{"id":268,"date":"2022-09-19T14:36:15","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T14:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/?p=268"},"modified":"2022-09-19T14:36:15","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T14:36:15","slug":"muzzle-brakes-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/?p=268","title":{"rendered":"Muzzle Brakes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>When shooting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/firearms\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=muzzle-brakes-the-good-bad-and-ugly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">firearm<\/a>, one gets to experience Newton\u2019s Third Law of Motion. It states, \u201cFor every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.\u201d In the firearms community, we refer to that motion as recoil, to some degree. Every shooter is made aware of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/shooting-101-recoil-control-marksmanship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recoil<\/a>, no matter what type of firearm they are using.<\/p>\n<h2>Why use muzzle brakes?<\/h2>\n<p>Many people are very sensitive to recoil and their shooting suffers tremendously because of it. Machismo aside, the more powerful the firearm, the greater the recoil, and the more uncomfortable the firearm is to shoot. I have fired everything from .22 CB caps to .470 Nitro Express cartridges, and I am here to tell you, the big bruisers can be painful to shoot for extended strings.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"450\" height=\"576\" alt=\"Ported barrel on a P12 .45 ACP 1911 handgun\" class=\"wp-image-81934 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-1-1.jpg?w=450&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-1-1.jpg?resize=234%2C300&amp;ssl=1 234w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-1-1.jpg?resize=150%2C192&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-1-1.jpg?resize=450%2C576&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"450\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-1-1.jpg?resize=450%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ported barrel on a P12 .45 ACP 1911 handgun\" class=\"wp-image-81934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-1-1.jpg?w=450&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-1-1.jpg?resize=234%2C300&amp;ssl=1 234w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-1-1.jpg?resize=150%2C192&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>A ported barrel on a P12 .45.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>That is especially true when sighting them in or working up a handload off the bench where all human error must be eliminated. Another aspect of recoil is the tendency for the muzzle to rotate up. That rotation is a direct result of the design of the grip, stock, and human anatomy. It is especially noticeable with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/firearms\/handguns\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=muzzle-brakes-the-good-bad-and-ugly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">handguns<\/a> because the gun is not supported on the shoulder and the wrist. If not locked, it will rotate up.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2 ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3\" style=\"margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;\">\n<!--Mid Article Ad for Mobile and Tablet--><br \/>\n<a target=\"\u201d_blank\u201d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/contest.html?cid=contest?utm_source=CTD_Blog_AD&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=blog_range_day_friday_mobile&amp;utm_content=square\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rdf_sep22_ad_mobile.jpg?w=640&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rdf_sep22_ad_mobile.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Depending on the type of handgun you are shooting, that rotation can be controlled somewhat with the correct shooting technique \u2014 depending on the type and size of the handgun, and the grip and strength of the shooter. This exaggerated effect is called muzzle climb or muzzle rise, although more recently some have coined the phrase \u201cmuzzle flip\u201d which I personally don\u2019t care for because \u201cflip\u201d connotes a lack of control.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1 ai-viewport-1\" style=\"margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;\">\n<!--Mid Article Ad for Desktop--><br \/>\n<a target=\"\u201d_blank\u201d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/rebate-central.html\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ca_ak_rebate_ad.jpg?w=500&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ca_ak_rebate_ad.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1\" align=\"center\" px=\"\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Let\u2019s first examine how this occurs. When a firearm is discharged, there are many forces that act upon it. The most significant are the gases generated by the burning propellant, which propel the bullet down and out the barrel. As previously stated, \u201cFor every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.\u201d Meaning that energy also pushes back on the firearm into the shooter.<\/p>\n<p>It must be noted that the weight of the projectile also has an effect on the recoil energy generated. An example would be a shooter firing a 180-grain bullet out of a .30-06 would feel more recoil than if he fired 150-grain bullet out of the same <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/firearms\/rifles\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=muzzle-brakes-the-good-bad-and-ugly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rifle<\/a>. E<strong>=<\/strong>mc2.<\/p>\n<p>Lots of tinkerers have tried to tame these effects over the years and have come up with some pretty ingenious solutions, including shock absorbers that go in the stock. I never cared for those because they threw the balance of a rifle off and did not control the rising of the muzzle. As for handguns, some grips are purposely designed to allow the muzzle to rotate up as the wrist allows that rotation. Conversely, combat handguns are designed to be fired with a locked wrist, so the recoil is controlled, and the gun remains on target for fast follow-up shots.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"511\" height=\"576\" alt=\"ported barrel on a Freedom Arms .454 Casull\" class=\"wp-image-81935 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-2-1.jpg?w=511&amp;ssl=1 511w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-2-1.jpg?resize=266%2C300&amp;ssl=1 266w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-2-1.jpg?resize=150%2C169&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 511px) 100vw, 511px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-2-1.jpg?resize=511%2C576&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"511\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-2-1.jpg?resize=511%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"ported barrel on a Freedom Arms .454 Casull\" class=\"wp-image-81935\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-2-1.jpg?w=511&amp;ssl=1 511w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-2-1.jpg?resize=266%2C300&amp;ssl=1 266w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-2-1.jpg?resize=150%2C169&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 511px) 100vw, 511px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>A ported barrel on a Freedom Arms .454.