Which of these muzzle brakes for an SPR? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which of these muzzle brakes for an SPR?

Posted: 5/5/2021 11:35:14 AM EDT

Edit: Went with a Vortex flash hider. Thanks guys!

This gun is fairly heavy and is mainly shot from the bench or prone. 18" White Oak Armament SPR barrel, Viper 5-25x. I'm looking at removing my Odinworks comp and going with more of a brake-style muzzle device. Looking around the $75 mark.

So far considering the Fortis RED ($65), VG6 Epsilon ($65), Midwest Industries ($30). Kind of leaning towards the Fortis.

Posted: 5/5/2021 11:44:30 AM EDT

[#1]

Honestly, I don't use a brake on my 223 heavy ARs. I just don't have any issues losing sight picture after the shot and I don't have to deal with the concussion. I use a Vortex flash hider.

Larger calibers? Precision Armament works well, but I shoot those suppressed nowadays.

Posted: 5/5/2021 11:57:10 AM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Honestly, I don't use a brake on my 223 heavy ARs. I just don't have any issues losing sight picture after the shot and I don't have to deal with the concussion. I use a Vortex flash hider.

Larger calibers? Precision Armament works well, but I shoot those suppressed nowadays.

View Quote

Yeah it's a pretty smooth shooting rifle with the rifle-length gas and weight, and I had considered a flash hider as well. I want to use the Odinworks comp on a different gun.

Why do some muzzle devices use shims instead of a crush washer? I like the simplicity of the crush washer and would like to stick with that.

Posted: 5/5/2021 11:59:22 AM EDT

[#3]

VG6 Epsilon is my go-to brake on 5.56 AR's. It's an excellent brake.
And yes, get the Epsilon rather than the Gamma. I've got both and the Epsilon has less jump.

I've got a different Fortis brake (not their RED version) on another AR and it does OK, too.

FWIW - Don't know anything about the Midwest Industries brake, but if all of the side ports are the same size and there's no top ports, I can't imagine it would be as good as the Fortis or the VG6.

Posted: 5/5/2021 12:20:06 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Honestly, I don't use a brake on my 223 heavy ARs. I just don't have any issues losing sight picture after the shot and I don't have to deal with the concussion. I use a Vortex flash hider.

Larger calibers? Precision Armament works well, but I shoot those suppressed nowadays.

View Quote

I dont either, I find a 556 brake is more noise than any benefits....with a rifle that heavy, what little recoil the 556 has will be negated by the rifle weight.

I would put a FH on instead, Smith Vortex makes a great FH

Posted: 5/5/2021 12:50:13 PM EDT

[#5]

Shims are for suppressor adapters, to keep them aligned with the muzzle.

Posted: 5/5/2021 2:01:12 PM EDT

[#6]

Do you guys know what the difference is between the Vortex A2 and A3 other than the smooth surface or why one is better than the other? I think I like the look of the smooth one more.

Also, opinions on this? I think the longer length would look better.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003366867?utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=connexity&utm_campaign=DeepLinks&utm_content=DeepLink&cnxclid=16202387050899217766210080301008005

Posted: 5/5/2021 3:08:33 PM EDT

[#7]

Not positive but I believe it was changed to accommodate their silencer from sticking. I use the smith vortex on that same barrel , works well.

Posted: 5/5/2021 3:20:35 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yeah it's a pretty smooth shooting rifle with the rifle-length gas and weight, and I had considered a flash hider as well. I want to use the Odinworks comp on a different gun.

Why do some muzzle devices use shims instead of a crush washer? I like the simplicity of the crush washer and would like to stick with that.

View Quote

So some in the precision shooting community believe (and it's entirely possible) that a crush washer imparts tension at the muzzle which could negatively affect accuracy. I know from experience that a muzzle devise that is too tight can negatively affect accuracy...but that's a sample of one and not to be considered gospel.

Shims, you simply select the correct shims to time the brake and torque down hand-tight with some blue loctite.

A Vortex doesn't require any timing. One of the biggest reasons I selected them over others.

Posted: 5/5/2021 3:22:49 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Do you guys know what the difference is between the Vortex A2 and A3 other than the smooth surface or why one is better than the other? I think I like the look of the smooth one more.

https://static.larue.com/media/prodthumbs/9a/4f/9a4f22513f8de4e414e1e96a7ede4d81.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Vortex_Flash_Hider_made_by_Smith_Enterprise.jpg

Also, opinions on this? I think the longer length would look better.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003366867?utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=connexity&utm_campaign=DeepLinks&utm_content=DeepLink&cnxclid=16202387050899217766210080301008005

View Quote

I don't know honestly. The last Vortex I ordered had grooved tines. All of the others I own (and I use the Vortex almost exclusively) are smooth.

Posted: 5/5/2021 3:39:24 PM EDT

[#10]

Good point that the Vortex doesn't require timing. Definitely a plus. So do you even use a crush washer? I think it would annoy my OCD if the grooves for the wrench weren't perpendicular or parallel to the ground.

Can loctite handle the heat of the barrel?

Posted: 5/5/2021 3:56:34 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Good point that the Vortex doesn't require timing. Definitely a plus. So do you even use a crush washer? I think it would annoy my OCD if the grooves for the wrench weren't perpendicular or parallel to the ground.

Can loctite handle the heat of the barrel?

View Quote

No crushwasher. No need to. It essentially self-tightens.

I can't help you with OCD.

I don't pay attention to the flats, they just end up where they end up.

I use blue loctite on barrel extensions for bedding, under gas blocks to make a better seal on the journal, and on muzzle devices. It remains solid up to 300 degrees. If you're getting your barrel up to 300 degrees, you're killing it anyways.

Even on "blaster" ARs, I've never had a muzzle device come loose when using blue loctite. That said, if I want to take things apart I can heat it with a propane torch.

Posted: 5/5/2021 4:56:15 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

No crushwasher. No need to. It essentially self-tightens.

I can't help you with OCD.

I don't pay attention to the flats, they just end up where they end up.

I use blue loctite on barrel extensions for bedding, under gas blocks to make a better seal on the journal, and on muzzle devices. It remains solid up to 300 degrees. If you're getting your barrel up to 300 degrees, you're killing it anyways.

Even on "blaster" ARs, I've never had a muzzle device come loose when using blue loctite. That said, if I want to take things apart I can heat it with a propane torch.

View Quote

Gotcha. Good to know.

I actually just found a new Vortex with the ribs (A3) on the EE so that's that!

Posted: 5/5/2021 5:32:51 PM EDT

[#13]

OP,

Glad you found yourself something in the EE.

FWIW, I use a Miculek comp on my SPR. It is a clone (or vice versa) of the comp at the bottom of your OP. It is loud. I wouldn't want to stand close to it at discharge. I wear ear plugs and muffs when I shoot, so it doesn't bother me sitting behind the rifle.

Posted: 5/5/2021 7:52:33 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
OP,

Glad you found yourself something in the EE.

FWIW, I use a Miculek comp on my SPR. It is a clone (or vice versa) of the comp at the bottom of your OP. It is loud. I wouldn't want to stand close to it at discharge. I wear ear plugs and muffs when I shoot, so it doesn't bother me sitting behind the rifle.

View Quote

I had actually looked at those Miculek comps in the past for a different rifle but just never ended up getting one. They don't look too friendly, like the MI haha