Scout Squad M1A... What to replace the factory muzzle brake with?

mellow_c · June 5, 2017, 11:26 PM

I know this has been talked about in the past, but I'm having a hard time digging up the old info.

To me, the muzzle break on the Scout Squad is a little longer than I care for. Also. I just generally prefer flash hiders/suppressors over muzzle breaks.

What options are out there for replacing the factory muzzle break on a Scout Squad with a shorter aftermarket flash hider?

I'm not in need of anything that is compatible with a suppressor.

Just something that looks good, works well, and is a bit shorter.

Thanks!

mellow_c · June 5, 2017, 11:28 PM

Also, if anyone has a wood stock that would fit a Scout Squad (are all M1A stocks the same size except the SOCOM 16?) please let me know if you're interested in selling it! Thanks :-)

9x19 · June 6, 2017, 12:34 PM

I like linear comps, especially on shorter barrels.

Simple Threaded Devices, S&J Hardware and Kaw Valley are the three I have used in .308 and looks is the only reason to pick one over the other (smooth vs knurled vs longitudinal grooves).

Good luck

mavracer · June 6, 2017, 01:03 PM

Another vote for linear, you'll need the threaded front sight adapter.
I put one of these on mine
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Tactical-Low-C...118?nav=SEARCH

mellow_c · June 7, 2017, 05:52 AM

I like the looks of this...

http://m14forum.com/spf/194358-1380-...ew-photos.html

I also like this...

http://www.athenswater.com/images/img13.jpg

The first looks like you have to do something to move the front sight back to the gas block area thingy, hah. (excuse my terminology)

The 2nd looks like simply replacing the scouts muzzle break with a basic standard M1A flash hider.

Am I more or less correct?

I like both of those, and while I'm not entirely sure I will bother with replacing the standard scout stuff. . . I like the look of both of these better, and I think the slightly shorter version in the first picture is very appealing.

And I'm not sure how much I will care about the difference between a scout muzzle break and one of these other flash hiders... cant say because I haven't shot both.

Not sure what the linear compensators are all about exactly by comparison.

Anyone able to clue me in on some of this stuff?

kraigwy · June 9, 2017, 08:33 AM

The M14/M1A came with a Flash Hider, not a muzzle brake per se.

And it does just that.

I don't know how it would work on a short barreled scout, but with the standard 22 inch M14/M1A barrel when shooting at night using M118, there is no detectable flash.

We used the Star Light scope on the M14s in sniper school for night firing. If you go real close you might detect a spark coming out of the action, but there was no flash to give away your position.

But like I said, this is the standard barrel, you might not get the same effect with the shorter scout barrel. You'd have to try some faster powder to see if you could get it to work.

Though the rifle my seem like a gobbled together bunch of parts, each of those parts have a purpose, including the flash hider.

mellow_c · June 10, 2017, 01:17 PM

Kraigwy,

You make some good points.

Maybe I wont bother.... We'll see I guess.

I prefer the looks of the flash hider, and I'm not much of a fan of muzzle breaks unless they are on a 50 BMG

but it's not as if there is a problem with the factory scout muzzle break... I may end up just leaving it alone.

June 5, 2017, 11:26 PM	#1
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	Scout Squad M1A... What to replace the factory muzzle brake with? I know this has been talked about in the past, but I'm having a hard time digging up the old info. To me, the muzzle break on the Scout Squad is a little longer than I care for. Also. I just generally prefer flash hiders/suppressors over muzzle breaks. What options are out there for replacing the factory muzzle break on a Scout Squad with a shorter aftermarket flash hider? I'm not in need of anything that is compatible with a suppressor. Just something that looks good, works well, and is a bit shorter. Thanks!

June 5, 2017, 11:28 PM	#2
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	Also, if anyone has a wood stock that would fit a Scout Squad (are all M1A stocks the same size except the SOCOM 16?) please let me know if you're interested in selling it! Thanks :-) Last edited by mellow_c; June 6, 2017 at 04:14 AM.

June 6, 2017, 12:34 PM	#3
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	I like linear comps, especially on shorter barrels. Simple Threaded Devices, S&J Hardware and Kaw Valley are the three I have used in .308 and looks is the only reason to pick one over the other (smooth vs knurled vs longitudinal grooves). Good luck __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

June 9, 2017, 08:33 AM	#6
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	The M14/M1A came with a Flash Hider, not a muzzle brake per se. And it does just that. I don't know how it would work on a short barreled scout, but with the standard 22 inch M14/M1A barrel when shooting at night using M118, there is no detectable flash. We used the Star Light scope on the M14s in sniper school for night firing. If you go real close you might detect a spark coming out of the action, but there was no flash to give away your position. But like I said, this is the standard barrel, you might not get the same effect with the shorter scout barrel. You'd have to try some faster powder to see if you could get it to work. Though the rifle my seem like a gobbled together bunch of parts, each of those parts have a purpose, including the flash hider. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

June 7, 2017, 05:52 AM	#5
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	I like the looks of this... http://m14forum.com/spf/194358-1380-...ew-photos.html I also like this... http://www.athenswater.com/images/img13.jpg The first looks like you have to do something to move the front sight back to the gas block area thingy, hah. (excuse my terminology) The 2nd looks like simply replacing the scouts muzzle break with a basic standard M1A flash hider. Am I more or less correct? I like both of those, and while I'm not entirely sure I will bother with replacing the standard scout stuff. . . I like the look of both of these better, and I think the slightly shorter version in the first picture is very appealing. And I'm not sure how much I will care about the difference between a scout muzzle break and one of these other flash hiders... cant say because I haven't shot both. Not sure what the linear compensators are all about exactly by comparison. Anyone able to clue me in on some of this stuff?

June 10, 2017, 01:17 PM	#7
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	Kraigwy, You make some good points. Maybe I wont bother.... We'll see I guess. I prefer the looks of the flash hider, and I'm not much of a fan of muzzle breaks unless they are on a 50 BMG but it's not as if there is a problem with the factory scout muzzle break... I may end up just leaving it alone.