When you fire a rifle, a small explosion occurs and the resulting gases drive the bullet out of the barrel.
When this occurs, the rifle moves backward, which is referred to as recoil.
This happens when you discharge any type of firearm.
But the difference is that some guns have more recoil than others. And the problem with recoil is that it can reduce your accuracy and it’s a shoulder bruiser.
Therefore, to mitigate recoil, you need a muzzle brake.This is a muzzle device that is small in size and utilizes holes, vents, or chambers to redirect the gases outwards.
So instead of the gases getting pushed backward when you fire a rifle, they are instead diverted through these apertures thereby reducing recoil.
But they also have some disadvantages. Some users complain that they add too much length to the barrel.
But this should not be an issue if you are using a short-barrelled gun. Others complain that they increase noise, while others say that they are costly.
But if you own an AK47, or any other high caliber gun, you need a muzzle brake if you want to have better control of your firearm. Again, it does improve accuracy, which is something any shooter would want.
So if you are want to buy the best muzzle brake for your AK47 but you don’t know where to start. Read on.
Top Pick
VG6 Precision APVG100015A Epsilon
- Extended Flash Prongs
- 6 Valve Holes
- Indexing Pin Slot
- Crush Washer Included
AK47 Muzzle Brakes Comparison Chart
Photo | Product | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
VG6 Precision APVG100015A Epsilon | Threads: 14x1 LH Material: Stainless Steel Length: 2.21" Weight: 2.24 oz | Check Price | |
Tapco 16612 SLANT | Threads: 14x1 LH Material: Steel Slant: 15⁄16" Long Outer Diameter: 11⁄16" | Check Price | |
Manticore Arms MA1214 NightBrake | Threads: 14x1 LH Material: 8620 Steel Length: 1.875" Weight: 2 oz | Check Price | |
Lantac DGNAK47B Dragon | Threads: 14x1 LH Material: Hardened Milspec Steel Length: 2.6" Weight: 2.8 oz | Check Price | |
Tapco 16617 RAZR | Threads: 14x1 LH Material: Hardened Steel Length: 2.75" Weight: 2.4 oz | Check Price |
5 Best AK47 Muzzle Brakes (as of September, 2024):
1. VG6 Precision APVG100015A Epsilon AK47 Muzzle Brake Review
The VG6 Epsilon muzzle device is extremely versatile.
And unlike the VG6 Gamma 556 muzzle brake, this model is a brake, compensator, and flash hider.
It is a three in one device that does more than reduce recoil.
The compensator minimizes muzzle rise and flash hider reduces flash.
The VG6 has numerous openings. There are prongs at the end of the muzzle device and these are the flash hider. The openings on the side serve as the brake, and the holes on the top side serve as the compensator.
The device also comes with a barrel indexing pin and a crush washer in case your rifle doesn’t have the pin.
Installation is easy. But if you have never installed a muzzle brake on a rifle, it’s best to get a professional do it for you. Otherwise, if you don’t do it correctly, you may damage your rifle.
Main Features
- Extended Flash Prongs
- 6 Valve Holes On The Underside Of The Brake
- Indexing Pin Slot
- Improved Muzzle Control
- 17-4ph Heat Treated Stainless Steel
- Black Nitride Satin Finish
- 14×1.0 LH Thread Pitch
- Crush Washer Included
Pros:
- Stainless Steel construction with black nitride finish
- Improved accuracy
- Great muzzle control
- Comes equipped with a crush washer
- Indexing pin slot
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Looks good
Cons:
- Ideal only 7.62x39mm AK47 only
- Loud in tight places
- Pricey
2. Tapco 16612 SLANT AK47 Muzzle Brake Review
Although it sports the old fashioned slant design, compared to the modern designs, the price of this muzzle brake is hard to beat.
Tapco 16612 SLANT is designed for budget-conscious buyers, which makes it ideal for newbies.
The device is made of steel and has a manganese phosphate finish.
It doubles as a brake and compensator. The holes on the top side of the device, act as the compensator and the ones on the side, act as the brake.
