My upper is a 14.5" bushmaster with a mini-Y permanently attached. The thing is so loud that I feel like my head is exploding.....

Anyway, I wish I had just gotten a 16", but I didn't, so now I'm trying to decide what to do.

About how much would it cost for bushmaster to re-barrel my upper with a 16"? Would I get anything for the 14.5"? Also, if I got a crowned 16", could it later be threaded if the ban sunsets?

What about a new break or other muzzle attachments? It's a post ban, so I can't have an evil flash hider, but I do know that nothing's permanent. Are there any muzzle devices long enough that still give some recoil reduction without being so loud? About how much would it cost to have a place like KKF remove a permanent install and replace it?

Kurt from KKF has two models you may like.  The first is a compensator/brake that looks like an A2 flash hider.  It's not as loud as the Mini Y and his A3 model is long enough to make a 14.5 the legal 16 inches.  The other option is a Fake Flas supressor.  Basically it's just an added tube with cuts that don't go all the way through and give the appearance of a flash supressor.  He does both of these jobs for around $100 (about half of getting a new barrel from Bushmaster) including shipping if I remember correctly.  You should go to his board and ask for a quote to get a definite answer.

If you want to get rid of that mini Y, PM me.  I will take it off your hands.   Seriously.

The mighty mini Y is easily tamed to very reasonable levels by boring out the center bore to about 5/16ths of an inch.  (The bore where the bullet travels.)   It still holds the muzzle down, but reduces perceived noise to about the same level as a plain muzzle.

CJ

Thanks for your the info.

cmjohnson- Unfortunatly, when the break is removed from a permanent mounting, it is quite destroyed. Since I'm taking it off anyway, I'd rather get something a little more mil-spec looking. Also, would drilling it out as you describe make it into an "evil" flash hider as defined by whoever defines such things?

I assure you, drilling out the bore does NOT turn it into a flash hider!  

It also reduces the possibility of "bullet kiss" to practically zero.

I might be interested even in the DESTROYED mini Y so that I can use it for measurement and fun purposes, in case I want to try to make my own. (I have access to all machine tools needed.)

CJ