Does a $200 muzzle brake really work better than a $20 one?

[therealnickb]

I was looking at some brakes to replace my "flash hider" that come on an upper. The price range is nuts. From $15 for some cheapo from eBay all the way to close to $200 for some high end ones.

OK, so sure the cheap ones look ... cheap. A piece of steel with holes drilled in it with a hand drill, and the expensive ones look like some master machinist lovingly milled it with some expensive mill. BUT in the end ... aren't they just blocks of steel with holes in them?

Even some cheap ones have "chambers and slits", etc.

Do you guys think they really make a difference for ... range shooting from semi autos? I think for a bolt gun, they are useless because by the time you work the bolt, the gun has settled. For a semi-auto well, typically you are looking for your sight picture to return so you can quickly tap some target a second time in some rifle run-and-gun game. And for full auto ... well, who cares really unless you have some $20,000 autosear in which case you'd probably buy the $200 comp anyway.

So, for the average range shooter who might dabble in multi-gun ... does it really make any difference whether you screw on some masterpiece of milling or a chunk of steel with holes in the top?

I can see that DESIGN might make much more of a difference than "quality" of manufacture. But for range purposes does some multi-chambered masterpiece really WORK better than a cylinder with holes on the side and top to help mitigate muzzle rise?

Also ... I'm guessing for most medium caliber (.223/7.62) rifles, RECOIL is not an issue, but MUZZLE RISE might be.

Discuss...

[jdben92883]

It was tested here...and it seemed to suck as a stand-alone. Most people in CA don't have suppressors anyway.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/10/jeremy-s/ar-15-muzzle-brake-shootout-3/

and this is why the best muzzle device ever to exist never gets tested, people cant afford them or find em to buy .

3T is the cream of the crop.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

The single most important thing to consider when buying a muzzle brake is how cool is it, which will determine how cool you look on the range.

All my gear has to be really cool otherwise I won't buy it

Don't forget, It must be super loud as well. Loud is cool like a Harley. Not enough for them to hear the blast, they must feel the concussion as well.

[nate76239]

I have a primary weapons system PRC on a .308 ar it was about $95 and it made a very noticeable difference reducing the recoil compared to an A2 flash hider

[Xanthippus]

Don't forget, It must be super loud as well. Loud is cool like a Harley. Not enough for them to hear the blast, they must feel the concussion as well.

I was at an indoor range (TF3 Tactical, in Stanton) and this OLD gentleman, had to have been at least in his 70's... I mean, he's wrinkled and hunched over and waddling slowly back and forth from the shooting bench, he was handling an AR pistol in .458 SOCOM with a jet brake. I'm so used to other people shooting, I rarely flinch, but every time that huge BLAST would come, man, it was difficult not to. People were in awe at this old-timer handling such a beefy round in such a stoic fashion. Even with a jet brake, the fire-ball was fricken massive.

After thousands of rounds fired, I can say with confidence that the JMAC Customs muzzle brakes are the best for the money I've ever used. All around the $80-$100 dollar range, they put the $200 or high-end ones to shame, and the cheap ones just don't measure up.

[PoorMan]

Don't forget, It must be super loud as well. Loud is cool like a Harley. Not enough for them to hear the blast, they must feel the concussion as well.

This.

What am I missing? I don't understand the draw to muzzle brakes. Loud and concussive. Yet they are extremely popular with the featureless crowd.

Living in L.A., they pack us pretty tight at the ranges. This seems entirely unpleasant to me. Start at 1:40 (or watch entire video)

[BigPimping]

It better.....lol. I just bought the muzzle thread protectors.

[Jimi Jah]

What am I missing? I don't understand the draw to muzzle brakes. Loud and concussive. Yet they are extremely popular with the featureless crowd.

I used one on my commie 7.62x39 as that had a bit more recoil than my thin 65 year old shoulder liked to take. It's now very pleasant to shoot, much softer and easier on my old tired body.

I use ear protection and it's not a bother to me. I take it out to BLM land so it won't hurt your ears stacked up in an LA range.

The 5.56 have linear compensators. You would like shooting next to those.