Muzzle Brake options/opinions?

[Halfnutz]

I just ordered a SureFire Procomp 5.56 to install on a LMT 18" SS.

I have no need for a suppressor mount option as my shithole state doesn't allow suppressor ownership.

What effect on accuracy has anyone experienced with a comp?
Which other comps has anyone experimented with that they liked better?

 

[USMC_JA]

I don't like comps. I know they have a place with the gamers (and I used to be one...although I stayed "tactical" and never ran a comp) but the blast and concussion is not worth it in my book. I have seen no difference in mechanical accuracy between a comp and a FH. The comp can help you get back on target faster....but that takes practice as well. It is not magic.

That being said, I do have a Dead Air comp that is surprisingly gentle on the non-shooter.

 

[Deano2246]

I use Dead Air comps on all my gas guns, but that's because I share a can between them. Saying that I have really been impressed with Dead Air Quality, and it makes a noticeable difference in the recoil.

Maybe someday you can move to a better state.

 

[Merle]

Id skip any kind of brake or comp on a 5.56. Too much noise for very little recoil reduction. Id just go with a good old A2 flash suppressor with shims in lieu of a crush washer. Don't torue it down to tight and use rockset.

 

[sam4886]

Another vote for the dead air stuff. I've got a few other brands too and the dead air seems to be the nicest to my shooting buddies.

The JP tank and APA little bastard are pretty jarring to anyone standing beside you.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Id skip any kind of brake or comp on a 5.56. Too much noise for very little recoil reduction.

This guy hates fun.

You like fun, get a brake.

 

[Merle]

I actually had a surefure pro comp on a 16" AR. I used it for about 100 rounds and promptly sold it. It is very obnoxious. You'll see.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

I've got a 16" that's spent the last 20k rounds as a test bed for the most effective brakes I can find. Many of those rounds were in buildings, next to walls, through ports, tunnels etc.
I've never noticed any negative issues that would make me want to ditch a huge performance advantage.

 

[bfoosh006]

I've got a 16" that's spent the last 20k rounds as a test bed for the most effective brakes I can find. Many of those rounds were in buildings, next to walls, through ports, tunnels etc.
I've never noticed any negative issues that would make me want to ditch a huge performance advantage.

I sure would like to hear some of your opinions on the more common brakes.... Lantac for sure

 

[endo304]

Take a look at what Ultradyne has to offer

 

[TonyTheTiger]

I sure would like to hear some of your opinions on the more common brakes.... Lantac for sure

To start with, understand that most of the common dedicated brakes have all tested to show 60-75% recoil reduction and that 15% spread is pretty hard to pick up on unless you're swapping brakes back to back on the same rifle in a range session. Even then 15% is pretty minor on the shoulder dyno.

What sets them apart once you're in that upper end of diminishing returns is the flatness, or how much of the gas is directed upward to push the muzzle down.

The Lantac is one I've shot on buddies rifles and screwed on mine very briefly for giggles but never owned. It was quite a while ago but I remember it being light, having less recoil reduction than my brake at the time (Seekins ATC) but being flatter.

As far as other common brakes go:

JP 3 port, weirdly overrated. Not that flat, not great recoil reduction. I won and use one but wouldn't have bought one.

JP 2 port, similar to the 3 port but I felt maybe a hair flatter.

Seekins ATC, good performer that is noticeably less concussive than most brakes.

DPMS Miculek, great performance to dollar ratio but the only brake I've owned gave me a headache.

SJC Titan, tested but never owned, top level performer even though its ancient technology. Great fireballs too.

PA M4-72 is one thats deceiving to look at, tons of recoil reduction in a small brake, pretty flat. Fireballs!

Lancer Nitrous is underrated, works very well on my 14.5" gun.

Cobalt Kinetics Pro brake is titties, wish it had enough good surface area to drill some tuning ports into it though. Really like it on my 16" but its moving to an almost finished 13.7" build now. Seems more effective on the 13.7", possibly because of the higher pressures at the muzzle. Very weird brake for bystanders, not concussive but sends a strong breeze to the sides...

Surefire ProComp falls squarely in the okay range.

My current favorite is easily the PA Hypertap. Really the only brake I've owned that stands noticeably above everything else in the recoil reduction department, and I drilled out the top ports to my liking and its shooting ridiculously flat.

I've got the APA Answer and the Ultradyne Apollo on my list of brakes to test also.

I'm sure I've left out some I've messed with too....

 

[Halfnutz]

To start with, understand that most of the common dedicated brakes have all tested to show 60-75% recoil reduction and that 15% spread is pretty hard to pick up on unless you're swapping brakes back to back on the same rifle in a range session. Even then 15% is pretty minor on the shoulder dyno.

What sets them apart once you're in that upper end of diminishing returns is the flatness, or how much of the gas is directed upward to push the muzzle down.

