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Thread: Any real drawbacks to using a muzzle brake over a flash hider on a fighting carbine?

  1. #1
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    Any real drawbacks to using a muzzle brake over a flash hider on a fighting carbine?

    Curious what the consensous is on running an effective muzzle brake in-place of a flash hider on a duty/patrol rifle. I understand there is more muzzle flash, and more concussion from the muzzle blast, but while shooting a carbine recently that had Surefire MB556K attached, I was amazed at how effective it was at keeping the carbine on target during multiple rapid fire shooting drills. It was a noticable difference compared to my carbines Vortex flash hider.

    That lead me to think, what could be more "tactical" than being able to deliver multiple, accurate, rapid fire shots on target? What would the trade-off be if I switched to the SF MB556K over the Vortex FH?

    I am not overly concerned about concealing my position as this is a patrol rifle that will likely be deployed in a rapidly developing scenario, such as an active shooter incident, etc.

    Additionally, the concussion from the SF brake wasnt unmanageable at all, and the report was not much louder than my Vortex, atleast from my vantage point it wasnt.

    I am thinking that the benfits of the SF MB556K far outweight those of the Vortex. What do you all think???

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    Good question. Muzzle breaks have come a long way. Many of them are now very effective brakes while maintaining tolerable noise levels.

    Like you mentioned, some of the most recent ones to hit the market are so good at what they do it is hard to discount their use on a fighting carbine.

    After shooting the PWS variant as well as the Surefire brake that you mentioned, I am interested to hear what people have to say.
    "We need to get over the romance of aligning sights and get to the business of shooting smelly bearded men in the face more efficiently."
    Pat Rogers

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    The PWS Flash Suppressing break seems to be kind of the best of both worlds. I've never shot one, but have to assume there are at least some trade-offs. I don't know if the breaks ability to tame recoil and muzzle rise would be affected, but the flash suppression capability I would ASSUME would be somewhat less than a dedicated FS. However some flash suppression would be better than none and the ability to quickly deliver a fusillade of rounds accurately on target would seem to more than balance the equation, so to speak. Anyone know what the muzzle blast/noise is like from the PWS offering?


    -RD62

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    Quote Originally Posted by nickdrak View Post
    What do you all think???
    I honestly think that there's way too much nonsense out there and that 98% of users would be just fine with the A2 or A1 bird cage. Even on SBRs I've found the A2 birdcage to be more than adequate.

    For anything other than competitive uses with the 5.56, brakes are silly rubbish!
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

  5. #5
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    Nick,



    Thought about this several times myself, and I have gone back and forth on the issue.

    Muzzle brakes obviously have some benefits (quicker shots on target, etc), but with those benefits come some draw backs (increased noise, increased muzzle blast, adversley effecting other officers within close proximity to your muzzle)

    When you deploy your carbine, how often are you inside a building (ie. hallway, other enclosed area), and how often are you in close proximity to other officers?

    Based on my experiences, those are probably going to be your two main concers when using a muzzle brake on a duty gun.

    Hallways (or other tightly confined areas) and having the muzzle of another Officer's muzzle close to the side of my head / face (within 24" - 36") are the times when I noticed another Officer's muzzle device the most.




    S/F,
    Jeff

  6. #6
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    I have shot the PWS FSC556 and in my opinion the SF MB556K does a much better job of controlling the muzzle rise.

    The SF MB556K directs the flash signature out to the sides. I guess the fact that the SF brake has a more significant flash could be the only potential draw-back, but im curious if anyone that has shot a carbine with the MB556K attached at night can relate if its flash signature causes any temporary blindness while shooting....

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    Consider shooting prone on a street, possibly underneath a vehicle or overtop a curb. Kicking up a lot of crap may be a consideration.

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    Jeff/Thekatar,

    Good points to consider.

    DemiGod,

    I used to think the same until I shot Sully's Grail with the SF MB556K brake on it. It made a significant diffence in being able to keep the Aimpoints dot pointed exactly where I wanted to keep it pointed during rapid fire.

  9. #9
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    I asked myself this question also, and being the High Roller that I am ( ), I bought one of these : http://primaryweapons.com/store/pc/v...=2&idproduct=9

    It works as advertised but is it with $80 more than an A2...F$%K NO- the main drawback besides price is lenght- it turns a 16" into an 18". Not sure about about
    how much crap it kicks up when shooting low, when I get back from Iraq I'll do my best to get it dirty.

    Maybe ask yourself this: "what's more important to you, hiding your flash signature or follow-up shots"? Then figure out the +/-'s of both questions.
    Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

    Owner of MI-TAC, LLC .

    @MichiganTactical

  10. #10
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    As USMC03 mentions, if you have any intention of firing your carbine indoors, especially in a hallway, the blast from most muzzle brakes can literally feel like someone hit you in the side of the head.

    I used to shoot a ban-era FAL at matches, and a few years ago I went to a match with a large shoot house stage. You started with two targets outside, then opened the door and went in. The SO was following behind with the timer. As soon as I stepped through the door and started shooting I heard the whole firing line behind me erupt in laughter. I had no idea why, so I just kept on shooting. It turns out that the muzzle blast from the brake on that thing had driven the SO, even with hearing protection, running from the shoot house. At the time everyone thought it was pretty funny, but it told me that if I was ever going to be shooting that thing indoors I needed to put something else on the end of the barrel.

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