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Posted: 12/6/2012 7:16:09 PM EDT
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For some this will be a question showing my complete ignorance.
I have never completely understood the function of different muzzle devices. I'm not talking about silencers or noise suppressors. Rather things called flash hiders, compensators and brakes, etc. What are the definitions of each and what else is out there? I've come across websites selling things guaranteed to keep your muzzle down but may make it louder and may or may not affect flash. Some of the boutique aftermarket stuff can be quite pricey. I have a couple ARs with the "birdcage", One FAL with a long 5 slotted hider, one with a shorter cylindrical form having a few rows of angled holes, an M1A and M76 with the long slotted style, an AK47 with a fat cylinder and one large hole side to side. Can anyone direct me to a decent explanation of the various muzzle devices and their effectiveness at what they claim to do? |
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The main purpose of a flash hider is to redirect the flash do it doesn't obstruct the shooters view while shooting. The bird cage style devices spread the flash out be forcing it to go through the slots, making it less visible to the shooter. Some also make the flash less noticeable from an observers point of view (so the "enemy" has a harder time seeing where you are shooting from).
Muzzle brakes and compensators are there to counter act recoil and muzzle climb. They do this by redirecting the gasses that exit the barrel when a round is fired. The direct some of the gasses upward to help push the muzzle down with every shot.. this helps counter muzzle rise. They also have ports on the side that direct the gasses to the side and to the rear of the muzzle. This helps counter the rifles recoil by pushing the rifle forward slightly with every shot. These are NOT designed to work as flash hiders (although some do help with muzzle flash). They make the rifle seem louder because when they direct gasses backwards, the noise comes with it. Some work so well that they are very annoying to people around the shooter, because the extra noise and concussion from the gasses can be very uncomfortable for some people. How effective any of these varies based on the design. It's a give and take sort of thing. I've had brakes that work great, but everyone around me hated them because they were so noisy and the concussion was borderline unbearable to be around..lol |
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I only have expierence with the slant brake in comparison to a non-threaded rifle. Overall, the slant brake is fucking great. I sighted in an a SLR-101 with its Bulgarian brake, then switheched to the slant brake and I was still able to hit the following pic of a silhouetteat 100-110 yards prone with no problem. I was nailing it at 100 standing w/o a rest at all. At 50 yards and closer, I was able to double-tap the silhouette. I have never been able to do that before with a 7.62x39 round. I was extremely happy with that.
Here is a pic of the stock (Bulgarian, or close enough) brake: Here's a pic of the size of the target with the 101s for perspective: 
I don't own any of the rifles mentioned btw.  But I can answer any question you have about the brakes mentioned.
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Flash suppressors and most flash 'hiders' don't redirect flash, they make it go away.
It has to do with unburned powder, atmospheric oxygen, and the way they mix on exiting the barrel. A good flash hider will make the difference between a two foot ball of flame, and no flame at all. Compensators and brakes (notice I didn't spell that b-r-e-a-k), as mentioned above, vector the high pressure gas coming out of the barrel to reduce felt recoil and muzzle climb. |
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I'll be putting together a true SBR from a Draco pistol. I know the Draco is no precision instrument but that's not the goal. I'll put an Ace side folder on it and a peep sight (Tech-Sights) on the rear trunion. The goal is a compact, mid range, discrete, fast access, high power rifle, with irons-only capable of quick target reacquisition on second and following shots. Could be fun for IDPA / three gun stuff. I found 20 round AK mags for it and I wanna retro them to take the Yugo BHO followers.
I've been surfing the net a lot since last night (only cause I.just had hand surgery and have nothing but time on my hands). I'm thinking about the Battle Comp AKBC for this? seems to be a great flash suppresor while doing the job of a Comp/Brake. Pricy though. I found this video comparison of muscledevicesin my late night perusing on the internet. . . . . . . . http://videobam.com/ChaxN Decent presentation for me to wrap my head around. I guess a follow up question I have now is: .While killer for full auto how do Brakes and Comps affect single shot accuracy? |
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