Going with a 14.5" barrel on a new(er) AR and looking at muzzle devices.   So far, I've narrowed down to the BC 1.5, Precision Armament AFAB and VG6 Epsilon.  All of those were in that article from TTAB and all performed pretty well and about what I was looking for.  Open to other suggestions as well.

I have a BC 1.0 on one gun, but the rest of my ARs have the A2.  I don't have a problem with the A2, but if I'm going to pin/weld something, I decided to go with a comp.  I like the BC, but I also think that there's gotta be newer/better out there. 

Other devices that I considered include the BCM Comp and one from SLR Rifleworks.  The SLR is still in consideration and most likely going with that one for my AK. 

I've shot friend's guns with the FSC and Surefire, but not really considering any of those right now. 

If youtube still has it, there are comparisons done with some comps.  They fire and draw the "line" and play in slow-mo to see the recoil.

When I was looking, I chose the VG6 Gamma over the Epsilon.  I forgot the reason why I chose the Gamma over Epsilon.  But it must have been for a good reason.

I learned at a HDF carbine class that the Gamma kicks up a lot of dirt when shooting from the bottom portion of the VTAC board.  Like gotta wait a 1-2 seconds between shots to let the dust settle because I can't see.  So that might be a factor also.

If youtube still has it, there are comparisons done with some comps.  They fire and draw the "line" and play in slow-mo to see the recoil.

When I was looking, I chose the VG6 Gamma over the Epsilon.  I forgot the reason why I chose the Gamma over Epsilon.  But it must have been for a good reason.

I learned at a HDF carbine class that the Gamma kicks up a lot of dirt when shooting from the bottom portion of the VTAC board.  Like gotta wait a 1-2 seconds between shots to let the dust settle because I can't see.  So that might be a factor also.

I believe the Gamma is more of a brake (resists recoil impulse) and the Epsilon is more of a comp (muzzle rise).  From that TTAG study, seems like they both performed well.  I considered the Gamma as well. 

For the issue with kicking up dirt, assume you were shooting with the gun rotated about 90 degrees.  Yeah, I experienced that with my gun with the BC on it too.  Nature of comps and brakes.  I prefer the bottom of the muzzle device being closed off, but it's not like I shoot in prone very often. 

Just shot with my SureFire warcomp CTN for a quick range session recently but I didn’t get around to doing prone or urban prone but the noise seemed low and the muzzle was pretty tamed and didn’t notice flash and the bottom of the device is closed off so I wasn’t worried if it would kick up dirt in the prone anyway, although I was using a H1 buffer on a 16” middy upper.
Really looking at the AFAB too for my other AR, I’ve heard it’s a well balanced hybrid device.

Is it me or the BCM comp seems overrated according to other forums? I don’t have any experience with one but that’s what I’m getting out of the comments from there.

If youtube still has it, there are comparisons done with some comps.  They fire and draw the "line" and play in slow-mo to see the recoil.

After watching several of these videos, I didn't see a correlation between expensive and cheap compensators using the parameters they used.

Just shot with my SureFire warcomp CTN for a quick range session recently but I didn’t get around to doing prone or urban prone but the noise seemed low and the muzzle was pretty tamed and didn’t notice flash and the bottom of the device is closed off so I wasn’t worried if it would kick up dirt in the prone anyway, although I was using a H1 buffer on a 16” middy upper.
Really looking at the AFAB too for my other AR, I’ve heard it’s a well balanced hybrid device.

Is it me or the BCM comp seems overrated according to other forums? I don’t have any experience with one but that’s what I’m getting out of the comments from there.

Never really looked into that Surefire and others that are suppressor adapters.  I'd absolutely LOVE to have suppressors for one or two of my ARs, but. . .

When I'm shooting, I don't notice the difference in noise very much.  Even with the louder ones like the PWS, Miculek, etc.  However, when someone is shooting my gun on the range and I'm outside about 45 degrees either side behind them, or shooting next to someone on a firing line, I can tell.  With the real loud ones, I can feel it in that jaw joint.  Haha.

Yeah, I noticed that about the BCM comp, I have read a lot of meh comments.  I was initially interested as it was billed as an effective flash hider with compensation, but seems like it's not that much more effective than the A2.  I mean I am fine with the A2.  I have that on a couple guns that I've shot in competition and training and I don't feel super behind the curve.  I mean, yeah, guns with brakes and comps could help for sure, but it's not to the level that I felt a comp was essential.  I really wanted to try a gun with it, but since I'm going pinned on this gun, I decided against. 

