Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 26

Thread: How important is a muzzle device on an M4 carbine?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    380
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)

    How important is a muzzle device on an M4 carbine?

    The question is as simple as it sounds. How important (if at all) is a muzzle device of some type versus a plain crowned barrel? I have seen a number of threads about what is the best muzzle device, but couldn't find any that deal with whether one is necessary to begin with.

    The background for this question is that I am in CT (a ban state) and am looking to purchase my first carbine. I have zero carbine knowledge or training and am looking to get both. I am talking to a manufacturer about purchasing one of their models and have been told that the barrel option they can offer me is a match grade barrel with no muzzle device. They are not able to offer me a barrel with a permanently affixed muzzle device that would be allowed in CT. My question is, should I care? The purpose of the rifle would be to train with and for a home defense role. Thanks in advance and please be gentle if this is a stupid question.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    1,669
    Feedback Score
    29 (100%)
    Muzzle devices help protect the crown of the barrel.
    Quote Originally Posted by Coal Dragger View Post
    Marines love CLP. Chow, libo, pussy.

    Beyond that everything else is a crap shoot.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    88
    Feedback Score
    0
    not stupid at all...

    a 5.56/.223 has very little recoil that will affect your 'normal' shooting.

    a brake will minimize it ever farther.

    if you're shooting semi-auto, the brake will aid in faster, follow-up shots as it allows regaining of target acquisition quicker.

    on precision, select fire shooting (single round/shot) a brake is not necessary...IMO...

    in your case, I'd just go with a short (as possible as allowed by law in your state), heavy, properly crowned, barrel. at a later time, if legality, your comfort/choice and your $$$$ allow, you may have a brake/fh added.
    Last edited by donwalk; 07-05-11 at 13:20.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    3,799
    Feedback Score
    19 (100%)
    Common muzzle devices serve three main purposes on something like an M4:
    1) Reduce visible flash
    2) Reduce recoil and/or muzzle rise (brakes and compensators)
    3) Although I rarely see it listed as a benefit, they do protect the crown, which in turn protects accuracy.

    With a plain muzzle you are getting ordinary flash, recoil and rise, and no extra protection for the crown (most barrels have a slightly recessed crown anyway, which offers protection against bumps, but not against the #1 damager of crowns, bad cleaning practices). So you would be at a relative disadvantage compared to a rifle with a device, but no disadvantage compared to the 1000's of rifles that have a bare muzzle in ordinary form.

    In the M4 specifically you may notice fairly significant muzzle flash without a device, but it sounds like nothing you can have in CT is a flash hider, so that is probably just what you're stuck with. The recoil/rise characteristics are essentially a non-issue until you have some skill with the carbine, and even then most people just stick with the A2 flash hider that has little benefit against rise and zero effect on recoil.

    If you want to consider other barrel companies, the PWS FSC-556 is BATFE approved as "not" a flash hider, yet it has less flash than a bare muzzle while also reducing recoil and rise. It also costs $100 and greatly increases felt concussion for the shooter and people to the sides. It might be an option to consider but definitely isn't necessary. You would have to confirm that CT would treat it as permissible.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Corpus Christi, Texas
    Posts
    2,251
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    I've recently switched all my ARs back to flash hiders. If I was in a ban state, I'd go for a BattleComp pinned as it will have less flash than most other brakes and a bare muzzle plus it'll help with follow up shots.

    I would not go for a bare muzzle on any of my ARs. I treat ARs different that other guns and would be concerned about damage.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Iraq
    Posts
    489
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by jonconsiglio View Post
    If I was in a ban state, I'd go for a BattleComp pinned as it will have less flash than most other brakes and a bare muzzle plus it'll help with follow up shots.
    Seconded.
    Dan

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    380
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    Thanks very much. How much do I need to be concerned about damage to the crown in ordinary use (again - training and home defense)?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    1,669
    Feedback Score
    29 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Erik 1 View Post
    Thanks very much. How much do I need to be concerned about damage to the crown in ordinary use (again - training and home defense)?
    Depends on the shooter. If you are using the end of your rifle to break windows, open doors, and treat your rifle like shit, then probably a lot. If you just go to a training class, shoot 500 rounds and then drive home, then probably not a whole lot.
    Quote Originally Posted by Coal Dragger View Post
    Marines love CLP. Chow, libo, pussy.

    Beyond that everything else is a crap shoot.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    114
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    At the very least, purchase a thread protector. You would do well to send the barrel off to a smith and pin an A2 birdcage FH on or something better.

    Various muzzle devices really do help with follow up shots and even felt recoil. Look into the various options and go with what seems best for you and your wallet. I like the Surefire MB556K on anything 16" and up. I'm looking into newer options for my builds under 16". Good luck and good shooting.
    "When the people fear their government there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." – Thomas Jefferson

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    380
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by nimdabew View Post
    If you just go to a training class, shoot 500 rounds and then drive home, then probably not a whole lot.
    Sexy it isn't, but this will be me for a while.

    Quote Originally Posted by Hammertime View Post
    At the very least, purchase a thread protector. You would do well to send the barrel off to a smith and pin an A2 birdcage FH on or something better.

    Various muzzle devices really do help with follow up shots and even felt recoil. Look into the various options and go with what seems best for you and your wallet. I like the Surefire MB556K on anything 16" and up. I'm looking into newer options for my builds under 16". Good luck and good shooting.
    Thanks. There won't be any threads on the barrel we are talking about, just the crown of the barrel. I do have the option of having the barrel cut and threaded and a muzzle device installed locally if necessary.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •