Smyth Busters: Do You Need a Muzzle Brake on an AR-15?

"Only sissy girls put a muzzle brake on an AR!" That's what a certain faction of the AR-15 fraternity says. The 5.56 NATO / .223 round generates so little recoil and muzzle rise, their reasoning goes, real men don't need a muzzle brake. Not so fast, say Brownells Gun Techs™ Steve and Caleb, reducing felt recoil and muzzle rise is always a good thing. In rapid-fire shooting, a muzzle brake will help you keep the muzzle down and stay on target. The less recovery time between shots, the MORE shots you can land on the target accurately. You can also SEE where your shots are landing. From varmint hunters to competition shooters, being able to keep the crosshairs on the target in case you need a follow-up shot is a big benefit. One drawback of muzzle brakes is they tend to make the sound of the muzzle blast louder. But isn't that what hearing protection is for? In life, you make tradeoffs to get benefits all the time. So the myth is BUSTED. A muzzle brake IS useful on an AR-15.

[@Ultona]

Recoil reduced by 20%, muzzle blast increased by 75%! Brakes do have a place, but the shorter your barrel the nastier they are.

[@MrRolloBaggins]

Yup. I like them on my rifle builds but not my "pistol" setups. They are bad enough with just a birdcage lol

[@CalebSavant]

A good muzzle brake is closer to 50% with your faster moving cartridges, definitely worth it in most cases.

[@project86xero]

I like them as part of a system. Like a competition gun or a purpose driven AR. Case in point my girlfriends AR has a brake, adjustable gas block, lightweight bcg, and a jp silent capture spring. It's super lightweight and has almost zero recoil. Personally I can't stand muzzle brakes. But to each their own.

[@MobiusUSAH]

@@CalebSavant Supposedly the JP Recoil Eliminator (Tank Brake) reduces by 70.41% compared to bare muzzle. A2 only reduces by 8.08%. 2.75 inches of recoil for JP, 8.4375" for A2, and 9.175" for bare muzzle. Based on The Truth About Guns testing.

[@thedesignerblacksmith5953]

@@MobiusUSAH But the A2 is a hybrid between flash hider and compensator(less muzzle flip, not recoil reduce). Brownells made a clip about A2 before

[@walterneto5320]

Great lessons! Learning straight from Brazil how to clean, lubricate an AR-15, spare parts, etc.

[@onpsxmember]

Check out sotar.

[@rocksteady13]

As a veteran with significant hearing loss I would prefer if everyone next to me on the range had a suppressor instead of an amplifier.

[@joedirt7604]

If only I could convince the store to sell me a suppressor without that extra $200 bribe.

[@CalebSavant]

As a veteran with significant hearing loss as well (I have hearing aids), I double up on ear pro if I'm at a public range.

[@HattoSora]

Would you instead opt for more hearing loss so you don't have to deal with it anymore? \*roll safe meme\*

[@RobinP556]

You’re a veteran and you can still hear?! WTH!!! 😁

[@Bobdixon_Moonvarga_Dancer_III]

@@joedirt7604 that bribe is going to the govt not the store

[@anangryranger]

Good points made guys. Appreciate your efforts, as always. Being an old man, recoil does effect me on larger weapons. However, after trying a few muzzle devices on past AR15s, I have returned to owning one, a plain jane M4 clone. The stock A2 flashhider is fine. And no dirt kicked up while in the prone.

[@razorfame9523]

That's the main reason they're still used so much

[@anangryranger]

@@razorfame9523 You got that right amigo!! Got talked into using a multi holed device on an earlier AR I had. Loud as hell, and kicked up so much debris from the prone that I spit dirt for 20 minutes! Sold that weapon with all the accessories that were stuck on it. Went back to the basics on my next one. Iron sights carry handle. Standard GI sling and nothing else. Much better. 'Course it takes me over a minute to go to prone now that I'm old. Longer to recover from that position. Gotta get up in stages! Ha!

[@roygaisser9230]

I don't have a brake on my AR's cuz I though Steve would think I was a sissy. But now I can!!! I really don't have a brake on them because there are so doggone many out there, I don't know which ones to buy. I don't want a box full of brakes to rival my holster box. Maybe there's a couple of guys at Brownell's who could do a video that recommends 2 or 3 (not 15 or 20)?!?! Thanks for the content fellas, I try to watch every one y'all put out.

