Linear Compensator vs. Thread Protector

The Levange Linear definitely cuts down the noise compared to a bare muzzle, forcing the blast forward; but why on earth wouldn't you use ear protection? That's just self destructive.

desidog said:

but why on earth wouldn't you use ear protection? That's just self destructive.

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In the woods, while hunting..... Gotta hear everything goin on around you.

Several guys and I shot 2 ar's side by side that were identical except for the muzzle. 1 had a levang linear comp, the other had the a2 birdcage. Same ammo too. We were shooting under a tin roof. The levang actually seemed louder to all 4 guys involved in the test, which was exactly opposite what we expected. When firing a blackout compared to a 223, I feel that the blackout is 15-20% quieter.

Ar's are just skull jarringly loud.

Either get a suppressor or look at the otis ear shield- compact, light.comfortable, cheap. Once you lose a large portion of your hearing like me and realize its not coming back you will look back on previous decisions that can't be un-made with regret.

I'd definitely go with a linear if I was bound and determined to not wear ear protection.
But have you tried noise sensitive ear protection?

yes worth the cost i use this one and happy with it http://www.kawvalleyprecision.com/KVP-Linear-Compensator-p/kvp-linear-blk.htm

I buy and use Black River Tactical. They do throw the noise forward.

I hunted for a long time with no ear pro other than something to keep them warm. Now I use Peltor Sport Tacs (with the orange cups in season) and they let me hear MORE than I could with nothing on. They amplify the surrounding noise so that you can hear game walking so far out in the trees that you can't see them - and with stereo you can at least orient yourself in their direction.

You can also hear the muffled whispers of two hunters still hunting thru your area and be appropriately forewarned.

As for shooting under a canopy - it's not a valid assessment. Canopies are just rain shelters, and for the most part I see them sloped to direct the sound right back down at the shooter. When traffic at the range and weather permits, I stage just forward of the canopy and the noise levels are dramatically reduced. It's a huge difference when shooting a 10.5" AR pistol. Under the canopy people came by to see what magnum was being sighted in on the 25 yard range. One step forward with the BRT and it was no different than any other handgun when wearing the cups.

I usually pick a station on the end to get out from under the roofline when others are shooting. Range canopies are mostly done with a mindset they are picnic shelters, not high decibel traps useful in directing sound. Budgets and contractors get in the way. Public officials have them sheeted in plywood above which reflects sound even worse, to avoid vermin like wasps building nests. Better they were open with all the reflective surfaces to impede sound wave propagation. It's bad enough they use concrete for the deck and precast concrete shooting stations if those are used. Worst possible combinations.

For your purposes I think a linear compensator would be worthwhile. I've used the Kies Blast Master, which I believe is gone from the market, and the Simple Threaded Device (STD) which bridges the thread protector / compensator design. Both work decently. The Kies is very similar to a Levang or a Kaw Valley so I assume function would be similar. I haven't used the Black River Tactical but it gets good reviews and has been around for a while. There is also a linear comp from AR15 Performance which is probably the lightest and shortest option and might be worth a look:

http://www.ar15performance.com/muzzle_devices

Try the 3M Peltor ear plugs.