How effective are muzzle brakes on ARs?

[J_McLeod]

I have two ARs. Both have a 16" barrel, one has a carbine gas system and standard A2 brake. The other has a mid length system and a Rainier XTC. To me, the rifle with the Rainier device has noticeably less recoil and muzzle climb. I haven't noticed it to be any louder either. I'll probably buy a second one for my other rifle. Frequently the combination of a 14.5' barrel and a muzzle brake can be very loud.

 

[gotigers]

I just read the http://vuurwapenblog.com/?s=muzzle+brake. The statement below is just silly.

The BattleComp exhibits significant downward forces on the muzzle, driving it off target, and inhibiting the shooter's ability to keep the muzzle directly on target between shots.

I agree with everything else the blog states, but that quote is just silly. The rifle will have a bipod or a shooter hand supporting the rifle from below. I have never had a brake inhibit my site picture of my target. In every instance, a brake has helped my site picture for follow up shots. Also, why would most successful match shooters use a brake? Answer, because it helps.

 

[68wj]

Are you seriously asking that?

It's a really good device. Its hard to beat as a flash hider, and its not stupid loud.

Well, I was seriously asking him to expand on his A2 comment. I wanted to know if he feels that it has the effects of a brake or some other analysis of its use in the military.

 

[Torian]

Well, I was seriously asking him to expand on his A2 comment. I wanted to know if he feels that it has the effects of a brake or some other analysis of its use in the military.

To answer your question: no it does not function as a muzzle brake based on my experience.

The whole point for us is less noise and less muzzle flash/blast. Light and noise discipline are key...and a muzzle brake would defeat the purpose...particularly on a light recoiling caliber like the 5.56. The A2 does a moderately good job of both...but there are far better alternatives out there...such as the vortex.

 

[243winxb]

Waste of $ even on a M16A1 carbine with 14.5" bbl. on full auto. This one reduced recoil, made more noise, pushed the muzzle down & right, off target. (left hand shooter) On full auto, let the butt bounce off your shoulder, loose hold. This way the muzzle cant climb as easy. Rifle just sits there and vibrates. Bench shooting or off hand.

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[gunnutery]

Thanks for all the replies and insight. It's interesting that there ARE positives for a brake on a 5.56 AR. I wasn't sure if it was just something else to throw money at or if there were actual benifits. I think for what I need, the downsides outweigh the benifits. I'm trying to build a well rounded AR for SHTF (not trying to direct the thread that way, just advising the intended purpose) and it sounds like that appication would both benifit AND detract from attaching a brake.

This has been very enlightening.

 

[gotigers]

For your purposes, I think you made the correct choice. Neither of the ARs I would use in a SHTF or HD situation have brakes.

 

[Jersey Joe]

Someone mentioned being able to see your shots through your scope. If you're shooting for precision, you more than likely have a heavy barrel which reduces recoil and muzzle jump.

 

[Tirod]

Be careful, as the thread has discussed. Just because it screws onto the end of the barrel, similar looking muzzle devices do different things.

A flash hider does that - reduces or eliminates the flash at night. The modified M16 flash hider eliminated the downward slots to reduce kicking up dust. It throws a lot of sound forward.

Brakes are something else. Yes, they very much can push the barrel down enough to be just as bad as no brake. You don't get to use a bipod much in three gun, they aren't issue in the military, and if you are standing squared up with armor plate, your off hand is simply propping up the end of the barrel. Enough force down can and will overcome the pressure up. You'd have to hold it with a firm grip that would quickly fatigue the users.

Some muzzle devices can also redirect the sound to reduce the amount of noise thrown toward the user. I bought a Black River Tactical Covert Comp: http://www.blackrivertactical.com/product.html

The results of testing posted on the ARP website showed it reduced perceived noise at the shooter's ear a few decibels, less than the standard M16 flash hider. I built the gun for hunting, and I don't wear hearing protection for the one or two shots I might fire in a week long season. Since a suppressor was off the table (tho legal in MO,) I got the next best thing. Recoil reduction was not a priority, even with a 6.8. It works as tested. Under a concrete canopy at a local range, forgeddaboutit. You are toast.

Not all brakes are noisier, not all brakes are even brakes. The real description for the category is "muzzle device," and they do not all work the same. Some are much worse than others for the money, and it seems the more aggressive the looks, the higher the price. I suspect testosterone influences the buying decision more than research and common sense. For the 10X increase in price, it's a serious race gun expense most never see, they don't shoot good enough to notice. It's a Barbie doll accessory.

 

[Orion8472]

I opted against a brake and for flash hiding. Smith Vortex.

 

[hatzing]

The effect of the muzzle break really isn't anything notable on an AR-15. The AR already has extremely low recoil, all the muzzle break really does is make the gun louder honestly.

 

[gotigers]

The effect of the muzzle break really isn't anything notable on an AR-15. The AR already has extremely low recoil, all the muzzle break really does is make the gun louder honestly.

You, obviously, have never measured split times on target, before and after a brake. I have, A good brake DOES significantly help. I have the SJC Titan. It is a beast. I've had the Miculek as well. It is also very good. Other good brakes are the Cooley and Rolling Thunder.

Like I said earlier. If brakes don't work, then why do most successful 3 gunners use them.

Everyone that shoots my 3 gun AR is amazed how much less movement there is with my AR vs theirs.

