I feel as if I sound like a broken record at this point. But after years of saying it, if only to a concerned few, others are now taking note and repeating the same words. Words about muzzle brakes and suppressors and how all of this works together in the shooting space. The good and the bad. There is now observation and admission too. We are paying attention to specific elements of what we do, and seeking change, this goes a long way. This may sound a bit vague at the moment but let me further explain.
The Recoil Problem
Shooting rifles. While fun, it can be a bit of a challenge and I mean beyond the rifle setup, shooting sequence, and understanding of ballistics. With rifle shooting, assuming any chambering of note, there comes this thing called recoil. Yes, it effects other guns as well but on rifles, the approach to recoil is different. We are able to mitigate most of it through the use of muzzle brakes and compensators.
A good muzzle brake can reduce recoil by some 60% and maybe even more allowing the shooter to stay on target for faster and multiple follow up shots. This performance improvement can’t be denied and once experienced by the shooter, it is rarely turned away for a return to old-school bare muzzle shooting. In fact muzzle brakes have made their way deeper and deeper into hunting, appearing on more field rifles, when historically these users would opt for the bare muzzle, shying away from these brakes.
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Why would one shy away from a brake? Because muzzle brakes are ridiculously loud. There is no denying this. It’s the nature of the beast, even if a brake can be designed to channel the noise away from the shooter it’s still ridiculously loud which isn’t good for anyone around the shooter, say if you’re shooting with friends. And once you fire on an animal, everything in the area is scared off. But another factor associated with brakes is their concussive effects. It’s devastating and is often overshadowed if not ignored by the loudness of these devices. But the concussive effects is likely hurting you more than the noise itself and there is information to back this up. More importantly, shooters are starting to admit that it’s bugging them.
Sound Waves vs. Concussive Blast
There are a few distinct differences between sound waves and concussive waves. Sound waves are low amplitude, and travel at the speed of sound and lack the pressure wave that accompanies a concussive wave. Concussive waves are supersonic, and cause violent pressure jumps that you can feel. If you’ve been around anyone shooting a brake, you know what that concussive blast feels like. When it happens it’s usually accompanied by bystanders exclaiming, “Holy shit” or something to that effect.
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We can use suppressors to address both concussive and sound waves and a good suppressor handles both well. The issue? Increased recoil with a suppressor. I’ve battled this for years and while many suppressor companies have developed muzzle brakes for their suppressors, results have varied, but now there is a company that exists solely to transform your suppressed shooting in to something closer to that like muzzle brake shooting. That company is Recoil X.
The Recoil X Solution
Based in Utah Recoil X brakes were created by Kason Ashton, a young man who is a machinist by trade. He’s an avid PRS competitor which is obviously why this became important to him.
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Recoil X’s offerings started with their .30 cal brake. A pretty straight forward three-port brake for select suppressors. Then with the help of Patty Youngs of MDT, they went to work to improve it’s design and came out with the Comp Brake, a patent-pending two port suppressor muzzle brake with excellent recoil mitigation while keeping the sound levels low as well. It takes advantage of slowed gasses of the suppressor and utilizes them to drive the brake. This keeps the rifle flatter after the shot and allows you to see misses and impacts.
Better Control Without The Punishment
So let’s address one particular point. Yes, with the brake on the end of the suppressor, it will be louder. But what is completely gone is that damaging concussion. And while it is louder you can still get by with using one pair of light hearing protection and be protected from the report. Gone is the need to wear plugs and muffs. Gone is that abusive sharp blast, and unnecessary loudness. And you get this while gaining control of the rifle’s mannerisms. Additionally, it’s still able to mask what direction the shot comes from.
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The Comp Brake is made of 6061-T6 aluminum and attached via brand specific threads to a compatible suppressor and secured by a heat treated 17-4 SS jam nut. The brake gets a Type 3 Hard anodize black finish as well. It’s an attractive device, with the contrast of the black finish and stainless jam nut on the suppressor. It’s also unmistakable what it is. Once you’ve seen the Recoil X device you’ll pick it out wherever you go. When you encounter someone else with a Recoil X, you both smile. It’s one of those peculiar things, like being part of a club.
Range Performance
It’s really a straight forward design as far as attachment goes. Remove the front end cap of your current suppressor, replace with the Comp Brake, time it and tighten down the jam nut with the wrench that comes with the Comp Brake. After that, head to the range and enjoy the best precision shooting of your life—suppressed.
The Comp Brake can truly transform how your rifle/suppressor combo shoots, and it depends on a lot upon the brand of suppressor. Some show great improvement in overall recoil/muzzle rise characteristics and some like the Silencer Co. Scythe gain phenomenal overall performance. This combo must be shot to be believed.
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The Comp Brake is available for suppressors from Abel Co, Dead Air, Diligent Defense, Boss, CGS, Thunderbeast, and Silencer Co. More are likely inbound as Kason is constantly adding new offerings to the list. Each brake retails for $275.00 and is available for purchase online directly from Recoil X.
Final Thoughts
There are many things you can do to or add to a rifle. Some are impactful and helpful, some not as much. The Recoil X Comp brake is beyond helpful and I can highly suggest investing in some for your suppressors regardless of what type of shooting you do. For me, they are an absolute must have component. They only weigh 4 ounces so they won’t make or break any outing except if you’re trying to make weight for a NRL Hunter competition. But you can make that weight up in other ways.
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