I like the Phantom (without the ridges), and the basic A1/A2 FS.

From the current crop here are my opinions based on personal experience with test firing a bunch of builds.

Brakes:

MSTN/PRI Quiet Comp:  The most effective brake.  It is fairly quiet as brakes go, but still louder than a flash hider.  Flash is there for sure.  For 3 gun competition this is the one I chose.

Troy Midieval Brake:  Also a very effective brake.  No quite up to the Quiet Comp but very good.  No as loud as the Quiet Comp and it is better at flash supression.  I find it a good compromise if muzzle braking is the primary goal.  It also gets points for looks.

Flash Hiders:

G6 Vortex:  #1 in flash suppression.  Hands down.  Downside is being open 360 degress.  This will lead to dust, sand, snow etc signature if shooting prone over a loose surface.  It is all I use on suppressed rifles without silencers as it keep the NV device from blooming out.  They do have an open front and can catch things.

Phantom line:  They are about 90% as effective as the Vortex.  5C1 and 5C2 have closed bottom like a GI A2 and minimize dust signature and give a braking effect somewhat better than a GI A2.  The Phantoms are also inexpensive.  I use these a lot of my rifles for general use  The Phantoms look good on the rifle and have a closed front so as not to snag on things.

GI A2:  They work.  Not as well as the more custom stuff above, but they do work.  If you don't think so takes yours off and then shoot at dark  They are also inexpensive at around $6 each.  If you don't want to spend a lot of money they are okay.

A short note on crush washers.  They save a heck of a lot of time in the installation of a muzzle device (the G6 uses no washers) but the way you install one can effect accuracy.

When I do an installation with a crush washer I first check the timing of the device with the washer in place.  If it is way off I pre-crush it in a smooth jawed vice until it is getting pretty close.  I then finish the timing by degrees with the wrench.  I go a little past center and then back it off.  I leave some tension but very little.  I then degrease the muzzle device and threads on the barrel.  I then use RED Locktite on the threads of the barrel and install the muzzle device.

Why do I go to all this trouble?  The end of the muzzle is the last thing the bullet sees before it is on its way to your target.  Threads can impart thousand of pounds of pressure.  You can distort the bore with too much pressure and inhibit accuracy.  

You want your rifle to shoot as well as the barrel/ammo will allow and a few extra minutes in timing the crush washer is well worth it.

Denny

Quoted: Denny, Any experience with the ops inc brake? I'd like to hear anyones thoughts on them. (effectiveness, noise?)

Yes.  I have two of them.  They work well as a brake but not so well as a flash suppressor.  I did not mention them as they are not readily in the market and $$$$$$$.
Denny

PS They look cool as shit

Quoted: Thanks for the reply, I think I'm going to get a QC but thought I better check out everything first. How is it on the noise level? PS is does look neat, but $132 is not worth looks alone! Ecpecially if it deafens the shooter!

It is quite a bit louder than a Flash Hider, but not hideously load compared to some of the brakes from the past.  I have some that are now in a sort of 'collection' I guess that make an M16 sound like a 50 BMG.

Be prepared for some noise but also zero muzzle rise

D.