That doesn't mean a brake should be used for any other reason than a match. I would not have a brake on any kind of AR for defensive purposes.

 

[Scojen]

I have a brake just like the one in post # 30 say what you want I also have a tri burst trigger set on a Colt Match H bar at 25 yds you get a triangle pattern in the prone position it will keep all three in a 1.5" circle at 100 yds. on an IPSC target you get 6" group. Works for me.

 

[NWcityguy2]

The effect of the muzzle break really isn't anything notable on an AR-15. The AR already has extremely low recoil, all the muzzle break really does is make the gun louder honestly.

You'll see comments like these online from random shooters but you won't hear them in real life from 3-gun competitors. The muzzle brake is the single best way to reduce recoil and muzzle rise. It is more effective than any one of the following... rifle length gas systems, extra rifle weight, adjustable gas blocks and low mass bolt carriers.

The only single thing more effective at controlling recoil than a brake is proper shooting technique.

 

[d2wing]

The reason for the flash hider in the Military is to reduce muzzle flash, captain obvious. It dissipates the gas so your position is less obvious in a firefight especially at night. It is designed so more gas is directed upward and to the sides to stabilize the muzzle and reduce muzzle climb in full auto and reduce dust. Also it is to protect the muzzle in mud and snow. It is not a muzzle break as it doesn't direct gases to the rear. I hope this clears things up for you.

 

[CSC_Saint]

As a smaller guy, and having lost a lot of strength due to injury the last couple years, I've noticed a few things, that apply to me and maybe not others: 5.56 has more felt recoil than .223, and more muzzle jump, it also seems much louder(but 5.56 may have left me too deaf to hear how loud .223 really is). Mid-length gas systems seem to have significantly less recoil and noise than carbine length. Muzzle brakes don't seem to rid muzzle climb, just felt recoil, flash hiders don't do jack about felt recoil or muzzle climb, and compensators seem to do the best about muzzle climb.

A combination of using .223 with a mid-length gas tube with a S&W elongated A2 style hider seems to be the best in recoil/muzzle climb mitigation that I've used. It's a shame S&W doesn't seem to offer it by itself, they tout it as being proprietary and the latest greatest, but it only comes on the VTAC 2, which I just happened to buy for my wife(really for me)

 

[benzy2]

In my experience I find that while an AR is soft recoiling, it does have noticeable recoil which slows shot splits down with the standard birdcage. I don't use a muzzle brake on my ARs but I'm also not competing for time or willing to accept their drawbacks for their benefits.

If muzzle rise is an issue, a proper brake is a real benefit. If you can live with the way a standard flash hider feels, keep it and enjoy it. Really comes down to what you want most out of the rifle.

 

[Tirod]

I wouldn't go so far as to say that non competition users have no need for a brake. Hog hunters in Texas are in that position - multiple shots at a target rich scene and no time to waste putting them down.

So, if it works on live game, it's not necessarily wrong for combat. However, the armed forces have their budgets and reasons to not bother. In Korea, a suppressor is standard issue to every soldier, and the trend is spreading beyond the upper tier users here. Many states are now allowing suppressed hunting, which is the defacto standard in Europe for any shooting outdoors in most countries. We are just hampered by political concerns.

So the scene is changing a bit every year. Plenty of good reasons to use them, comp, brake, or suppressor.

 

[hentown]

I have two ARs. Both have a 16" barrel, one has a carbine gas system and standard A2 brake. The other has a mid length system and a Rainier XTC. To me, the rifle with the Rainier device has noticeably less recoil and muzzle climb. I haven't noticed it to be any louder either. I'll probably buy a second one for my other rifle. Frequently the combination of a 14.5' barrel and a muzzle brake can be very loud.

The "standard A2 brake" isn't a brake; it's a flash suppressor. They're not the same.

 

[B!ngo]

This is all true regarding the use and value of 3-gun shooters. I've been in touch with some highly rated 3-gunners and they've recommended the Titan to me in the past.
But the other truth is that not many of us are running in 3-gun matches. In 3-gun, you're not surrounded by other shooters, your cares are much more focused on clock time not sound pressure levels, flying dirt or peripheral impact to others.
The net is, to me at least, that a brake for a typical .223 firearm, in most civilian modes of use is more pain than pleasure. But if the time-on-target really matters, you're not surrounded by and not going to inconvenience others, and don't care about the sound yourself (which though louder can be covered by your own ear protection) then go for it.
I, for one, have Titan that I'd be willing to sell
B

You'll see comments like these online from random shooters but you won't hear them in real life from 3-gun competitors. The muzzle brake is the single best way to reduce recoil and muzzle rise. It is more effective than any one of the following... rifle length gas systems, extra rifle weight, adjustable gas blocks and low mass bolt carriers.

The only single thing more effective at controlling recoil than a brake is proper shooting technique.

 

[gotigers]

I have more than one AR. My 3 gun AR has a brake and my SBR has a brake/can mount. The others have flash hiders. So, there is no reason not to have one on my 3 gun AR. Most 3 gun shooters, have more than 1 AR. If you're shooting 3 gun, you should expect loud brakes. Even in USPSA, most of the open shooters have brakes. Those open pistols are loud. I would never be offended by the noise. Otherwise, find another shooting sport. No offense, but we will have brakes on our guns.

As I said earlier, I don't see a need for a brake outside a match and I would not use one on a HD or SHTF AR.