AK74 muzzle brake

[bodiebill]

Compared to the AK47 the AK74 muzzle brake is huge!

What are the design criteria for muzzle brake design?
Obviously velocity is a major factor.
The design parameters seem almost endless--is it based on science/mechanics or appearance?
The AK74 brake has three holes drilled in the brake from the OD to the interior ID . They are about 1/8" in diameter and somewhat staggered from 0100 for the first going clockwise to 1600 for the second and then the 3rd closet to the muzzle at 1300.
Of course there are the large slots at 1130 and 1230 at the font of the brake.
The twist direction of the bullet cw or ccw must also be a factor.
Anybody with muzzle brake design who can provide some comments?

Tapco has a similar muzzle brake but the holes are drilled parallel with the bore, not from the OD to the ID.
The AK74 brake also resembles the SKS brake.

[ucsc slug]

the 74s muzzle brake is designed to reduce muzzle climb at the cost of virtually no flash hiding capabilities. it is an excellent design. Larry Vickers has a video on YouTube on the 74 brake.

[kcstott]

99% of what is on the market today is made for looks and not much else.

Depending on what you want to accomplish depends on how many, hole large, and where the holes go.

Do you want to reduce recoil or muzzle rise? that has a lot to do with the brake design.

KDF make some of the best recoil reducing brakes around but they are not much to look at nor are they quiet.

Jerry Miculek has a signature brake for the AR and it works great but is loud as hell. Every wonder why he where's double hearing protection??