AR15s (both Pre and Post) in California made it illegal to transfer a weapon in state.

Good SHooting
RED

[Skunkabilly]

To all:

Yes, but I'm moving! I'm just doing all my homework now so I can buy one as soon as I get my citizenship! :D

Now i know how it felt when my folks ran away from China ;)

[Redlg155]

I'm just doing all my homework now so I can buy one as soon as I get my citizenship!

Good for you!..one for moving..two , for the Citizenship!

Getting mine back in 92 was one of the best things I've ever done. It opened all sorts of things up for me. Jobs, no hassle gun purchases, voting rights....and so on.


Good Shooting
RED