Swapping my M1A's Muzzle Brake for a Flash Suppressor, yay or nay?

[LoneStarWings]

I have an M1A scout that came with a muzzle brake from the factory.

I'm considering equipping it with a vortex flash suppressor.

Lately, I've noticed some ringing in my ears despite the fact that I wear double hearing protection when shooting. I think the report from the muzzle brake is finally taking its toll.

I'm considering swapping to the vortex to reduce the flash & report of the M1A. Also, the vortex will reduce the length of the rifle by 2" if I go with a gas-lock front sight (which unfortunately also reduces sight radius by an inch or so). I'm mildy concerned that the recoil will be nasty with the vortex, but honestly the kick of the m1a is not significant right now with the brake. I feel like I could take up to 20% more recoil without minding it too much.

Any opinions welcome.

 

[H2O MAN]

I replaced the original brake on my Scout with a neutered USGI flash hider the the correct taller front sight.
The flash hider had been reamed to NM specs and you can see it in this picture.

I replaced it with SEI's DC Vortex and GLFS-D-18 when I put the action in a SAGE EBR stock.
The GLFS-D-18 uses a standard or NM front sight and allows me to use SEI's M14DC sound suppressor

The recoil is the same, but you have a little extra muzzle rise with a flash hider.
.

 

[LoneStarWings]

Thanks H20. I don't think I will mind the muzzle rise because I generally use controlled breathing between shots and rarely shoot any faster than I breathe. This leaves more than enough time for the muzzle to drop back down. I guess it would be a little annoying when shooting from the bench, as the thing aready hops around pretty good, but I need to do less of that sort of shooting anyway.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'd personally put the FH on because it looks better to me, and the brake is annoyingly loud. YMMV

H20 that wood stocked bush/scout is frickin' sexy. *drool*


so's the sage, of course. You suck.

 

[highorder]

I'd personally put the FH on because it looks better to me, and the brake is annoyingly loud.

Agreed. The Vortex looks better.

 

[LoneStarWings]

Would you guys go with the hooded front sight or the traditional dove tail?


or

 

[ArmedBear]

It's a heavy gun, so recoil isn't too bad.

With a flash suppressor, you get rid of a lot of muzzle flash, and you will reduce the blast/sound that comes back to the shooter with a brake.

I'd go with the Vortex, because I think it offers more utility.

Muzzle brakes are great on .300 Weatherby and up, because some guns are nearly unshootable without them. Otherwise, they aren't so great IMO.

 

[highorder]

Would you guys go with the hooded front sight or the traditional dove tail?

I like the hood! I've never seen that on an M1a...

 

[H2O MAN]

The hooded sight is pretty cool and easy to use. I have one on my M21A5 in the RRM stock.



You can also see the front sight in this picture. Fast circle in the circle on the target of your choosing.

I like the hooded sight, but my other M14s have the dove tail GLFS because it allows me to
pick and choose between a few different front sights including this Tritium Bar Combat Sight.

 

[Maverick223]

I think all brakes should be swapped for flash suppressors on rifles with moderate/tolerable (IMO only excluding .338LM or greater recoil); however I would reconsider your choice of the Vortex, because it may deteriorate accuracy (according to DTA, which originally used it on all but the .338LM accuracy suffered so they discontinued the use of the Vortex). I haven't tried comparing accuracy, and it may only increase the error by 1/10MOA or so, but if you are trying to squeeze every tenth out of the rifle it may make a small difference. YMMV

 

[Rshooter]

I would go with the standard flash suppressor and the dove tail sight. I have a standard but I would love to have one of the scout configurations.