Brake, compensator, and flash hider

[strat81]

What is the difference between a brake, compensator, and a flash hider?

Looking at YHM's selection, they offer a few different types that look nearly the same: http://www.yankeehillmachine.com/store/muzzle.html

 

[gvnwst]

A brake is made to reduce recoil, a comp is pretty much the same thing, except it usually has ports on the top to reduce muzzle climb (note, brake and comp pretty much mean the same thing, both have features of the other) A flash hider does what it says, hides the flash. So it dosen't damage your night vision. Or at least that is what i have learned.

 

[strat81]

How are they different in their construction?

 

[Jayman]

Brakes tend to be much louder than the other two. Brakes have side ports that vent gas, typically such that people standing beside you on a firing line will be annoyed with you rather quickly. FWIW, a brake may indeed also have "compensation," which I attribute to be ports on the top to keep the muzzle from climbing, but a pure brake is designed to reduce recoil, much like the monster on the end of most .50bmg rifles. A flash hider is constructed to keep unburnt powder from exiting such that it creates more muzzle flash. Even a military style birdcage works pretty good, compared to none at all. (Amazing how much muzzle flash you can get from a 5.56 round out of a 16" bull barrel.) Also, you may see flash hiders that have compensation, typically on those the bottom port is not open, so gas vents in all directions EXCEPT downward, which keeps the muzzle from climbing.

So, in short, all of these things have vents in varying directions. The construction of those vents plays heavily into what the muzzle device accomplishes. Some muzzle devices are a combination of more than one type behavior.

 

[Jason M]

Here is a crude picture of a basic compensator. It has numerous chambers that expell the gas sequentially to lessen the force the gasses produce when they exit the muzzle. Typically, all the holes point upward to help fight the muzzle jump and help with quick folloow-up shots.

A flash hider isn't this complicated. It usually just dispurses the gases in all directions behind the bullet as it exits the muzzle rather than the bright blast that comes out of a muzzle with no flash hider.

Jason

 

[rcmodel]

There seems to be a great deal of confusion on what a Flash-hider, or Compensator (AKA Muzzle Brake) is, and what it does.

This is an M16A2 style flash-hider. It hides flash very well, but has only a little effect on recoil control.
Notice the big hole in the end where the bullet comes out.


This is an A2 style Comp, or muzzle brake. It is fairly effective at controlling recoil a little & flash a little. In other words, it is a compromise.
Notice the smaller hole in the end.


This is a Smith Comp, which is very effective at controlling recoil, but has no effect on flash.
Notice the fairly small hole, internal chambers, & angled vent ports.


This is a JP Compensator. One of the most effective Comps, or muzzle Brakes ever devised.
It can be "clocked" to direct blast in any direction you want it to go, totally stopping muzzle climb, or drifting off target due to rifling torque on the bullet. No effect on flash except to direct more of it away from the bore axis


Now, what controls recoil?
In simple terms, bore pressure is trapped in the brake or comp, and released as high-pressure gas jets acting in the direction needed to counter recoil forces. In addition, the expanding gases push foreword on the internal baffles inside the comp, and further cancel reward thrust.

Flash-hider = Big hole in the end = Low port pressure.
A Flash-hider doesn't trap these gasses, thus the jets escaping from the ports do not have enough pressure to do much of anything at all about controlling recoil.

Brake = Smaller hole in the end to raise gas pressure & non-directional port slots.= More gas port pressure, but not quite enough, and not aimed in the right direction, to totally stop recoil effects. Little effect on flash.

Comp. = Bullet dia hole in the end for maximum gas port pressure, and with directional ports, and internal baffles, to cancel recoil. This is the most effective at controlling recoil, but doesn't control flash at all.


rcmodel

 

[Owen]

with one minor correction to rcmodel.

it's not the jet that reduces recoil, but the direction change of the gas.

 

[rcmodel]

Or maybe a little of both?

Only the Shadow knows!

rcmodel

 

[PercyShelley]

Or maybe a little of both?

Think of it like a rocket nozzle, it is indeed both. Gas expansion ratios, collimation, con-di, all that jazz.

Really though, existing compensator designs seem to work well enough that nobody has ever put as much effort and care into engineering and manufacturing the things as rocket nozzles, which is probably good otherwise they would be stupid expensive.