Opinions: brakes on 7.62x39 AR.

So I've got my AR built. It came with a basic birdcage flash hider on it, which I haven't used before--and haven't had the chance to use yet here.
Since I'm still in 'building mode' I'm considering tossing an inexpensive brake on it.

I've used cheap AK-74-style ebay brakes on my AK and been happy with them. Louder, sure, but it's backheavy and there's no other way to adjust the recoil impulse at all. Essentially everything inside slams back and forth as it will and there's nothing you can do to change that. I'm not a big guy (I gained weight recently and hit 140) so just a little braking effect and putting a few ounces at the muzzle to shift the balance mitigates things and just make it feel better.

But I've heard the AR is a little easier there, or can be made so. But I kind of don't want to spend another $100 on a chunk of metal, or add too much weight or length compared to the basic flash hider. And IMO the flash hider is the right look for an AR.

So, opinions, would a really basic, inexpensive brake make much of a difference on a billet-uppered, heavy-barreled x39 AR? Enough to deal with a little loss of flash-hiding?
Or is it really just not much worse than .223 and I've been away from the intermediate rounds long enough my brain is overreacting and remembering too far toward the x54r side?

fireman 9731 said:

You might feel the weight/balance difference but x39 is not a beast that needs tamed with a brake.

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See, I think that's what most of the problem is. It's probably not the recoil itself, it's the balance and shift in weight during the action. My AK is weighted on or behind center, and then the weight all comes back to the trigger hand. That makes it pretty noticeable and makes a definite 'pivot point.'
My AR has a heavy barrel and the lighter weight of the internals will be moving back into the stock to my shoulder, not my hand.
That might not be noticeable, but could have an effect. I just haven't had a chance for a side-by-side comparison yet.

BreechFace said:

I’m weird but I actually enjoy the increased recoil impulse the x39 gives me, but without the concussion effects.

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I feel the same, at the range bench. I very much enjoy my Mosin Nagant, for instance. It makes my shoulder look worse than it really is.
But if I do get the chance to do some 3-gun or hunt, I'd like to mitigate both.

Until then I guess I could just compare them and shoot both to test, if you twist my arm...

Well, the one I was looking at is cheap, and looks pretty close to the standard flash hider. Which I like. Won't hurt my wallet even if I decide against it. Doesn't need to be the world's most effective brake, just a little to help offset anything that's a problem. Like has been said, x39 isn't a mule, it's probably just been a matter of balance.

I already have an H2 buffer for the build, but the parts came with a 'standard' buffer too. I can mix and match if needed. Obviously reliability beats comfort. Haven't played with the idea of other springs yet.

Okay, I like that Krink brake.
Maybe not on the AR unless I want a 'fake can', but if I could find that with the threads for my AK...

someguy2800 said:

They were originally used on AK's so yes they do have them in that thread size. I think its like m14x1.0 or something like that. Here is a picture for scale.

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I know they're made, and the thread is M14x1LH. Don't see that size on the site, though. Maybe if I could find an adapter...
Anyway, that upper looks very much like mine. If I had the full-length rail, I'd grab it. my 12" rail, I like something smaller.
Will try out my flash hider until I know specifics on what I want, I guess.