Muzzle brake question

S

Scottish Highlander

New member
Hi everyone, quick easy question really. Is a muzzle break looked at as seriously as a suppressor :confused:

Or is it just a simple add on to and existing firearm....There quite costly too for what you get. Are they worth even bothering with. Id like to take the suppressor off my 308 for some certain aspects when I'm shooting and either fit a muzzle break or just a cap that screws on the end to cover over the ugly thread that's there.

Jamie
 
I would only attach a brake if it was needed for recoil reduction. Gases vented to the side make the firearm seem louder to the observers to the side of the shooter.

In the USA a brake is nothing like a silencer (suppressor). I would just use a thread protector.
 
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A muzzle brake (b-r-a-k-e) is just another option to screw onto the end of your barrel. They are noisy, and can be annoying, but there are no legal implications to having one in a free state.
 
Generally all shooting ranges require hearing protection. So having a muzzle brake on a rifle becomes non issue.

And shooting without hearing protection is not a good way to shoot.
 
I'd bet that someone could make a "muzzle brake" that looks just like the inside of a silencer. Without the outer tube, there would be no noise reduction, so it might be legal. Or, it might not be. Just wondering when someone will push the limits of what is/is not a muzzle brake.
 
A silencer (suppressor) is not legally defined by appearance but by the fact that it reduces the sound level. A brake is not a suppressor, or vice versa, but a device that does both would legally be a suppressor, not a brake.

Jim
 
It seems like the OP may be confusing flash suppressor/muzzle brakes with sound suppressors/silencers. Many folks just say brake or suppressor, and it is hard to know what they are referring to unless you are following the conversation closely.
 
A silencer (suppressor) is not legally defined by appearance but by the fact that it reduces the sound level. A brake is not a suppressor, or vice versa, but a device that does both would legally be a suppressor, not a brake.
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Yeah, but then you get into the matter of silencer parts. If I make a flash suppressor/muzzle brake that is a 6" long version of some of the breaks that direct the noise/gas out and to the rear (something like this but a little wider and 6" long: http://www.ebay.com/itm/M44-Muzzle-...52?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231417f964; and then thread the end of the brake, would that be a silencer part or a muzzle brake? By itself, it does nothing to reduce sound. Screw a can on it and it, or just wrap it in some insulation and it could reduce sound.
 
As mentioned, muzzle brakes ARE NOT a controlled accessory, there are no hoops to go through to buy, install or use.

As too their usefulness and do they work. I have a few and I'd say yes, they are useful and they do work.

I started out putting one on my 300 WM 1000 yard rifle. It reduces the recoil quite a bit, allowing my to enjoy my shooting a lot more. Also, and more important they reduce muzzle whip allowing for faster follow up shoots and allow you to better observe your hits or misses at distance.

After the results I put one on my 375 H&H, which makes it a pleasure to shoot. I have a mold where I can shoot jacketed/cast bullets meaning I can shoot my 375 fairly cheap, only paying for primers and powder. I can shoot more, get more practice which makes me shoot it better. Without the brake my shooting would be limited because I'm a wimp when it comes to recoil.

I shoot for fun, not to bet beat up by my rifles, and again, quick follow up shots. Kind of handy after spending hard funds for an elk hunt. It could mean a down elk or following an blood trail all night.

I'm putting one on a light weight 308 I built for my grandson, meaning he can use hunting loads instead of light Trail Boss loads, he can learn to shoot instead of learning to flinch.

Yeah they make noise, more so then without, but I don't shoot, and wont let any one else shoot on my range without proper ear protection.

Also I don't shoot on a crowded range so I don't disturb anyone else.

Before one condemns brakes, I'd like to see them try them.

If anyone is close to Newcastle Wyoming, give me a shout, I'll take you to the range and you can shoot my rifles with and without a brake and see for yourself.

This isn't an advertisement for muzzle brakes, I don't sell them, I don't make them and I don't install them on anyone's rifle but my own.

I just want my fellow shooters to enjoy their shooting more, and I believe brakes will allow that.
 
Skans said:
I'd bet that someone could make a "muzzle brake" that looks just like the inside of a silencer. Without the outer tube, there would be no noise reduction, so it might be legal. Or, it might not be. Just wondering when someone will push the limits of what is/is not a muzzle brake.
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Look up the Sig Sauer MPX..
 
Anyone can "push the limits" of legality provided that he doesn't mind stainless steel toilets and very thin mattresses. The bars are a bit inhibiting, though.

Jim
 
Well kraigwy your post is pretty interesting really. I'm totally torn now :(

A muzzle brake would give the rifle a cool look to which is what I was looking for plus the added benefit of it's purpose. I've never seen one on a rifle before far less fired one. Long run I was hoping for the muzzle break and a new black synthetic stock to try and achieve the Tactical look to the rifle.

I've looked at a few different muzzle breaks and there shape varies quite considerably....isn't there a standard shape that does the job or are they all up to the task...??
I'd think there would be some out there that are just not practical and you might get some useless artifact if your not sure what your looking at ??

What about these ??

http://shop.grizzlygunworks.com/Tik...E2878B655D65A1194AB60C2DCC4BDA.m1plqscsfapp06

Jamie
 
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If you're going to add a suppressor anyway, consider a muzzle brake that is used for a suppressor mount.

For instance, the Ops Inc 12th model 30 cal suppressor mounts on an Ops Inc Muzzle Brake.

Surefire also has muzzle devices that mount their suppressors.

Just a thought.
 
I've never understood the usefulness(from a military perspective) of a muzzle break. I mean a 3 foot muzzle flash will draw just as much fire as a 10 foot muzzle flash; Right? :confused:

Oh hey this is cool, they gave me the option to decide whether or not I want to reply to a thread that's more than 33 days old. :rolleyes:
 
I've never understood the usefulness(from a military perspective) of a muzzle break. I mean a 3 foot muzzle flash will draw just as much fire as a 10 foot muzzle flash; Right?
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I think you've got your devices confused. A muzzle break or "compensator" is meant to reduce recoil, sound tends to be increased. And reducing recoil can be VERY useful as you can imagine, especially with big recoiling cartridges like the .50 BMG.

A FLASH SUPRESSOR is what reduces that visible flash you are talking about. Also they seem to be more effective than you imply but still less effective than a sound suppressor which eliminates muzzle flash and reduces muzzle report significantly, while also reducing recoil. I also believe one of the reasons for having flash suppressors on military weapons is to protect the crown from damage, which it does quite well.
 
3.Shot.Group. said:
I've never understood the usefulness(from a military perspective) of a muzzle break. I mean a 3 foot muzzle flash will draw just as much fire as a 10 foot muzzle flash; Right? :confused:

Oh hey this is cool, they gave me the option to decide whether or not I want to reply to a thread that's more than 33 days old. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Muzzle brakes are not commonly used in the military except for high caliber, shoulder fired weapons such as the .50 BMG and .338 Lapua sniper rifles. They do a great job of taming recoil, and it is needed on those weapons. Common muzzle devices for lighter recoiling small arms is a simple flash suppressor.
 
A FLASH SUPRESSOR is what reduces that visible flash you are talking about. Also they seem to be more effective than you imply but still less effective than a sound suppressor which eliminates muzzle flash and reduces muzzle report significantly, while also reducing recoil. I also believe one of the reasons for having flash suppressors on military weapons is to protect the crown from damage, which it does quite well.
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I recall my armor(decades ago) saying the only good thing about the flash suppressors on our A1's was that they protected the crown.

The device on the .50 cal Barret both suppresses the flash and reduces recoil; Doesn't it?
 
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