Flash Suppressor VS Muzzle Brake

[agksimon]

I am considering the advantages and disadvantages of a flash suppressor vs a muzzle brake on my M&P Sport II, for 2 gun shoots and wonder if a muzzle brake really makes a noticeable difference in recoil, on a 223/556. The downside to muzzle brakes, is they are much louder and other shooters, alongside you, bear the brunt of it.
To those of you who have experience with both, what are your opinions? Also, I've been reading reviews and watching videos, comparing various brands and would appreciate your input. Expensive doesn't always mean the best.

 

[Westie1]

For multi gun types of competition, a brake/comp will be of benefit. Not so much in the recoil you feel, though it will be reduced somewhat. The benefit of a brake/comp comes from the reduced muzzle flip. Since part of the scoring is time based, reducing splits between shots will add up over the course of fire.

To comply with new state law, I replaced my flash hider with a comp. Didn't really notice a change in recoil, but did see less muzzle flip. Been to the range multiple times since the comp was installed, and haven't had anyone complain about noise. Nor have there been complaints about muzzle blast. Would I go back to a flash hider if I could-probably not. Like the faster recovery.

 

[WR Moore]

OK, so far as advantages for competition, for the vast majority of competitors, the money spent on widgets would be much better spent on practice ammo. Possibly also on lessons from guys who are top notch competitors.

Flash and blast kind of depends upon individual brake design. The last few years I shot 3 gun (TPC), brakes and other non-duty type equipment was banned. One guy did get permission to shoot his braked AR and we were all astounded by the increase in both flash and noise in a covered shooting position.

If you're experienced and consistently running in the top ten or so, a brake might help. Other than that, it's generally the nut behind the trigger that causes your ;less than stellar performance.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I use a Lantac brake. Significantly reduces muzzle rise and recoil. Really, quite a noticeable difference. There's a bit more muzzle flash in low light conditions over an A2 but it's limited. There is no discernible difference in noise for the shooter. It is louder for those directly to the side but it's not so bad. Once you get used to shooting with a brake you won't want to go back to a flash hider.

I put a Epsilon VG6 on the wife's light weight build but she preferred the Lantac so I ended installing a Lantac on her rifle too.

There's a ton of brake tests and comparisons on the Net. Performance is all over the map. Like most things gun related... it's a compromise. For brakes it's noise and flash vs recoil and muzzle rise performance. One of the best measured performing brakes is the M4-72. No surprise... it's also supposed to be among the loudest.

Happy brake hunting.. there's a zillion to choose from.

 

[MistWolf]

My progression with shorter than 16" barrels has been A2 flash hider--> Battlecomp--> A2 flashider--> suppressor

 

[bigggbbruce]

As far as flash suppressors go, the Noveske Flaming Pig does the job especially on short barrels.

 

[Kadonny]

As far as flash suppressors go, the Noveske Flaming Pig does the job especially on short barrels.

Yup, and it really helps with the short barrel concussion too.

 

[sgtsandman]

Op, you pretty much got the gist on the muzzle brake vs flash suppressor.

The others have pretty much covered the subject pretty well also.

Personal opinion, with a 5.56/.223 rifle, I would stick with the flash suppressor or go with a very mild brake that biases toward muzzle rise control. These rifles don’t really need a brake like some more powerful rifles do.

In the end, it’s your money and preference and the above is just my personal opinion.


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[ChattanoogaPhil]

After you select a brake... consider the below. I too had an annoying slight push right. I think it had more to do with being right-handed but nevertheless this cured it with a brake.

"...... taking it a step further, the holes must favor one side or the other to counteract the effect of rifling spin direction on muzzle jump. Believe it or not, rifling direction does have a rather significant effect on directional recoil.

Using a crescent wrench, you can tune your brake’s effectiveness by turning it a bit at a time until you find that sweet spot. Generally, most modern barrels use a right-hand rifling twist, so the top gas ports should be slightly to the right of perfect top center."




Guns & Ammo 400 Bad Request

 

[agksimon]

Using a crescent wrench, you can tune your brake’s effectiveness by turning it a bit at a time until you find that sweet spot. Generally, most modern barrels use a right-hand rifling twist, so the top gas ports should be slightly to the right of perfect top center.

I take it the top gas ports to the right, is from the shooters perspective, not from the muzzle end, correct?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I take it the top gas ports to the right, is from the shooters perspective, not from the muzzle end, correct?

Correct...

