Tested the PWS FSC556 brake vs A2 birdcage on AR-15

[1KPerDay]

Primary Weapons Systems' FSC556 is a very effective, attractive, reasonably priced (depending on your outlook; it's about $90) brake that (ostensibly) has flash-suppressing capabilities. Dunno about that but it does help reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise significantly. I shot it back to back with my SP1, which in previous shooting back to back with my Palmetto mock Dissy felt exactly the same recoil-wise to me.

After installing the PWS FSC felt recoil and muzzle lift were reduced noticeably. Completely subjective test but whaddayagonnado.

video for any interested (click the gear symbol below the window to watch in HD if you want)

https://youtu.be/jxZa3Ap9dv8

 

[Zerodefect]

One of the best all around muzzle devices out there. And good looking to. Too bad it's $90+.

You may also want to try one of these:
http://precisionarmament.com/product/m4-72-tactical-compensator/

That's the mother of recoil control, twice as much compensation as the PWS556, but with more flash, and more concussion.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, looks loud! I'll check it out thanks.

 

[Inebriated]

I've been using the FSC-556 for something like a year now, and the FSC-47 for longer. It's a great combo device. A bit dated, compared to the Precision Armament EFAB/AFAB, KAC MAMS, etc., but it does a good job. The muzzle stability is ridiculous with it, and in my shooting at dusk, I get a small fireball in the comp portion about the size of a golf ball. It doesn't disrupt me as the shooter.

I have also used the BCM Mod 0 a lot, which errs more on the side of a flash hider than a compensator, but it's good too. Rarely any flash with it, just a lot of sparks, and it is a noted improvement over the A2 in muzzle stability. I look at it as an A2+. I like both, and even after over 2000 rounds between the two, I can't decide which I like best. Right now, the FSC is on my main rifle.

 

[1KPerDay]

been considering the 47 for my Vepr.

 

[eldon519]

That kind of surprises me on the muzzle rise. Per the Vuurwapenblog review, he found the A2 actually pushes the muzzle downwards which makes some sense given that it has an upward slot but no downward slot.

 

[Z-Michigan]

he found the A2 actually pushes the muzzle downwards which makes some sense given that it has an upward slot but no downward slot.

It's designed to do that, and it's not excessive for most shooters. There other compensators out there that impose a ton of downward force to the point of being distracting. The basic Nordic brake is one I found objectionable.

If you ever want to test this with an A2 or anything else, just loose install it on the barrel in its intended orientation, fire a few shots, then rotate it 180 degrees to be upside down and fire a few more. This will make it very obvious if there is a up or down push. It's obvious even with an A2 when testing this way.

 

[1KPerDay]

To be clear, the SP1 in the video has an A1 birdcage. But I shot it back to back with the Palmetto/A2 setup before the vid and judged muzzle rise and recoil between the SP1 and the Palmetto to be as identical as I could determine. to be a truly fair eval I should have fired identical rifles, barrels, gas systems, etc. but I don't have two identical ones to test.