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>I tried porting and compensators early on and found that they did in fact keep the muzzle down. However, the flash was redirected up and was very distracting \u2014 especially in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/understanding-shooting-with-low-or-no-light\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">low light situations<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>What one must understand is that everything you cut into or hang on the end of a barrel is equal in the sense that it is redirecting the gases to counter something. Ports, mostly found on handguns, direct most of those escaping gases upward, thereby pushing the muzzle down. However, they don\u2019t do much about the recoil to the rear.<\/p>\n<p>Ports are designed to counteract the torque on the pistol that is forcing your wrist to rotate up, while your wrist is in turn trying to push the muzzle down and point at the target. Porting basically, involves drilling or cutting precise openings near the end of the barrel, which allows some of the gases behind the bullet to escape.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"501\" height=\"576\" alt=\"ported barrel S&amp;W K-Comp revolver\" class=\"wp-image-81936 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-3-1.jpg?w=501&amp;ssl=1 501w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-3-1.jpg?resize=261%2C300&amp;ssl=1 261w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-3-1.jpg?resize=150%2C172&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-3-1.jpg?resize=501%2C576&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"501\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-3-1.jpg?resize=501%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"ported barrel S&amp;W K-Comp revolver\" class=\"wp-image-81936\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-3-1.jpg?w=501&amp;ssl=1 501w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-3-1.jpg?resize=261%2C300&amp;ssl=1 261w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-3-1.jpg?resize=150%2C172&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>A ported barrel S&amp;W K-Comp.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Primarily designed for the gases to vent upwards as the bullet is exiting the barrel, thereby pushing the barrel down. Ports do that well, but again, they are less effective at addressing the forces moving rearward. There are many approaches to ports on handguns, and yes, I have tried several of them as shown by the photos.<\/p>\n<h2>Types of Brakes<\/h2>\n<p>As you can also see in the accompanying photos, compensators and muzzle brakes are different than ports in what and how they accomplish what they do. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/search?q=muzzle+brake&amp;lang=default&amp;utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=muzzle-brakes-the-good-bad-and-ugly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Muzzle brakes<\/a> can be machined integrally, near the muzzle of the barrel, but most often consist of a barrel extension. The brakes usually contain several openings cut along their sides, top, and bottom.<\/p>\n<p>These openings allow the gases to escape at various angles to the muzzle, which not only helps reduce the muzzle climb, but also counteracts and reduces the movement to the rear, i.e., the recoil of the weapon. As for ports, compensators, or brakes on firearms, there was a time when I felt like I had spent lots of time and money with nothing really effective to show for it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" alt=\"Two hunter behind a Cretaceous Pachyrhinosaurus\" class=\"wp-image-81941 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-8.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-8.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-8.jpg?resize=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-8.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-8.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Two hunter behind a Cretaceous Pachyrhinosaurus\" class=\"wp-image-81941\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-8.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-8.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-8.jpg?resize=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>Herb and I with a nice Cretaceous Pachyrhinosaurus taken on our trip together.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>As faith would have it, back in the \u201cAge of Dinosaurs\u201d (See the proof in the accompanying photo) I was on a varmint hunt with friends and retired predator control officer Herb Brusman in Oregon when one day, we got rained out. Herb asked if I would mind taking a ride with him to pick up a rifle that he had made up in .338\/378.<\/p>\n<p>During the ride, I gave Herb some good-natured jabs about why he would want something that punishing to shoot. I told him that you could only kill something so dead. He replied he needed it for those really long shots on elk. We arrived at the shop of Wayne Davidson, and Herb was understandably excited about getting his rifle and shooting it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4 ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3\" style=\"margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;\">\n<!--End of Article Ad for Mobile and Tablet--><br \/>\n<a target=\"\u201d_blank\u201d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/rebate-central.html\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ca_ak_rebate_mob.jpg?w=640&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ca_ak_rebate_mob.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-3 ai-viewport-1\" style=\"margin: 8px auto; text-align: center; display: block; clear: both;\">\n<!--End of Article Ad for Desktop--><br \/>\n <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rdf_sep22_ad.jpg?w=500&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rdf_sep22_ad.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1\" align=\"center\" px=\"\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p>I noticed a huge ugly thing attached to the end of the barrel and asked what in the world it was. Wayne replied that it was a combination muzzle brake and compensator of his own design, and he guaranteed it to work. Of course, in my smart-ass way, I exclaimed, Yeah Right! At which point, he took a handful of shells and challenged me to take it out back and shoot it with the statement, \u201cJust place it on the palm of your hand, lightly against your shoulder, and press the trigger. I guarantee it will not move.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>No Thanks! How dumb do I look? Well, Herb was anxious to try it, so off we went. He loaded it up and touched it off, Now, I fully expected him to be knocked over, but I did not see any effect. He turned to me and said, \u201cThis is amazing you\u2019ve got to try it.