Posted on April 16, 2023
by 
0 I measured how far the rig slid back for each shot. Along with a good trigger, a muzzle brake or compensator is absolutely crucial component for shooters involved in competition shooting with their ARs. The recoil from a 5.56 is quite mild. Precision Armament Ar-15 M4-72 Severe-Duty Compensator DLC Brake. Were that sled results do not equate perfectly to shoulder results Id agree with you across the board, especially if were pointing out that a lot of it has to do with subjective vs. objective rather than trying to say the sled is flawed, which I dont believe is a fair implication at all. I noticed in the comments that many mention about how these affect your neighbors on the range, but maybe there are some compensators that wont disturb your neighbor as much but will still help with accuracy. Again, I tell them Thats going to hurt. In this case, a little more mass is a Good Thing. doesnt need to be registered, can have a standard mag release.) For the most part, they match the performance of a bulkier design, without the added weight and length. DeSantis Gunhide Question of the Day: Who Have You Taught to Shoot Lately? baffles and/or gas ports, etc., but baffles definitely above all), its fine under CA law. Im still not a big black oxide (or parkerizing) fan, but White Sound has done it as nicely as it can be done, and the machining on the FOSSA is super clean. There will be a fourth test soon, but the Paladins wont be in it. Even off a bipod taking precision shots at a few hundred yards, when the crosshair doesnt leave the target you can drill the snot out of the thing while seeing your own hits rather than fire then spend two seconds trying to find the target in your zoomed-in scope picture again. VG6 Precision Epsilon This is one of our absolute favorite muzzle devices. They make it in both. However, Im not sure what you expect the guy who has one, who maybe has to frequent the indoor range to sight in his 3gun rifle, to do. Diameter(at largest point): 0.866 Last but not least is the White Sound Defense FOSSA-556. Material: 17-4PH stainless steel Its more compact, but its still a recoil cutting beast with an over 68% reduction. If nothing else, its a really cool exercise in what can be done with extreme-precision manufacturingalthough there still are a few little melty mistakes from the wire either at the start or end of its pass for most of the longitudinal grooves. Its pleasant to shoot, although its the same on all four sides so it could kick up dust pretty well from prone. In general, the amount of recoil reduction youll see in a brake is a function of how much surface area is normal to the bore axis. If flash suppression or the feelings of your shooting buddies to the left and right of you are not major concerns, then a muzzle brake is what I would go with provided one was within my budget. My opinion is that if youre using a muzzle brake on a firing line at a public range, youre an asshole. It isnt a scientific test in a lab with closely controlled variables. Man I hope they can make one for that Serbu .50 BMG single-shot I have my eye on. I may or may not have used a screwdriver. If a #4 is done Id be interested to see how they perform. No Change White Sound Defense FOSSA-556. Comps, as opposed to pure brakes, have a DOWNWARD push to them as well. All of the data here has been converted from that to decimals. When I went to a featureless lay out, I had to ditch my A2. Thanks, Thanks for this thorough review. But my guess is a lot of people buy these things just because.. Last time I was there, I got assigned the bay next to a guy who was shooting an AR with a VG6 Epsilon. Diameter(at largest point): 1.0 Only at close-up inspection do minor flaws in machining and finish become apparent. I didnt take the replacement, though, as running a 1/2-28 thread tap through it Melonite is really hard, by the way resolved the problem completely. The utility in cutting recoil by a huge percentage is very clear for many types of shooting. No Change Tactical Advantage Armory BC-23 Compensator Material: Grade 5 titanium Finish:nitride Yup, Strike makes some awesome values. Once the sleeve is timed to ones preference, the end cap is torqued down and three set screws lock it and the sleeve solidly in place. Maybe if youve had rotator cuff surgery, or youre shooting a full-auto rifle. For Hannibal actually Im pretty sure we ended up losing muzzle brakes on appeal. Finish:Ionbond DLC MSRP:$74. MSRP:$249.99. Finish:black I do not foresee a muzzle brake test where I focus on suppressor-accepting brakes. If the shooter doesnt allow the gun to push them back and holds the gun against their shoulder properly so the stock doesnt roll up their