Was considering a break for my sport

[Squatty]

,

i have the sport with the 1-9 barrel, a year old. I'm a little depressed because I have it set up with all the extras I wanted. Basically Magpul stock, hand grip, barrel grip, and BAD device. I have redfield 3-9-42 scope which is great but best of all is my Holosun 403c red dot. Fantastic 1 MOA, Battery life, when not operating with photocell, suppose to be 30 to 50 thousand hours. Had it for 3 months and every time I pick it up, it's on. Time will tell. So that's where I am, btw, got the sport a year ago and after about 1,000 rounds, with all types of ammo, including some steel, not one single issue. Great weapon. Sorry for the long narrative, but I have been looking at breaks. So many to consider. We all know recoil is not significant with the sport, but reduction would be nice. My problem is I don't intend to hunt, just home protection and range. Increased noise level at range is not a problem, but am I asking for irreversible ear damage if I use a break in small home? I'm sort of talking my way into just enjoying what I have. Any thoughts? And thanks

 

[ken158]

Save your money on a break and get a suppressor.

 

[webfarmer]

It's 'brake' - not 'break'.

 

[Squatty]

Sorry, I'm not up on the verbiage. But you know what I am talking about. I have the birdcage that came with the rift
Qqa?
ith the rifle, just asking for thoughts on a "brake". A suppressor would be nice, but most of my belongings are about to be thrown out in the front yard already with what I've alreadyqq
purchased. It appears that you can't have a good brake without the increased noise!

 

[KEN L]

If it has an A2 style of birdcage flash suppressor on it now, why do you need a muzzle brake?? Seems like a solution to a non-existent problem to me. Forget the brake, enjoy what you already have.

 

[WVSig]

A brake is not necessary IMHO. If you are using the gun as a home defense weapon with no ear pro there is always a potential for ear damage even from a small number of rounds. An A2 will have less audible blast than any brake.

Are you having trouble with recoil? Are you looking to improve, speed up, follow up shots? If that is the intention I looks at a brake like the BCM Gunfighter compensator mod 0. BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator MOD 0-5.56

It has less muzzle blast than most compensators but does offer real recoil reduction. It is a compromise and to be honest it seems like a waste to put a $90 brake on a $500 rifle. IMHO YMMV

 

[JaPes]

My problem is I don't intend to hunt, just home protection and range. Increased noise level at range is not a problem,

Another problem is that the brake redirects the gas impulse and concussion to the left and right of you. I absolutely hate it when someone with a rifle equipped with a brake (usually with an AR), takes the benches to my immediate right or left.

IMO, brakes are poor range etiquette. I accept that folks are free to do whatever they want with their rifles. I'm just saying it's not so neighborly while on the range.

but am I asking for irreversible ear damage if I use a break in small home?

Due to nerve damage, I've lost the ability to hear out of my right ear. I'm down to one ear. I've been more than motivated to learn how to protect what I have left. This is my opinion so take it for what it's worth...

Short of mounting a suppressor and using sub-sonic ammo, any firearm fired in the confines of an enclosed space will produce decibel levels that will damage hearing. Remember, hearing damage is both cumulative and irreversible.

I live in the State of Illinois. Suppressors are illegal for civilian use. If (god forbid) I face a home invasion, I have no choice other than to pull the trigger as many times as necessary to neutralize the threat(s) and deal with the hearing damage later. Staying alive takes priority.

 

[JaPes]

It appears that you can't have a good brake without the increased noise!

I don't think you're getting the idea. The report generated by a firearm is going to be the same no matter what. The crack of the round as it breaks the sound barrier is going to be the same no matter what. The noise never increases or decreases. It is constant.

A muzzle device serves to direct both the report (noise) and the concussive blast (exhaust). A flash suppressor (such as your bird cage) primary function is to suppress muzzle flash. A muzzle brake's primary function is to reduce perceived recoil by redirecting combustion gasses in as much of the opposite direction of the recoil impulse.