\u201d I must admit, my curiosity was getting the better of me so I figured if he could, I could.<\/p>\n<p>Now I had fired many express rifles and big boomers, so I assumed a stance and grip as if a .458 Lott was being mounted and pressed the trigger. To my amazement, other than it being loud, I felt almost nothing. I asked herb if I could try it one more time.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"154\" alt=\"rifle with a Leupold rifle scope and two inset photos of muzzle brakes\" class=\"wp-image-81938 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-5-1.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-5-1.jpg?resize=300%2C72&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-5-1.jpg?resize=150%2C36&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-5-1.jpg?resize=640%2C154&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-5-1.jpg?resize=640%2C154&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"rifle with a Leupold rifle scope and two inset photos of muzzle brakes\" class=\"wp-image-81938\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-5-1.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-5-1.jpg?resize=300%2C72&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-5-1.jpg?resize=150%2C36&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>Two other muzzle brakes that look cool \u2014 especially the barrel with the snake pattern fluting \u2014 unfortunately, neither design works as good as they look.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>For the second shot, I followed Wayne\u2019s instructions, placing it on the palm of my hand and lightly against my shoulder. In the back of my mind, I thought it was a trick with a light load in the first round to pay me back for my big mouth. To my amazement, again, the rifle did not move.<\/p>\n<p>When we got back to Wayne\u2019s shop, I was offered up some humble pie and asked if he could provide some of his muzzle brakes for my rifles. One of the included photos shows the first such brake Wayne provided for my .338 Win Mag beater rifle. Wayne\u2019s brake combined all three of those solutions in one device but it sure is ugly and very loud \u2014 if you\u2019re standing to the side. He also solved the problem of using one of those devices prone \u2014 no dirt gets kicked up.<\/p>\n<p>My next African Safari was to Zambia with PH John Coleman. On that Safari, I was armed with the .338 Win Mag and a .375 H&amp;H \u2014 both sporting Wayne\u2019s muzzle brakes. One evening, during Sundowners, John commented on how he had never seen anyone call his shots as accurately as I had been doing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"173\" alt=\"Photo series showing a man flinching after a rifle shot\" class=\"wp-image-81943 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-10.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-10.jpg?resize=300%2C81&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-10.jpg?resize=150%2C41&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-10.jpg?resize=640%2C173&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-10.jpg?resize=640%2C173&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Photo series showing a man flinching after a rifle shot\" class=\"wp-image-81943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-10.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-10.jpg?resize=300%2C81&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-10.jpg?resize=150%2C41&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>In this series of photos, you can see I just fired and there is no recoil occurring with my .375 H&amp;H. Also apparent is the intensity of the redirected sound affecting John by his reaction. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>I did not have the heart to tell him that I wasn\u2019t calling my shots, I was seeing the bullets hit. He was also pretty vocal about not liking the muzzle blast he was being forced to endure, which was VERY loud as you can see by John\u2019s reaction in the photos.<\/p>\n<p>When I returned from Africa, I called to thank Wayne. He put me in contact with gun scribe Earl Etter who was doing an article on brakes for <em>Gun Digest<\/em>, if memory serves. He was also taken with Wayne\u2019s work and stated that of all the compensators and brakes he had tested, Wayne\u2019s was the only one that really worked.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"441\" alt=\"Ed LaPorta with a trophy Luangwa Hippo\" class=\"wp-image-81944 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-11.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-11.jpg?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-11.jpg?resize=150%2C103&amp;ssl=1 150w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-11.jpg?resize=640%2C441&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-11.jpg?resize=640%2C441&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ed LaPorta with a trophy Luangwa Hippo\" class=\"wp-image-81944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-11.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-11.jpg?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Porting-Brakes-11.jpg?resize=150%2C103&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption>A good photo of the Davidson brake on my Beater .338 Win. Mag. Also included in the photo is your humble scribe\u2026 OK, not so humble with a nice Luangwa Hippo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>As long as I am talking about brakes, could someone please explain to me why the state of <em>Komiefornia<\/em> thinks brakes are less lethal than flash suppressors? Flash suppressors only suppress the muzzle flash. Brakes keep you on target enabling faster follow-up shots\u2026 Politicians\u2026 Go figure! That said, I discourage the use of brakes on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheaperthandirt.com\/firearms\/tactical\/rifles\/?utm_source=blog.cheaperthandirt&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=muzzle-brakes-the-good-bad-and-ugly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tactical (AR) rifles<\/a>, because of the disruptive muzzle blast that will affect anyone near you \u2014 even with the best hearing protection.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Have you had good luck with any particular muzzle brakes? What about porting? Share your answers in the comment section.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span id=\"tve_leads_end_content\" style=\"display: block; visibility: hidden; border: 1px solid transparent;\"\/><!-- AI CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/muzzle-brakes-the-good-bad-and-ugly\/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=muzzle-brakes-the-good-bad-and-ugly\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When shooting a firearm, one gets to experience Newton\u2019s Third Law of Motion. It states, \u201cFor every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.\u201d In the firearms community, we refer to that motion as recoil, to some degree. Every shooter is made aware of recoil, no matter what type of firearm they are using. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-gun-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guncoupons.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}