shoulder, then the muzzle of an AR will not rise on them. MSRP:$249.99. Changes I would make would be eliminating the sliding friction like what youre talking about (although my rig would be quite different from your hanging rifle idea), and controlling the temperature, humidity, and ammunition temperature very tightly. Elite Muzzle Brake This black nitride finished steel muzzle break has a classic design that has proven to work. Material: steel My guess is that the additional 3 ounces of weight represents about 1.5% of the rigs (rest + rifle) total weight. The full size 2 port brake was my actual point of contention with the Paladin being referred to as an inferior compromise that still performs somewhat even on on a 16 308. If you do a 4th muzzle brake test can you do two additional tests / experiments beyond your normal routine? All of those companies make unsubstantiated claims about the recoil reduction of their brakes and for many of us that could be the deciding factor on which suppressor we end up buying since all of these cans are coming to within a few Db of each other as the technology improves. Its never made it into the field because I like to be able to hear what goes on around me and Im too cheap to buy electronic ear pro. Material: Grade 5 titanium I was simply suggesting doing a test or two to see how much of a factor it is. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/firing-ar-15-horrifying-dangerous-loud-article-1.2673201. Now, in practice most people simply go by the rule that if the company doesnt advertise any flash reducing benefits of the device and if the device has clear elements designed for reducing recoil (e.g. Thanks again for a great informative shootout. Here is my shortlist, of what I like as the best Best AR-15 Muzzle Brakes, with expanded comments below. It just might make it civilized to shoot. Well the A2 is a flash hider, as you stated. For multiple reasons. No Change Troy Industries Proctor Muzzle Brake anyway, in my experience while a couple no/low-flash shots might be a fluke, if a muzzle device throws a giant fireball its something youre going to see repeatedly from it, Thanks for all your work on the tests theyve helped me in my purchase decisions as well as being quite interesting. Without one, youre at a distinct disadvantage because they so dramatically help to mitigate recoil. There is nothing mechanical about the function of the firearm that causes the muzzle to go up. Finish:LifeCoat The article Ive linked below explains why. Id love to see them offer this brake in a simpler, lighter, less-expensive version sans the suppressor mounting elements, and Im sure it would sell like crazy. Clearly, a lot of people find the triangular shape compelling and wanted to know how the recoil reduction stacks up. Recoil test results for all of the entrants can be seen in the graphs and tables below. Weight:2.637 oz If Im planning on a day of shooting, I just drive up to the mountains and shoot in peace. The selection of the right muzzle device for your AR-15 can make a tremendous difference in its overall feel and performance. Now Im not. Finish:raw Weight:3.845oz any data on the strike cookie cutter for a 556 pistol? Much to my surprise, Griffins M4SD Flash Comp beat the Hammer Comp on recoil reduction by 5%. You are here: cape breton post latest obits; david caruso art business; core15 muzzle brake . At best I think downwards force needs to be tunable, because an experienced shooter with a stable shooting position who doesnt allow the rifle to roll up their shoulder or to push their torso back will shoot much better with a neutral muzzle device than one that pushes the muzzle down on each shot. Forum. Diamondheads T-Brake was a hot request in the comments of muzzle brake test #1 and #2, both here and on YouTube. Rainier Arms Xtreme Tactical Compensator (XTC) 2.0: Rainier Arms XTC 2.0 looks like its attacking me from the future. Length:1.71 Length:2.373 I dont even believe muzzle rise exists in the AR platform as a function of the firearm itself but is, rather, completely caused by the shooter and to different degrees by different shooters, which is why you cant properly compensate for it with a muzzle device unless its tunable for that (and some of them are!). As a postscript to my last post, I will say that I can well imagine why you might be reluctant to consider doing the test I propose. Lancer Nitrous AR-15 Compensator .223/5.56 1/2-28. Weight:6.138oz Thats a 4 year old design if I am not mistaken. VG6 Precisions EPSILON 556 affords you the best muzzle control and recoil mitigation the industry has to offer. Test #4, then , The JP Standard and JP Recoil Eliminator brakes did well in the first test. Whether caused by