re: Let's talk muzzle brakes for AR-15

They are good if you're shooting anything more powerful than 5.56.

Yup

These muzzle devices in this thread make me want to throw up. A2 birdcage, three prong for A1, device for suppressor mount, or maybe some type of battlecomp or blackout, Anything else and you might as well put a garden rake and shovel on the dam barrel.

Here are some not fricking full retard options...

Not for looks. Unlike most the the overpriced shite posted, It's actually functional. Serves as a compensator on the larger bores, flash hinder or the shorter barrels and fireballs, and serves as a quick connect for many AAC suppressors.

I have the A2 with the slots only on the top and it really does help with muzzle rise. I have a slide fire stock and when going full retard with it you can still control due to the muzzle break. Same thing with the AK slant breaks on these rifles all you really need to control is the climb as recoil is non-existent.

By itself, yes. It's very obnoxious. But the real reason to have one is what you said, protect your AAC baffles. If you're not getting an AAC can, don't get an AAC flash hinder.

The tacticool ones work great with no can.

This is all for 5.56. Anything larger can benefit from the Brakeout, can or no can.

Wear ear protection.

Always wearing ear pro. Double ear pro.
I'm just questioning the "acts as a sacrificial blast baffle" line. It's the same with Silencer Co. I question whether or not to get the Brake or the FH. SiCo's response has been that it doesn't matter. The difference over the life of the can would be at best, marginal...due to the material of the blast baffle. Has anyone ever proven that the life of ones can is extended when using a brake vs. a flash hider? All I read on the internets is "it acts as a sacrificial blast baffle....so to protect the suppressor's blast baffle...". Have there been tests done, like proof of this?

Oh yeah, I've seen the pictures. There's no doubt that there's a lot of violently disbursed gasses at the muzzle. I would say that the suppressor is built for it, though. Especially with inconel or stellite baffles. So, the brake (made out of an inferior material) will undoubtedly show wear and corrosion. I don't believe that the gasses are going to stop at the brake, either. They pretty much travel through the entire baffle stack/suppressor.

It would be interesting to see a comparison of a 10.5-11.5" barrel in 5.56 with and without a brake over a period of time, 10k or 20k rounds. Don't believe anyone has done it.

We're saying the same thing but disagreeing on the amount. I've seen your builds, I know that you have seen how much dirtier a suppressed AR is than an unsuppressed rifle. I know that you've felt the blowback from a SBR canned vs a full length not.

All that is extra gas that the breakout gets hit with first instead of the first baffle. Think about how much blowback you get in your face shooting a hot SBR. Now think about all of that gas going through a .32" opening with a .30" beside it.

The brake is made out of shite compared to a baffle. But how much thicker is the brake than the baffle? I've seen dents and pits deeper on a brake thicker than any cone. All this is exaggerated but reinforces my point.

Finally, most of the gas does leave the can, but not as you described. It is slowed significantly and lots of it is redirected to the bcg. Experiment sounds good but at the edge of any lifespan for any AR or accessory. I'll look up more info after work.