[@MobiusUSAH]

The Truth About Guns already did this. Three times. And has videos. Find the one that fits your budget and has the best performance for that budget. It's a decent review. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqSlm4SgeJ1sq6M

[@6Sally5]

I used to be a member of a shooting club where all our pistol and rifle stations were under a roof. I cringed whenever someone brought their rifle with a muzzle break. The blast noise was incredible and doubly so if they shot AR pistols. Many shooters would just pack up and leave if they had no other station to move to. Oddly enough, this was in Kommiefornia. On of the evil defining features of the “Assault Rifle” was the standard “flash hider muzzle device”. To be able to lawfully keep your AR, you had to remove the evil flash hider and shoot with nothing or replace with a non-flash hiding device…most chose muzzle breaks….which caused a lot of temporary deafness to adjacent shooters.

[@geraldtakala1721]

Permanent loss can and will occur.If your ears ring damage is occurring and will accumulate

[@XRedJar]

There are some brakes that have a deflector that could be used at the range to mitigate some of the blast/noise to those around you. Always good to have options.

[@B.P._]

Yea deflectors are like problems being added to a solution IMO. Muzzle breaks are meant to expel the gasses in an outward trajectory. The shrouds reduce the noise but then redirect the already redirected gasses back to the front. This is something they should look at for a SmythBusters episode.

[@jonboy9734]

@@B.P._ depends on the deflector. Some increase the effectiveness of the muzzle break.

[@robison87]

I bought a Epsilon VG6 muzzle brake/compensator for my WASR 10/63 ak47(akm) and my god the difference was astounding. There is virtually no rise, but more importantly to me there was a dramatic reduction in recoil. It makes it much more pleasant to shoot now and only a bit more recoil than my ar-15s now. My wife and I were astounded how effective they are. I intended on buying 2 more for my other AKs.

[@Werepie]

I was gifted the same brake and put it on my 18" AR, that gun runs incredibly flat now. Was a bit concussive for my tastes though, so I put the VG6 "CAGE" over top and it's returned maybe 10% of that recoil but almost completely eliminated the blast. Definitely recommend, particularly if you shoot indoors (I don't, but did mag-dump right next to a big boulder just to check and it's not bad at all)

[@dgax65]

I have military/work-related hearing loss and tinnitus, so I'd rather not use a brake. I understand their utility, but I'm just weighing my decision against the potential for more hearing damage. I always use plugs and muffs when I'm at the range, but there are times you find yourself at a position next to somebody shooting a large caliber weapon with a brake. Even with double protection the sound transmitted through the bone can still do damage. I've made my choice, but I'm not going to say anything to somebody who decides to use a brake.

[@simply_based]

Flash hiders are necessary for any fighting rifle, which the ar-15 was designed to be. If it used for competition on general fun, sure, use whatever gives you the fizz, but signature reduction is paramount on fighting rifles.

[@shrimuyopa8117]

I have muzzlebrakes and I have flash hiders. They're tools, both have pros and cons. I have them on different guns for different purposes.

[@mostlypeacefulmisterputin]

There are some “hybrid” muzzlebrake/flash hider combos out there, I have yet to try one but I’m putting it on my list right now

[@MobiusUSAH]

@@mostlypeacefulmisterputin The Truth About Guns did a pretty comprehensive review. I ended up choosing the VG6 Epsilon for my hybrid. It's not a perfect flash hider, but it gives decent performance with a good brake. Kind of hits that crossing point between brake and flash hider. As well as that can be done anyway.

[@bluesheep2021]

Same.

[@dash8_music]

@@mostlypeacefulmisterputin check out the surefire Warcomp! In my experience I have yet to see any flash from it even in low light situations and I have little to no recoil however there are other factors at play then just the muzzle device but it is great none the less. Plus it is suppressor mountable for surefire suppressors if you want to do that as well.

[@ETHRON1]

Yep...

[@Ming_USA]

A side effect of muzzle device is sometimes it may change the barrel harmonics significantly. I have a BCM AR-15 for many years. It didn't shoot very well for the first few years, mostly 1+MOA at best no matter what ammo I fed it. At one point I decided to replace the flash hider coming with it with a fake suppressor (purely for the look). The old flash hider was super tight and it took quite an effort to remove it. But with this single change, suddenly it shot much better, a consistent 0.6~0.7MOA rifle with IMI 77Gr ammo. Out of curiosity I also tried a couple of other muzzle devices, but none of them could deliver the same accuracy as the fake suppressor which is reverse screwed on and doing nothing to help with recoil. But it does improve the accuracy a lot, and I'm really happy about it!