Although some users say it does a better job at reducing muzzle rise than recoil. But it has been used by the Soviets for centuries, so it must do a good job at dampening recoil.
When it comes to installation, this device is easy to install. You don’t need a professional to do it for you unless you have never done it before. Also, it’s durable and lightweight.
Main Features
- Ideal For Newbies
- Slant Style Design
- Doubles as a Brake & Compensator
- Machined From Steel
- Manganese Phosphate Finish
- High Quality, 922r-Compliant
- Standard 14×1.0 LH Thread
- Easy & Fast Installation
- Durable & Lightweight
Pros:
- Made of steel
- Slant style design
- Doubles as a brake and compensator
- Effective at reducing recoil and muzzle rise
- Compatible with both AK47 milled and stamped receivers
- Extremely affordable
- Easy to install
- Reasonably priced
- Ideal for newbies
Cons:
- Some users have complained that it doesn’t do a good job at reducing recoil
3. Manticore Arms MA1214 NightBrake AK47 Muzzle Brake Review
The Manticore Arms MA1214 NightBrake muzzle brake is great for people who are recoil sensitive.
But aside from reducing recoil it also mitigates muzzle rise.
So it acts as a muzzle brake and compensator.
The device is made from 8620 steel with an excellent black oxide finish. And it is heat-treated for durability and longevity.
There are no holes on the top side of the device for uninterrupted iron sight views. Also, there are no holes at the bottom of the device to help prevent the exiting gases from throwing up dust whenever you shoot your rifle.
It does a great job of reducing muzzle climb, which allows you to maintain your accuracy. It also does at a great job of reducing recoil.
The NightBrake weights 2 ounces and it comes with a crush washer for installation. You don’t have to use the washer to attach the device to your gun if you don’t need to.
Main Features
- Can Be Used On Rifles Of Varying Caliber, Up To 7.62 mm
- 14x1LH Metric Threads
- 18 Ports to Stabilize Gas Pressure
- Machined From 8620 Steel
- Black Oxide Finish
- No Ports Facing Directly Upwards
- Lower 90 Degree Arc With No Ports
- Outer Diameter is a NATO Standard 22mm
- High Quality, 922r-Compliant
Pros:
- Doubles as compensator and brake
- Effectively reduces recoil and muzzle rise
- Made from 8620 steel
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy to install
Cons:
- It is expensive
4. Lantac DGNAK47B Dragon Review
The Lantac DGNAK47B Dragon is almost like no other brake.
While it does comes with several vents like all other muzzle brakes, this one has a short energy pulse system that reduces recoil length allowing for accurate and fast subsequent shots.
The holes on the muzzle brake helps reduce recoil and muzzle rise allowing you to hit your target dead on all the time.
It has 4 holes on the top side of the device that help reduce muzzle climb and 6 vents on each side of the main chamber to help reduce recoil.
As a compensator, this makes the muzzle brake is ideal for competition shooters. So as a brake and compensator, this brake performs remarkably well.
Weighing at 3 ounces, this device is made from carbon steel, which is sturdy and durable. The material is also impervious to wear, corrosion, and heat.
So you can expect to use this device for a very long time and the good thing is you can attach it to many AK47 variants as well as other rifles like AR15s.
So it’s quite versatile and it comes with a crush washer for easy installation. We would like to mention that this is not a flash hider although it does a great job at reducing flash signature.
And what it does is direct the muzzle blast forwards so that if you are training with other people, they are not going to feel the blast.
The only major problem with the brake is the price. It is not your averagely priced muzzle brake. This one is quite expensive. So if you are on a budget, you might consider looking for a much more affordable brake.
Main Features
- Unique Short Energy Pulse System
- Full Auto Fire With Massively Reduced Recoil
- Vertical Ports in the Primary Discharge Chamber
- Blast Mitigation Device
- 14x1LH Metric Threads
- Made From Carbon Steel
- Black Nitride QPQ Finish
- Crush Washer Included
- Impervious To Heat, Corrosion & Wear
- Serial Numbered for Quality Control
- NOT Considered a Flash Hider – California Legal
Pros:
- Made from carbon steel
- Sturdy and durable
- Impervious to wear and corrosion
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Short energy pulse system that reduces recoil length
- Effectively reduces muzzle climb and recoil
Cons:
- It is expensive
5. Tapco 16617 RAZR Review
The Tapco 16617 RAZR muzzle brake is made of hardened steel and has a matte black phosphate finish.
