Adding A Muzzle Break

[danno1]

Looking to add a Muzzle Brake to my CT 15FT. I checked around here in CT and they said to "add" the brake (pin it) would be about 80.00.
If I wanted to have the barrel cut, add the brake to the 16" it would be more involved =money. About 180.00.

Does that sound right?
Is the Muzzle brake legal in CT rather than the Flash Suppressor?

 

[rebs081]

I am not sure about CT but the muzzle brake is legal in NYS, to where the flash suppressor is not legal here.
Personally I do not like a muzzle brake as it directs the noise and muzzle blast back at the shooter and towards anyone on either side of the shooter. If you have been at a range next to a guy using a muzzle brake you know what I mean. I much prefer a nice crown on my barrel.

 

[Milky]

I am not sure about CT but the muzzle brake is legal in NYS, to where the flash suppressor is not legal here.
Personally I do not like a muzzle brake as it directs the noise and muzzle blast back at the shooter and towards anyone on either side of the shooter. If you have been at a range next to a guy using a muzzle brake you know what I mean. I much prefer a nice crown on my barrel.

I have been very interested in the Troy Claymore muzzle break as it is advertised to reduce the sound the shooter hears by directing all the gasses/blast forward, and not to the sides.

Not sure on the legalities for CT state, but as in NYS, here in california a flash hider is an evil feature and a muzzle brake is not!

OP I asume you have an A2 flash hider on your rifle, is it pinned already to meet barrel length restrictions or any other restrictions your state or the federal government might have? I guess I'm missing the point that you'll need to cut down your barrel to add the brake. I would avoid cutting my barrel down if there is another way to add the brake. Even a pinned muzzle attachment can be removed by a competent smith.

Here in California we only need to pin a muzzle device to meet the federal 16" barrel length (i.e.: your AR has a 14.5 inch barrel and is not considered a pistol). And we are allowed all the evil features aside from a grenade launcher, so long as we put a locking mechanism on the mag release (bullet button).

I understand your laws may be very different though!

 

[Mustang5L5]

I'm in MA and we can have a brake, but not a flash hider. The brake needs to be pinned.

This is the barrel end on a ban state m&p

That means you will need to have barrel disassembled and machined and then the brake pinned in place.


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[Stebo]

Looking to add a Muzzle Brake to my CT 15FT. I checked around here in CT and they said to "add" the brake (pin it) would be about 80.00.
If I wanted to have the barrel cut, add the brake to the 16" it would be more involved =money. About 180.00.

Does that sound right?

A few weeks ago I had communicated with Nemoarms about having a muzzle brake added to one of their melonite barrels. They quoted $75 to pin and weld, so your $80 quote seems right. And $100 to break down the barrel and machine in the threads sounds fairly inexpensive to me.

 

[danno1]

I'm in MA and we can have a brake, but not a flash hider. The brake needs to be pinned.

This is the barrel end on a ban state m&p

That means you will need to have barrel disassembled and machined and then the brake pinned in place.


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Yup. That's what my barrel looks like. So the barrel has to be disassembled? I guess some work has to be done from the inside also. Another 100.00 for that.
If I'm getting this done I would want the barrel cut if say, the MB is 2". To cut back 2" then add Brake.

 

[Foxtrot]

You don't need to cut it back two inches and you really do not want to cut it back. Just permanently add the MB to what you already have. 16 inches is a minimum OAL, not a maximum OAL length, you can go longer but not shorter (unless you are moving to a short barreled rfile in which case you need registration and checking state laws to make sure you can have one).

 

[danno1]

You don't need to cut it back two inches and you really do not want to cut it back. Just permanently add the MB to what you already have. 16 inches is a minimum OAL, not a maximum OAL length, you can go longer but not shorter (unless you are moving to a short barreled rfile in which case you need registration and checking state laws to make sure you can have one).

Wouldn't 16" with the MB still be legal?

 

[Foxtrot]

Wouldn't 16" with the MB still be legal?

This is how the BATF measures the barrel; They drop a 16 inch rod down the barrel with the bolt fully closed - if any of the rod is showing then you have a short barreled rifle for which you need proper registration and compliance with state law if they allow such.

The BATF measurement is done without any flash hider or other muzzle device in place if removable, for permanently attached muzzle devices it is taken into account in the measurement as part of the barrel. Its the same basic measurement method used by all 50 states, although it may vary a little for actual execution. The measurement is based upon what is a permanent part of the barrel, removable devices are not considered permanent.

In regards to just the barrel alone (no muzzle devices at all); If you cut the barrel down less than 16 inches then you end up with a short barreled rifle which, if you are not properly registered federally and in compliance with state law requirements for each individual weapon, is illegal.

In regards to the barrel with a removable muzzle device; If you cut the barrel down less than 16 inches then you end up with a short barreled rifle which, if you are not properly registered federally and in compliance with state law requirements for each individual weapon, is illegal.

In regards to the barrel with a permanently attached non-removable muzzle device; If you cut the barrel down less than 16 inches and permanently attach a non-removable muzzle device to make the barrel at least 16 inches minimum then you do not have a short barreled rifle and would be legal (but need to comply with law for permanently attaching the muzzle device if allowed).