[@nk-dw2hm]

Johnny's reloading bench did a good test on this. He found just adding any hunk of metal to the end improved accuracy. The ec tuner brake is an interesting device for the ability to dial it in

[@Ming_USA]

@@nk-dw2hm Yeah, I saw a similar video before which compares difference muzzle devices in terms of how they affect accuracy. Turned out a reversed threaded metal chunk helped accuracy most on that particular rifle, which is similar to my case. What I didn't expect with my BCM upper is the flash hider from the manufacturer actually affects the accuracy negatively. Not sure if it's because it was installed too tight.

[@actionjksn]

@@Ming_USA I think I read somewhere that having a device screwed on too tight can hurt your accuracy.

[@waynegroves6922]

@@actionjksn Which is true. Any device screwed too tight on the end of a skinny barrel actually twists the end of the barrel just a few, tiny thousand's of an inch - essentially bottlenecking the round's exit.

[@MikeMo900]

Ask MA and NJ

[@47vulcanride]

Thanks, you've answered my main question about the noise. Love your shows

[@vitadigital]

You guys probably drive a hybrid! Lol. Just teasing the guy on the right 🤣

[@silentbigsteve3429]

Another thing to consider is some states have restrictions on flash hiders and not on muzzle brakes.

[@chipsterb4946]

A policy decision that makes ZERO sense to me. A good muzzle brake can increase your rate of fire. A good “flash hider” somewhat reduces the likelihood of someone on a 2-way shooting range seeing your muzzle flash and using that to target you. It does not make the flash magically disappear.

[@silentbigsteve3429]

@@chipsterb4946 I know that... You're barking up the wrong tree.

[@Hybris51129]

On my 20 inch AR when I added my muzzle brake I did notice my follow up shots were a bit faster and tighter. That said I spent 2 plus years researching brakes so found one that doesn't seem to focus the blast as badly as some. Of course just having a full size barrel helps a lot in that regard.

[@jackshett]

I've never had a problem with the sound from a brake. I find it silly people complain about it when there's literally an explosion happening in their hands. Of course it will be loud. Though I know few guns I have with a brake on them do direct the sound differently and I will at least be courteous and try to lessen it to others. But if you're at an outdoor range, I say f-'em and fire what you want, how you want, so long as it is safe.

[@TheRealJeff984]

It depends. Great times to run brakes (in my opinion of course): hunting, competition shooting, because you want to. Times when you probably shouldn't: working with a team indoors, doing stuff where you would prefer to not have your position given away (the flash generated). Times when you should never even consider a brake: when you are at the range with the booths and I am right next to you getting all the concussion to my face in the next booth. In all seriousness, who cares. Do what you want to do with your rifle like I do with mine.

[@BeetleBuns]

times you shouldn't use a muzzle brake: when hunting. Stay out of my woods with your damn muzzle brakes, I like my hearing, and I'd rather you not scare my quarry away from ten counties over.

[@TheRealJeff984]

@@BeetleBuns Valid lol

[@BeetleBuns]

@@TheRealJeff984 lol I'd like to see more suppressors in the woods, I'm really thinking of getting one because I'm starting to get tinnitus from hunting (the only time I don't wear ear pro for obvious reasons) Tbh I really don't care what people use when hunting as long as it kills the animal quickly and doesn't give _too_ much of an unfair advantage. I mean we're already using guns, so I don't know how much more unfair it can get lol.

[@TheRealJeff984]

@@BeetleBuns Hahah aint that the truth. Ive had good luck with electronic ear pro. Some of the cheaper ones will catch interference from my phone (for some stupid reason) but some nicer ones are definitely worth the money

[@jovannibaeza191]

If you have a rifle that’s a “combat” or shtf rifle, you don’t need a brake. You need a flash hider or a suppressor. Signature reduction is one of the most important things you can invest in. If it’s a range toy or competition gun, by all means get the most aggressive brake or device you want

[@whiplash8277]

Love you guys. Keep up the awesome work.

