Anyone shot this brake without plugs on? My AR is multi-purpose, in the winter I hunt with a magnified optic, rest of the year its on the range with an Eotech. In the Communist state of Massachusetts, I can't have anything labeled a "flash suppressor/hider", but can have a permanently attached brake/compensator.  For obvious reasons, I have no intention of changing a pinned and welded device a couple times a year.

Can I get away with a few shots a year without plugs with the VG6 Gamma? Any other effective brakes that might be a good option? I'm talking 5-6 shots a year without plugs, but I don't want to blow my eardrums out in the process.

It's loud. Especially your left ear. Coming from a guy who has tennitus from shooting m4, mk19, and Ma Duce in country, with no ear pro. Wear ear pro. It's hard to sleep at night with constancy ringing in your ears

Look at the Griffin comp, very much like the famous Battlecomp but far less expensive, I actually prefer it to the Battlecomp.