Bear with me on this one guys.
Considering the importance of a barrel's crown and its ability to evenly disperse gases as the bullet leaves the barrel, so as to minimize initial yaw upon the bullet's exit- how much can a muzzle device on an AR-15 barrel effect the mechanical accuracy of the barrel?
Granted, this issue may not come into play, or for all I know, even be measurable under, say 500 yards. However, I've been thinking about the topic lately, and have been told that I am not crazy-mental-insane for doing so. Therefore, I'll throw the notion out here for a thrashing.
For example, take a known brand, higher-quality, AR-15 barrel that is finished with an 11° target crown. This barrel is also threaded for a muzzle device. Which muzzle device, if any, will allow the 11° target crown to do its job and have the least effect on the mechanical accuracy of the barrel? Conversely, how might the given design of a particular muzzle device affect mecahnical accuracy, if at all? Which muzzle devices might have the least affect, and which might have more of an affect?
I've searched and researched, and all I can find regarding muzzle devices is which ones hide flash the best, and which ones compensate or counter muzzle rise the best. Nowhere have I seen anything addressing how a device might affect accuracy. As for design - and this comes from viewing pictures online, not from holding each muzzle device in my hand - It looks as though some muzzle devices leave the barrel crown complete exposed (i.e. Ops Inc Brake), while others appear to almost completely cover up the barrel crown, and have their own internal crown (i.e. YHM Phantom line). For those models that have their own internal crown, do these snug up against the barrel crown when installed and properly clocked? If not, how big is the space between the barrel crown and the backside of the device's internal crown, and what affect does this have on the bullet and escaping gases ? (hed esplode!)
This may not be a concern, as most of us probably a) don't have high-end match-type barrel, and b) don't have much opportunity to shoot more than 300 yards. In all honesty, I recently purchased a good barrel. I got to thinking, and wondered if I'd do the barrel a disservice by throwing on just any muzzle device. Chances are slim that this barrel won't see an opportunity to reach out beyond 300 yards. But, pondering notions beyond the scope of reality can be fun and interesting, and sometimes I can take something useful away from the process.
Please weigh in with your thoughts and comments. Thanks.


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and when i got it back the barrel wouldnt group near as well with the same ammo. That was even without a muzzle devise on. 
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