[@papiparsons9045]

You two missed the perfect sales line of 'you won't go broke buying a a brake at Brownells'

[@malekodesouza7255]

We had department policy that stated flash hiders were mandatory on our patrol rifles. As a result, that’s all I have and use. Old habits and all. And I don’t shoot “competition”.

[@robison87]

Do you know what kind you used and the brand of rifles? Also just curious what hollowpoint ammunition you guys carried and caliber? I really like the Federal HST.

[@MrRolloBaggins]

Need? No. But depending on application, sure why not? I love my 16" with one, but I don't have one on my 11.5. to each their own

[@jackson_craft_gamingscates9324]

gosh i love Calebs hand guard/rail....that thing is beautiful

[@robertplank6284]

Hey! 1955 called...they want there hairstyle back! Love your videos.

[@harperhellems3648]

Caleb came pretty darn close to calling Steve a Fudd. Glad to see they could still sip coffee together by the end. Whew!

[@CalebDor]

I use a muzzle brake on my 716 (7.62x51) because it really does tame that recoil down to a gentle nudge. That being said I keep my range visits restricted to during the duty week since the blasts issuing from the end of that barrel are quite boisterous and a sure way to make no friends on either side of you. Be well each of you.

[@dougshelton69]

Put one on my Mosin..made it very pleasant..

[@CplSkiUSMC]

I've never NEEDED a muzzle brake on an AR... but I put a J-Comp on my new build and everything you describe about the lack of muzzle rise and the quick follow up shot are very true. I don't NEED it, but I LIKE it. The only rifle I have that I feel like I really NEED a muzzle brake is my .338 Lapua... I wouldn't care to shoot it without one. Besides, only sissy girls complain about noise and blast from muzzle brakes at the range. But that's what hearing protection is for.

[@danoneill2846]

Noise maker !! a bird cage can keep the crown in good shape & keep dust down near the ground

[@mikerostine6253]

Shooting at a range that is covered with a roof is protected by rain but assaulted by concussive noise. I know they do make some decent earplugs.

[@Gottaculat]

I've been very happy with my A2 birdcage. Bought it from the gunsmith for $5 because the previous owner did a sloppy spray paint job on it. The A2 is nice because it's basically both a flash hider and comp. Very easy to get fast/rapid followup shots out to about 350 yards on 18" steel gongs, using iron sights. Past 350, I gotta start slowing down, but can maintain a good cadence even at 450 yards. Firing from the bench or prone. Mostly bench these days, 'cause I f---ed up my spine in a car accident last year. I won't be LARPing as an "operator" any time soon at shooting competitions, lol. I still enjoy long range competitions, though, out to 1,000 yards with a 6.5 Grendel upper. 🙂

[@vivillager]

Ha! I used to have a truck with literally no exhaust... not even a straight pipe, just the manifolds, and a turbo. So loud, couldn't even yell at a passenger and be heard. Had it like that for 3 years. Finally put an exhaust pipe + muffler earlier this year. Now I can actually talk to a passenger in the cab.

[@jamesrice6096]

I've put brakes/flashhiders on .22s to guard against youngsters, or me, grazing the ground and plugging the barrel. On anything bigger I prefer something even less punishing in loudness than an A2 birdcage. In the service you usually have ear pro. Without it, my limit is only a few shots in recreation, as I found out once. With varmints on a farm, the shot will be gone before you get your ear-pro in/on.

[@snowlothar45]

Synchronized Slurp's - I can only go 8.5. That being said, I am a believer in muzzle brakes from .50 BMG clear down to .22 lr.

[@CalebSavant]

Understood, I will forever be chasing that 10/10.

[@williambundick349]

As a hunter I have some kind of muzzle brake/ compensator on my rifles. Like y’all said helps to see my shots and quicker second shots if need be

[@SPLINTERINTHEMINDSEYE]

I use flash hiders or suppressors on .223/5.56, suppressors only on 300 Blackout, and brakes or suppressors on everything else.

[@Natedoc808]

Ares armor tunable muzzle break is amazing. Doesn’t blow all the gas laterally and ruin the range time, but does allow adjusting the gassing to directly combat the muzzle rise and direction your rifle produces.

[@GRWelsh7]

I don't see any reason not to try different muzzle devices to see what you like best... We live in a wonderful time to have so many options customizing our firearms.

