Linear Compensator for an "Everything Else" Carbine

**AndyLate** · 09-27-20, 09:43

There is an excellent "sticky" thread on General Purpose carbines that is biased towards home/self defense, patrol rifles, SHTF - fighting guns first.

My question assumes a reverse of that bias and leans towards hunting, range, ranch rifle-type use while still remaining a valid fighting gun. Competition is outside the use case. To keep the debate focused, let's assume a 16 - 20" 5.56 carbine.

Within those conditions is a linear compensator more appropriate than a traditional flash hider or combination FH/brake?

Is hiding flash with some compensation more important than pushing the muzzle 1.5" further from the shooter?

Why aren't linear compensators more popular?

Andy

**Five_Point_Five_Six** · 09-27-20, 10:16

What is the desired result you're looking to get from a linear comp on a 16-20" rifle?

The best linear comp on the market is the BRT Covert Comp. Most are just glorified flash cans but the BRT actually pushes the blast forward and offers flash reduction that is so good it's hard to tell the difference between it and an A2 birdcage. I use them on my 10.5 and 11.5" guns but I don't see much point using one on a rifle.

**AndyLate** · 09-27-20, 10:30

Originally Posted by Five_Point_Five_Six

What is the desired result you're looking to get from a linear comp on a 16-20" rifle?

The best linear comp on the market is the BRT Covert Comp. Most are just glorified flash cans but the BRT actually pushes the blast forward and offers flash reduction that is so good it's hard to tell the difference between it and an A2 birdcage. I use them on my 10.5 and 11.5" guns but I don't see much point using one on a rifle.

My desired result from using a linear comp is reducing blast at the shooter' and/or companion's ear. That is the only advantage I am aware of over other muzzle devices.

I also have a BRT comp on a short (11.3") barrel and mine started life on a 20" gun. I did not realize they are more effective than competitors' offerings, but I knew the quality is there.

EDIT - as Turnburglar pointed out, the blast of the 20" barrel is mild enough that I did not notice a difference when I replaced it with an A2 and moved it to an 11.3" barrel.

**turnburglar** · 09-27-20, 11:36

For a longer barrel 16+" an A2 is basically the same as a linear compensator. I used to have a big can on the front of my 10.5" and it made it blast similar to my 14.5. But once the barrel length gets longer, the effect of blast reduction isn't as significant. I remember shooting the 20" M16A2's in basic with an A2 flash hider and it was remarkably pleasant.

**Stickman** · 09-27-20, 11:50

Linear Comps have not been overly effective from what I have seen in first hand use.

**Sgt_Gold** · 09-27-20, 19:21

I don't remember the brands, but a friend of mine had two different LC's on two different SBR's. One was noticeably more effective than the other. The better one significantly reduced the noise signature, the other one had almost no effect.

**MistWolf** · 09-28-20, 02:01

Originally Posted by Stickman

Linear Comps have not been overly effective from what I have seen in first hand use.

I find that compared to a Battlecomp & an A2 birdcage, the BRT Covert Comp has significantly reduced side blast when used on an 11.5 inch barrel. The Covert Comp virtually eliminates side blast. Of course it is still loud. It's not a muffler!