variations in ammunition or other factors, it might suggest caution in attributing variations in visible flash solely to a given muzzle device. But the next time you test a group of compensators, could you test three different areas (recoil reduction, side blast, and noise) and which gives you the best in all three areas. Designed to shoot both .223 REM & 5.56X45MM, the Schmeisser S60 will give you an instant capacity upgrade over the standard AR mag at an affordable price for your AR Carbine or Pistol. Use a material thats a bitch to machine, use one of the slowest machining technologies out there (EDM) and top the market in price. No wrench flats, despite a perfect place for them. Machining and finish is as nice as it gets from any company. Absolutely top-notch. Im looking to prevent the fast fire AK style of muzzle rise. Finish:blackmatte QPQ nitriding (dark grey matte thick carburizing in titanium) Anti-American scum. Plus, if you like your rifle having clean lines this is perfect. I did a scatter plot of recoil vs. price. MSRP:$89.99. This little guy, regardless of whether its a brake or a break, punches well above its weight class. I also prefer completely neutral brakes like your brakes, which I mentioned in various places in this article, as muzzle rise isnt an inherent feature of the AR but is due to the shooter to varying degrees. Wait, in front of the ports? While the RAC was nitrided, this XTC is bead blast bare stainless, although both brakes are available in either finish. Have you tested a Lantac Dragon have not seen it in the recoil tests but saw one in the flash hider tests. But, the extra muzzle flash and explosion of firepower would definitely have soiled his panties!!! Tiger Rock A2 Stainless Steel Muzzle Brake / Flash Hider This supremely affordable offering from Tiger Rock is billed as both a muzzle brake and flash hider. Click here to jump to its point in the video, and here for the additional M4-72 vs. Titan back-to-back testing. 1) Jerry Miculek 5.56 muzzle brake, 2) Lantac Dragon As with the AFAB, machining and finish are as good as it gets. Simply twist on the brake until it's tight and you're done. In Flash Hiding Test #2 we saw that the Punisher is brighter than an A2 birdcage, but stealthier than most any typical brake. With the exception of shooting in a speed-related competition where I want the best brake possible, I shoot suppressed. Additionally, once you have a suppressor and a gun that accepts it you dont tend to shoot it unsuppressed a whole lot, eh? Im fully willing to believe that this was a complete and total fluke, and Armageddon Tactical immediately offered a replacement, no questions asked, while also stating that theyll be upping their inspection protocol to ensure this cant happen in the future. Then I stood by my buddy at the range while he shot his braked .308, and I came to the conclusion that using such a device at a range with other people in close proximity is just inconsiderate. Weight:5.573oz (as tested in copper), 0.95 oz in titanium, 1.7 oz in steel A flash hider works by rapidly cooling and then dispersing expelled gas, or redirecting the gases that exit the muzzle upon firing. To attempt to do perfect Id be spending like 10 grand hahaand I think wed end up seeing these brakes perform and rank (ranking compared to each other) so very close to whats in these tests that it wouldnt even almost be worth the time or money. But I also had the wrong lower on the gun. In this test against tough competitors it ended up middle-of-the-road, but over 60% recoil reduction is nothing to sneeze at. And chose the threaded Griffin Armament Flash comp. Thanks again. How durable do you think the copper brake will be? I believe the blast/wind from both of these brakes is approximately equivalent, but the Titan may have a little more concussion that your neighbors at the range will feel. Weight:2.271 oz With a lot of these brakes I fired them offhand prior to the tests (for this test, for instance, I was collecting brakes for almost a year before finally doing the test! Sporting a proven design, these brakes redirect most of the gasses out to the side ports for reduced felt recoil. Weight:16.8 oz I also go with a muzzle break if I know I am going to be shooting a lot of rounds over the course of a day or two. It looks unique, but Im not sure it has a real performance purpose other than kicking up dust if youre shooting prone. Length:2.36 Its adjustable allegedy, and also 160$. Have you guys tested the um tactical rage? Weight:4.092 oz flat surfaces) show how this rule applies. All of the public ranges around Denver are indoor. Or at least a very competitive price. Its pretty cool in that it works with almost any brake or comp