Available in both 416 stainless and 4140 chrome-moly, our muzzlebrakes provide efficient recoil reduction of approx 50% with magnum cartridges, to ease the discomfort of shooting hard-recoiling rifles. They work by redirecting the propellant gas radially as it exits the muzzle, rather than allowing it to push forward in line with the bullet, which not only disrupts the bullets flight, but also shoves the rifle rearward due to the 'jetting effect' of the propellant gas. This uncontrolled recoil effect is not only an uncomfortable (and sometimes painful) experience for the shooter, but it also puts considerable stress on the rifles scope mechanism and mounting, as well as the stock and recoil lug system.

The four main methods of reducing recoil effect are to either add weight to the rifle, fit a recoil pad, fit a silencer/suppressor, or fit a muzzle brake. A combination of these things are often used. Fitting a recoil pad is no problem, but the other three options come with some drawbacks.

• Added weight will help to reduce recoil, but obviously makes the rifle heavier to carry around and may effect balance.
• A suppressor will reduce recoil and also reduce noise, but does add significant weight and bulk to a rifle. They can sometimes cause a large point of impact shift, but not always.
• A muzzlebrake will reduce recoil while adding minimally to the weight and overall length of the rifle. There is usually little or no point of impact shift with the brake fitted or removed.

The downside is that they do significantly increase the muzzleblast/noise to the shooter.

As they say 'there is no such thing as a free lunch', and there is always a trade-off. The negative effect of the muzzlebrake noise can be easily negated by fitting earplugs (or other hearing protection), when you are shooting. In most cases this is easily done, especially in range shooting situations, or for long range hunting when you have plenty of time to line up the shot. If you are bush hunting and don't want the brake on, you can simply remove it and fit a thread protector cap. This is the big advantage of our brake system over the integral or permanent porting modifications, such as 'Mag-na-port'. The brakes are also removed regularly when cleaning the rifles bore with copper solvent and gun oils.

The two muzzlebrakes we currently supply are intended mainly for the lighter weight sporting rifle market, but can be fitted to some military style rifles also. The brakes are 0.750" outer diameter, 2.090" long, and weigh 65grams or less. (Type B brake bored for .30cal - approx 45 grams.)
We can supply brakes for larger diameter barrels on special order, but please request a quote first.

TYPE A This brake is less expensive to produce, and the O.D on this brake can be reduced to a minimum of 0.650". It can be bored out for calibres up to and larger than .338 cal. (However this will require the brake to be re-threaded to a larger thread size.) It has the added ability for the gunsmith to 'seat' the brake on the barrels muzzle, which is handy for some military rifles (such as AR-15), or for very skinny sporting barrels that have an outer diameter less than 0.550".

TYPE B Our most popular brake. A short section of the barrels muzzle is threaded to accept the ½-28 thread pattern, and ahead of this a small expansion chamber disperses the propellant gases immediately as they leave the muzzle through 40 different escape ports. The bullet passes cleanly through the brake, and velocity is actually very slightly increased. There is less ground dust disturbance with this type of brake than some others, and the efficient expansion chamber design means the brake will work more effectively with smaller calibres. The rear 0.400" of the brake can be tapered down to match the diameter of the barrel, to a minimum of 0.550". This brake does require a shoulder behind the thread to butt up against. The outer diameter of the main body of this brake cannot be reduced. The maximum calibre this brake will work with is 338cal.(but this requires the brake to be re-threaded to a larger size thread pattern.)

UPDATE: As of July 2009 we have now added extra options to the above muzzlebrake models:

Type A & B 'sporter' brakes in 316 stainless (improved machining), with 1/2-20, 9/16-28, and 5/8-28 thread options.

Type A 'Large' brakes (O.D.= 1.000") in 416R stainless, threaded 3/4-28.

CNC machined thread-cap blanks are also available for all of these new models at an additonal cost. There has also been a small increase in the cost of the new model brakes.

General Notes:

• The threads on the barrel should be cut with a single point cutter (60 degree) to be a very close 'class 4 fit' with the exact brake to be installed. The threaded joint should be slightly snug with no wobble or 'play'.

• An appropriate oil or grease film should be on the barrel threads at all times. This will prevent the brake from heat seizing in place or rusting on the thread section. Properly installed, the muzzlebrake will usually enhance accuracy due to the 'barrel tuner' effect of the brake.

• It is the responsibility of the installing gunsmith to verify the threads on the barrel are concentric and parallel with the barrel's bore, and that the bore of the brake is at least 0.020" to 0.030" greater than the groove diameter of the barrel.

• Do not over-tighten the brake or loctite the thread. You may wish to remove the brake for regular bore cleaning, or if a thread cap or suppressor is to be used on the rifle. A special brass rod has been supplied, inserting the tapered end first carefully into one of the 3/16" port holes until it stops will assist in installation and removal of the brake. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Remove the brass rod from the brake immediately. If you are doing a lot of shooting, check the brake periodically to ensure that is has not worked loose, as this will affect accuracy.

Warning:

All muzzlebrakes, regardless of design, will increase muzzle blast to some degree. We do not recommend that anyone discharge any firearm without adequate hearing protection. Persons around the shooter must also wear adequate hearing protection, and safe firearm handling practices must be adhered to at all times.