Linear Muzzle Brake?

[Greg Langelius *]

I put one on order at a clearance price of $14.95.

I then looked them up and saw a video comparing several by sound level measured at the user's right ear, both mounted and unmounted. In my assessment, the difference is nearly negligible, and no comparison was even made regarding braking capability.

I then gave some thought to the potential complications involved in cleaning my crown.

IMHO, I just bought a $15 paper weight, and will not even be mounting it up at all.

Lessons learned...

Greg

 

[Lawless]

 

[fancygunz]

I put one on order at a clearance price of $14.95.

I then looked them up and saw a video comparing several by sound level measured at the user's right ear, both mounted and unmounted. In my assessment, the difference is nearly negligible, and no comparison was even made regarding braking capability.

I then gave some thought to the potential complications involved in cleaning my crown.

IMHO, I just bought a $15 paper weight, and will not even be mounting it up at all.

Lessons learned...

Greg

In my experience it mitigates concussion more than sound. It sends the "blast" forward so you don't end up with a headache at the end of the range day after you just shot 100's of 5.56.

For a different caliber or for just a few (<20?) shots, probably doesn't matter.

 

[KTAK]

The old Vietnam Era linear comp fitted to one of the models of the M16 did have some sound attenuation because it had a baffle.... todays linear comps do not because that would classify them under suppressor laws.... I like using my "muzzle pig"/blast diffuser/linear comp when I don't want to listen to my brake or don't want the brake to bother fellow shooters. Mine attaches to my suppressor taper mount

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Thanks gentlemen, I appreciate your input.

Greg

 

[bfoosh006]

I'm with "fancyguns" the Linear comps tend to point blast forward... but are just as noisy.

 

[Constructor]

10-15 years ago everyone wanted a "brake", now we sell very few except to the 3gun guys and newbies. Plain flash hiders and linear devices out sell brakes 50-60:1 now.

 

[hlee]

So, a bare muzzle also directs the blast forward. What does a linear comp do that a bare muzzle does not? A brake makes sense- it reduces recoil. A flash hider makes sense- it reduces flash. A suppressor makes sense- it reduces noise. A linear comp doesn't reduce any of those- at least to a significant degree. What's the point?

 

[TonyTheTiger]

and no comparison was even made regarding braking capability.

Thats because there isn't any. The word brake in the name is a marketing tool, not a descriptor of function.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

10-15 years ago everyone wanted a "brake", now we sell very few except to the 3gun guys and newbies. Plain flash hiders and linear devices out sell brakes 50-60:1 now.

To be fair, I've never seen an effective looking brake available on your website..

 

[sixtyfournmor]

So, a bare muzzle also directs the blast forward. What does a linear comp do that a bare muzzle does not? A brake makes sense- it reduces recoil. A flash hider makes sense- it reduces flash. A suppressor makes sense- it reduces noise. A linear comp doesn't reduce any of those- at least to a significant degree. What's the point?

It just moves the blast 2" farther from your ear. LOL
To me I can't tell the difference in noise except the blast force is less to my face with a linear.
I think with an AR you get lots of blast & noise out of the action on firing, I know I know the bullet is gone...…..

 

[Greg Langelius *]

The linear comp came in yesterday, and a conventional comp arrives next week. I'll compare the A2 birdcage, the linear, and the conventional (...and bare muzzle), and see if the differences are very noticeable.

What I will not do is a side by side review, or attempt finding any numerical findings. I lack any means to obtain the latter, and am not sufficiently adept to do the former. It's just for me and about what I think. Period.

I'll end up keeping something out there, and I'll probably mention it somewhere.

Greg

 

[Constructor]

To be fair, I've never seen an effective looking brake available on your website..

We don't sell brakes, at one time we sold one similar to the SJC Titan or Hill Rolling thunder

 

[Constructor]

So, a bare muzzle also directs the blast forward. What does a linear comp do that a bare muzzle does not? A brake makes sense- it reduces recoil. A flash hider makes sense- it reduces flash. A suppressor makes sense- it reduces noise. A linear comp doesn't reduce any of those- at least to a significant degree. What's the point?

