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Posted: 12/5/2002 8:47:19 AM EDT
OK my 1st AR is on it's way. It's this one. I decided on the dissipator model because I figured since this was my 1st AR and would be spending 95% of my time with it on the range sitting at a bench, the longer foregrip would come in handy while piled up on sandbags. The other advantage is the longer sight radius between the front and rear sights. Many here have advised that I get PROFICIENT on the stock iron sights before moving to optics of any kind. I hear, agree and obey!  Anyway my question is about muzzle brakes. Do I really need one for what I'm going to do with this weapon? I did not like the ones I saw on Bushy's site. The guys at Bushy told me to stay away from the Y-Comp (the very one they sell) because of the way it blows gases and noise right back at ya. The guy I talked to said the best one (functionally) they had was the AK style. I hate the looks of it though. Is there another type I can get for a post ban weapon similar to the birdcage style that is both functional and pleasing to the eye. Function comes first I know, but I hate the looks of that AK style and just dont want it on my AR. Help!!!! |
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OKAY....Gosh this just shouldn't be so difficult! I've found the style muzzle brake that I want to purchase for my post ban Bushy it's [url=http://www.kurtskustomfirearms.citymax.com/albums/album_image/42611/38592.htm]this one[/url] from Kurt's Custom. BUT, my undrestanding of the differences between "flash supressors" and "muzzle brakes" is this....a muzzle brake for a post ban weapon cannot have any "active" porting below the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the barrel. This one pictured above has ports below the 3 & 9 o'clock positions YET he's marketing and selling it as a "muzzle brake". WHAT IS THE LAW on this, why are there so many gray areas? Somebody who actually KNOWS the law please chime in here and fill me in. Obvoiusly I do not want to legally purchase a post ban AR-15 and then have an illegal accessory permanently attached to it, only to lose the weapon because of an illegal muzzle brake. PLEASE HELP. |
| I've never heard about the 3 and 9 o'clock porting rule. From my understanding, it has to do with the angle/size of the porting cuts, and the size of the hole at the muzzle. A flash suppressor is very wide at the muzzle hole, but the compensator/brake will have a small diameter hole so the bullet will barely fit through the hole. This is my guess as to why they make a lot of noise... the bullet as it goes through the muzzle hole seals off the hole and so the gas has to escape through your side and top portings. Basically, just ask if the brake is ATF approved. If ATF classifies it as a compensator or brake, it's cool. |
| You might also consider the Wilson Combat tactical brake, it looks like a flash suppressor. The only really noticeable difference is the size of the hole at the muzzle. It is BATF approved for installation on a post-ban set. I just ordered one, and I'm going to get a DPMS pre-ban upper and have it soldered onto that (plus mill down the bayonet lug for post-ban compliance). |
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First off, take a closer look at Kurt's brake that you mentioned. Notice that the "ports" at the 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock are not machined completely through the brake. They are purely asthetic. Regarding the legality of muzzle brakes/compensators, they are fine on a postban so long as they are permanently attached via pinning/welding if installed on a threaded barrel. If the barrel is not threaded (and at least 16" in length), the brake need only be pinned. Basically, brakes are okay on a postban because they do not hide or suppress muzzle flash/blast. Quite the contrary, they actually enhance flash and noise by redirecting the muzzle blast. I believe section 18 chptr 922 of the federal criminal code is where you can find the official description of flash hider/suppressor. Regarding your choice of upper, I too chose the Dissy as my first upper and have never regretted it. Mine has the AK brake, and in retrospect, I wish I had just left the barrel plain. A brake is not really necessary as the barrel weighs almost as much as a 20" barrel and recoil is not a problem. The brake just adds extra inches unnecessarily. On more recent projects, I have used brakes from Kurt and from Cav Arms (the Cav comp) and both are excellent. However, for your Dissy, I would recommend you try it without a brake and see how you like it. If you feel it needs a brake, either to reduce muzzle flip (or to just look good), Kurt's A2 brake or the Cav Comp will work well. Hope this helps. |
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The rods have been placed in the break to illustrate the orientation of the ports. I wasn't aware of the 3 & 9 o'clock issue either. I thought the difference between a muzzle break and flash suppressor was the size of the opening in the end of it. A MB has an exit diameter of just over the size of the bore, while a FS has a completely open business end. |
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