I was looking at the EFAB as a hybrid, I've read good things. I could be wrong but it is my understanding that the AFAB is very similar to the EFAB, except the EFAB performs slightly better (also $50 more). Slightly off topic but is it extremely hard to replace a pin/welded muzzle device with another? I have a rifle coming in with a Surefire SF3P and am thinking about replacing it with the EFAB if it's not too difficult (gonna have a shop do it).

After watching several of these videos, I didn't see a correlation between expensive and cheap compensators using the parameters they used.

Yup, that's why the Gamma is cheap and gets the job done.  That was also a factor.  The Mrs. was looking at the Tactical Advantage Armory the anodized ones that run $300 just cause they look cool.  She got a dragon slayer from Dexter instead from the gun show last year.

The Gamma is loud to those around you, but not  yourself.  I've had guys ask me "eh, what you shooting over there?" at the range.  IDK if as loud as the Lantac Dragon.

Yeah it was a bit of an afterthought for me when it came to the price (it is a bit pricey, about $150). At the time I was going for a hybrid device that worked well and came across the warcomp ctn, which was basically a long A2 flash hider with some precision drilled holes on the top...etc.
I don’t hate it because it works effectively as a hybrid device, but it’s not entirely worth the price unless Hawaii finally becomes suppressor friendly.
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Either way it’s much better than the J-Comp V2 I was previously using which had quite a blast out to the sides and not so hearing safe.

I was looking at the EFAB as a hybrid, I've read good things. I could be wrong but it is my understanding that the AFAB is very similar to the EFAB, except the EFAB performs slightly better (also $50 more). Slightly off topic but is it extremely hard to replace a pin/welded muzzle device with another? I have a rifle coming in with a Surefire SF3P and am thinking about replacing it with the EFAB if it's not too difficult (gonna have a shop do it).

Yeah, I read about the EFAB too.  While not beyond what I could spend, the $50 does make the AFAB much more attractive.  Especially when you have to add the $25-30 for their washer kit. 

No personal experience about how difficult to remove a pinned/welded muzzle device, but I've heard that it's not that big of a deal.  Also not that big of a deal to do properly (and not mess up the barrel) by competent folks.  While most "home gunsmiths" can't do themselves, it's not like I change my muzzle devices often.  For me, I don't really change them up. 

Been watching some videos at lunch.  Less interested in the VG6 Epsilon now.  Liked the reviews of the AFAB and EFAB that I saw.  Between those two, probably the AFAB.  Since I already have a gun with a BC, thinking AFAB.

I'd like to shoot the SLR Synergy comp on an AR.  Not that many reviews online.  Probably not that much difference, but just one of those things where I'd like to try them side-by-side. 

Easy...   

In my opinion, the AR-15 has such low recoil/muzzle-flip to start with, a brake seems like total overkill.

I like the AAC flash hider.  It's hard to find one that reduces muzzle flash better that that design.  Since it's creation, there are many others using a similar 3-prong design.

The AAC Blackout 51T was developed to complement the AAC Blackout rifle.  With subsonic ammo and a low flash device, a suppressor does a better job of noise reduction.  The 51T comes with threads for a suppressor to fit right on the device.

Even without the suppressor, the flash hider almost completely eliminates any flash from an AR-15.  I have this on several rifles, because I figured I would need less flash in Hawaii where suppressors are forbidden.  The 3-prong design means you don't have to index it for upward exhaust to reduce dirt blasts.  I have mine with one prong at the 6 o'clock position, but I don't think that really matters.  Gas will be exhausted evenly out of all 3 gaps between the prongs.

I think A2 birdcage works just fine over the 3 prong, not that it kills flash more effectively than the 3 prong but it eliminates your dust signature when you shoot prone in the dirt because the bottom of the device is closed off and the birdcage design doesn’t allow snagging.

Adams arms makes a extended A2 flash hider that you can pin and weld to a 14.5” barrel but the diameter of the flash hider is also small enough so that you can slide any gas block over it if you ever so decide that you need to change your gas block to something better or different. https://www.adamsarms.net/vdi-manimal-extended-flash-hider

In my opinion, the AR-15 has such low recoil/muzzle-flip to start with, a brake seems like total overkill.

I like the AAC flash hider.  It's hard to find one that reduces muzzle flash better that that design.  Since it's creation, there are many others using a similar 3-prong design.

The AAC Blackout 51T was developed to complement the AAC Blackout rifle.  With subsonic ammo and a low flash device, a suppressor does a better job of noise reduction.  The 51T comes with threads for a suppressor to fit right on the device.

