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4/7/2026 12:37:48 PM EDT
I'm trying out a muzzle brake on a 16" carbine gas length project. As a right hander, I have it clocked ever so slightly about 12:15-12:30 o'clock from top center. This brake style has the drilled holes on top with large slotted side ports. I noticed my dot stays on elevation but moves slightly to right of POA after each shot and is fast to recover. I saw Jerry Miculek promoting his brake and spoke of clocking his around 1:00 but did not display results it gave him.
 My question is: what should we be trying to achieve with our optic? Is it possible to stay on POA with no movement after each shot? Or, will we always get left or right, high or low movement depending on how device is timed?
4/7/2026 12:46:46 PM EDT
[#1]
I never bothered doing anything other than trying to get it as close to 12 as possible. But I can tell you that a carbine gas 16” is not going to be the smoothest shooter regardless of a brake.
4/7/2026 5:28:37 PM EDT
[#2]
You will never achieve zero movement of your dot / reticle while firing live ammo.

There are brakes / comps that will tune the effects to some degree.
4/7/2026 6:09:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TonyRumore][Edited] [#3]
Jerry is right.  If you have ports at the top driving the barrel downward, its best to clock the brake to about 1 O'clock.
It's extremely noticeable if you only have ports at the top and none on the sides.  The barrel will be shoved down at an angle if you don't clock it to 1 O'clock.

Tony

4/8/2026 5:40:35 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Raidersgone][Edited] [#4]
Quote History
Originally Posted By bluedog82:
I never bothered doing anything other than trying to get it as close to 12 as possible. But I can tell you that a carbine gas 16” is not going to be the smoothest shooter regardless of a brake.
View Quote


Thanks, I agree. This one was my first carbine gas 16"over gassed, of course. Wanted to throw different things as a new project for fun learning. I'm getting good results for what it is.
4/8/2026 5:44:07 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By TGWLDR:
You will never achieve zero movement of your dot / reticle while firing live ammo.

There are brakes / comps that will tune the effects to some degree.
View Quote

Thanks, I was wondering. After seeing the youtubers with their mid length gas claiming they have no recoil and stay flat, adding a bunch more stuff than I ever will. Carbine gas length definitely won't have zero movement.
4/8/2026 5:48:12 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Raidersgone][Edited] [#6]
Quote History
Originally Posted By TonyRumore:
Jerry is right.  If you have ports at the top driving the barrel downward, its best to clock the brake to about 1 O'clock.
It's extremely noticeable if you only have ports at the top and none on the sides.  The barrel will be shoved down at an angle.

Tony

View Quote

 I was just starting to check it out on a bag though. Got rained out before seeing how much it will be pushed down off hand. I'll report my testing if anyone shows interest in the results from a carbine length gas system.

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