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AR-15 Muzzle device question

3K views 20 replies 12 participants last post by  Ibmikey 
#1 ·
I recently order a muzzle devise for my AR that purports to suppress flash, comp for recoil and reduce muzzle flip. Namely the VG6 Epsilon 556 in case anyone has experience. I know said devises make the rifle louder, but am not concerned about that. I am curious however how much gas is going to be blasted out the ports. I know it will be increased, but by how many factors? How uncomfortable will people be around me? Oh yes, rifle is 5.56. Thanks so much!!!
 
#2 ·
AR Brake

All I can say is ANY Brake I have dealt with had a HUGE impact on my ability to hear for the next few days. Figuring it's an AR, the recoil is pretty minimal to begin with. My boys both are Army, and they of course know the AR pretty well, but one of them put a brake on his and I am like...cool. Then he fired it.
I'm like...I am LEAVING before I go deaf. Yes, I know what hearing protection is. That's my two cents.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Take it from one who served in the army before hearing protection was popular and later many years on the police pistol,team----wear hearing protection!!! If not you will suffer my constant ringing in my head, inability to understand most any conversation without VA provided hearing aids and finally hearing and understanding but 75-80 % of those conversations with the aids.
It is just plain dumb to subject your hearing to such damage when lots of neat protection is offered.
I have brakes on about ten of my AR's and they are quite effective in keeping the muzzle down, I shoot in a gravel pit and do not have others next to me on a bench. The VG 6 is not as loud as many and does not tame the muzzle like more aggressive brakes. You will enjoy the differences with the 6. And gain the cool look factor too boot.
 
#4 ·
Take it from one who served in the army before hearing protection was popular and later many years on the police pistol,team----wear hearing protection!!! If not you will suffer my constant ringing in my head, inability to understand most any conversation without VA provided hearing aids and finally hearing and understanding but 75-80 % of those conversations with the aids.
It is just plain dumb to subject your hearing to such damage when lots of neat protection is offered.
I have brakes on about ten of my AR's and they are quite effective in keeping the muzzle down, I shoot in a gravel pit and do not have others next to me on a bench. The VG 6 is not as loud as many and does not tame the muzzle like more aggressive brakes. You will enjoy the differences with the 6. And gain the cool look factor too boot.
Agreed, I can not comprehend why someone would shoot ANY firearm for training, target, etc. without hearing protection. Much less a rile with a muzzle brake.

To the OP, that is a hard question to answer. Too many variables, like how close the other shooters are, indoor outdoor, quality of their hearing pro. It will be loud for all involved. Like the 1st Sgt. tells you before you go on liberty, wear protection.


Sent from a phone I can use to do my taxes, but can't make a damn call.
 
#5 ·
for the most part, the muzzle brake on an AR is hold-over from the M16 when the AR transitioned into a semi-auto civilian version. the muzzle brake was very effective at helping control muzzle rise when firing the M16 in full auto mode.

with the design of the recoil system being straight in line with the shoulder and the mildness of the round as far as recoil, the muzzle brake for the most part on the AR is just a pretty attachment that really serves no real practical purpose.

but all those makers of the nice expensive muzzle brakes, compensators, and flash hiders love to sell them to everyone that thinks they need the latest and greatest one they bring to the market.

do they serve any practical purpose? sure they do. for probably a very small segment of the people who use them in competition and target shooting. but for the vast majority of us that own AR's, they really serve no other purpose than looking cool on the rifle. my next AR that i build, will probably not even have one on it.
 
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#6 · (Edited)
Watch this youtube video and maybe it will help. As you will see, some of these are quite expensive, and some are not. I have the Yankee Hill Phantom 5C2. It is both a flash hider AND a comp. and it works very well. It is only $28.50 at Brownells. Watch to the end where it shows the measurements of the various models and the Yankee Hill rates as one of the best performers of the ones tested.




YANKEE HILL MACHINE CO., INC.
AR-15 PHANTOM 5C2 FLASH SUPPRESSOR 22 CAL


Dedicated Comp/Flash Hider Combo; Aggressive Front End Cuts For CQB Maneuvers

Five, straight, longitudinal vents hide flash while dispersing gases up and outward to tame muzzle rise. No downward facing port helps eliminate dust signature when shooting in the prone position. For threaded barrels only, includes crush washer. .223 model has grooved base rings that accept training attachments and sound suppression devices for LE and military personnel. Chisel-shaped front notches keep muzzle planted on your attacker during CQB situations.
 
#16 ·
When I took the muzzle brake off my AR10, it "re-directed " the gas so it cycled the
rifle's action properly.
If a muzzle brake affected the operation of your AR10, it has a problem in the gas system.
 
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#10 ·
I have a very aggressive brake from Surefire. Awhile back I was plinking and decided to use my hood as a bench, shooting parallel with my windshield. I was using $.79 foam plugs, the side blast reflected off the windshield, slapped me in the side of the face and everything sounded like a blown speaker in my right ear for more than a week! The brake you’re using doesn’t look as dramatic but you should still take a second or two to consider your surroundings when shooting.
 
#11 ·
My AR's have hiders but I installed a brake on my Mini 14 for trips to California. Surprisingly they know the difference and dont like flash hiders. Right now I need a 30 caliber 5/8x24 flash hider.
 
#14 ·
The guy that did the video has a part 2 out and a video on 30 caliber muzzle brakes. There appears to be a part 2 &3 on muzzle brakes on AR15's.



 
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#17 ·
Muzzle breaks, or any ported barrel for that matter, will make the firearm seem louder to those of either side if you. Compensators on the other hand direct the sound forward. Brakes will help with percieved recoil, even on a 223. Muzzle devices can sometimes affect accuracy, but one of my most accurate rifles, a 6.5 Grendel, wears a break.
 
#18 ·
I ended up with eye damage from a muzzle brake on a 300 magnum. A woman took the position next to mine and I did not pay much attention until she touched off a round and the blast went behind my glasses. I did not realize at the time the amount of damage.
I only have on muzzle brake on a Mini 14 because I take the rifle to California and they dont like flash hiders. I put up a shield at the range if I am shooting next to someone. Also catches my brass. I have seen some brakes that have external threads for a forwarding sleeve. It partially negates the effect of the brake but sends the sound forward. Demonstrations show a major difference. You put it on if you are shooting with other people. Looks bulky though. In some countries it is not polite to shoot without a suppressor but they are available over the counter unlike here.
 
#20 ·
Here is an example of a sound forward brake.
 
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