 

[hdwhit]

agksimon wrote:
I am considering the advantages and disadvantages of a flash suppressor vs a muzzle brake...

A flash suppressor just minimizes the amount of flash from the burning powder as the bullet leaves the muzzle. It's principal purpose is to reduce how visible you are when you fire the rifle in low light conditions.

A muzzle brake reduces recoil by redirecting some of the propellant gasses backwards. One down-side to an effective muzzle brake is that the more gas it directs backwards the dirtier you are going to get so factor in how much gas you want pointed back into your face.

Personally, I don't find the recoil of a 223/5.56 AR to be robust enough to cause me to want to part with the money for a really good, highly effective muzzle brake (and in my opinion, the ones that aren't very effective are just cool looking flash suppressors).

 

[agksimon]

I want to make sure I get the right size muzzle brake. The M&P Sport 2 that I have I presume takes a 5/8" size, but what is the thread pitch?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I want to make sure I get the right size muzzle brake. The M&P Sport 2 that I have I presume takes a 5/8" size, but what is the thread pitch?

Thread pattern for AR15 is 1/2 - 28. AR10 is 5/8-24


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[agksimon]

When I started this thread, I was unsure of what to get for my Sport 2. I don't want the blast to upset the people that shoot along side of me, at the bench, but want some decrease in muzzle rise/recoil. I decided to try the Wilson Combat MUZZLE BRAKE Q-COMP, I ordered from Brownell's. It's a hybrid design, flash suppressor/muzzle brake. All the videos I watched said it works great at both, but I don't hold out much hope of that. The worst that can happen is I waste $53. Well see......

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Wilson-Combat-Q-Comp-1_2x28-Thread/productinfo/TR-QCOMP-1\2X28/#

 

[CH4]

My experiences tell me that most brakes, suppresors and AR gizmos are bought for their aesthetic value rather than their function. 98% of AR owners are tacticool paper punchers or milk jug commandos, 1.9% are competitors, and the other .01% are actual operators. For the 98%, which now includes me, could do just as well with no muzzle device afixed to our barrels. I will admit that my ARs are adorned with some sort of flash hider, mostly because they look cooler than a naked barrel, but they do help when hunting coyotes at night. Don't get me started on the chubby, 5.11 clad, beard wearing, cheato eating armchair killers. Then again it's better than spending money on booze and chicks. Of course, this is Just my opinion.

 

[agksimon]

My experiences tell me that most brakes, suppresors and AR gizmos are bought for their aesthetic value rather than their function. 98% of AR owners are paper punchers or milk jug commandos, 1.9% are competitors, and the other .01% are actual operators. For the 98%, which now includes me, could do just ast well with no muzzle device afixed to our barrels. Just my opinion. I will admit that my ARs do wear some sort of flash hider, mostly because they look cooler than a naked barrel.

I agree with you and I'm part of the 1.9%. I enjoy the two gun shoots and benchresting, but you are right, the cool factor soothes the ego.

 

[JJEH]

My experiences tell me that most brakes, suppresors and AR gizmos are bought for their aesthetic value rather than their function. 98% of AR owners are paper punchers or milk jug commandos, 1.9% are competitors, and the other .01% are actual operators. For the 98%, which now includes me, could do just ast well with no muzzle device afixed to our barrels. Just my opinion. I will admit that my ARs do wear some sort of flash hider, mostly because they look cooler than a naked barrel.

I'm right there with you. But I did buy a Daniel Defense Superior Suppression Device for my Ruger.

It

is designed to offer muzzle flash signature reduction and reduced muzzle rise. []404 Not Found 1 | Daniel Defense

Did it change anything? Not really. Does it look cooler than the factory bird cage? Definitely. I have yet to shoot in the dark with it...

 

[CH4]

I agree with you and I'm part of the 1.9%. I enjoy the two gun shoots and benchresting, but you are right, the cool factor soothes the ego.

All for people spending their hard earned money on stuff that makes 'em happy and it's great for the industry, 2A and economy. Just keeping things in proper perspective. .

I'll be at SHOT in a couple weeks. 90% of the show will have to do with tacticool gizmos - same with the annual NRA conference. Funny thing is my personal ARs are laden with much more **** than any of my ARs did while working in LE or in Afghanistan.

 

[sgtsandman]

To each their own on muzzle devices. To me, a brake isn't needed on an intermediate caliber rifle but I don't compete. I do find a flash suppressor to be useful in low light. Especially with shorter barreled rifles due to the muzzle flash.