Within enclosed confines (floor, wall, ceiling) the sound wave will hit the wall, bounce off, hit the floor, bounce off, hit the ceiling, and keep on going until the sound wave's energy is dissipated. Without a suppressor & subsonic ammo, there is nothing you can do to decrease the report (noise) of a firearm.

Think of a firearm suppressor to be like the muffler on a car. It gives both the sound and exhaust an enclosed, baffled space to bleed off energy before being sent out to the environment.

 

[peterthefish]

You will be no worse with a brake in a confined room than you will be without one. In fact brakes are typically not much worse for a shooter who is directly behind the blast.

Get a Miculek compensator. It's the cheapest you'll find (~ $40) and works 95% as well as any on the market. It also uses a jam nut to time which makes setup easy peasy.

For all those saying "don't bother .223 doesn't recoil" - you haven't shot with a good brake. A Miculek comp is, in my mind, the single most cost effective improvement to any AR in .223 - your dot will not leave an 8" plate at 100 yards after some practice.

 

[WVSig]

I don't think you're getting the idea. The report generated by a firearm is going to be the same no matter what. The crack of the round as it breaks the sound barrier is going to be the same no matter what. The noise never increases or decreases. It is constant.

A muzzle device serves to direct both the report (noise) and the concussive blast (exhaust). A flash suppressor (such as your bird cage) primary function is to suppress muzzle flash. A muzzle brake's primary function is to reduce perceived recoil by redirecting combustion gasses in as much of the opposite direction of the recoil impulse.

Within enclosed confines (floor, wall, ceiling) the sound wave will hit the wall, bounce off, hit the floor, bounce off, hit the ceiling, and keep on going until the sound wave's energy is dissipated. Without a suppressor & subsonic ammo, there is nothing you can do to decrease the report (noise) of a firearm.

Think of a firearm suppressor to be like the muffler on a car. It gives both the sound and exhaust an enclosed, baffled space to bleed off energy before being sent out to the environment.

I could be wrong... I don't shoot without ear pro in confined spaces LOL but I believe that a comp brake will change the "perceived" report from an AR15. I believe you are correct that the "actual" sound level would be the same.

If you hate compensated AR15s at the range try shooting next to a guy with a stock SCAR 17.

 

[wayne2356]

in my mind, the single most cost effective improvement to any AR in .223 - your dot will not leave an 8" plate at 100 yards after some practice.

I dont know about cost effective ... but .. my Timney Trigger was the best money I ever spent and the best upgrade to my S&W AR

Some brakes and/or compensaters are half the cost of a upgraded trigger

 

[gwpercle]

It's 'brake' - not 'break'.

I thought he was going to give it a vacation ! Like Spring Break.

Unless you have a suppressor, aka silencer , you are going to suffer some hearing damage shooting a 223 inside a closed space (or even outside for that matter) a brake isn't going to help . But in a home invasion things can happen fast. I don't have a good answer for that perplexing question about hearing damage.
I do not believe a brake is the answer.

 

[JaPes]

If you hate compensated AR15s at the range try shooting next to a guy with a stock SCAR 17.

I've had that pleasurable experience.

 

[scooter123]

First, if you fire any thing more powerfull than a 22LR indoors you WILL have some permanent hearing damage. Anyone who wishes to deny this should actually talk to an Audiologist. Actually they'll tell you that not only is a 22LR damaging but anything that makes your ears ring, even a primer or popped paper bag can damage your hearing.

However, there is minor damage from a noise that has your ears ringing for a day or less and major damage that not only makes your ears ring for a week but also causes immediate and measurable hearing loss that is permanent. Since the 223 is a relative powerhouse and quite loud compared to lessor calibers you can pretty well bet that using one indoors without hearing protection will do some damage. Add a muzzle brake and you can plan on more damage than without a muzzle brake.