In regards to permanently adding a muzzle device such that it is part of the barrel and not removable; Law or rule allows that you can add a muzzle device (e.g. muzzle brake) to make up the 16 inch length and you would still be legal but you need to consult the specific law or rule and make sure of the particulars for attachment. However, no state or federal rule or law requires that 16 inch is the maximum and only length of the barrel you can use. You can go more than 16 inch but not less than 16 inch. So, a 16 inch barrel with MB added in addition to the barrel is legal - a barrel cut less than 16 inches with a permanently attached non-removable MB that brings the length back to 16 inches is legal. Anything over 16 inches is also legal.

On the practical side; The MB does not affect the bullet, the barrel does and you may need every inch of twist the barrel can give so you do not want to remove two inches of that twist just to add a MB. Plus, it costs you more money to have a gunsmith cut down the barrel first then recrown it when its really not needed and that money can be used elsewhere. Its not required by law to stay just at 16 inches, just that you can't go under 16 inches. So, unless you are simply hell bent on keeping an absolute 16 inch barrel length with MB for some odd reason, it simply doesn't make sense to cut two inches off an already 16 inch barrel to add a muzzle brake to make the barrel 16 inches.

I would not cut the barrel down.

 

[Buffalohunter60]

To thread the barrel they have to remove it from the rifle so it will go into the lathe. I would not cut the barrel back and it is also a good idea to have them make a cap to protect the threads if your not using the break.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Actually, I believe if the muzzle brake is factored into overall barrel length only if its pinned in place and made permanent. I've seen guys frequently do this with 14.5" m4 barrels and pin a 2" brake on them giving them 16.5" of length. If the brake is not pinned or soldered, it's not leGal. Most guys try to shoot for 16.1" to stay legal with a pinned on muzzle device. So he could cut the barrel down a bit provided the brake, once pinned in place gives him an overall lengthy to the bolt face of greater than 16"

Also, in a ban state, you cannot possess a threaded barrel if you have a lower assembly. It would be deemed "constructive intent to build an AW" so you really need to have an FFL thread the barrel, install the brake and pin it. Depending on your gas block, it will need to go on first, and be nearly impossible to change down the road. The barrel nut amd gas block will not come off past the muzzle device. Unpinning the brake is difficult.

The laws in ban states are terrible. I looked into this and decided it wasn't worth my time and effort


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[oneyeopn]

because of how well the 16" barrel shoots, I myself would be apprehensive on cutting down the length of the barrel. I and others have noticed carbon build up around the muzzles of the rifles and I do occasionally take my brake or flash hider off to clean this build-up off. That is my .02 cents for what it is worth.

 

[storeyteller]

FWIW, I think the muzzle brake kicks butt!

 

[Gunslinger808]

I usually charge $75 to thread a barrel 1/2X28, so the price you gave is not out of line for the work involved in keeping your rifle compliant.
NOTE:
You do not need to shorten the barrel to thread/put on break/ and pin.
Just remove barrel put in lathe and turn it to desired diameter.

Depending on your gas block, it will need to go on first, and be nearly impossible to change down the road.

A very good point by Mustang.

Wouldn't 16" with the MB still be legal?

Yes, as long as the break is pinned or soldered in place

 

[danno1]

Actually, I believe if the muzzle brake is factored into overall barrel length only if its pinned in place and made permanent. I've seen guys frequently do this with 14.5" m4 barrels and pin a 2" brake on them giving them 16.5" of length. If the brake is not pinned or soldered, it's not leGal. Most guys try to shoot for 16.1" to stay legal with a pinned on muzzle device. So he could cut the barrel down a bit provided the brake, once pinned in place gives him an overall lengthy to the bolt face of greater than 16"

Also, in a ban state, you cannot possess a threaded barrel if you have a lower assembly. It would be deemed "constructive intent to build an AW" so you really need to have an FFL thread the barrel, install the brake and pin it. Depending on your gas block, it will need to go on first, and be nearly impossible to change down the road. The barrel nut amd gas block will not come off past the muzzle device. Unpinning the brake is difficult.

The laws in ban states are terrible. I looked into this and decided it wasn't worth my time and effort


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This what would be required in order to meet compliance. No threaded barrels.
I know it probably is better to add one than subtract 2". Why are CQ rifles less than 16"?

 

[oneyeopn]

I can answer the one on the CQ rifles less than 16"...maneuverability, the shorter barrel length makes it easier to deal with in confined situations.

 

[danno1]

I can answer the one on the CQ rifles less than 16"...maneuverability, the shorter barrel length makes it easier to deal with in confined situations.

Right. But as the guys above mentioned not "practical". Which one reason I imagine..less accurate in distance?

 

[Foxtrot]

So, what are you going to do danno1?

 

[danno1]

So, what are you going to do danno1?

Another suggestion from a gun shop suggested if going the "cut the barrel and add the MB" route, I'm just better off buying a barrel already with the MB from the factory. A little more money, but "factory installed".
...still deceiding

 

[Mustang5L5]

Right. But as the guys above mentioned not "practical". Which one reason I imagine..less accurate in distance?

You lose velocity with shorter barrels, so the bullet will drop sooner than a 16" or 20" barrel.

Short barrel is just more maneuverable in urban combat. Lighter too.

Plus I feel it looks better.


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