The Lantac is one I've shot on buddies rifles and screwed on mine very briefly for giggles but never owned. It was quite a while ago but I remember it being light, having less recoil reduction than my brake at the time (Seekins ATC) but being flatter.

As far as other common brakes go:

JP 3 port, weirdly overrated. Not that flat, not great recoil reduction. I won and use one but wouldn't have bought one.

JP 2 port, similar to the 3 port but I felt maybe a hair flatter.

Seekins ATC, good performer that is noticeably less concussive than most brakes.

DPMS Miculek, great performance to dollar ratio but the only brake I've owned gave me a headache.

SJC Titan, tested but never owned, top level performer even though its ancient technology. Great fireballs too.

PA M4-72 is one thats deceiving to look at, tons of recoil reduction in a small brake, pretty flat. Fireballs!

Lancer Nitrous is underrated, works very well on my 14.5" gun.

Cobalt Kinetics Pro brake is titties, wish it had enough good surface area to drill some tuning ports into it though. Really like it on my 16" but its moving to an almost finished 13.7" build now. Seems more effective on the 13.7", possibly because of the higher pressures at the muzzle. Very weird brake for bystanders, not concussive but sends a strong breeze to the sides...

Surefire ProComp falls squarely in the okay range.

My current favorite is easily the PA Hypertap. Really the only brake I've owned that stands noticeably above everything else in the recoil reduction department, and I drilled out the top ports to my liking and its shooting ridiculously flat.

I've got the APA Answer and the Ultradyne Apollo on my list of brakes to test also.

I'm sure I've left out some I've messed with too....

Thank you for your response.
Some where on You Tube was a video with a guy doing a Brake "test" with a rifle on a sled. It also showed the Surefire pretty much in the middle. But as you mentioned a 15% spread is pretty hard to discern.

A friend has an Armalite with mid length gas port and a Miculek, I hate that rifle or to be any where around it being fired, VERY OBNOXIOUS! I have a standing offer to put an A2 an it.

Knowing that brakes can be offensive, I was hesitant to spend $100+ for something (else) to sit in the parts box.

I have a Larue Tranquillo suppressor mount on a 6.5 CM, The Procomp is somewhat similar port design with 2 square side ports and some vent holes. I don't find the Larue to be obnoxious.

At around $45 the Procomp was a decent enough value to try out. I should have it Saturday, and once I have tried it out I'll try to give an opinion.

 

[AMP!]

I’m a big fan of the Lantac Dragon. But, it’s expensive. The VG6 line has good options for half the price and after running one on my buddy’s build, they seem to do the job well. If you decide you want a Dragon, I’d sell mine (ASR version) for $90 shipped.

 

[bfoosh006]

@TonyTheTiger

Thank you for the info !

 

[TonyTheTiger]

@TonyTheTiger

Thank you for the info !

No problem!

Also used the Carbon Arms Gas Hog brake for a while. It defies all logic and must run on sorcery because it works as well as the average 2 or 3 port brake but its a tiny single port.

Have a buddies Hiperfire brake I'm going to test one of these days too.

 

[Casey_H]

Not applicable to original post's 5.56, but:

But for anyone who has been looking at the Masterpiece Arms 4-port Comp brake, I got mine a few weeks ago and have put about 100 rounds through it so far on my 6.5 Creed. Fantastic brake for the cost ($130). Minimal POI shift and awesome recoil reduction. I would definitely put it in the same boat as the 419's, APA, etc.

 

[Halfnutz]

The Procomp showed up yesterday and I got a chance to try it out with 55, 73 and 77 grain bullets. It helped, I did not find it obnoxious, nor did anyone else in the vicinity. Shot of a concrete bench and under a metal roof.

 

[BigBC]

My FN DMR II came with the SF ProComp installed. I also have a SF SOCOM 556 brake on my 14.5 upper. Both are pretty loud.

The ProComp is tunable which is cool. As far as shooting pleasure, the brakes let you get your sights back on a little quicker. I feel a slight recoil reduction, but mostly that comes down to tuning the buffer, bcg, gas system.

In my competition days the brake was something that added to the recoil reduction of the rifle as a whole. If it's not a comp gun I no longer put straight brakes on them.

One great in between option I have come to love is the BCM Comp Mod 1. It actually isn't bad concussion or flash (night test) and gives a noticeable reduction in time to get sights back on target (for me anyway)

As a side note I do like to shoot at night and take classes where I can use a can. I kept the SF SOCOM brake for mounting purposes. I picked up a used SF Warden and really like it for classes when traveling.

Especially if you're shooting out of a vehicle in a drill with another shooter. I never want to be that guy giving my "partner" shooter the Hurricane Katrina treatment while we are trying to engage targets from an enclosed space.

 

[Halfnutz]

Most of my shooting is bench or prone on paper/steel and with the intention of making it back out for prairie dogs some day. The interest in a comp was to be able to better spot hits/misses with the scope on higher magnification.

