In spite of repeated questions I am still confused about the difference of Flash Suppressors like my Marine M14s had (and M1As have), and Brakes, and Suppresors.

1. Am I to take it that Supressors are mostly illegal silencers?

2. Am I to take it that the Flash Hiders like on my M14s and M1As do little to depress recoil?

3. Am I to take it that modern "brakes" reduce recoil and muzzle lift with no effect on long range accuracy?

4. Am I to take it that the stock M&P 10 device is only a flash hider and does nothing to reduce recoil?

Help if you can.

Dave Dillehay
USMC 2081999

Sound Suppressors(sometimes called silencers) are NOT illegal if you live in an NFA friendly state and have the appropriate NFA tax stamp.


More less, yes "bird cage" flash suppressors don't really affect recoil. But there have been some "hybrid" flash suppressors that incorporate muzzle brake or compensator features so I'm not sure what you would class those in. But the stock m14 flash suppressor does nothing for recoil. Something like an A2 half bird cage flash suppressor will act like a little like a compensator and reduce muzzle climb.

A2 flash suppressor


Properly made it will not affect accuracy. What will kill accuracy is a bullet strike if the brake is off center or slightly undersized. Same issues with flash suppressors

It looks to me like a flash suppressor only, but I do not own one.


Summary

Sound Suppressor - Reduces sound, flash, and recoil (very nice to have if you live in a place that's NFA friendly)

Flash Suppressor - Reduces flash signature

Compensator - Primarily reduces muzzle rise only

Muzzle brake - Reduces rearward recoil and sometimes muzzle rise

"Hybrids"- may combine features of flash suppressors, brakes, and compensators. A2 flash suppressor is one that combines the flash suppressor and compensator features. AK74s feature a muzzle device that incorporates compensator and muzzle brake features.

Hope this helps a little

Dear Blue Oval Bandit,

Thank you so much for the detailed info. I am sure that will help more shooters than me. I have ordered Grizzly Hunter Brakes for my 2 M&P 10s and intend to buy the factory "brakes" for my 3 M1As from Springfield Armory as they seem to be the only ones that "guaranty" the fit and result. Do you have any opinion about that?

Dave Dillehay
USMC (way back when)

Springfield factory brake like this?



I have not shot one with and without to compare but from what I gather they seem to work well.

I dug up some links for you on the m14 forum which is a great resoruce for all m1a/m14 related stuff.

Springfield Armory Muzzle Brake - M14 Forum

Springfield Armoury Muzzle Brake - M14 Forum

As far as the grizzly, I know nothing about them. If it were me and I lived in Texas like you, I would have opted for a surefire muzzle brake. It's a bit expensive, but down the road I would plan to add a suppressor as their muzzle brake also serves as an adapter for their suppressor.

The thing about muzzle brakes is there are so many versions and styles out there its hard choose the "best". Especially with how one person perceives recoil vs another. Some have done quantitative testing in terms of recoil reduction and such but only on a limited number of styles. So a lot of this is personal preference and word of mouth.

Ever hear of "Google" ?

vfin