AR15 Muzzle Devices

[Dr.Zubrato]

Do you use anything other than the A2 birdcage?

Is there a real difference in felt recoil or muzzle rise?

I've always thought it was for guys trying to buy skill, so I've trained and shot the snot out of my AR to where I feel comfortable with my speed and accuracy out to 30m on a steel plate the size of a armor plate.

I was thinking about purchasing the Strike Industries type 89 J-comp seeing it here: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/11/jeremy-s/556-muzzle-device-shootout/

The price, look, and data to back it up as a combo device seems right.

Opinions on muzzle devices?

 

[LocoGringo]

It depends on the design, but many muzzle brakes can make a massive difference in felt recoil and muzzle rise. JP, SJC Titans and several others are huge for 3-gunners. Just be forewarned, a brake can/will help with recoil and muzzle rise, but also greatly increase noise to the shooter and his/her sides. Generally, the more effective the brake is, the louder it is.

I have a proprietary brake on my 3-gun rifle that is made by the barrel manufacturer and it is good enough that I can shoot a legitimate double tap on an IDPA size silhouette target at 50 yards and keep them in the "C" area or better. The muzzle does not move and recoil feels like nothing more than shootinig a 10/22. I've been told that I can further reduce recoil by going to a low mass carrier coupled with an adjustable gas block, but I can't imagine better than what I have now. Maybe ignorance is bliss in my case.

 

[benEzra]

I use a Vortex flash suppressor rather than an A2., on the grounds that it is a bit more effective than the A2 style. As to brakes/comps, my personal preference is that I'd rather have less flash and blast and standard recoil, rather than increased flash/blast and decreased recoil.

 

[OilyPablo]

Really on 5.56 I don't feel a ton of difference. And the cost of them, too expensive to try a bunch!

7.62x51, yes - but too expensive to try a bunch!

Very interested in input as well, plus looking for 5/8x24 muzzle devices for my 10mm AR-15 SBR.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

The A2 flash hider does an incredible amount of felt recoil reduction for less than $10. From there the dollar per percent of felt recoil reduced goes up dramatically. I have a PWS FSC556 on my gun and it works. Not as well as a dedicated muzzle brake but it does work. The Daniel Defense muzzle climb mitigator works very well too. The downside is that it makes shooting a noisy endeavor. I have heard that the Vortex works very well too.

 

[tarosean]

It depends on the design, but many muzzle brakes can make a massive difference in felt recoil and muzzle rise. JP, SJC Titans and several others are huge for 3-gunners. Just be forewarned, a brake can/will help with recoil and muzzle rise, but also greatly increase noise to the shooter and his/her sides. Generally, the more effective the brake is, the louder it is.

Yep....I have a JP Cooley on mine.. while it makes it feel like a 22LR it will leave you with a serious migraine after a full day of shooting.

 

[Inebriated]

You may not "feel" a big recoil difference just plinking, but timed speed/accuracy drills bear the difference pretty clearly.

There are four types;
Flash hiders - which hide flash
Brakes - which cut recoil
Compensators - which redirect the muzzle
And combination devices that attempt to both suppress flash and affect recoil or muzzle movement.

Whichever one you pick really just depends on what you're doing.

So... what are you doing with it?

The devices I use on my two AR's are the BCM Mod 0, and the PWS FSC556.

The Mod 0 is a great general-purpose "tactical" muzzle device. "Tactical" meaning it does a good job at keeping you on target, but it isn't throwing a fireball or bothering the people to your sides... I know "tactical" turns people off, but realize that it's differentiating itself from competition devices. I've seen no flash with mine, it's easier on the ears, and it does keep me on target very well. There is some more muzzle climb with it than the PWS, less than the A2. It does everything I want from something that may be used to protect myself. There's not a big fireball, it won't be as harsh without ears, and I don't need the ultimate reduction in muzzle climb to be effective in any practical environment. If mine didn't come with the BCM, and had an A2 instead, I might would just leave the A2, as it does a great job in its own right.

The PWS, on the other hand, does a fantastic job of keeping the muzzle still. Muzzle climb is almost completely eliminated, and it does keep flash to a minimum. There's a golf ball sized flame inside the compensator, but nothing out the front (where the flash hider is). It's my "fun" muzzle device. I can wring out the gun and stay on target, and on a range by myself, I don't care how loud it is. It is a little nasally-feeling, but it's not bad

 

[NWcityguy2]

There is a significant difference in the ability to keep sights on target for repeated follow up shots when using a true comp. With most of the hybrid comps, like the J Strike, they still preserve much of the recoil reduction, but don't have nearly as much side concussion or flash.

If you are not overly concerned with flash signature, replace the A2 with something more effective is a no-brainer.

 

[Dr.Zubrato]

Rifle serves as home defense as well, so I'll state I haven't had any experience besides my A2.

While I'd like an ultra effective brake, probably most important is:
Concussion
Flash
Brake

However, at this point I understand 5.56 indoors will ring my bell regardless. I'm waiting out Illinois Supressor bill to go through, and plan to use that for my sake and my family.
That may be quite a wait at this point..

 

[HJ857]

Well, since you say home defense, then the only sensible choice is something that will throw all the noise forward and don't worry one bit about flash or muzzle jump. Anything that redirects up or to the sides will ring you bell potentially, and most likely, to the point that you'll never recover from it.

You also said, buying skill. Which is not true as others have backed up. But there is a real chance of buying the wrong gear for your use.

Take a defensive carbine class, you'll be better served with more knowledge first and gear choices second.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Some of the commercial brakes out there really amp up the noise and concussion.

Best thing about the A2 is it lessens the amount of dust you kick up in front of your shooting position when prone.

I have XM-177 style slot suppressors on three of my AR's.

 

[NWcityguy2]

For inside the house, you're better off protecting your hearing. The muzzle doesn't move from enough with an A2 to push it off target at room distances anyway.

 

[Itzdapig]

http://www.blackrivertactical.com/concrete5/covert-comp/
Black River Tactical Covert Comp on all my ARs

 

[Driftertank]

I have a Yankee Hill Phantom 5C2 on my carbine. Little bit of compensation effect, makes a decent strike implement for CQB (theoretically; have never hit anyone with it, personally) and noticeably quieter from behind the gun than the Smith Vortex on my girlfriends Sig 556. Not terribly expensive either, paid about 28 bucks for it.

 

[RIATAC45]

I have the Lantac Dragon. It is very effective at recoil reduction and muzzle rise, but dang it's loud! Not something I would want to fire indoors at all.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I'm thinking of getting one of the 5.5" brakes to mount to my AR pistol in the event I get bored with it as a pistol and would rather have another carbine.

I use the A2 birdcage because they are cheap, readily available, functional and still look good.

 

[HankB]

I have a Yankee Hill Phantom 5C2 on my carbine. Little bit of compensation effect, makes a decent strike implement for CQB (theoretically; have never hit anyone with it, personally) and noticeably quieter from behind the gun than the Smith Vortex on my girlfriends Sig 556. Not terribly expensive either, paid about 28 bucks for it.

Same here - mine is permanently attached (blind pin & welding) to a 14.5" barrel to bring the length up to 16.25". It works better than the A2 flash hider to suppress flash, and it has a bit of compensation, too; I think that comes mostly from the "closed" bottom which means that besides not kicking up dust when fired from prone, the muzzle blast will exert a little downward force to reduce muzzle rise. (Which isn't much with a .223 anyway.)