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!

It’s a 3-gun muzzle brake, where you can care less about your shooting neighbors cuz all you want is performance in controlling the muzzle and recoil

I’ve shot next to the Miculek and a couple of the JP ones. Those were loud and rattled my teeth.   

How are muzzle brakes for real world use?  I haven't seen any military or law enforcement use them except for 50 cal.  Wondering if they blast is extreme like when fired in a hallway or in the dark or kicking up dust in the prone.

I thought the PA M4-72 did pretty good in the TTAG reviews, but serious concussive blast generator.  I like the LANTAC for barrels that are being shortened in addition to P&W because it's longer than 2.5", I tell the gunsmith to make it come out to 16.1".  The M4-72 works out perfectly for 14.5" barrels.  depends on the handguard length also, and whether I want the max recoil reduction (M4-72), minimal muzzle rise.  The M4-72 puts more residue on anything within 3-5" behind the muzzle.  I also use the VG6 Epsilon as a lower-cost alternative.

How are muzzle brakes for real world use?  I haven't seen any military or law enforcement use them except for 50 cal.  Wondering if they blast is extreme like when fired in a hallway or in the dark or kicking up dust in the prone.

Next range day if u wanna shoot mine prone, u can. Bring face wipes.

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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.

When I started shooting ARs, I was “taught” that A2 is all that you need and learn to shoot better by technique over technology. That was ingrained for many years. As I got to training with others and competing, I saw the benefits of comps and brakes. Eventually found that I preferred comps, like the BC. Then I sort of took a break from any real interest in tinkering with my ARs. Got the big again for sure.

Next range day if u wanna shoot mine prone, u can. Bring face wipes.

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I'll take you up on that, I don't think I've fired a rifle with a muzzle brake.

How are muzzle brakes for real world use?  I haven't seen any military or law enforcement use them except for 50 cal.  Wondering if they blast is extreme like when fired in a hallway or in the dark or kicking up dust in the prone.

Maybe depends on department. A buddy in Houston PD is allowed quite a bit as long as he qualifies with it. His duty rifle has a KAC comp. Another is in Seattle and they share duty rifles that they need to sign out of a central Armory. Those are about as vanilla as you’ll find.

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!

Yes, the Miculek is obnoxious.  The most effective that I own is the SJC Titan.  If I were to compete full time, the SJC Titan would be my choice, but it is also one of THE loudest.  I also run several Surefire's and they are very offensive also.  If it is highly effective, it is going to be a teeth-rattler and ear piercer.  I rarely shoot any of these and several are not even mounted on rifles anymore.

How are muzzle brakes for real world use?  I haven't seen any military or law enforcement use them except for 50 cal.  Wondering if they blast is extreme like when fired in a hallway or in the dark or kicking up dust in the prone.

While the best world would be suppressors, I see devices used quite a bit in LE, depending on policy of course.  Work in a team environment with SBR's and devices in shoothouses all the time.  Don't really notice it, too focused.  Most guys are.  Let's not forget that a muzzle device is nowhere near as loud/concussive as a 4-6 or 8-gram, flashbang or a frag grenade in a similar enclosed environment, even if you are on the other side of the threshold.  Guys who complain about this, I question their actual experiences, or they have very different ones from me.

Darkness, over-rated topic, unless if it is an absolute flame-thrower or a complete smoke wagon.  Dust and debris when prone can be legit.  Most of this means you need to pick a sensible hybrid option.     

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.

Curious as to why the AFAB over the EFAB? Was it just the price difference or was the performance vs price not worth the extra $50?

Check out the goguns brake

https://gogunusa.com/collections/supercomp-no-talon-rifle-brakes

Works well.
I got a pin and welded 14.5 with a A2 though.

Just cause a 14.5 shouldn't be broken   

<snip>Wondering if they blast is extreme like when fired in a hallway or in the dark or kicking up dust in the prone.

I would not even think about using my Miculek equipped AR-15 in an enclosed area. My eyes would burst from the blast concussion.

Also have the SJC Titan comp, great at keeping muzzle flat but extremely loud. I had a chance to shoot with it at the indoor range and it turned quite a bit of heads, great for quick follow up shots but bad news for others around you. Had to order a shim kit to get mine properly aligned/timed.
Just ordered the Fortis RED for my latest build, read good reviews so figured I'd give it a try. Haven't tested it out yet but hopefully soon

I agree with FJ that it's not necessary for an AR-15 but seems that the 1/2-28 is the most available style on the market. I guess it just means that AR-15 owners are more apt to mod their rifles than other platforms.