[@itsme_Dio]

If anyone complains about my brake I tell them to buy me a silencer then lol

[@Russianmafia10]

Here in Nazichusetts, flash hiders are a no go, so can only have brakes or nothing. I usually try to run a flash reducing brake as a loophole

[@mrmatt7210]

Maybe a review of the more popular muzzle breaks would be appreciated.

[@MrDaleStroud]

Chuckling…you guys are a great combo. 😀

[@Nickrioblanco1]

Recoil is a detriment to accuracy, no matter what the shooting interval. The less the firearm moves the more the shooter will be able to hold it steady. How much difference that makes depends on the shooter, so it might not help that much if the shooter is super steady or very unsteady. As for the noise at a range you are not very smart if you do not have hearing protection for more than any level of sound you can encounter. Even without a muzzle break the person next to you could have a magnum firearm that could bring down the "Walls of Jericho". And for hunting you even less smart if you do not use electronic hearing protection, they are not perfect but are worth the tradeoff to preserve your hearing.

[@x-calibearusallc]

I’m more of a retro AR guy. There’s a duckbill on my 601, A1 on the A1, A2 on the A2 and M4. When it becomes time, an XM16E1 will get the improved 3-prong. The more modern ones have sound forward designs.

[@snoddycasualplayah3241]

last checked, the AR15 is a Varmint Rifle which fires the .223 Varmint round

[@CaptainRon1913]

I don't see a purpose for a muzzle brake on something that doesn't have much recoil to begin with. But I do use a linear comp to send the blast forward. Makes a huge difference to my ears, and the guy at the next booth over.

[@biteme263]

They are not always about reducing felt recoil. In many applications that is not the purpose of them at all. It is more about reducing muzzle rise and flip so you can control the weapon better. There are some brakes that are designed to reduce felt recoil and others that are not. If you are wearing proper hearing protection at the range like you should be anyway noise should not be an issue.

[@kevinl4966]

Agreed.... .

[@chris2Agearreviews]

On a 5.56 chambered rifle..... NO a muzzle brake is not needed the recoil impulse does not dictate the need for a muzzle brake......not to mention there's a reason why the military uses A2 flash hiders......killing flash signature trump's recoil in a duty/combat role type 5.56 chambered weapon......once again I'm referring to a 5.56 chambered rifle......your heavier hard hitting calibers YES a muzzle break is preferred and provides a significant advantage.....

[@docholliday3273]

Caleb, gotta agree with you, my friend. I have a Tubb 2K without and that would be the only way I would shoot an AR without a brake. And, Steve, you're dead-on on the JP brake.

[@steel440]

To each their own I say. Personally, the A2 bird cage always worked for me onn 5.56. I am however looking for a combo flash supressor/brake for my 308 AR without it sounding like an FAL!

[@deathtothewageslave]

Precision armament efab

[@jefflemaster2850]

Primary Weapon Systems flash hiding compensator

[@steel440]

@@jefflemaster2850 Thanks! I'll pick one up and try it!

[@EDCIndiana]

Strike industries jcomp v2 paired with the strike industries oppressor 👍🇺🇲

[@hanktorrance6855]

The reference to JM was interesting, we are all certainly not Jerry, who is incredibly talented, but likewise takes every advantage allowed...he uses compensators, porting, etc...what ever gives him an edge he can leverage...shouldn't we all do the same.

[@carnage50x]

My .308 most definitely needed a muzzle device. It Changed the whole gun. While the 5.56 is totally controllable with no muzzle device.

[@shawngrays9087]

I like to use them, to keep the Muzzle as flat as possible, recovery and time back on target.

[@zacknicholson3693]

I completely agree, with the exception of a fighting rifle. If your going to build a rifle to take into harms way go with a can or a proven flash hider.

[@Conky88]

I have a big muzzle brake on my 7.5” and have a wide open trigger on it. Everybody at the range loves me. They’re always staring in awe.

[@nelson587]

Have that green vice ... Mines has the taller clamps and comes in very handy with my rifles ...

[@timherrera8500]

I have a Gamma VG6 on my 300 blackout pistol with an 8" barrel and like it very much. So much I purchased a 2nd one for my 10.5" 300BLK. I like to find a muzzle brake for my Stag Arms 6L 556 that has a 24" bull barrel.

[@Crangaso]

Blast Diverter goes great on a SBR 5.56

[@darkfina3776]

I recently put a muzzle break on my 50 beowulf AR, now I'm feeling worried about taking it shooting, I didn't expect the noise increase to be much loader that it already is.

