All About Muzzle Devices
As noted in our previous blog on Suppressor Mounting Methods, there's more to cans than just the can itself. We are going to explore those additional considerations and begin today with muzzle devices. When it comes to muzzle devices there is no free lunch. Although a muzzle device may have benefits in one area, there are likely deficiencies elsewhere.
Some deficiencies can be benign while others are more tangible. A benign deficiency could be something like a muzzle device not being capable of accepting a suppressor. This is not a catastrophic issue by any means, nor does it negatively impact performance.
A more tangible deficiency would be apparent with muzzle brakes as they do nothing for flash suppression and make guns significantly louder in exchange for reducing recoil on the host firearm. While some muzzle devices stick to established styles and focus on one task above all, hybrid options do exist and attempt to be the best tool for the most applications.
This article will provide a brief overview of the types of muzzle devices in common use so that you can have a resource when examining potential options for your firearms. So, let’s get into some muzzle devices.
Bare Muzzle
Before we get into different types of muzzle devices, it is worth examining bare muzzles. Bare muzzles are a common sight on pistols, particularly those without barrels, and some rifles. More and more rifles and handguns these days are coming with threads to accommodate the attachment of various muzzle devices. A bare muzzle essentially serves as a neutral, baseline configuration of a firearm when it comes to experiencing and measuring things such as recoil, muzzle flip, and flash.
Muzzle Brakes
Muzzle brakes are intended to aid in taming the recoil of their host firearm. Muzzle brakes are common sights on bolt action and semi-automatic firearms alike. Often times, bolt action rifles, like those from Christensen Arms will come from the factory with muzzle brakes already fitted to the muzzle.
As bolt action rifles are manual action firearms, they do not inherently reduce or dampen recoil impulses like semi-automatic firearms. This means that the shooter will usually feel the full brunt of the recoil when firing a bolt action rifle. Because of this, a muzzle brake on a bolt action rifle will reduce felt recoil much more than a mere recoil pad.
Muzzle brakes typically feature numerous ports along the sides of the muzzle device. Some muzzle brakes feature a few ports on the sides while others feature an almost gratuitous amount of porting. While these ports work wonders to reduce felt recoil and tame a firearm, they tend to make a firearm much louder and more concussive. This is particularly noticeable when a muzzle brake is utilized on a short-barreled rifle.
If you have ever been on a firing line next to something compact like a Mk18 with a muzzle device, you would be subjected to some intense concussive force and ear-splitting reports. Luckily, you can get things such as the Surefire Warden or Ferfrans Concussion Reduction Device (CRD) to reduce and redirect the concussive impulses put out by muzzle brakes.
Compensators
Compensators are similar to muzzle brakes in their recoil reducing ability. These muzzle devices are common in the realm of competition, particularly in multi-gun competitions as they will aid in reducing both felt recoil and muzzle rise. While featuring porting for recoil reduction, compensators will often tend to feature porting that works to direct gasses upwards to fight muzzle rise. The intended result of this porting is to allow one to fire a rifle rapidly while combatting muzzle rise and staying on target.
Compensators are also common on pistols and have become increasingly popular in recent years. A few years back, the trend of compensated handguns was evident in the proliferation of Roland Special styled Glocks in civilian hands. Compensated handguns are easy to shoot fast while keeping muzzle rise relatively tame. One should be aware that if you were to add a compensator to a handgun, you might need to tinker with the pistol’s recoil assembly and find a load that functions well with your particular firearm.
Flash Hiders
Like the name suggests, the primary function of a flash hider (also referred to as flash suppressors) is to reduce the muzzle flash of a given firearm. One of the most common muzzle devices found on AR-15 rifles on racks throughout the country are A2 flash suppressors.
Flash hiders are common on military firearms as a reduction of flash signature on a personnel level is cohesive to keeping one’s exact position concealed. These devices will show their worth when lighting conditions are darker and can make a difference between a small, quick flash or a considerable fireball coming out the end of your muzzle. If you find yourself shooting with night vision, a flash hider will also prove invaluable and allow you to preserve your vision and keep you on target.
While the name suggests flash reduction capabilities, the presence of the muzzle device does not entirely and absolutely eliminate muzzle flash. If one is using some particularly dirty ammunition, there will generally be more muzzle flash. If one truly wanted to reduce their muzzle flash, they can make use of ammunition that utilizes flash retardant power to further reduce their flash signature. While flash hiders provide at least a cursory reduction in muzzle flash, they can also serve as a compensator of sorts.
The common A2 flash suppressor will feature a solid bottom with ports on the top. These ports serve to aid in the reduction of muzzle flash and will also provide an escape route for gasses to help combat muzzle rise.
Hybrid Considerations
While specific muzzle device types were outlines above, it should also be known that hybrid options exist which try and provide the benefits of multiple muzzle device types in one package. The aptly named KeyMo Hybrid from Blackout Defense and Surefire’s Warcomp offerings are some examples of this.
These devices are both designed to reduce a host firearm’s muzzle flash while also providing a reduction in recoil. By providing these benefits, these muzzle devices are essentially playing a hybrid role that blurs the line between compensator and flash hider. These two muzzle devices in particular are even more versatile and valuable due to their ability to act as mounts for suppressors.
Suppressors and Suppressor Mounts
Sound suppressors are increasingly common muzzle devices which are becoming more and more popular and mainstream with each passing year. If you go to the range in the current year, you will likely encounter a suppressor user. As a muzzle device, suppressors will generally reduce recoil, muzzle rise, muzzle flash, and the sound of a host firearm. Granted, some suppressors will provide better reduction of certain aspects than others, but they will still afford the user some overall reduction in all aspects.
The above types of muzzle devices are also available as suppressor mounts. True Shot Academy has existing blog posts detailing suppressor mounting methods and the importance of suppressor alignment so we won’t delve too far into those subjects here.
Essentially, if the muzzle device you wish to use is a suppressor, you can do so by either using a direct thread mounting solution or a compatible muzzle device. The types of muzzle devices discussed above are available in suppressor mount forms from a variety of manufacturers such as Surefire, HuxWrks, SilencerCo, and many more manufacturers.
Conclusion
All in all, there are a variety of muzzle devices available from a multitude of sources. If you have a particular want or need, odds are there is a muzzle device that will suit you well. Wanting something for competition use? Look towards a muzzle brake or a compensator. Want something for night shooting? A flash hider will serve you well.
Most modern firearms allow for an end user to swap their muzzle device on their own which will let you tinker with different options to find something that best suits you. At True Shot Academy, we want you to be the best and most efficient shooter you can be so we encourage you to explore your options and find a setup that is optimal for you. Happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
