Muzzle brakes can reduce recoil by over 50%. The median price for a muzzle brake is about $100. You can get a lot of performance-per-dollar with the right brake.
If you’re shooting a heavier round from a semi-automatic rifle, recoil reduction is important for making fast follow-up shots. So it’s no wonder they’re so popular among competition and long range shooters.
The cool thing about muzzle brakes is that we know they work and how well they work. Most muzzle brakes have been tested. So we can line them up by recoil reduction and clearly identify the best one.
Muzzle brakes are measured by how much they reduce recoil when compared to a bare muzzle.
So we’ll cover the top muzzle brakes, organized from best performing to worst. The difference between the best and worst muzzle brakes in this article is just over 10%. So, using any of these muzzle brakes will be a significant improvement over a bare muzzle or flash hider.
One thing to know about using a muzzle brake is that they are loud. A muzzle brake works by redirecting gas to the sides as it exits the muzzle.
So, if you shoot on a public range, the people on the line next to you will feel the concussion. If you’re shooting on an indoor range, you’ll really feel the noise and pressure when shooting with a muzzle brake.
It’s just something to keep in mind when you’re popping rounds at the public tables.
Best AR-10 Muzzle Brakes Comparison Table
Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty
Key Specs:
- Weight:
2.6 oz, 3.1 oz
- Fabric/Material:
Stainless Steel
- Finish:
Ionbond, Matte Black
Pros:
Best in class recoil reduction.
Relatively minimal – made from quality tool concussion.
Streamline design.
One more quick note: if you’re in a hurry, the Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty muzzle brake is the best performing brake in this article. So, if you want performance right now, buy this muzzle brake.
Table of Contents
Best AR-10 Muzzle Brake Reviews [2023]
1. Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty
Key Specs:
- Weight:
2.6 oz, 3.1 oz
- Fabric/Material:
Stainless Steel
- Finish:
Ionbond, Matte Black
Pros:
- Best in class recoil reduction.
- Relatively minimal concussion.
- Streamline design.
Cons:
- Very plain aesthetics.
The Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty is the clear winner when it comes to muzzle brake performance. The .308 model reduces recoil by 64.43%. The exceptional performance is due to the baffles that direct gases to the rear, but still away from the shooter.
It features a no frills design and solid machining. If you’re into a muzzle brake that adds an aesthetic to your gun, the M4-72 may not do much for you.
However, a nice benefit of the M4-72 is that the concussion is minimal compared to some other muzzle brakes. And the price is about average among muzzle brakes, though the performance is top notch.
The M4-72 is an excellent option for anyone who prioritizes performance.
2. Lancer Systems Viper
Key Specs:
- Length:
3.75″
- Width:
1.87″ (at the widest point)
- Height:
1.05″
Pros:
- Adjustable gas redirection.
- Cold aesthetic.
- Excellent performance.
Cons:
- Heavy.
- Expensive.
Ballistic Advantage is another company that produces remarkably high quality and well-priced barrels. So the Ballistic Advantage Modern Series .308 AR Rifle Barrel is an awesome barrel for anyone who’s blasting on a budget.
The Viper name is fitting, since it’s got a mean, snake’s head look. Those who value aesthetics will enjoy this brake.
There are some downsides to the Viper. The diamond-shaped design isn’t as streamlined as some other muzzle brakes. It’s also one of the heaviest muzzle brakes on the market.
Lastly, the price is above the median for muzzle brakes. So you’re paying a premium for the performance and adjustability.
Overall, the Lancer Systems Viper is best for shooters who need the adjustability, since there are lighter and less expensive options.
3. Precision Armament M11
Key Specs:
- Thread:
5/8-24 TPI
- Weight:
5.6 oz
- Finish:
DLC matte black, Stainless steel white
Pros:
- Also works as a compensator.
- Two color options.
- Full-auto capable.
- Excellent performance for a muzzle brake/compensator combo
Cons:
- A bit pricey.
The Precision Armament M11 reduces recoil by 61.34%, third in the race to the recoil bottom.
The M11 performs nearly as well as the M4-72. However, there are some key differences.
Notably, the size. The M11 is chunkier and at about the middle of the pack when it comes to weight. Precision Armament also offers the M11 in black or silver. So it has more potential for aesthetic matching.
But the key difference between the M11 and the M4-72 is that the M11 has vents that also direct gas upward to help reduce muzzle rise as well as recoil. So, even though the recoil reduction is a tad less than a pure muzzle brake, the compensation is useful for those who need rapid fire precision.
The compensation comes at a price, though. The M11 price is above the median for muzzle brakes.
Overall, the Precision Armament M11 is a good option for those who run an AR-10 for three gun competitions or tactical shooters who need quick follow up shots.
4. SureFire PROCOMP
Key Specs:
- Thread:
5/8-24 TPI
- Weight:
3.4 oz (97 g)
- Finish:
Black Melonite
Pros:
- Amazing Value.
- Highest performance-per-dollar.
- Solid construction.
Cons:
- Gas tuning is a bit gimmicky.
The SureFire PROCOMP reduces recoil by 53.09%. The PROCOMP also has some compensation capabilities. However, it’s primarily a muzzle brake, and has minimal impact on muzzle rise.
