I’m looking for suggestions for a muzzle device for the soon to be mine BCM 11.5” upper. I do not plan to suppress this one in order to keep the overall length to a minimum. Therefore, I’m considering a linear compensator or flash can to potentially help reduce the sound and concussion felt by the shooter. I also don’t want anything too long or heavy. There are three specific devices I was considering: Black River Tactical Covert Comp, Kaw Valley Linear Comp, and KAK Flash Can.
I admit I have no experience with these types of muzzle devices, and don’t really even know if they work as advertised. Am I better off saving money and just sticking with a standard A2? Are there any others I should consider?
Those things would be a waste of money compared to an A2. Concussion to the shooter isn’t typically a problem, it’s concussion to someone standing on the left or right. Either way though, I think that gets blown out of proportion.
ETA - I didn’t read through everything you posted, just saw the flash can which is basically a Noveske PIG.
I talked my brother into getting a Covert Comp for his shorty. He’s very happy with it. Says it does a good job of pushing the concussion forward. He likes that it’s about the same size and weight of an A2.
My 10.5 pistol has KX5 attached to it. It really directs the blast wave forward. Yeah, it breaths fire and has no recoil reduction but we are talking 5.56 here, not 7.62 so recoil is not an issue. I’ve done mag dumps on a cardboard silhouette target at 25 and 50 yards, with most shots landing squarely in the bread basket.
On non suppressor mounts I use Precision Armament AFAB. Hands down one of my favorite muzzle devices. Pricey but also very good - BattleComp.
I’ve used the AFAB on 10.3, 12 and 14.5. I e used the BattleComp on 10.3 for a few years.
Both are excellent but the AFAB gets the nod imo bc it can be had for $109 vs. $150. The AFAB is similar in design to the KAC MAMS.
If you’re going to suppress it down the line, I’d just stick with the A2 until you decide what suppressor you’re going with…A2 works well for the cost.
I personally went with a Precision Armament EFAB because I wanted good flash reduction (about as good as an A2) and recoil mitigation (much better than an A2). It’s not the best at either compared to dedicated comp or FH, but it’s the best hybrid device that doesn’t have any more concussion than an A2. A lot of muzzle devices do one or the other better than an EFAB, but it’s hard to do both better.
If you can’t have suppressors where you live, EFAB or A2…but you really should just suppress it if you can
I use a three prong under my AAC Mini. Not sure of your intended use, but for 3 added inches (14.5 oal), the Mini was my answer to an SBR home defense weapon of choice. If you shoot sbr’s, you know they have a loud bark! Quiet your weapon, everyone around you will appreciate it.
Clint, I will snag one of your units when I get back from class…
Captains1911, I applaud your thinking. I am a non–fan of making them louder and dangerous to bystanders / line mates / team mates. To that end my perennial approach is the Noveske KX3 or -5. I am not familiar with the devices you mentioned but believe me I am always on the lookout for something that will allow students to “slip into something more comfortable”. Your spec of “not too long or heavy” maybe precludes the Noveskes…. if you find something that can approach that level of effectiveness in a smaller package I will be very interested.
I don’t want to hijack this thread into one of my brake-hatin’ tirades but in this class, we have three guns with the most difficult situation. Well first let me say the guys are supposed to know they are not to run brakes in class but year after year many don’t get all the class info from their agency, only that, “Yer goin’ “. What we have is 14.5” barrels with brakes pinned and welded to make 16”. So even if we get them off (we “have our ways” of doing it field-expedient style), what we don’t have is the means to pin and weld on something else, on site. Solution, brake men go to the far end of the line, as a group. All three are fine shooters and good guys. But we ran some relays this aft in teams of five and I got the brake men. One of the other two guys had an 11.5" barrel with an A1 flash hider; man #5 had a 16" barrel with and A2 flash hider. Both of them were fluffy bunnies compared to the broke guns. As a safety officer for this I cannot stand far away-- I have to be close-up to keep an eye on things. The brakes make it miserable-- with plugs and muffs both-- plus hands over the muffs. They make my teeth hurt and that is not an exaggeration.
So… I’ll be watching this thread with keen interest.
Seems you feel the Pigs really work well. Are they really any better for noise to the user or his teammates than an A2? Or just better than a brake? Is the KX5 as effective as the KX3? I currently use flash hiders (mostly A2) and have always been a bit curious about the KX’s, but they are so long and heavy, I always talk my self out of it. Also, I find it curious that the internet tells me they are very flashy (I do shoot low-light), while the Bulgarian look-alike from Arsenal was tested by JMac and reported to be flash-free. Arsenal lists that thing as a whole Lb, though.
Edit: the real queston is, does it do anything a couple more inches of barrel doesn’t?
1168, the pig does do more than a couple inches of barrel. I have found them to be good flash hiders but that is a couples tests plus anecdotal observations, not what I would call genuine scientific testing. If you let them get packed with GSR they stop working so well. Ain’t no getting around the fact that they are bigger than most muzzle devices. The shooter and anyone between 2:00 and 10:00 from the muzzle will get a noticeably reduced blast. If you are downrange you get the big noise hit like standing next to a brake-equipped gun. Downrange is right where that shet belongs, not in the side of a linemate’s / team mate’s face. In any event it is better (noise-wise) for the shooter and friends than an A2.
KX3 vs/ KX5, to me they seem indistinguishable in their effect but I might not be the best judge of that.