Studies have shown the gases coming out of the normal crown exit at 11 degrees off the face of the muzzle so almost straight 90 to the side. They say If a linear is made correctly and depending on the caliber the hole is 10 times the size of the bore reducing gas velocity and blast to the shooter. A levang allows the gases to pass around the bullet to the outside splitting the "blast" in two since gases behind the bullet travel apx 4 times faster than the bullet. A linear that has nothing but a thin partition down in the device does very little. They look cool and people buy them.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

We don't sell brakes, at one time we sold one similar to the SJC Titan

Exactly.

 

[Constructor]

Exactly.

The point I was trying to make is the most people that call are looking for the quietest muzzle device. Most have already tried brakes and want something quieter, actually they say they hate the SOBs. That is why I quit machining and selling them.
The guys shooting 3 gun want a brake that performs and really keeps the muzzle down. No doubt there are millions of people standing on a range blasting away with inefficient brakes on their rifles.

 

[hlee]

They look cool and people buy them.

Separating people from their money is a valid function, and much of the gun industry focuses on this one function above all others. I suppose it is upon the end user to distinguish between user functionality and seller functionality...

 

[Constructor]

Separating people from their money is a valid function, and much of the gun industry focuses on this one function above all others. I suppose it is upon the end user to distinguish between user functionality and seller functionality...

Yes, seems like several years ago there were some muzzle brakes selling for 150+. Seems like they were on every magazine and in every forum post back then, haven't heard anyone mention their name in 5 years. Takes about 10 minutes to machine one so there was a nice little markup there.

 

[Mute]

You use a linear brake to do a favor to the people next to you on a shooting line. And as the others have stated, it's more the blast being mitigated than the sound. Also, they are less effective than more traditional style brakes. That said, if you need to reduce that blast, they do work well for that purpose.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

The point I was trying to make is the most people that call are looking for the quietest muzzle device. Most have already tried brakes and want something quieter, actually they say they hate the SOBs. That is why I quit machining and selling them.

I think you're projecting the opinions of your typical customer demographic onto the shooting public in general. You're known far and wide as the 6.8 and wildcat barrel guy, and the people mentioning your barrels the most are hunters and long range plinkers. Not a bad thing to be known for but definitely not the brake category of shooters.
Companies like APA seem to be doing well selling $150+ brakes (not sure how you could machine one in 10 minutes though), and more factory rifles than ever are equipped with brakes.

 

[Lawless]

 

[KTAK]

People need to remember that brakes need gas to work effectively. I have to laugh when I see $165 brakes on 22lr trainers.. Probably get crucified but don’t think they offer much on mid size calibers except noise...

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Probably get crucified but don’t think they offer much on mid size calibers except noise...

I don't know about crucified, seems a bit harsh, but you're wrong. What brakes have you tested, and with what cartridges?

 

[KTAK]

I don't know about crucified, seems a bit harsh, but you're wrong. What brakes have you tested, and with what cartridges?

Mostly Blackout and 7.62x40wt and some 556, primarily through an older griffen taper mount. Could be that I am just not sensitive to recoil but I just don’t notice a difference compared to a flash hider. My 308 is another story and I have seen people say its a waste on that. All comes around to “felt recoil” and how different we all are

 

[TonyTheTiger]

primarily through an older griffen taper mount. Could be that I am just not sensitive to recoil but I just don’t notice a difference compared to a flash hider. All comes around to “felt recoil” and how different we all are

Which one? They have 8 muzzle devices but only two that qualify as a brake.
I'll agree that brakes aren't needed from a recoil punishment perspective, but thats besides the point. How far your reticle deviates from original POA during the recoil cycle is what its about. Everything from close range follow ups to long range miss spotting off a wobbly barricade are greatly aided by a high performance brake. Who doesn't want more performance? I can sure as hell get to work in a 60 year old Citroen with 35hp, but I'd rather have 250+ hp, AC and a radio...