Dealing with short barrel noise

[PoserHoser]

I was recently reading an article on ar 15 pistols and sbr's.
I was wondering how tactical operators such as LE and millitary users deal with the noise and muzzle blast of short barreled rifle caliber weapons. Do they wear ear protection or is it the type of muzzle brake that directs the noise away from the shooter. any info is much appreciated

 

[Warp]

Ear protection (plugs) and hearing loss.

 

[PoserHoser]

what about the muzzle brakes on krink style aks do they help direct noise

 

[S.W.G.]

A few months ago I emptied a 40 round magazine from an HK53 (Picture an HK33 with a 6 inch barrel) in one trigger pull.

I was wearing earmuffs AND ear buds, and I was a little shaken up for around fifteen minutes.

If someone like a soldier did that in the field without hearing protection, I can certainly see significant hearing loss in their future.

 

[mortablunt]

There are four things you can do.

#1: Use ear plugs.
#2: Use ear muffs.
#3: Use a suppressor.
#4: Use weaker powder loads with lower muzzle velocities and chamber pressures.

 

[Sam1911]

what about the muzzle brakes on krink style aks do they help direct noise

The original (not US made, generally) AKS-74U style muzzle device is quite effective.

I recently installed a Noveske "Firepig" flash suppressor on a friend's AR-15 and it was almost bizzarely effective. They're designed to tame SBRs, and they do so very well. Looks strange, works great!

 

[Quiet]

Several LE SWAT teams in SoCal, use noise suppressors on all their long guns. This was due to too many LEOs making hearing loss medical claims and OHSA hinting to making noise suppressor use mandatory due to all the hearing loss claims.

 

[mdauben]

what about the muzzle brakes on krink style aks do they help direct noise

I'm not familiar with that particular unit, but from what I have seen with "braked" pistols and rifles in general muzzle brakes increase muzzle blast and noise, not decrease it.

 

[Deus Machina]

In general, yes. The AKS-74U muzzle brake (I believe it's more of a flash hider) is composed of several pieces, and appears, to me, to redirect the flash and gasses around a cone-shaped piece. I haven't gotten a good look at the insides of one.

Not sure if it works well as a muzzle brake, but it essentially redirects the blast everywhere but behind.

 

[Sam1911]

I'm not familiar with that particular unit, but from what I have seen with "braked" pistols and rifles in general muzzle brakes increase muzzle blast and noise, not decrease it.

It isn't a recoil brake. Those tend to work just like you say.

Rather, it is a flash suppressor that does a terrific job of moderating and redirecting muzzle blast.

 

[Sam1911]

... but it essentially redirects the blast everywhere but behind.

That's something we noticed about the Noveske unit. The sound was still present (of course) but the impulse or pressure wave of blast simply didn't reach the shooter, or those on the line. In fact, I deliberately approached the line to almost parallel with the muzzle of the rifle while we were test firing, and even from a couple of feet away felt no blast.

 

[Paladin38-40]

Source?

Is anything like this available for an AR 15 and if so, where?

 

[MtnCreek]

Is anything like this available for an AR 15 and if so, where?

The pig threads on in lieu of the standard birdcage. It looks funny on an SBR, never seen anyone use one on a rifle length AR.

 

[rcmodel]

wondering how tactical operators such as LE and millitary users deal with the noise and muzzle blast

Nobody that has ever been in a gunfight or combat will tell you they even noticed or heard the recoil & muzzle blast.

Yes, they pay for it later with hearing loss, but it wasn't a problem at all when the hearing loss happened while someone was shooting at them.

rc

 

[Sam1911]

Is anything like this available for an AR 15 and if so, where?

Noveske is generally geared toward the AR-15 crowd. Here is the Firepig, again: http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bi...kx3556p&cat=141&page=1&search=&since=&status=

It does look a little funny, but how it works is really the crucial point. 'Course, you might not want one on your "looking at" rifle, just on your "shooting" rifle.

 

[MD_Willington]

The "Fire Pig" is simply a US made version of the Bulgarian AK-74SU "Beer Can" flash hider...

 

[Sam1911]

You mean AKS-74U?

Well, it is similar in some ways, but not in others. No cone -- in fact, no front cap at all. No gas vent cuts. Have you compared them side-by-side?

 

[thorazine]

I was recently reading an article on ar 15 pistols and sbr's.

Suppressor + a light pair of plugs works well.

 

[MD_Willington]

You mean AKS-74U?

Yes - sorry little mix up for "Ksyukha"

I agree the "FP" has no other parts, however it does appear to be machined internally like the business end of a trumpet, cone shaped. The "beer can" has an internal cone, is not considered a suppressor, so the internal cone must function in the same manner...

 

[Sam1911]

Gotcha! And for my part, when I think of the AKS-74U, I'm always picturing the Russian version hider: http://www.rusmilitary.com/images/aks74u_flash_hider.jpg

Obviously even mo' different...

 

[Justin]

Several LE SWAT teams in SoCal, use noise suppressors on all their long guns. This was due to too many LEOs making hearing loss medical claims and OHSA hinting to making noise suppressor use mandatory due to all the hearing loss claims.

Do you have a source for this?

I'd be particularly interested to know if the documentation from OSHA regarding such an order could be made public.

 

[Ironman]

Suppressor. Nuff said.

 

[northark147]

When I was in, I did it with a spoon... As in here is a spoon, suck it up..... Of course now I ask people to repeat themselves a lot

 

[MtnCreek]

Several LE SWAT teams in SoCal, use noise suppressors on all their long guns. This was due to too many LEOs making hearing loss medical claims and OHSA hinting to making noise suppressor use mandatory due to all the hearing loss claims.

Do you have a source for this?

I'd be particularly interested to know if the documentation from OSHA regarding such an order could be made public.

OSHA fines are made publicly available. As far as OSHA ordering a company / agency to use suppressors, it's doubtful there was an order, but I could see them 'hinting' at it as Quiet said (kinda like you friendly, local mobster hinting that you hire his firm for 'protection'). Usually, OSHA only orders someone to do something after they have been fined and they have agreed to a settlement to reduce the fines. FYI: If you ever get fined by OSHA, fight it and if you do not prevail, pay the fine; do not agree to a settlement to reduce fines.