The main selling point of the PROCOMP is the price. SureFire offers the PROCOMP at just over half of what many muzzle brakes cost. The PROCOMP definitely provides the best recoil reduction per dollar of any muzzle brake in this article.
However, the PROCOMP isn’t a budget muzzle brake. It’s machined from solid bar stock and coated with a melonite finish. It’s exceptionally made and quite durable.
The PROCOMP is tunable. It comes with pilot holes that can be plugged if you want less gas redirection. However, the process is not easy and the tuning is limited.
The PROCOMP also comes with pilot holes for pinning and welding, if you need to permanently fix your muzzle device to comply with local laws.
Overall, the Surefire PROCOMP is definitely the best option for shooters who want solid performance at the best price.
5. JP Enterprises Compensator
Key Specs:
- Weight:
5.1 oz
- Material:
416 stainless
- Thread Pitch:
5/8-24 TP
Pros:
- Nice aesthetic.
- Good for custom rifles.
- Some compensation.
Cons:
- Low performance-per-dollar.
The JP Enterprises Compensator reduces recoil by 52.92%. That’s right about in the middle of the pack.
However, JP Enterprises is known for producing great looking equipment. So the Compensator is offered in three different finishes to match what you’ve got on your rifle.
Although JP Enterprises calls this a compensator, it’s mostly a muzzle brake. It has vents on top to help reduce muzzle rise. But the majority of the gas is redirect to the sides and rear to combat recoil.
JP Enterprises designs their parts to be usable on custom builds. So the Compensator comes in multiple bore diameters and base diameters so you can use it on just about any aftermarket barrel.
The main downside of the Compensator is that it’s fairly pricey, given the performance. It’s priced above the median for muzzle brakes.
But it isn’t the best performer in the group.
Shooters who have custom rifles with non-standard barrels and those who like a good aesthetic will find the Compensator appealing.
6. Dead Air Keymount Muzzle Brake
Key Specs:
- Weight:
3.7 oz
- Thread:
1/2×28
- Length:
2.6″
Pros:
- Silencer compatible.
- Concussion isn't bad.
- Decently priced.
Cons:
- Some recoil reduction performance is sacrificed for suppressor comaptibility.
The Dead Air Keymount Muzzle Brake reduces recoil by 52.75%. And it is suppressor compatible.
The recoil reduction is just about average. However, if you own a Dead Air Sandman-L or Sandman-S suppressor, you can put your suppressor right over the top of the muzzle brake.
The Keymount Muzzle Brake also has vents on top to reduce muzzle rise.
The most impressive thing about the Keymount Muzzle Brake is that, even with the suppressor lugs, it’s still fairly light.
Maybe it’s because this muzzle brake is designed to work with a suppressor, but the concussion is very bearable.
Lastly, for a multi-purpose device, it’s quite affordable, and even comes in a few dollars below the median for muzzle brakes.
The Dead Air Keymount Muzzle Brake probably isn’t ideal for competitive shooters who have no need for a silencer. However, those who need a rifle that performs just as well unsuppressed as it does suppressed will find that this muzzle brake is a good deal.
7. Lancer System Nitrous
Key Specs:
- Weight:
.3 lbs
- Thread:
1/2-28
- Finish:
Black Nitride, Stainless Steel (Matte)
Pros:
- Fine tunable compensation.
- Low weight for an adjustable brake.
- Good value.
Cons:
- Recoil reduction is only okay.
For those who find the Viper to be too expensive or too heavy, the Lancer System Nitrous provides a less expensive and more streamlined option. The Nitrous reduces recoil by 52.06%.
While the Nitrous is lighter and more affordable, that’s because it’s not as adjustable as the Viper. The Nitrous has two vents on top that can be plugged with various gas jets to adjust how much gas is vented upward. So, only the compensation is adjustable.
Even though the Nitrous is a straightforward design, the weight is still above average.
But the price is a bit below the median for muzzle brakes, which is nice considering the adjustability.
Those who need to really fine tune the compensation of their muzzle brake without adding a ton of weight or cost should consider the Lancer System Nitrous.
The Final Shot
The best muzzle brake on the market right now is hands down the Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty. It has the best recoil reduction and costs the same or less as most competing muzzle brakes. For overall improvement, you should also consider investing on a trigger with powerful hammer springs to ensure functionality.
Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty
Key Specs:
- Weight:
2.6 oz, 3.1 oz
- Fabric/Material:
Stainless Steel
- Finish:
Ionbond, Matte Black
Pros:
- Best in class recoil reduction.
- Relatively minimal concussion.
- Streamline design.
Cons:
- Very plain aesthetics.
In terms of recoil mitigation, a muzzle brake is the most cost effective purchase you can make. Sure, they’re loud. But you’ll get much better rapid fire precision and more comfortable shooting from your AR-10. So, if you’re looking for a way to make your AR-10 more pleasant to shoot, grab yourself a muzzle brake and head to the range to see what you can do with it!
You can also check:
AR 10 Bolt Carrier Groups Reviews
Best AR 10 Rifle Stock for the Money
Muzzle Brakes versus Suppressor
Is Muzzle Brakes Better than Compensators?
Muzzle Brakes vs Flash Hider (Read Full Article)
