APA Fat Bastard Gen 3 vs Area419 Sidewinder?
- Thread starter avastcosmicarena
- Start date
Having used Gen2 APAs and the 419 brakes, I have a LOT more confidence in the Area 419 mounting system. Haven't tried a Gen 3 FB yet, but the Area 419 design was noticably more effective for my 6 Creed than a Gen2 LB.
That said, I'll take an Area 419 Maverick over either one.
That said, I'll take an Area 419 Maverick over either one.
Don't they both use self-timing nuts? I have an APA "The Answer" brake on an AR and had no issues with the self-timing nut.
The Maverick is interesting to me, but I don't currently have a suppressor. So, just interested in comparing brakes alone right now.
Area 419 uses a taper and locking collar, APA uses a nut. My LB and FB (Both Gen2 - maybe they changed something on the Gen3) both would come loose at the worst possible time, and no amount of torque would prevent it. I had it happen multiple times at matches before I finally got pissed off enough to try something different. Even sticking a big damn wrench on the nut and tightening the piss out of it (and trying to get the timing right at the same time) wasn't enough - eventually that nut walked loose.
The locking collar on the Area 419 is actually a secondary retention, the taper interface between the brake and adapter is the primary. Even if the collar were to come loose a bit, the taper keeps the brake locked in. I've never had my 419 stuff come loose (Hellfire, Sidewinder, or even the Maverick - and the Mav doesn't even use the collar, just the taper).
The 419 mounting system is I think the best system out there.
Plus the 419 keeps the option of a silencer quick swap too. Just an added bonus.
My sidewinder has never come loose but I have seen some come loose during a match. I personally know a few guys who will only run brakes that have a but with wrench flats on it so they can tighten the shit out of it so it won’t come loose
The only way I can see a Sidewinder or Hellfire coming loose is if the adapter itself does. The adapters have wrench flats on them, but a little locktite and a little torque( they don't need much) should do the trick unless your threads are way out of spec.
I've run several different brakes, and just recently migrated over to the 419's. So far I like them, and the mounting system works nicely. I do wish they had a flat on them to help level them - the OCD in me can live without them though. If I didn't already have 2 cans on order, I would probably order a Maverick. I look forward to playing with one in 2 weeks in Oklahoma.
I use the APA gen 3 brakes with no issue, but I always put a little blue loctite on the threads of the brake as well as the locking nut.
I have seen more 419 brakes come loose at matches than any other type of brake in all the years I've been doing this. The taper lock is not a good design for anything that can get dirty. Take it off to swap to the supressor or back to the brake and if there is a little carbon in there it won't get tight enough to stay on. I've seen a guy that swears by and will only use 419 send his sidewinder 100 yards downrange with the threaded collar still attached to his rifle.
Shit happens...during a match (K&M Kahles match 2016) I was awarded the "loose brake" t shirt (was an APA gen2). It was 100% my fault. Why? Because I failed to "field proof" or match proof my blaster and equipment. I take responsability for shit coming loose on me and do not blame the equipment. Now, every single screw gets torqued in place and paint marked, to include the muzzle device and anything semi-permanent gets a light application of blue loc tite. (20 moa scope base gets wet torqued w/ red thread locker) I tape the rear dipoter adjustment down on my scope with electrical tape and use same tape to press-fit the scope caps. In less than 15 seconds I can visually inspect my equipment for possible lossening/ movement. I highly recommend at least putting a preventive system in place like above or physically checking torque on everything prior to starting the day. To the OP I have only ran lil bastards g2 and now 3 and no experience w/ area 419 muzzle devices so I can only offer this... I LOVE my lil bastard gen 3 and recommend it often. Good luck w/ your decision
I've personally run the hell out of my 419 brakes, and have multiple friends that run them. This thread is the first time I have ever seen/read/heard a claim of 419 brakes coming loose.
As for the taper lock being a bad design, it's very similar to what several high end cans use for their mounting system, and I've never heard of any issues on them, either.