[@RenegadePhilly]

I have a AA Beowulf with a tank brake, funny thing is I make a lot of friends while shooting at the indoor range with it. People love the blast off it even though it’s been times it literally ripped the person next to me target down. I have a picture of me shooting it with like a foot and a half flame off each side of the brake reaching into the lane next to me.

[@AndyCigars]

Legend has it that Steve is really 10 feet tall beast man...they sit him on a short chair to get him in frame next to Caleb. Some say he showers in vodka each morning.

[@vvt7825]

According to confidential inside sources he uses high proof American bourbon for after shave

[@AndyCigars]

@@vvt7825 🤣🤣

[@bsmith150]

Flash hiders are there for a good reason!

[@johnfowler6189]

I definitely enjoy the less recoil aspect of breaks but when bench shooting from an enclosed or roofed firing line even with a good set of ear muffs it is really loud and not really appreciated by fellow shooters on the line. Shooting out in the open at irons they're great.

[@surevaliance7940]

“Due to the possible long term residual effects of their use from not only the decibel level, but also from the concussion which can lead to possible damage of the inner ear, we are no longer allowing them on the range.”

[@basedbalaclavaman7011]

I use muzzle brakes on some rifles, but my 5.56 rifle is my bugout buddy and it just has a flash hider. I tuned the gas perfectly and I find that in that instance, it doesn't need a muzzle brake. And remember, a brake doesn't replace training!

[@kensweet386]

Let’s not forget that muzzle brakes look cool!😊

[@ChaohsiangChen]

Even Miculek has brakes on his race firearms.

[@DILLIGAF88]

I didn’t even know this was a argument 😂😂😂 I’ve been making people mad and didn’t even know 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tomconley2458]

I have a VG6 Gamma and cage for my 10” AR 300blk, and a cx3 tactical Krinkov style muzzle brake and blast shield for my 10.5” KS47(hybrid AR/AK 7.62x39) Both brakes help with cycling issues of cheaper ammunition (increases back pressure), and both help with recoil and muzzle rise. An A2 flash hider isn’t sufficient for many higher caliber rifles.

[@Squatch-sj3vg]

I've got a loud truck and rock an A2. Actually never swapped out any of my muzzle brakes before, never found a personal need to 🤷🏿‍♂️ wouldn't mind trying one of those JP enterprises ones if they're as good as people say

[@badvlad9861]

Both my AR10's (LAR8's) have the big JP Enterpirse brakes and they work excellent!!! Loud as hell, so what? I'm not there to be quiet, it AINT a library ya know...............

[@dtaggartofRTD]

It's more that the muzzle brake is nasty for anyone unfortunate enough to be trying to share the range with you. The only spots that don't get blasted are down range and the location presently occupied by the shooter. The physics of a brake apply to the .223 as well as any other cartridge. The myth was likely cooked up as a plausible excuse to hush up some blaster with a brake at a range.

[@Crangaso]

Steve & Caleb!!!!

[@talbothanley4421]

I put one on my M12 AK shotgun and it makes a world of difference being able to keep the muzzle on target for multiple shots. My AR is next without a doubt

[@traceywalker2887]

Give ya $20.00 for a Brownells Steve and Caleb official coffee mug!!!

[@traviscoombes3578]

I barely had a muzzle device installed for the first time yesterday.

[@kansasgardener5844]

Muzzle brakes for sure!

[@donaldcarter1206]

I run GoGun Supercomp on most of my AR's and bolt guns except my AR10T carbine and 458. which is pinned and welded. On my superlight i throw it on top of a couple of 4x4's for a rest and it doesn't even appear to move and doesn't seem too much louder. My AR10T carbine is effective but loud and tends to blow every light object of the table. My 458 has a pinned and welded comp on a 14.5 inch barrel that is just miserable to shoot. The behind the muzzle blast tore up my sand bag rest.

[@boomanh63]

"Need" ... no .... not bad to have .. depends on what you are asking your rifle to do. None of my firearms have a muzzle break on them since I am not a competition shooter and I can get my muzzle back on target fast enough for my requirements.

[@alaneveler9828]

You guys are great. Keep educating us

[@Kisara556NATO]

Cool DIXXON flannel!

[@autumnfragrance6326]

Depends on the caliber and barrel length. My 10.5 inch 458 SOCOM has a brake.

