M14/M1A muzzle brakes

Adrian · December 1, 2008, 07:04 PM

I'm collecting parts to have an M14 built soon. Living in California means that flash suppressors are illegal on anything with a removable magazine, so I'm trying to decide between getting a muzzle brake (in particular, the Smith Enterprises Navy brake) and just putting on a barrel weight ("dummy suppressor").

I like the general idea of the muzzle brake but I'm told that brakes (in general) are also very loud, enough to be counterproductive without really heavy hearing protection. The Smith brake is very impressive in the video, and it doesn't sound much louder than any other .308 I've heard, but it's hard to tell. I'd like to be able to take the rifle hunting, if that makes a difference, though it'll probably spend most of its time on a range.

Which do you think would be better (should I just get both)? Would anyone out there like to share any experience with the SEI brake?

Adrian · December 2, 2008, 05:38 PM

Bumping in hopes of some opinions... anybody?

SR420 · December 2, 2008, 05:55 PM

The M14 US Coast Guard / Navy Muzzle Brake from SEI is as good as it gets!

It has the correct expansion chamber and is the most effective M14 brake available.

Bond007 · December 2, 2008, 06:12 PM

My M1A Scout has a muzzle break and it is loud, but not so much so that it has every bothered me no matter how light of hearing protection I use. That said, I always use hearing protection, but even regular old foam ear plugs do a good enough job outdoors.

I've also read somewhere that there is some accuracy to be gained by the muzzle break, although don't take my word for it.

Good luck!

Mannlicher · December 2, 2008, 06:28 PM

thank God I don't live in California.

The Navy brake is about as good as you can get though.

Adrian · December 2, 2008, 10:59 PM

Thanks everyone! I was leaning towards the Navy brake just from what I've seen and read from it, so now I'm one part further down my list. If everything goes right I should be finished about a week into the new year ("ban insurance" I call it). Cross your fingers for me!

December 1, 2008, 07:04 PM	#1
Adrian Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2007 Location: Free of California! Posts: 274	M14/M1A muzzle brakes I'm collecting parts to have an M14 built soon. Living in California means that flash suppressors are illegal on anything with a removable magazine, so I'm trying to decide between getting a muzzle brake (in particular, the Smith Enterprises Navy brake) and just putting on a barrel weight ("dummy suppressor"). I like the general idea of the muzzle brake but I'm told that brakes (in general) are also very loud, enough to be counterproductive without really heavy hearing protection. The Smith brake is very impressive in the video, and it doesn't sound much louder than any other .308 I've heard, but it's hard to tell. I'd like to be able to take the rifle hunting, if that makes a difference, though it'll probably spend most of its time on a range. Which do you think would be better (should I just get both)? Would anyone out there like to share any experience with the SEI brake? __________________ NRA Life Member since January 2009 Matt.25:40 Last edited by Adrian; December 2, 2008 at 06:32 PM. Reason: I nitpick my own grammar!

December 2, 2008, 05:38 PM	#2
Adrian Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2007 Location: Free of California! Posts: 274	Bumping in hopes of some opinions... anybody? __________________ NRA Life Member since January 2009 Matt.25:40

December 2, 2008, 05:55 PM	#3
SR420 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 3,336	The M14 US Coast Guard / Navy Muzzle Brake from SEI is as good as it gets! It has the correct expansion chamber and is the most effective M14 brake available. __________________ The History and Development of the M14 EBR

December 2, 2008, 06:28 PM	#5
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	thank God I don't live in California. The Navy brake is about as good as you can get though. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

December 2, 2008, 10:59 PM	#6
Adrian Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2007 Location: Free of California! Posts: 274	Thanks everyone! I was leaning towards the Navy brake just from what I've seen and read from it, so now I'm one part further down my list. If everything goes right I should be finished about a week into the new year ("ban insurance" I call it). Cross your fingers for me! __________________ NRA Life Member since January 2009 Matt.25:40

December 2, 2008, 06:12 PM	#4
Bond007 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2005 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 317	My M1A Scout has a muzzle break and it is loud, but not so much so that it has every bothered me no matter how light of hearing protection I use. That said, I always use hearing protection, but even regular old foam ear plugs do a good enough job outdoors. I've also read somewhere that there is some accuracy to be gained by the muzzle break, although don't take my word for it. Good luck!