Any of you guys have an experience using a Levang linear compensator? Is it effective as a compensator? As to the best of my knowledge, compensator works by directing the gas to counter the recoil but the Levang unit is directing gas forward. How can this unit compensate for the muzzle flip? does this add to the rearward recoil of the rifle? Do you have any pics or drawings for the internal? I’m interested in this compensator fo replacement of my KX3 for my 7.5" barrel M4. I’m very satisfied with the KX3 but if the levang compensator works just like a KX3, a reduction of weight is a great plus for my lightweight SBR.
I’ve had one on my 16" for a several months now but I haven’t had time to put more than a few hundred rounds through it so far, so bear in mind that these are my initial observations and nothing more. Also, my prior experience has been with a standard birdcage. That being said, I doubt that it decreases the recoil but rather redirects it. With the birdcage, I found that recoil/flip would move the muzzle up and away from the target, whereas the Levang causes more of a straight and focused rearward push. This causes the rifle to wander quite a bit less in my experience. Sorry, no pics or drawings.
I live in Kalifornia and did a featureless build. Had to get rid of the flash suppressor but in dealing with brakes on my varmint rifles I did not want the back blast or increased noise. The Levang comp works in redirecting the muzzle blast but does not provide much in the way of compensation. It is cheap and does more at directing the muzzle blast forward than it compensates.
The Levang is smaller, lighter weight, and less expensive. If you don’t need the slightly increased backpressure of the KX3 for a short SBR (say around a 10.5~11.5"), the Levang does the same job.
The Levang is smaller, lighter weight, and less expensive. If you don’t need the slightly increased backpressure of the KX3 for a short SBR (say around a 10.5~11.5"), the Levang does the same job
I’m using one on a 7.5" upper and it works fine. H buffer and it runs. It works like a KX3 but for less money and weighs less. You just don’t have the flaming pig on the side. Like others have said, it feels more like a straight push back instead of up and away. Doesn’t do much for sound other than direct it away from the shooter and those that may be standing off to the side. You can still light a fireball but some of it is ammo dependent.
I’m thinking he’s saying that the KX3 produces more “back pressure”, and MIGHT make the short 7.5" more reliable. HOWEVER, who’s to say that is a fact and not an opinion.
Exactly. If someone has a shorty that runs well, the Levang certainly won’t make it run worse.
The Levang was developed for LEO/SWAT/HRT CQB entry teams needing forward sound and blast pressure projection in a small, lightweight package. The KX3 was designed to improve the cycling of SBRs 11.5" and shorter (according to Noveske, that is).
I don’t know if the KX3 is an improvement or pure voodoo. I can’t deny that it carries a greater CDI factor. Chicks dig flaming pigs.
If I seem biased, it’s because I’m of the KISS crowd. If I can achieve the same effect and save weight and size at the same time, I’ll buy the smaller, lighter product. Put it this way, if the Levang were made from billet Inconel and cost $295, everyone would want the Levang instead.
I found the Levang to do many of the things that the KX3 does but just to a muted degree. The KX3 was much bulkier (7 ounces or so vs. 4 for the Levang). Perhaps because of that bulk, I seem to recall the KX3 being less jumpy and quicker for follow up shots (and lighter recoiling too).
For no particular reason, I just happened to wear double ear protection with the Levang and had no issues but my friends said the Levang was pretty darn loud. They weren’t ever around to hear the KX3 so they are comparing it to full length SCAR with PWS FSC-556 that was on hand.
I went to this Levang after having used a KX3 on the end of a 10.5" Sig 556 SBR. There was a time lapse of several weeks between my last range trip with the KX3 and the first one with the Levang. Also, when I started using the Levang, my buddy had his new PWS FSC-556 equipped SCAR along each time. That thing is so mild it feels like a .22lr.
I liked the size, weight and $ savings of the Levang compared to the KX3. That said, after shooting it on an SBR back to back with the drama free SCAR, I found myself wanting something that managed muzzle hop better. Recoil on a 5.56 is never too noticeable but when you shoot something that seems to have zero recoil (SCAR+FSC-556), you start to want the same in your gun.
So, I’m going to take on what some say is massive blast, deafening noise, pissed off range-mates and singed forearms to get my muzzle hop and recoil erased: the PWS FSC-556 on a 10.5" SBR. I’ll let you guys know if I find myself running back to a compensator and away from a brake after I try it out.
I’ve used one on a 10.5 N4 for bout six months now and am pleased with it. It really does focus the blast away from you and anyone next to you. It seems to do a good job of directing the recoil into my shoulder allowing me to follow up faster.
