[Matthew Courtney]

I want to get a Springfield M1A. The one my dealers distributor has is equipped with the CA legal muzzle break instead of the regular flash suppressor. Can someone tell me if there are any pros or cons to this?

[Steve Smith]

Well, it could be significantly louder, sould produce a large fireball in evenings, and since yo're not in Cali, could keep you from shooting in Highpower matches. Try to get one with the flash hider if you can.

[Sven]

I asked Oleg about this, and he said:

'DO NOT get one with the "CA-legal" muzzle brake -- it is insanely loud and throws debris sideways. Get one with plain muzzle instead.'

I asked how I could do this, seeing that one must buy it with the brake in CA, and he replied:

'On M1A would have to have a smith cut most of the brake or replace with a dummy (easier)'

Not sure if he meant that I could have this work done when I left the state - ie, not sure if it is legal to have a gunsmith perform this modification while you still live in CA... curious for any information from those 'in the know'.

-sven, itching for an M1... or M1A... (tosses coin)

[Noban]

If you can use the muzzle brake to negotiate a decent price reduction, then go for it. None of the brakes or flash hiders on M1As are permanently attached so you can get a real USGI flash hider on the market and put it on yourself.

[DJJ]

How are they attached, then? I thought a threaded muzzle was just as evil as a flash hider.

I'd been thinking of getting one myself, but I since I don't want a muzzle brake, I thought I was plain SOL - but maybe I'm not, after all.

[Duke of Lawnchair]

I'd opt for a flash suppressor if I could legally get away with it. Easier to clean and looks much better. Since I'm in CA, it's the brake for my M1A.

As for the brake being louder and more obnoxious vs the flash suppressor, I sure as heck can't tell and neither can my brother, father, coworkers, and last but not least, 5'2" asian girlfriend.

Louder? We couldn't tell.
Muzzle blast? We couldn't tell.
Recoil? We couldn't tell.

Blind fold us up and put us behind the wheel of my brother's M1A (flash suppressor) and my own (CA brake) and we won't be able to differentiate between the two. Well, that's not entirely true. His trigger's a bit better than mine...

My experiences and those of my family, coworkers and girlfriend do not reflect those of others. Your mileage MAY vary.

Jim

[Sven]

Muzzle blast? We couldn't tell.

Lay prone over dusty ground and repeat your experiment - then report results. Thanks,

-sven

[Skunkabilly]

Whaaaaaaaat? *ears ringing*

If you're shooting prone in the desert, get a pair of goggles. It kicks up a duststorm like a banjopicker in a CRV on his way to a Korean barbecue..

[Matthew_Q]

I can break your muzzle, and it will be legal in all 50!

Just a good sledge, and a good whack, and it's broken!



OH.. did you mean muzzle BRAKE??

[Frohickey]

Barrels for M1As are threaded, and also have a slot for alignment of the flash hider/muzzle break.

A castle nut attaches the flash hider/muzzle break to the barrel, and the front sight is attached to the flash hider/muzzle break.

Modification of the flash hider/muzzle break will require rezeroing since it will change the point of impact.

[BenW]

Has anyone in CA actually swapped out their brake for a dummy, or else remounted the front sight directly on the barrel? Just wondering what the costs are. I don't think I'm skilled enough to remount and zero a front sight directly onto the barrel for this particular rifle, so it would definitely be a trip to the smith for me.

[Duke of Lawnchair]

Lay prone over dusty ground and repeat your experiment - then report results. Thanks,

Sven, already did that as most of my rifle shooting is done either sitting or prone. A bit more dust, but not to the point of annoying or choking out here in the high desert. We also figured as much since the brake doesn't have holes on the bottom. Our experiences and our experiences only.

I'll try it again this weekend as my coworkers and myself will be hitting the range once again. If it kicks up more dust than last time, I'll eat crow.

BenW, I've read on certain accounts that either the Polytech or Norinco M14 styled rifles actually came with a dummy flash suppressor. Would the Chinese dummy flash suppressors be able to fit on the American guns? Might be worth looking into.

Jim