It a pretty cool looking device and it’s extremely affordable making it ideal for newbies and budget-conscious buyers.
The device acts as a brake, flash hider, and compensator.
The prongs also act as vents where the gases escape. There are also some small holes on the sides of the device, which also allow for gases to escape.
So this device significantly reduces recoil, muzzle rise, and flash signature. There are complaints that the flash prongs produce a sound that is quite audible if you are not wearing hearing protection.
But other than that, the Tapco RAZR is quite affordable; it’s lightweight and it screws on to your barrel quite easily.
Main Features
- 4 Prongs For Tactical Entry Operations
- Evenly-Spaced Holes & Slots
- Minimized Flash & Tame Recoil
- Left Hand 14×1 Muzzle Thread
- Unique-Looking Hardened Steel
- Manganese Phosphate Finish
- High Quality, 922(r)-Compliant
- Lightweight, Durable & Sturdy
Pros:
- Effective reduces recoil and muzzle climb
- Mitigate flash signature
- Made from hardened steel
- Easy to install
- Lightweight, durable, and sturdy
- Decently priced
Cons:
- The flash prongs make a sound when you fire your rifle
Buyer’s Guide
Muzzle brakes mainly reduce recoil and by doing this, they also improve your accuracy. Some brakes are designed to act as a compensator and/or a flash hider.
Compensators reduce muzzle climb while flash hiders reduce flash. So choosing the type of muzzle brake to buy depends on your shooting style.
Muzzles brakes reduce recoil, improve speed and accuracy. But they also create loud noises, and they increase the length of your barrel. And generally speaking, they are good for large caliber rifles and when you want to make fast subsequent shots.
But for hunting game, you need a compensator because it pushes the sound of the muzzle blast forwards and away from you and shooters who may be standing near or beside you. And like muzzle brake it helps improve accuracy and speed.
A flash hider mitigates light signature and its ideal for shooters who shoot or hunt at night.
The good news is that you can get a muzzle device that acts as a brake, flash hider, and compensator. But you may need to dig a little deeper into your pocket.
Having said that, there are key factors you need to consider when choosing a muzzle brake. These factors are important in helping you buy the right muzzle device for your AK47 variant.
Thread on or Clamp-on
Deciding which style of muzzle brake depends on whether the barrel of your rifle is threaded or not. If it’s not, its best to go with a clamp-on muzzle brake, but if it’s threaded, then a thread-on muzzle is the best choice.
Recoil Efficiency
The main reason why most people buy muzzle brakes is to reduce recoil. But some muzzle brakes don’t do a good job at mitigating recoil and this has to do with the design.
The more vents a muzzle has, the more efficient it is at reducing recoil because most of the gas is pushed outwards.
Flash Suppression
It’s always advisable to get a muzzle brake that also acts as a flash hider. Because when you shoot your rifle, you don’t want to get blinded by the flash that results from the explosion that occurs when the bullet leaves the barrel.
So if you hunt or shoot at dusk, then a flash suppressor is going to coming in handy as you are going to be able to see your target.
Budget
When it comes to budget, it all depends on the style of the muzzle brake and your shooting style. Muzzle brakes that act as compensators and flash hiders are more expensive than those that act only as brakes and compensators.
So if you like to shoot at night, you need a muzzle brake that also acts as a flash hider. Ultimately, your choice is going to depend on your shooting style and budget.
Conclusion
Muzzle brakes are small devices that allow you to have better control of your rifle. AK47s don’t have much recoil. But adding a muzzle brake to your rifle makes it easier to control it and it improves your accuracy.
So this a device that is worth having if you own an AK47 or other large-caliber rifle.