The takeaway here is that if you want to rely on a 223 for Home Protection it would be a good idea to keep some ear muffs with the rifle. That way if you have time to put on the ear muffs you'll have that protection. Bad news if someone is kicking in your front door you likely won't have time for the ear muffs.

 

[Squatty]

Thanks

I guess no brake is the answer. Lost most of my hearing already back in the 60's. Guess it might be a good idea to have ear protectors next to rifle, or just use my 9mm. Like you said, time would not be on my side with a break-in. Guess hearing loss vs life lost, life comes first. Would rather have a 30 rd mag vs a 7 rd Sig.
Thanks

 

[Dave270]

When the **** hits the fan, you won't even notice the noise or the recoil.. I'm not saying you won't get some hearing damage, but at a time like that, who cares, your main concern should be to neutralize the problem...

jmho

Dave

 

[uncledoggle]

If the $#!% does hit the preverbal fan, then you are going to have a lot more than a little ringing in your ears to worry about.

 

[MMT]

The standard A2 does actually help mitigate some muzzle rise, and at is realistically the best all around muzzle device, even though it isn't particularly spectacular at either flash suppression or recoil reduction. You could look into the BCM Gunfigther as an option as it won't be as blasty as something like the Miculek comp or the Silencerco brake, but those type of designs work the best for recoil management.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I like my Flaming Pig.. not a brake but it eats the flash.

 

[stwings]

Guys who put brakes on their AR are the same guys who put drag pipes on their Harley's. If you still feel you ned a brake I suggest passing up the LGS and hit the gym instead. If after that you still feel you need a brake I think Gersh Kuntzman has a room for rent.

 

[sellersm]

I'll buck the trend here, my youngest daughter's rifle is equipped with an inexpensive Strike Industries J-Comp and it now shoots flat as can be, even rapid fire.

There is a good 2 part review on the web done by TheTruthAboutGuns. Search for it and enjoy LOTS of data!

If you want a muzzle device, get one. It's your rifle...

 

[danco]

...I have been looking at breaks (sic)....Increased noise level at range is not a problem, but am I asking for irreversible ear damage if I use a break (sic) in small home?

1. Yes, the noise and blast from a muzzle brake *is* a problem at the range; maybe not for you, but it's rude and annoying as hell for the people next to you. Do the world a favor and skip the muzzle brake.

2. If you're not wearing hearing protection, firing a rifle indoors with or without a muzzle brake is going to damage your ears.

 

[MMT]

Guys who put brakes on their AR are the same guys who put drag pipes on their Harley's. If you still feel you ned a brake I suggest passing up the LGS and hit the gym instead. If after that you still feel you need a brake I think Gersh Kuntzman has a room for rent.

Brakes make your rifle shoot flatter, and flatter is better. While it may not always be the best choice for other reasons, the fact that 5.56 doesn't have much recoil to begin with shouldn't be one of those reasons. If you run a 1-5 drill in 5 seconds it won't do much for you, but if you can run a 1-5 drill in under 3 seconds you can take advantage of the faster follow up shots a brake allows for. The better your skill level and fundamentals are, the better use you can make of upgrades like a brake on your rifle.

 

[sgtsandman]

Everyone has their opinions on muzzle brakes, especially as shown with this thread. In the end, it's your rifle and regardless how how positive or negative others feel about it, they aren't paying your bills. On the other hand, you did ask for opinions.

Now for my take on them. They do have their place. With as mild as the recoil is on an AR15, one isn't really needed. If you are competing or intending to compete, every little thing helps. Like a quad rail, I don't really care for them on an AR15 but I won't put a person down for having either because of the above mentioned bill paying. Muzzle brakes aren't harmful or a detriment to others outside of the noise and one should be wearing hearing protection anyway at the range.

I do have a muzzle brake on larger caliber rifles recoil and muzzle rise management, so I don't have a negative opinion on them. Like I said, they do have their place.