Winchester SX-AR, to brake or not?

[bikemutt]

I waited a long time but finally scored a NIB SX-AR .308 today. This is basically the "hunting" clone to the FNAR.

My gunsmith wants me to have have the barrel threaded and install a muzzle brake. He has done this for several FNAR customers who really liked the result.

Regardless of the cost and any net advantage, one concern I have is it devaluing the rifle. They don't make these any longer and once that barrel is threaded, that's it.

Thoughts on whether this sort of modification would help, hurt or not affect resale, if that day ever comes?

 

[nearlynormalmike]

I don't know about gun values but I do know about hearing. If you choose to go with a brake NEVER fire it without the most ear protection you can get!
Trust me, I learned the hard way.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

Your gunsmith is trying to get in your pocket.

There is no reason in the world a gas-operated 9 pound 14 oz. .308 needs a muzzle break.

Unless you install muzzle brakes.
Or sell Hearing Aids.

rc

 

[bikemutt]

+1

Your gunsmith is trying to get in your pocket.

There is no reason in the world a gas-operated 9 pound 14 oz. .308 needs a muzzle break.

Unless you install muzzle brakes.
Or sell Hearing Aids.

rc

I'm inclined to agree, when I bought a Rem 700 .308 he wanted to do the same thing. I went and shot the thing and was puzzled about the recommendation since the recoil was fine. So now I've come to learn it's the followup shot that will be improved with the brake.

I'm going to pass on this one unless when I shoot this rifle tomorrow it tips me over backwards off my stool.

 

[TexAg]

Completely bogus. My SX-AR is a joy to shoot as is. It's one of the most comfortable guns to shoot.

 

[Boattale]

There's not a .308 on the planet that needs a muzzle brake. Not even somebody's ultralight custom. Because they had it made with a stock that fits and a good recoil pad when they ordered it.

 

[rcmodel]

unless when I shoot this rifle tomorrow it tips me over backwards off my stool.

I can Gay-Ron-Tee-Ya it won't.

Unless you are still a little wobbly from tonight.

rc

 

[Bill_Rights]

+1 for not necessary.

Try it; you'll like it (in factory stock form).

ON THE OTHER HAND,
A) I have contemplated getting the muzzle threaded on my FNAR for other purposes, such as a suppressor (which is kinda like a super brake + more), and
B) Many good suppressor manufacturers will fabricate a threaded cap to cover the threads (for protection when the suppressor is not installed) and to hide the fact that the gun is suppressor-ready (this is a law problem in some states, especially for hunting). The cap can be made and matched so that only hairline evidence of it's presence is visible, meaning that it will go unnoticed.

But if you really must cut metal on your new rifle, a worthy purpose would be to install a front iron sight, or a base or milled-flat/tapped holes for one. Or some other top-registered feature to secure a front sight. This is one of our (many owners) real beefs with an otherwise nearly perfect rifle. If you do this, let us know how it turns out. Seriously, there is a significant amount of (idle) chatter about this problem, for example on the FN Forum.

 

[Bill_Rights]

P.S. - I think a front sight mod would actually increase the value of any SX-AR or FNAR. But that's just me....

 

[adelbridge]

I shoot the big brother BAR .30-06 Longtrac and it isnt unpleasant. Winchesters are often investment grade guns and adding a brake will certainly devalue your gun. FYI keep your box and accessories as this always adds hundreds in resale value years down the road.

 

[bikemutt]

I was asked about a suppressor which I don't plan on for this gun. As it was explained to me, a suppressor has considerably less tolerance for being out of true with the barrel compared to a muzzle brake. Accordingly, more careful attention to the thread cutting operation is needed, which takes more time and costs more.

 

[barnbwt]

If I was gonna do a permanent modification to a quality arm like an SXAR, I would have it done well. Why bother getting it threaded "good enough" for a brake, when having it done right would allow you (or a future owner) to mount a suppressor properly? As has been said, the brake is not necessary; my FNAR stops moving around after firing long before my amateur's eyes reacquire the target, and the recoil is beyond painless. Firing as rapidly as I can "walk" the crosshairs across a target, I can get decently accurate (~4MOA) fire every second or so.

A brake would probably be needed if you're a SOT and desire a select-fire variant.

TCB

 

[Bill_Rights]

+1 for all of barnbwt's comments. I think I can go faster than 1 shot/sec and hold minute-of-torso (lid of 5-gal mud bucket) at 50 yds with the factory stock rifle. But this may be with "playing" the recoil recovery down-ride of the muzzle, firing again on the way down past the target. I think rapid-fire pistol and/or skeet/clay shotgunning techiques come into play for rapid follow-up shots with the FNAR/SX-AR. But the mere fact that we are talking about such things for a .308 Win full-power rifle is pretty stunning....

I beg leave to modify adelbridge's comments

Winchesters are often investment grade guns and adding a brake will certainly devalue your gun

A) RE investment grade: Hmmm. Coming from the FNAR side of the tent, up till recently all of FN's hardware has been either Military (hence unavailable) or Commercial/LEO. The FNAR is definitely in the Commercial/LEO category. All business. No frills. A bit on the plain-looking side. Rugged. A tool. The very concept of investment grade is alien. Is there such a thing as an investment grade Bobcat loader? Then neither is there an investment grade FN firearm of any type.

B) I cannot see how a high-quality threaded muzzle, with hairline-fitting cover cap, capable of properly supporting a suppresor can (and any other muzzle accessory), could ever devalue a firearm whose whole point is high-end firepower. I know this is a utilitarian view. But to be a collector's item in vintage factory as-made condition, I think a rifle has to have a "cult" following, which I think takes many decades to establish. I don't know.... I am not expressing myself well...