on the market and allows you to essentially turn it into a linear comp in a couple seconds. A new champion has been crowned! Seems like it would be kind of cool to do in conjunction with this, but I totally understand the logistics of it could be staggering at best. And sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but pretty new to shooting ARs as I just recently escaped an oppressive state that doesnt allow them. One thing you should know when it comes to muzzle brakes on an AR If you select a muzzle brake as your muzzle device, while youll have lesser felt recoil, you and the shooters around you may very well notice an increase in sound, as well as concussion. Its longer, so it may not work with some other brands of suppressors made to mount on an A2. Weight:4.586oz (2.68 oz in titanium) Dead/ Bad Links Kahntrol Solutions 3-Gun Brake Finish:bead blast or many Cerakote color options Fortis 5.56MM Muzzle Brake This 4140-nitride coated steel muzzle brake that helps with both muzzle rise and felt recoil. And Im pretty sure that I remember reading the juggerbrake review. Finish:black hard anodized Id basically choose the best-performing brake thats compatible with a blast shield, and ensure that its a blast shield that can go on and off easily/quickly. While I cant really come up with anything that would make sense to mount to this thing, Id just like to point out that the Tufforce website suggests that one of the best options is a front sight. As a NooYawkuh, small part of me is almost thankful for that provision of the SAFE Act, as many of the brakes have disappeared. The tough guys always tell me No problem here man, Ill just tough it out.. We found in Flash Hiding Test #2 that its about 37% brighter than an A2, which is asignificant flash reduction vs. a bare muzzle, and in this test we see that it cuts recoil almost in half, putting the A2 to shame. Thats about what most AR furniture is to gun fitting. You can find the first one here,the second one there, and a .30 caliber version here. In the case of this test, two shots were fired with each brake while on the test rig (some were fired outside of the testing) and a handful of them appeared in the FH testing, too. There are three main types of muzzle devices for your AR-15: flash suppressors/flash hiders, muzzle brakes and compensators. This will determine if the weight of the muzzle brake is one of the factors in the effectiveness of one at reducing recoil. If u use the numbers for that comp in the first test, then technically it still beat out the winner of the third testonly by a hundredth of an inch, but it still scored betterso why is it the numbers for that comp are so different? VG6 DELTA VG6 designed this flash hider as an alternative to the standard A2. The noise, muzzle flash, and concussion were so obnoxious that every time he shot I flinched. On the competitive side of the fence, we now see muzzle brakes which can act as compensators. Hunting predators at night, unless you have access to thermal or night vision well, lets just say preserving your ability to see is quite important. Recoil distance was measured in 1/16 increments. Theyre nice for many reasons, and its a great option for a standard home defense gun, where you might be keen to protect your night vision, should something bad go bump in the night. Diameter(at largest point): 0.866 One shot can display a lot of flash, a second shot none, and a third something in between. Machining is excellent, except for the wavy side edges (Im assuming they should be dead straight) of those front wings above and below the III ports. Length:2.314 Weight:2.55 oz On a .223/5.56 AR my preference is that I really dont want any downwards force on the muzzle at all. Less obvious is the Punishers muzzle rise compensation, which comes from the top slot between prongs starting sooner (closer to the muzzle) than the others, meaning gas and pressure will begin venting out of it first and providing a muzzle rise-reducing downwards force. With no shortage of blast and concussion its sure to wake the neighbors, but youll be happy in the knowledge that youjust sent 62% of your rifles recoil energy their way instead of into your shoulder. But for 3 gun competitors that doesnt matter as much I guess. If you center the end of the buffer tube on a solid object, even if its just a small point like a trailer hitch ball on a truck, the gun will stay completely rock steady even with a bare muzzle. It wont matter which muzzle brake you choose, it will fit and work well with any muzzle device that is worth buying. Pretty much every muzzle device available technically reduces flash as compared to the bare muzzle. Another user who can benefit from a flash hider is someone