 

[jdodd]

I just ordered a SureFire Procomp 5.56 to install on a LMT 18" SS.

I have no need for a suppressor mount option as my shithole state doesn't allow suppressor ownership.

What effect on accuracy has anyone experienced with a comp?
Which other comps has anyone experimented with that they liked better?

Surefire Procomp's are solid especially for the price. I have used them in the past with great success.

 

[Halfnutz]

My FN DMR II came with the SF ProComp installed. I also have a SF SOCOM 556 brake on my 14.5 upper. Both are pretty loud.

The ProComp is tunable which is cool. As far as shooting pleasure, the brakes let you get your sights back on a little quicker. I feel a slight recoil reduction, but mostly that comes down to tuning the buffer, bcg, gas system.

In my competition days the brake was something that added to the recoil reduction of the rifle as a whole. If it's not a comp gun I no longer put straight brakes on them.

One great in between option I have come to love is the BCM Comp Mod 1. It actually isn't bad concussion or flash (night test) and gives a noticeable reduction in time to get sights back on target (for me anyway)

As a side note I do like to shoot at night and take classes where I can use a can. I kept the SF SOCOM brake for mounting purposes. I picked up a used SF Warden and really like it for classes when traveling.

Especially if you're shooting out of a vehicle in a drill with another shooter. I never want to be that guy giving my "partner" shooter the Hurricane Katrina treatment while we are trying to engage targets from an enclosed space.

Took your advice on the buffer so far and replaced the standard buffer and spring with a Giessle super 42 H1 buffer and thier spring. HUGE difference! Now maybe a FA carrier for the next experiment.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

I have the BCM Mod1 Compensator on a rifle. It's not offensive at all, it doesn't blast people at neighboring stooting stations and the noise seems about the same.

 

[556ARs]

I like the muzzle brakes and more the best for recoil reduction, best I have used. I have never seen accuracy effected by any of them. I would say it was not installed correctly if you see accuracy issues.

I have a Heathen brake on my 338 Edge.

 

[jdodd]

I like the muzzle brakes and more the best for recoil reduction, best I have used. I have never seen accuracy effected by any of them. I would say it was not installed correctly if you see accuracy issues.

I have a Heathen brake on my 338 Edge.

As I noted before I have firsthand experience with the issue. Any time you attached (even properly) something to the barrel you impact the harmonics. Sometimes it impacts them in a very negative fashion.

My 6.5 Grendel shot .75 MOA with my hunting ammunition. As soon as I put a muzzle device on the groups shot roughly 1.75 MOA. The FIRST group I shot after I pulled off the muzzle device (after trouble shooting with the builder) went right back to .75 moa.

Yes…it was installed correctly with a calibrated torque wrench (not a cheap harbor freight special) and shims.

I will note the above was the FIRST time I had ever come across this over dozens of rifles I have modified. I never even thought it would have been the flash hider (which was a top shelf brand and in spec etc.) however as soon as I described the symptoms with the builder they knew where to point me. Its uncommon but not uncommon enough for them to have run into it.

 

[One1Bravo]

Anyone have experience with the Area 419 Hellfire 2P? Uses two large ports vs the three on the regular Hellfire. According to the Area 419 website is supposed to optimize performance in semi-automatic/hunting weapons with 20" barrel or less. I have the regular Hellfires on all my bolt guns, considering the 2P for my SPRish build.

 

[BigBC]

Took your advice on the buffer so far and replaced the standard buffer and spring with a Giessle super 42 H1 buffer and thier spring. HUGE difference! Now maybe a FA carrier for the next experiment.

I also have a Geissele spring and buffer combo for one of my rifles and love it. My gamer rifle had a JP Silent Capture system with interchangeable springs. I still have that system and while it's crazy how tuneable it is, I found it to be difficult to justify the $120+ price unless you have a low mass BCG and Adj gas block. The SuperWire for the price is best choice of all IMO

I never hand loaded 556/223 in competition. I would change spring/buffer/gas block settings to the ammo. It really is a pain when you dive in haha. For the gamer the brake is ideal along with all the other adj toys.

 

[MrDogtor]

My current favorite is easily the PA Hypertap. Really the only brake I've owned that stands noticeably above everything else in the recoil reduction department, and I drilled out the top ports to my liking and its shooting ridiculously flat.

What ports did you drill out? Just picked a Hypertap up and trying to figure out which ports I should drill.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

What ports did you drill out? Just picked a Hypertap up and trying to figure out which ports I should drill.

I ended up drilling them all out then threading them so I could mess with different configurations. I'm happy with all of them open but the left front. Shooting pretty darn flat for me.

You can see it only recoils rearward, even with a very light hold on the rifle, no upward movement.

 

[Austinjunks]

I dig the procomp for an inexpensive option. There are better out there, but I got mine for ~$30 shipped.