Had to look it up.

I agree with FJ that it's not necessary for an AR-15 but seems that the 1/2-28 is the most available style on the market. I guess it just means that AR-15 owners are more apt to mod their rifles than other platforms.

Compensators are lost on most recreational shooters or perhaps unnecessary.  If a shooters skill level is not maxed or nearly maxed out the benefit of the compensator is not as nearly apparent.  Most people who shoot at KKHD on the topside will see zero benefits and will experience all of the negatives.  Even many on the lower side don't have the skills to outrun the A2 or the needs that may necessitate compensation. 

At a certain level of skill, especially in competition, it becomes an equipment race where winning and losing is equated in hundredths of seconds.  This is not just restricted to competition, there are great benefits of compensation or suppression in defensive or tactical environments as well.       

I agree with FJ that it's not necessary for an AR-15 but seems that the 1/2-28 is the most available style on the market. I guess it just means that AR-15 owners are more apt to mod their rifles than other platforms.

Had to look it up.

What does availability of 1/2-28 have to do with necessity of a muzzle device?

From what I can tell from your posts, you’re a bench shooter who enjoys the misadventures of loading your own ammo. For your style of shooting, a bare muzzle would suit you just fine.

I don’t really care to tinker much with my guns. While I appreciate skill required to shoot with precision, my shooting with ARs are for training and competition. As Surf mentioned above, comps and brakes indeed can help in those regards. I haven’t shot A2 and comps side by side in a while, but I do notice a benefit, particularly in shot splits.

I kinda see your point in that many folks into ARs really enjoys trying various stuff, mods for the sake of modding, etc.

What does availability of 1/2-28 have to do with necessity of a muzzle device?
From what I can tell from your posts, you’re a bench shooter who enjoys the misadventures of loading your own ammo. For your style of shooting, a bare muzzle would suit you just fine.
I don’t really care to tinker much with my guns. While I appreciate skill required to shoot with precision, my shooting with ARs are for training and competition. As Surf mentioned above, comps and brakes indeed can help in those regards. I haven’t shot A2 and comps side by side in a while, but I do notice a benefit, particularly in shot splits.
I kinda see your point in that many folks into ARs really enjoys trying various stuff, mods for the sake of modding, etc.

Agreed. My rhetorical question is why are there so many 5.56 muzzle brakes available if they are mostly unnecessary as compared to an AK for example. I had Dexter thread a muzzle brake on my VEPR but resisting the urge to do so on my AR bull barrel. The main reason why I use a brake is so the blast doesn't affect the chrono. My Mosin almost destroyed the chrono, but the nice people at Caldwell sent me replacement parts for free. I tried one of those muzzle attachments but didn't stay for long.

Agreed. My rhetorical question is why are there so many 5.56 muzzle brakes available if they are mostly unnecessary as compared to an AK for example. I had Dexter thread a muzzle brake on my VEPR but resisting the urge to do so on my AR bull barrel. The main reason why I use a brake is so the blast doesn't affect the chrono. My Mosin almost destroyed the chrono, but the nice people at Caldwell sent me replacement parts for free. I tried one of those muzzle attachments but didn't stay for long.

Your use of brakes are definitely unconventional. I guess that somehow makes sense in your mind. Not surprised. Anyways, your opinion of unnessary is relative to your shooting needs. Are 400 hp engines necessary? Well, it depends on your needs and wants. Like with many performance based elements, it definitely can help, but maybe only truly appreciated by some.

Agreed. My rhetorical question is why are there so many 5.56 muzzle brakes available if they are mostly unnecessary as compared to an AK for example. I had Dexter thread a muzzle brake on my VEPR but resisting the urge to do so on my AR bull barrel. The main reason why I use a brake is so the blast doesn't affect the chrono. My Mosin almost destroyed the chrono, but the nice people at Caldwell sent me replacement parts for free. I tried one of those muzzle attachments but didn't stay for long.

Your chrono is too close if it affects your readings.

I agree with FJ that it's not necessary for an AR-15 but seems that the 1/2-28 is the most available style on the market. I guess it just means that AR-15 owners are more apt to mod their rifles than other platforms.

I don't participate in any competitions but when shooting an AR-15 platform 223/556 at HDF Range Days and certain HRA/LIFE Fun Shoots, there may often be a timer on you and that is when I realize the benefits of having a muzzle brake. When I shoot 223/556 at the Rifle range my AR has an unthreaded bull barrel.