in law enforcement who is looking to attenuate muzzle flash to protect their night vision. New price $92 Dead Air Armament Keymount Muzzle Brake Actually, most of it is crisp and clean, but on the flat, recessed area on both top and bottom and the wrench flats at rear, there are obvious tool marks that are deep enough to be felt with a fingernail. So, you chose a bunch of 10 year old antiques from GRIFFIN ARMAMENT instead of their current manufacture taper lock suppressor mount models? Jeremy is TTAG's Deputy Editor, working mostly behind the scenes but, when he attempts to write, he focuses on comprehensive gun & gear reviews. Weight:3.101oz As a bonus, some flash hiders do tend to at least slightly lessen felt recoil. One group of shooters that prefer a muzzle device like a muzzle brake are competition shooters. Another setup I am considering is a dedicated flash suppressor with compensation like like the Surefire Warcomp and deal with recoil through other means. They are hybrids which attempt to both suppress flash and mitigate recoil. If youve always wanted a V12 on your rifle, look no further. ^^^^^^^. Finish:machined copper (as tested), also available Cerakoted, nitrided, and other finishes depending on metal Finish:black (it looks parkerized) I dont love recoil, but if I can manage 40 rounds through my 8lbs with scope Sako .308 bolt gun with no muzzle device and maybe have only a slightly tender shoulder wearing a t-shirt, I think with probably a 9lb semi-auto Ill manage just fine. Diameter(at largest point): 1.081 There has been a lot of back-and-forth in the industry about swappable suppressor end caps, though, with some stating that theyre nothing but a marketing ploy to sell accessories while some insist that theyre truly effective at reducing volume levels when shooting smaller diameter calibers through an oversized bore. Material: 4140 steel or 17-4 stainless steel I wasnt suggesting you tune it out across the whole field. Round ports at a ~45 angle to the round bore makes for an interesting internal shape where port and bore meet to create baffle, and it certainly seems to work. wish the newish JP 3 port brakes had made it into this test. Length:2.106 From a physical standpoint, youll notice it is an extended version of the A2 flash hider found on the M16 and M4 series of rifles. Weight:1.67oz So, yes, its definitely possible that peoples subjective opinions of more/less recoil will not perfectly align with these objective test results. I would like to see some of AR15performance.com flash and breaks tested. I always tell them: Thats going to hurt. They tell me Oh, but Im going to have this super-duper muzzle brake!. Pop. Try giving it a second look plus, theres a recoil reduction performance-per-dollar graph, MSRP listed in the stats for each brake under their heading and photograph (all alphabetical in the article), AND the Excel doc with all of the data is linked so you can download it and do things like sort them all by MSRP, by weight, or by whatever you want, he SJC Titan reduced recoil by 78.18%. Material: 6061-T6 aluminum Diameter(at largest point): 0.951 Its an effective dual chamber brake with top vents to combat muzzle rise, muzzle prongs for flash reduction, and no flaws or tool marks that I can see. Do you have a suggestion? New price $123 Diamondhead T-Brake Muzzle Compensator Weight:3.15oz The same can not be said if one is spotting for the M4-72 my cousin bought after the first test. They are hybrids which attempt to both suppress flash and mitigate recoil. Length:2.562 Extremely valid point. Length:1.808 Diameter(at largest point): 0.852 That said, Dead Airs pricing is far lower than the typical QD-mount brake, and its a good looking, flawlessly machined and finished piece. THAT SAIDif it mattersall of my rifles wear a bare muzzle so I can swap suppressors around on them. I can tell you that if you look here (https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/regs/fsor.pdf), starting in the middle of Page 2, youll see how the final definition came to be and what the thought process was behind it. Material choice and machining are top quality. Bad things often happen at night, and preserving your vision in a life-threatening situation is absolutely vital. If so, which ones? While youll love the improved impulse control, the guys at the booth next to you at the range might not be quite so enamored with your ARs upgraded muzzle device. Finish:bead blast titanium or many Cerakote color options We clearly have a lot of good options. No timing is required. Regardless, this is a very good-looking, very effective compensator and like everything from Hiperfire, its both well thought out and not quite like anything else out there.