Even without the suppressor, the flash hider almost completely eliminates any flash from an AR-15.  I have this on several rifles, because I figured I would need less flash in Hawaii where suppressors are forbidden.  The 3-prong design means you don't have to index it for upward exhaust to reduce dirt blasts.  I have mine with one prong at the 6 o'clock position, but I don't think that really matters.  Gas will be exhausted evenly out of all 3 gaps between the prongs.

The recoil impulse in 5.56 doesn't bother me.  Even the muzzle rise, I can deal with good stance and grip.  However, I do notice a difference with a comp with my shooting and anything that helps, well, helps.  I'm just fine with an A2, but just decided to go with a comp on this one. 

There are also times when one can't have good stance and grip, such as improvised shooting positions, where stuff like brakes and comps can help.  I personally don't care for brakes, but I do think that comps and even hybrid comps help my shooting. 

I think A2 birdcage works just fine over the 3 prong, not that it kills flash more effectively than the 3 prong but it eliminates your dust signature when you shoot prone in the dirt because the bottom of the device is closed off and the birdcage design doesn’t allow snagging.

Adams arms makes a extended A2 flash hider that you can pin and weld to a 14.5” barrel but the diameter of the flash hider is also small enough so that you can slide any gas block over it if you ever so decide that you need to change your gas block to something better or different. https://www.adamsarms.net/vdi-manimal-extended-flash-hider

I'm not really one to change things much.  Just somehow the pinning/welding is making me think a little bit more. 

I haven't really shot many guns with the longer three-prong flash hider.  However, I have seen the fireballs that come out of brakes like the Lantac and I think one of the JP models.  At a low-light part of a course, one guy had a bare muzzle AR.  I swear that thing shot out a long skinny flame like 2-3 feet!  Could often even see it in the daylight. 

I thought about the flash hider vs. break when I first looked to upgrade the AR.  Took me a while also because both have their pros and cons.

But then thought to myself, I don't see me having to shoot from concealment at night, unless Red Dawn happens.  And by then I'll either be shooting a milspec AR or an AK recovered from an invading soldier.

I did notice the reduction for the red dot remaining on target (POA).  Shot at an indoor range and at 10 yards, the A2 was about 6 inches between shots fired (muzzle rising then coming back at original POA).  With the Gamma, 2 inches.  But this was also a stock M&P15.  Now I got a front grip and other goodies.

I've never shot an AR with nothing screwed into the barrel.  I did drive a Subaru Impreza with no headers.  Sounded like a bubble machine during idle (blub, blub, blub, blub) and a damn dragon when pressing the gas (raaaawwwwrrrrrrrrrr).  Louder than a Harley.

I'm not really one to change things much.  Just somehow the pinning/welding is making me think a little bit more. 

I haven't really shot many guns with the longer three-prong flash hider.  However, I have seen the fireballs that come out of brakes like the Lantac and I think one of the JP models.  At a low-light part of a course, one guy had a bare muzzle AR.  I swear that thing shot out a long skinny flame like 2-3 feet!  Could often even see it in the daylight.

InrangeTV is running the extended a2 birdcage (for legality reasons too) on their 14.5” “what would Stoner do?” ARs and it seemed to do them just fine. Not saying that the a2 is the way to go if you want some kind of extra to mitigate recoil/muzzle rise, but it’s an option. I haven’t researched the AFAB enough to see if it’s perfect but I know sometimes you can find good data by eating videos of people shooting with the AFAB in the dirt or whatever but not reviewing it. I can tell you one guy did a pretty good review and demonstration on the warcomp CTN since the warcomp is a contender for a hybrid device long enough to fit on a 14.5.

If I were to guess, I probably have somewhere north of $2.5K in just muzzle devices.  I run an AFAB on two rifles and Randy runs one on his primary rifle.  A few of our guys run them also and I would suggest the AFAB.

For those that don't see the benefit of a brake or a compensator, they don't have the same needs as others, or they are not at the ragged edge of performance where hundreds or tenths make a difference.  Not just benefitted by recoil management, but transitional speeds benefit greatly at high levels.  There is a reason you don't see a professional world class shooter not having one.  If that isn't your goals, then an A2 is about one of the best at what it does.

I got the nastiest and loudest muzzle brake (Miculek) I could find at the time I was shopping around for one and was pleasantly surprised at recoil control. Plus I could chased off all the guys that was shooting next to me that had muzzle brakes on their hunting rifles. Ha! Damn Miculek muzzle brake is fricking nuts LOUD!