Reducing AR recoil

[Z-Michigan]

In terms of devices, a compensator will do more with less hassle than most other options. But the already loud report of a 16" AR becomes a LOUD LOUD report. Shooting at a range while using a shell deflector (mesh screen) a couple feet right of my Armalite with a factory brake (ban era), it blows the screen (again, mesh!) almost a foot with each shot. You do not want be within 10' directly on either side when I'm shooting it. Other 16" AR's without brakes are not quite as loud, but do have more muzzle jump. The Armalite brake is very efficient and the recoil of that rifle is seriously not much if any more than a .22 LR.

I'll go +1 on the training too...

 

[Funderb]

heehee, down from a poke to a tickle!

 

[chriso]

Like i said PRACTICE.

 

[rob_s]

Forget gimmicks. Practice, practice, practice. Learning how to control a little muzzle flip is a fundamental aspect of shooting.

Exactly.

and if that doesn't work, you can go the sissy route and get a muzzle brake.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Edit- Horse- It is 16", no FPG, standing or at a bench it seems pretty similar to me.

The forward grip would help with flip -- get one and run it out on the rail as far forward as it will go and you should get less flip. Won't reduce recoil, but ergonomically it puts your body in a better position to control the rise.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Double tap

 

[chrissmallwood]

I dont have a railed handguard. Just standard carbine handguards.

 

[rino451]

9mm buffer.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Other than a good muzzle brake, I've found that a lightweight bolt carrier and buffer make a big difference in muzzle climb.

My match gun sports a JP aluminum bolt carrier and light buffer, along with an SJC Titan comp. It has about the same muzzle climb as a .22LR.

Be warned, light bolt carriers may affect your rifle reliability. It hasn't in mine, but you never know until you try...

- Chris

 

[rero360]

how are you standing when you shoot? I find that I get alot of muzzle flip regardless of the rifle in question when I shoot in a weaver style stance. However when I square myself more to the target, like a boxing stance, I have almost no muzzle flip at all, even with the M1.

Its to the point that the only time I shoot from the bladed stance is with the 10/22 and I'm going for small groups, otherwise I'm facing the target straight on.

 

[dispatch55126]

Everyone has mentioned either gadgets or practice. Both of which will work. I'd bet changing your foregrip location would help alot.

My P85 would get terrible muzzle flip, so much so in fact that I'd use my offhand trigger finger to try and pull the pistol down at the trigger guard. One of the range officials simply said "If that ain't working try the other". Anyways, instead of pulled down on the trigger guard, I started pushing up slightly. The pistol became more controllable and more accurate. Don't know why and it seems counter-intuitive, but it worked.

Point is, if gripping the foreend is causing excessive muzzleflip, try holding it at the magwell, or reverse. It may seem awkward, but it could help. Also, change the position of the buttstock in your shoulder pocket. I find that having mine ride high in the shoulder pocket is more stable.

 

[spec26]

I also used a cheapy but very nice UTG vertical grip when I had a 16" AR. It was comfortable and aided in keeping the front end down...On the SBR though it was too short to and light to really justify the VG.

Also I'm sure the barrel has something to do with it too. I would think an HBAR or Bull wouldn't kick up nearly as much due to the increased weight up front...

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Look into training on what is called a "fighting" stance or "boxing" stance, like rero360 mentioned. Pat Rogers has an excellent article in an older issue of SWAT describing the stance. From a stationary position, you can virtually eliminate recoil with good stance. Now when you are moving, the gun is moving and the target is moving... well good stance will work there too; but a compensator sure makes it easier to control with something less than a perfect stance.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I'm on board with everyone reccomending a good comp. And a supressor would be the best at this. But if you honestly go that route, be warned that your chamber/action gets dirty faster.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

For a good illustration of how well brakes (or compensators) can work to reduce muzzle rise, check out the "Recoil Management" video here:

http://jprifles.com/4.1.php

Toward the end of the video they have a guy dumping a mag through a comped shorty M16, one-handed, with no muzzle rise. Also provides a good illustration of what makes them so loud.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

The AR-15's we build with my company have virtually zero muzzle climb, even on full auto. We make our own muzzle breaks, redesigned the gas system, and added a few touches of our own to make it run like a well oiled machine, but it runs dry. We have 11" barrels that recoil like a 24" sniper barrel. It's possible, you just have to have the right components.