I have a 7.5" barrel, and with the A2 flash hider, the noise and the fireball were beyond belief.
Went with a PWS CQB muzzle device, and it pretty much tamed both issues.
The negatives: expensive ($150), heavy (~1 lb.), large, and funny looking.
So, now I’ve got a 10.5" upper.
Haven’t shot it yet with the A2, but I’m wondering if the noise and flame still be a lot worse than a 16" barrel?
What are you short barrel guys using if you don’t have a suppressor on, and why did you pick it?
10.5 without a suppressor can still rattle your teeth. It is pretty painful.
I had a noveske KX5 on my 10.5" pistol upper to direct the sound downrange. Best option I had considering I am not in a free state. You being in TN, I would say your best option is to invest in a suppressor.
I run a suppressed/unsuppressed about 50/50. I have the AAC 51T muzzle brake and could not be happier with it. Noticeable difference over the standard A2 device; and AAC brakeout comp for that matter.
To me, that depends if you are shooting indoors or out. I find an A2 outdoors on my 10.5 and 11.5s to be acceptable. Indoors, anything short of a suppressor is not a ton of fun. A2’s indoors will rattle some teeth. Shooting unsuppressed indoors, my SureFire brake is lights out. People leave the range if I shoot it. SBR=Suppressed if indoors.
I have a Vortex flash hider on an 11.5" SBR…I’ve never noticed it being excessively louder than other flash suppressors I have tried, but it does reduce the fireball to almost nothing. I tried a BCM Mod 0 comp on the 11.5 and almost every shot created a muzzle blast that eclipsed the view plane of the Aimpoint T-1, which I didn’t like, so I went back to the Vortex. I would agree with Firefighter37 that outdoors it doesn’t seem to be much of an issue, but indoors, I chase people away when I shoot it.
I had a BattleComp 1.0 on my 10.5" at one point, before I owned suppressors and didn’t find it overly objectionable outdoors, indoors was a different story. It did negate all muzzle rise on that 10.5", I shot it side by side vs a 10.5" A2 equipped gun and there was a noticeable difference.
I thought about going with a flaming pig or other flash can but decided not to because the weight and length. On another rifle I have a ferfrans brake with the CRD. Decided not to move this to my 10.5 because the brake alone is crazy loud and the CRD is heavy. It does work very well however if weight is not an issue for you.
On my SBR I have a VG6 Gamma, works well. Not too loud. Got a definite pop sound. I don’t shoot often indoors. They have a concussion reducing device that goes over the Gamma. Unlike the ferfrans its low profile and light.
I use the A2 on my 10.5. It works well enough. I’ve felt worse report off 16" barrels with brakes though compared to the A2. Haven’t shot it indoors, but at night the report wasn’t bad at all.
I use an A1. They cost $5, and I don’t need to index them. It was a toss up between that, and buying a $100 dollar muzzle brake, and put a $100 dollar collar to neutralize the effect of the muzzle brake. The A1 won.
Thanks guys.
Lots of good info.
I knew the KX3 and the Vortex were popular.
I’ve got the PWS CQB on there for now but haven’t shot it yet.
It made a kitten out of the 7.5" barrel, but it sure defeats the purpose of a lightweight gun.
My factory Mk18 upper with the standard FH isn’t noticeably different than any other outdoors. The 6.8 is definitely louder with the regular A2. I don’t personally care for brakes if they can be avoided, or unless I’m using it as a permanent suppressor mount. For your hearing, and to keep your friends, probably just get a can to use everywhere. My .02.
Surefire brake. That way when I don’t have a suppressor on, I get increased recoil control. When I do, it’s an extra blast baffle. As far as the extra blast/noise? **** everyone around me, I got more recoil control!
Im not a fan of shooting unsuppressed with any gun, but I have a KAC QD flash hider which behaves the same as a standard A2. Its retarded loud, but not as retarded loud as a 10.5" gun with a comp or brake.
