Tanker M1 muzzle brake questions

[Ian]

I have a tanker M1 (in .308), any I'm considering mounting a brake on it. I'm not too concerned with the recoil force, but I would like to reduce the muzzle jump a bit, if I can. Also, reducing muzzle flash would be a good thing (I can see a nice fireball even in the daytime...).

I've seen the Smith Enterprises brake, but it seems awfully expensive at $75. I've also not seen much about its effectiveness, either pro or con. Does anyone have firsthand experience with them?

Alternatively, does anyone know of another available brake that I might use? Reese Surplus advertises BM59 brakes, but that seem rather huge at 5+ inches long. I'm not sure I want quite that much more weight hanging off the muzzle (yeesh, do I sound picky).

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

(Edit: Since the rifle is an M1 Garand, I don't have to worry about any AWB restrictions of flash suppressors)

 

[Chris Rhines]

Best muzzle brake that I've ever used is the JP Bennie Cooley Tactical model. http://www.jprifles.com/BennieCooleyEliminator.shtml

It runs around $90, but it works like nothing else I've even seen. A .308 AR-10 Open rifle equipped with this felt more like my bare-muzzle AR-15.

- Chris

 

[Ian]

Most interesting...I'll call them in the morning and inquire about an M1-compatible version.

 

[Badger Arms]

I use the Smith Enterprises brake. It's highly effective. The gun feels like a semi-auto 243 but barks like a 7mm Magnum. It's not so bad in the open when you are behind the gun. Cuts muzzle rise to nearly nil. My sights move a little up but I can usually see the dust brust on the berm from behind the sights. WARN THOSE NEXT TO YOU prior to shooting it, though. As for the expense, it was WELL worth it if you are just shooting the gun. Really makes it a much more pleasant experience. I put it on a gun with the intent of letting the kids blast away and have fun, but I'll admit that I use it all of the time while they shoot the pre-ban M4gery. But then again, the M4gery has a Smith brake as well!

 

[Badger Arms]

Here's my AR and Garand brakes.

 

[blfuller]

I have one on one of my M1's and it works great. You might want to read the National Rifleman article on the Smith brake that is posted on the Smith Enterprises website. I seriously doubt there is a version of the JP Bennie Cooley Tactical for the M1 garand.

There also is the option of using one of the Tricompensators for the Beretta BM59. You can adapt these to your M1 Garand fairly easily and they are only $44.95 from Reese Surplus. They are about 5" long though.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Oleg has one... you might drop him a PM about it.

 

[shoobe01]

I have a Smith brake (looks like the same port configuration) on my FAL. A quality product, lovely shooting, and doesn't seem to hurt the accuracy. Forays below 2 moa with military ball at 300 yds prone w/o rest or 'pod.