AR 15 Muzzle Devices, Compensators, Flash Suppressors

Muzzle Devices Explained

So when building an AR 15 or AR 10 rifle you may be a bit confused on what’s what in the muzzle device world. Buzzwords like mil spec flash suppressor, comp aka compensators, and muzzle brakes. They all look somewhat similar, they are an inch of so long, with holes or gaps and they go on the end of a rifle right? Well there is a difference, and each one is intended to serve a different purpose.

AR 15 Muzzle Flash Suppressors

AR flash suppressors are often equipped on duty and defense rifles. A flash suppressor diminishes the flash from the end of the barrel, but does not fully erase it from view. Flash suppressors do make it harder to locate a shooter at night, but more importantly it prevents the muzzle flash from killing the shooter’s night vision. The Yankee Hill Phantom 5.56 flash suppressor is one of the most advanced flash suppressors out there. It eliminates more flash than your standard military flash suppressor, and is made in America.

AR 15 Muzzle Brakes

The recoil generated from firing a round is often a hindrance on the shooter, no matter how small. The weapon will recoil backwards and upwards taking your rifle off target. A muzzle brake works to counteract this force and reduce recoil and muzzle rise. A muzzle brake accomplishes this by redirecting gas from the cartridge. The main disadvantage as any AR 15 muzzle brake review will tell is noise, the rifle is going to be much louder and will emit a more serious concussion and muzzle blast. The Fortis Rapid Engagement Device is designed for the AR 15, but takes its design from much larger rifles and shrinks it. This device is extremely capable of dissipating gas and reducing recoil.

AR 15 Linear Compensators

Guns are loud and present a certain amount of concussion when fired. This isn’t noticed so much when firing outdoors, but when firing inside a building, or even under a simple overhang the concussion is multiplied. A linear compensator redirects the flash and concussion forward. AR 15 Linear comps were incredibly popular than the AWB since they weren’t considered muzzle devices.

AR 15 Sound Suppressors

Sound Suppressors are a bit heavier on the muzzle end and reduce some recoil. What suppressors do better than both AR flash suppressors and AR linear compensators is eliminate flash and reduce concussion. Sound suppressors do reduce the volume of the weapon, but do not reduce the decibels to where the weapon is completely silent.

So these are the four most popular muzzle devices out there. They vary is method and style, but all make firing a weapon more comfortable.