Linear compensators. A search here gives....4 results. Hmm

[Tallbald]

As the new owner of an AR pistol (kit) one thing that stands out in reviews of AR pistols is the loudness to the shooter and bystanders. A "linear compensator " type muzzle break was suggested at some point. But I only find 4 results on on a search of the phrase here on THR. I'd never heard of them until now. Are these so new that few have them who can speak to the effectiveness of directing blast forward and away from the shooter and bystanders maybe?
For the price point I see in a search of models ($40 up to maybe $100), and given the simplicity of design, perhaps they would be a good investment in hearing protection. I'd still use ears at the range, but the idea has me curious.
I wonder though if turbulence behind the projectile from the concentrated and forward-directed blast wave would negatively impact accuracy? Shares of experience and thoughts appreciated. Don.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Here are a few..

https://www.deltateamtactical.com/R...Muzzle-Brake-Nitride-Made-In-Usa-_p_6136.html

https://www.primaryarms.com/troy-claymore-muzzle-brake-1-2x28-sbra-clm-05bt-00

https://www.primaryarms.com/troy-claymore-muzzle-brake-7-62-5-8x24-multi-caliber-sbra-clm-06bt-00

https://www.cbcindustries.com/products/ar-15-linear-compensator-kw-1-28-223-5-56/

https://www.cbcindustries.com/products/ar-15-linear-compensator-556-223-gen-2/

Or you could just go with a simple flash can.
https://riflesupply.com/Guntec-Slim-Flash-Can-Muzzle-Device_p_1140.html

 

[Tallbald]

Goodness and thank you. I'll grab a second afternoon cup of coffee and begin reading. Don.

 

[alfsauve]

I have a LeVang linear comp on my home defense AR. My purpose is not to make the retort nor the flash less, but to make it more. These comps direct all the flash and sound forward. In the confines of my house, if I shoot at someone, I want them and anyone downrange with them to experience the maximum amount of shock and awe. What I don't hit, I want to give them reason to pause and reconsider whether they really want to advance any further or not. I did a video at an indoor range and it makes a pretty impressive downrange fireball.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...levang-linear-1-2-28-thread-ar-15-steel-matte

 

[entropy]

I put an AR Stoner one from Midway on my 7" AR because I took the advice I got here, and it made a lot of difference. I hope I never have to shoot it at someone, but I would think it would give the newly deceased's partners in crime somewhere else to be real fast if it came to that.

 

[imashooter]

I have 2 Kaw Valley linear comps. One on a 5.56 pistol of 8.5" length. Outdoors only, I could sense the difference in noise but not enough to justify the 40+ dollar price. I purchased it for another reason (the solid exterior surface). Having fired it prior with the A2 flash hider (ancient set of protective hearing muffs worn) I didn't notice much difference between the 8.5 and any 16" barrel.

The other is on my 15-22 (.22lr). Not a huge difference but enough difference where I'll probably leave it installed. The 15-22 is used primarily between 9pm and 1am for armadillo and skunk control. My main firing location is about 2-3 ft from a bedroom window. The wife never hears the shots but then again she didn't hear them pre-comp.

 

[Tallbald]

Thanks folks for the replies. Moderators please accept my apologies for posting in the wrong sub-section, and thanks for moving the question to the appropriate area. Don.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Kaw valley is a good one.

The Noveske "pig" works well.

Thoae are the only ones I have experience with.

 

[Varminterror]

Linear compensators aren’t new. Kaw Valley Precision Linear Compensators are what I use the most in recent years, I got to know them a bit when I was in college up that way, and they do a nice job on all of their products.

 

[Browning]

Before I bought an AR pistol I'd heard how loud they were and how much blast they had ... after I bought it and shot it a bit I didn't think that it was really all that loud. So I never bought a Noveske Pig or a Flash Can (the two I looked at the most back then).

I'd be curious about impressions of how well it kept the muzzle in line for repeat shots. Recoil with a 5.56 isn't much at all, but the muzzle still moves offline in strings.

 

[js8588]

If you want one with a bit of "curb appeal" https://www.cobaltkinetics.com/product/linear-compensator-5-56

 

[Varminterror]

^some folks think the “street walkers” on south Broadway have curb appeal too, I guess there’s no accounting for taste.

 

[Varminterror]

I'd be curious about impressions of how well it kept the muzzle in line for repeat shots. Recoil with a 5.56 isn't much at all, but the muzzle still moves offline in strings.

If you need muzzle stability, then a multi chamber brake is your best answer. A Linear Compensator is less efficient for recoil than radial port brakes, especially less so than multi-chamber designs. They have less muzzle jump and recoil than a bare crown, but they don’t reduce recoil as much as brakes which redirect gas rearward.

That difference is what drives the lower volume at the shooter. I was thrilled last season to not even have ringing in my ears after I shot my buck, two shots, without ear pro, using a KVP linear comp. Any time I fire unprotected while hunting, I take mental note of how long it takes the ringing to subside, as a means of gauging the progression of my tinnitus. There was no increase in ringing at all - the woods were dead silent.

 

[greyling22]

try running a search for "levang" rather than linear compensators. I see 9 pages of results when I do that. I know I have posted my results a couple times. They were not favorable on a 16" ar. maybe they do some good on a pistol.....
this thread seems to be exactly your question. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ear-compensators-really.833190/#post-10776907

 

[Gordon]

Noveske KX3 on my short 5.56 and 7.62x39 for a decade and they really do make them bearable , especially in emergency type non range use. The cheaper Bulgarian made ones work OK too but are not that durable. I have a couple Troy Clamores on 14" 5.56 and they do make a difference in noise direction, but not too much else. I also have a Spikes Barking Spider 2 thingee , which is pretty kewl on my 10" .300 Blackout and well made and does a good job on flash and noise direction. it and the Noveske and Krinks are multi chambered units.

 

[Chuck R.]

Noveske KX3 on my short 5.56 and 7.62x39 for a decade and they really do make them bearable , especially in emergency type non range use. The cheaper Bulgarian made ones work OK too but are not that durable. I have a couple Troy Clamores on 14" 5.56 and they do make a difference in noise direction, but not too much else. I also have a Spikes Barking Spider 2 thingee , which is pretty kewl on my 10" .300 Blackout and well made and does a good job on flash and noise direction. it and the Noveske and Krinks are multi chambered units.

I'm currently in the process of a 10.5 300BLK build and looking at the Barking Spider.....in your opinion is it worth it????? I don't mind laying out the cash as long as it's worth the squeeze.

 

[Skylerbone]

Or if you need a really long one: https://www.kakindustry.com/ar-15-parts/upper-parts/kak-industry-extended-1-2-28-flash-can

I’m trying to decide between comp. and flash can, having removed the birdcage last night.

 

[Gordon]

The Barking Spider is very well constructed , it is versitile with added flash hider or recoil comp add ons. It works as well as Noveske KX3 and with the flash hider on cuts the flame better. I have only used it on my .300 pistol upper.

 

[Gordon]

here is a decent Barking Spider review

 

[amprecon]

I like the black river tactical fluted covert comp on my 6.8's