Adding Threads to the Barrel for a Muzzle Break?

[giants1]

Hi, all,

I'm still learning about AR-15s, so please pardon this post if it's newbie level.

I noticed that there's no thread on the end of the M&P 15 Sport ii barrel. I'm in California, so I can only legally have a muzzle break on featureless ARs, like the Sport ii.

I understand that the recoil is mild with ARs, so I wonder if there's any value in paying a gunsmith to thread the barrel? If so, what's a reasonable price I should expect to pay?

Also, can you recommend a brand of muzzle break?

Thanks

[vinn]

yes; let a pro. gun smith every time.

[M1903A3]

Definitely a job for a pro. Do the compliant versions NOT come with a muzzle brake or threads? Yikes.


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[giants1]

No threads on the Kalifornia version. That makes no sense from a compliance perspective, because a featureless rifle only disallows a compensation/flash hider, not threads or a fixed/removable muzzle break.

See here:
M&P 15 Sport II | Smith & Wesson

The 5.56/.223 is a mild round, so is it worth it to install a muzzle break to reduce recoil and muzzle climb?

[Heinz]

You are in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia. I would not take a chance on modifying the gun by adding barrel threads for as little gain as a muzzle brake would achieve. Who knows what would happen if they saw you had added a threaded barrel modification.

[Eric300]

The ends probably won't justify the means in this case. What you might consider is a slip-on/clamp-on muzzle brake if you really decide you want one. Under a c-note.

[SW Gun Guy]

Yup, no gain here. First you risk all the problems of changing the set up of a rifle in CA. Second, the recoil is not that big deal, so the muzzle brake is a needless expense. Last, most muzzle brakes do so by deflecting the blast sideways or backwards. If you go to a range, you will lose a few friends on either side of you or behind you watching.

[WR Moore]

FWIW, some years back a guy who apparently didn't read the rule book showed up at a duty gun match with an AR and one of those fancy muzzle brakes/compensators. This was verboten, but the Match Director looked at it, snickered and let him use it.

I happened to be passing far behind him when he started shooting under a covered firing point. The muzzle blast was obviously much greater than ususal and the muzzle flash lit up the area under the cover. And this was a day light match with bright sun.

[giants1]

Originally Posted by WR Moore

FWIW, some years back a guy who apparently didn't read the rule book showed up at a duty gun match with an AR and one of those fancy muzzle brakes/compensators. This was verboten, but the Match Director looked at it, snickered and let him use it.

I happened to be passing far behind him when he started shooting under a covered firing point. The muzzle blast was obviously much greater than ususal and the muzzle flash lit up the area under the cover. And this was a day light match with bright sun.

Interesting. Newbie question here: why did that happen?

[WR Moore]

When the projectile exits the barrel, so does a large qualtity of expanding gasses, muzzle blast and a flash caused by the burning of the propellant (powder). Mostly in the direction the barrel is facing. The design of that particular item was intended to maximize reduction of recoil/muzzle rise. As a result, the compensator/brake redirected those effects. On ranges, people with highly effective muzzle brakes aren't popular due to the increased noise/blast. Not that you need one on a 5.56 mm.

Since you apparently live in the PDRK, I doubt you'll ever get the chance to fire a plain rifle in dim light or the dark. If you stand slightly to the side while someone else does so, you see quite a light show.

[67tempest]

I happened to be passing far behind him when he started shooting under a covered firing point. The muzzle blast was obviously much greater than ususal and the muzzle flash lit up the area under the cover. And this was a day light match with bright sun.[/QUOTE]

The muzzle blast from the brake on my AR50 was brutal. The only safe place to be when it was fired was right behind the shooter. Any loose objects on the shooting bench would be blown onto the ground. I fired it a few times on a covered range and I cleared everybody out! I agree that a brake on a 5.56 AR isn't necessary.

[Frailer]

Originally Posted by giants1

Hi, all,

I'm still learning about AR-15s, so please pardon this post if it's newbie level.

I noticed that there's no thread on the end of the M&P 15 Sport ii barrel. I'm in California, so I can only legally have a muzzle break on featureless ARs, like the Sport ii.

I understand that the recoil is mild with ARs, so I wonder if there's any value in paying a gunsmith to thread the barrel? If so, what's a reasonable price I should expect to pay?

Also, can you recommend a brand of muzzle break?

Thanks

I *think* the primary question is whether or not adding a muzzle brake would be worth the expense.

The answer for most of us is almost certainly “no.” If your intention is to play run-and-gun games (like 3-gun) the answer is “probably no, but maybe.” If you are ready to play these games at a competitive level, the answer is “probably.”

I will say if you plan to shoot this rifle at a range with others the shooters to your left and right probably won’t like you very much.

[Moe Mentum]

You can just buy a threaded barrel and do it yourself.

[Tiribulus]

There was a guy 2 lanes down from at an indoor range a few months ago with his AR. 2 foam covered walls between me and him.

I don't know what this man had on that rifle as I never got a close enough look, but every round rattled my bones. I mean I could feel it in the floor and in my chest. Thank God for foam ear plugs.

I can't even imagine firing that thing in a home defense situation with naked ears.

[wood714]

Originally Posted by Moe Mentum

You can just buy a threaded barrel and do it yourself.

That would probably be cheaper than having a smith thread it, and the wait time would be most faster.

Plus if you ran into a Cali loop hole, you'd still have a unthreaded barrel to put back on the rifle.

[KidK]

I just took possession of a CA compliant M&P 15 Optics Ready and it came with a threaded barrel that has a nut covering the threads. I can remove it without tools.

[sgtsandman]

If you really want to install a muzzle device, I would consider an A2 flash suppressor. It will minimize muzzle flash and provide some muzzle braking up to help with muzzle rise. And it won't cause the concussion and muzzle blast issues that a true muzzle brake will.

Living in the People's Republic of California, I would thoroughly research the related laws and subject matter before you take the leap.