Looking for a muzzle brake for AR-15

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TonyAngel

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I'm getting ready to get a new barrel for my AR. I'm going to have to pin the brake on, so would prefer to get this right the first time.

I'm running a Levang Linear Comp right now and in some ways I like it and in some ways I don't. I like it because it doesn't kick the noise to the sides making it uncomfortable for those around me. I don't like it because, although it does work to an extent, it doesn't work nearly as well as more conventional brakes at keeping the muzzle down.

So, I'm just asking this question just in case there's some magical product out there that I'm just not aware of.

What I'm looking for is a muzzle brake that is effective at stopping muzzle rise AND doesn't sound like a hand grenade going off every time you pull the trigger.

Any suggestions?

I should have been more clear on this point. It's going on a 14.5" barrel, so it needs to be 2.1" long.
 
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EGW makes one that looks like a cross between a heat sink and a 1950s raygun. Might be what you're after.
 
Every brake i've shot and others i've been next to has been very loud. Battlecomp, Titan, Miculek, rolling thunder, etc. The battlecomp wasn't as bad as the others.

If i was shooting this AR around others or at a covered range, i would stick with a flash hider. You'll keep your friends this way. lol.
 
gotigers said:
Every brake i've shot and others i've been next to has been very loud. Battlecomp, Titan, Miculek, rolling thunder, etc. The battlecomp wasn't as bad as the others.

If i was shooting this AR around others or at a covered range, i would stick with a flash hider. You'll keep your friends this way. lol.
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+1

I'm not aware of any brake that does a good job at stopping muzzle jump and is not exceedingly loud. I've tried the Miculek, Battlecomp and LeVang. I still use the LeVang but it's not that great at stopping muzzle jump.

I've got a 'pepper pot' style brake on a 7.5 Swiss and a 6.5G. They don't seem to be as loud as others I have used, work well at reducing jump. I don't know how they would do on a 5.56 gun.

img-wci_brake_0075_4c2.jpg
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The Battlecomp or its near-clones the Spikes' Tactical Dynacomp and Griffin M4-SD is probably the best compromise for your purposes. They work pretty well and only increase noise and blast a little bit. The downside is they complicate cleaning, especially if you like to use a pull-through cable (Otis kit or Patchworm).
 
I am not an expert on muzzle brakes, but I have this one that came with my Bushmaster. As you will note it is solid on the bottom so it will not kick up dust when prone. Works well as a compromise for noise and muzzle rise.

Just my 2 cents.
Jim

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If I were installing a permanent muzzle device on a 14.5" barrel, a Battle Comp would be at the top of my list.
 
I have a Spikes factory upper with a Spikes' Tactical Dynacomp installed to bring it to 16.1"

I was very surprised at the lack of concussive force it generates while keeping the muzzle absolutely on target during rapid fire. It looks good to boot.

In hindsight I would have waited for the Ops Inc. compatable threaded model for a perm-attach muzzle device. At least now I don't get tempted to buy a .223 can. :)
 
I have to agree with gotigers, the A2 flash hider is the best all round muzzle device on a 5.56 AR. You just can't beat its over all performance. And unless in a ban state why not go with a 16" barrel and screw on the muzzle device? I can't imagine that a 14.5" barrel offers enough advantages to give up a simple to install/remove muzzle device.

Something else to consider, what if the absolute best muzzle device is invented next week and you're stuck with a now obsolete unit blind pinned to your barrel!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captains1911
I always laugh when people consider courtesy to range neighbors the most important factor when choosing a muzzle device.
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Thanks for speaking for me. I didnt realize i said it was the "most important factor" in my decision. I use what i use, but the OP might care. Wow. "laugh it up fuzzball". DONT SPEAK FOR ME.
 
I always laugh when people consider courtesy to range neighbors the most important factor when choosing a muzzle device.
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Well, I do try to be considerate; because I know that when I'm trying to practice shooting benchrest rimfire rifle, it's almost impossible to do so when someone is in the lane next to me shooting an AR or other rifle with a loud brake on it. I try not to impede someone else having a good time.

Anyway, thanks for the recommendations guys. I knew about the battlecomp, but wasn't award of the offerings from Spike's and EGW.

I know that many don't see the wisdom of going with a 14.5" barrel, but after having used one, I can feel the difference in the way the rifle carries, the ease with which I can get in and out of a truck with it and the ease with which I can reach behind me while on my four wheeler to put it back into its scabbard. It's just worth it to me.

