Flash Suppressors and Muzzle Brakes

[esrice]

For those of you guys that swapped out your standard A2 birdcage and went with something else. . . .

Why?

What changed?

Was it worth it?

What brand/style did you go with?

 

[shooter521]

What brand/style did you go with?

VLTOR VC-1. I like it because it gives some compensation effect in addition to flash suppression. Performance is satisfactory in both regards, though it is not as good in either role as a dedicated device. On the up side, it is not nearly as loud or "blasty" as many of the comps that are currently en vogue.

I also like the fact that, because it has slots all around, the VC-1 does not need to be indexed or timed during installation.

Finally, it is compatible with my HALO silencer.

 

[fireball168]

I'm (still) stuck on the Vortex.

For coyote hunting in the dark, with other folks around - I haven't found anything better. From behind it, beside it, or running it - the flash with my typical hunting load (60g BT over Varget) is next to nothing.

I've fitted several to bolt rifles up to 30-06 with very similar results.

Kind of a surprise, the DPMS LR-308 AP4 factory flash hider is quite effective.


I've got a couple of customers that want every new one that's made (within reason). I think its their highlight of the year when they see my SHOT pictures of the latest and greatest. Practically every time we go out though, their Vortex's are spun on the barrel.


Personally, I like the CMMG Striker Vortex - although I can't say that I've got any use for it whatsoever.

Likely I'll end up drawing my own blood (likely my foot) with the damn thing one of these days - I guess that would literally make me "stuck on the Vortex".

 

[Fargo]

+1 on the vortex. Viewed from the side at night the flash looks like the glow from a cigarette.

Best,

Joe

 

[shooter521]

+1 on the vortex. Viewed from the side at night the flash looks like the glow from a cigarette.

The Vortex is hands down the best pure flash suppressor I've ever used. The tuning-fork sound got to be a little annoying, though.

 

[esrice]

I also like the fact that, because it has slots all around, the VC-1 does not need to be indexed or timed during installation.

Ah.... something I had not considered!

 

[melensdad]

For those of you guys that swapped out your standard A2 birdcage and went with something else. . . .

Why?

What changed?

Was it worth it?

What brand/style did you go with?

I picked up a Troy Medieval and put it on one of my daughter's ARs. Its a combination muzzle break & flash hider. Honestly never shot that gun at night so I have no idea if its effective for that purpose or not. I got the Troy in a parts trade. I admit it looks cool, but I don't know if it is worth much more than that.

 

[fireball168]

The tuning-fork sound got to be a little annoying, though.

I've noticed it comes and goes with different loads, but isn't present or at least noticeable in the bolt rifles.

I've never tried one on a heavy barreled AR though other than a 458 SOCOM, which wasn't noticeable.

I wonder if it is just harmonizing with the barrel whip on the lighter barreled AR's.

Anyway - one of the OCD fellows I mention above raised a bunch of hell about it early on. At his suggestion (supposedly from Smith), I machined a brass washer .0625" thick out of some 360 I had laying around. He claims it cut the noise in half or better when placed between the barrel and the Vortex.

It would be interesting to see if a mild steel, or washer of any other composition the same thickness would make the same difference - never though of using one like a barrel tuner.

 

[tyler34]

I have a primary weapon systems DNTC on order. it is an extremely effective muzzle brake but it does have a lot of side blast. the only other one I would buy is the KAC triple tap brake but they are impossible to find and anyone that owns them won't part with them. so if anyone knows somebody with one they want to sell send them my way.

 

[shooter521]

the only other one I would buy is the KAC triple tap brake

You would pay $400-some bones for a muzzle brake?

On M4C, some serious shooters who have experience with both have said the DNTC is actually a more effective comp than the Triple Tap. The Triple Tap's advantages are that it is almost as effective but much less blasty than the DNTC, and is compatible with the KAC silencer (and everybody's got one of those, right?). And oh yeah, it's also a chick magnet.

 

[slow1911s]

The DN in DNTC stands for David Neth - DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories. If he's putting his initials on it, it works and wins.

 

[tyler34]

You would pay $400-some bones for a muzzle brake?

On M4C, some serious shooters who have experience with both have said the DNTC is actually a more effective comp than the Triple Tap. The Triple Tap's advantages are that it is almost as effective but much less blasty than the DNTC, and is compatible with the KAC silencer (and everybody's got one of those, right?). And oh yeah, it's also a chick magnet.

yeah I would, (lest we forget what I spend on knives) its the less blasty part that makes me want it, but for $330 I guess I can settle for the DNTC.

 

[esrice]

The DN in DNTC stands for David Neth - DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories. If he's putting his initials on it, it works and wins.

Hey, lookie who else is on that page: DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories.

I've only shot 1 AR with a comp, and that was bigcraig's gamer gun. That thing didn't rise at all, but there was a noticeable concussion with each shot, and I don't think it would be great if people were standing next to me. Is there anything out there that will limit muzzle rise like that, but without the concussive blast associated with it?

 

[tyler34]

Is there anything out there that will limit muzzle rise like that, but without the concussive blast associated with it?

basically only the KAC triple tap, AKA the costa brake. other than that PWS makes the diablo which would be the next closest although not that close brake.

CQB Comp, 5.56 - Compensators - PWS

 

[shooter521]

basically only the KAC triple tap, AKA the costa brake.

"[the Triple Tap] is basically like hanging a little tiny piece of the Space Shuttle on the end of your gun." -Costa

 

[Lars]

My old AR had some twisted four pronged thing..... I replaced it with this...

Primarily because I think it looked cool

 

[P-Shooter]

My old AR had some twisted four pronged thing..... I replaced it with this...
Primarily because I think it looked cool

I had my post ban rifles barrel threaded because I didn't have the cash for a full barrel replacement. As I still had no bayonet lug, I decided to go with an aggressive brake to compensate(no pun intended). I bought this thing off of Ebay for the same reason as stated above, it looked really cool. Much to my dismay, it also directed a good portion of the muzzle wash back into my face, with enough force to knock a hat off after 2-3 shots. The Birdcage went back on, and I now have a very unique $50 paperweight

 

[fireball168]

..... and I now have a very unique $50 paperweight

That's either a Tromix or a knock-off.

I sold two of them that are now functioning well as paperweights.

Online Store — DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories.

Couple of better pictures towards the bottom of the page:

TROMIX Lead Delivery Systems

 

[slow1911s]

Hey, lookie who else is on that page: DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories.

I've only shot 1 AR with a comp, and that was bigcraig's gamer gun. That thing didn't rise at all, but there was a noticeable concussion with each shot, and I don't think it would be great if people were standing next to me. Is there anything out there that will limit muzzle rise like that, but without the concussive blast associated with it?

From what I've heard, DNTC and PWS are probably the quietest. The thing is, that energy (including sound) has to be dumped somewhere, and that's generally to the sides and up. I have a Miculek that is very effective on my gun (20", full mass carrier, adjustable gas block) and I don't notice the blast when I'm behind the gun. Those to the sides? They notice for sure.

 

[tyler34]

got a new one in the mix, the pgrs-1 muzzle brake-



PGRS-1 muzzle brake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and for apparently what you get the price isn't bad.

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