[@approachingtarget.4503]

A break with a blast forward device compliments the platform. Lets be realistic. The AR15 was intended for battle. Its been adapted for precision shooting and hunting. In battle a flash suppression and recoil reduction to stay on target is the entire reason for the AR platform. If you want superior accuracy...you are not choosing a AR. And if your a serious hunter...the AR isnt necessary either. Its for battle!!!!

[@2A_Republic]

Anything and everything is better than the A2 birdcage. I run a little bigger flash hider on my rifle, but am considering switching out my wife's and son's birdcages for breaks.

[@manny75586]

1. Does it satisfy the "does it make my gun look cooler?" Question? Yes. 2. Is it as necessary compared to a rifle you have chambered In .338 Lapua or .50 BMG? Obviously not. A .50 without a break would be nightmarish. A 5.56 with a break is a diminishing return. You aren't getting as heavy a benefit as the bigger calibers get. Even a small return may be worth it to you, if so, do it. If it makes you a better shooter, that's what it's about.

[@rogerpemberton79]

I run Area 419 Hellfire brakes or Area 419 Hellfire 2P brakes.

[@ancientrenegade9243]

I'd rather have a brake than an A2 flash hider, had nothing but bad luck with bird cages, taking sub moa guns to nearly 4" groups at 100yds. Never used a muzzle brake that has opened groups up that much, most the time they decrease group size. Put 200 rounds through a 7mm rem mag in a day and you know about it if you don't have a brake fitted.

[@patricklozito7042]

I'm so old I have Fabian Brothers muzzle brakes.

[@disturbedmaynard3873]

If the Marine Corps wanted me to have a muzzle brake, they would have issued me one. That being said, I just never really thought about it

[@thebrucechannel8061]

I shoot steel and like you guys said, it's so much easier to keep on target having a muzzle brake on an AR15 when doing rapid-firing.

[@KyleBrinkerhoff]

Reject muzzle brake, embrace suppressor

[@lagoonlane]

Love you guys !

[@thefilthiestpeasant4573]

I like the flash hiders cause I like low light shooting, I'm kinda burly, but brakes and comps are smoother especially at a longer kinda deal

[@alswann2702]

It's not having a muzzle brake that's unmanly, it's complaining to me about my Krag carbine being too loud that straight up girly.

[@badvlad9861]

I put and tune muzzle brake's on my AR's so there is no muzzle rise, just a slight twist due to the rifling, much quicker between shots, don't care about the recoil. On my AR10's (LAR8's) I DO care about the recoil as well !

[@davidward3848]

This is one of those topics where is depends. On a tactical rifle intended to be used in close proximity to others, then no. If you want to have the shortest splits while three gunning then go a head.

[@Verdha603]

Don’t use muzzle brakes on my 5.56 rifles, but they definitely come in handy when I jump up to 7.62 rifles, especially if I plan on shooting more than a few magazines at a time. Blasphemy as it is I prefer my M1A with a muzzle brake, especially when I’m putting over 100 rounds downrange per range session and the steel plates don’t care about the muzzle flash considering it’s just a very expensive range gun to me.

[@fudgepie1]

Got a muzzle brake on my 10/22 for a thread protector when I'm not using the suppressor. Absolutely no idea if it actually makes any practical difference. I doubt it but I have an AR style stock so it looks better than a standard thread protector.

[@D80pfb]

Fellow at the range had his .338 Lapua 2 bays down from me and after his 2nd shot I went to the outhouse until he had spent his $100 worth of ammo.

[@lynnanderson2683]

Never have had one now am going to have to try one

[@cletustollery6914]

Another great video from fellow Iowans!! I'm a old guy, newer to AR platforms, but guys that got me shooting them just always had these on their guns. I've shot with veterans, gunsmiths, kit builds with TOP end parts and a buddy that will put his AR budget (little help from Eliot Farro, oddly another Iowan) against a $2500 "store" gun. My question... WTF is YOUR professional opinion on a flash hider vs brake vs can vs suppressor vs silencer vs every other term for an end of barrel device? Love to see that video. And why are some "brakes" HORRIBLE to stand next to? I've gotten multiple opinions on some of this and I'm sure others have. Thanks!

[@n8bolton]

The Butcher 16 comp/brake on the end of my AR looks badass. That's the only excuse I really need, to have it on there. 😂😎