Besides, pinning a brake to a barrel isn't absolutely permanent, you just have to destroy the brake to get it off. That's why I'd rather get it right the first time.
 
TonyAngel said:
Well, I do try to be considerate; because I know that when I'm trying to practice shooting benchrest rimfire rifle, it's almost impossible to do so when someone is in the lane next to me shooting an AR or other rifle with a loud brake on it. I try not to impede someone else having a good time.
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Considerate? Does anybody else see the irony here? You are at a GUN RANGE. If you or anybody else doesn't want to hear loud noises, find a new activity, or somewhere else to shoot privately. I'm sorry, but this choosing a muzzle device out of considerations for others at the range is just silly.
 
Captains, are you really saying that you just don't care about the effects of your actions on others?

Yes, people who go to the range should expect to hear guns going off, but we're talking about an attachment that makes a rifle much louder than it normally is. Heck, a 16" barreled AR with a brake on it is louder at the firing line than my .308 is.

Oh, well. I guess it takes all kinds.
 
@jim243: that's an A2 flash hider and is not considered a brake by anyone. It does have some compensating effect, but no recoil reduction. It's the baseline for most comparisons.

@Captains: seriously? Have you been close to a braked centerfire rifle? Brakes take loud and crank it somewhere between incredibly loud (a .223 with a conventional brake), ridiculous, and insane (a 14.5" .308 with a two-port brake is insane, as is a magnum caliber with a brake). I think anyone who considers their effect on others should be praised, not mocked.
 
A flash hider is more important than a muzzle break. I'd go flash hider. I use the Smith Vortex on my ARs.
 
Yes, I know what a brake sounds like, i own a few, and do not think twice about shooting them at the range regardless of who is next to me. I do not in any way shape or form consider this inconsiderate behavior. It's a shooting range, one of the few places where LOUD noises are allowed and should be expected, get over it.
 
Z-Michigan said:
@Captains: seriously? Have you been close to a braked centerfire rifle? Brakes take loud and crank it somewhere between incredibly loud (a .223 with a conventional brake), ridiculous, and insane (a 14.5" .308 with a two-port brake is insane, as is a magnum caliber with a brake). I think anyone who considers their effect on others should be praised, not mocked.
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Muzzle brakes do not make a rifle louder, they just direct the noise in a different direction--back towards the firing line.

I have a Miculek brake on one of my ARs. It works and more noise is directed to the rear than my non-braked rifles.

I bought the brake to see what it was about. I am just as happy without any muzzle device on my small caliber ARs.
 
Thanks a lot guys. Thanks for bringing the Dynacomp to my attention. With all of the Spike's parts that I've used, I never even bother to check to see if they had a muzzle device.

I've shot the Battle Comp before, and although it was louder, it wasn't anything like a Miculek and I liked it; so, I think I'll save myself $100 and get the DynaComp. The melonite coating is a plus. That's some pretty tough stuff from what I've seen. Now I just have to get my friend with the welder to come over.

Now for the barrel. I want to try something that I've never used before. I guess that's a subject for another thread.
 
For directing the sound away from the shooter---I like the Troy Claymore. I run it on my SBRs for that reason; no concussion from the shooters perspective.
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plouffedaddy,the reason that you stated is the reason that I went with the Levang. I just thought I'd try something that was better at controlling muzzle jump.

I got away from being an absolute AR nut when I got into long range shooting a little while back, but have rediscovered the AR and may start shooting a two gun match. Maybe some guys don't need it, but I sure do double tap much more quickly and with more accuracy with a good muzzle break. I'd just prefer to avoid as much noise as I can.

I did shoot a rifle with a Claymore a few weeks ago and it was pretty effective. I wouldn't say that I thought it shot flat. Ah, it's all a compromise, isn't it. I didn't jump on a claymore because it looks like it operates a whole lot like a Levang, and I want to try something different.
 
Just based on what I've seen, the Battle Comp would have been my first choice; but the Battle Comp is $200. From what I've READ, the Spike's Dyna Comp is supposed to work just as well, at less than half the price.

I think I have my mind set on the Dyna Comp. I was going through my records and apparently, my current barrel only has just over 8000 rounds through it. I may just keep it. If I wind up just cutting my brake off and putting a new brake on, I may go the cheap route with the Dyna Comp.

If I go through the expense of getting a new barrel, then I'll probably go all out and just get the Battle Comp.

If I have time, I'll try to cut the Levang off of my barrel tonight. I'll see what happens.
 
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