View Full Version : Barrel thread protector vs muzzle brake for AR-15
newStar
Can you share your experience or opinions in using thread protector, rather than muzzle brake to make a AR-15 California legal? Any recommendations of both these devices?
ar15barrels
A thread protector protects the threads so you don't damage them if you bump the barrel into something.
They do not act as a brake or a flash suppressor.
It's the same as a plain muzzle.
Some people next to you often find brakes annoying but the shooter will only feel the reduction in muzzle jump and recoil from a brake as the shooter is not in the blast path of the brake.
So if you are more concerned with your shooting neighbors than yourself, get a thread protector.
If you would rather reduce muzzle jump, get a brake.
Donny1
I have gone featureless and installed Thread Protectors because I do not trust LE to know the difference between a muzzle brake and a flash hider. Sad but my reality.
As far as performance, for target shooting I see no real difference but I am not an "Operator".
heidad01
Does a thread protector have to be pinned or can it just be screwed on?
ar15barrels
Does a thread protector have to be pinned or can it just be screwed on?
Just screwed on for a rifle.
Nothing needs to be pinned unless the length or pinning is being used to meet some legal requirement.
For example, threaded barrels are illegal on a semi-auto pistol but if you pin a thread protector on the barrel, then you have legally removed the utility of the threads.
tabascoz28
The loudest ARs I've ever heard were ones with muzzle brakes, pistols and thread protector when the guy was prone. For some reason that blast just comes off the ground and all around.
ar15barrels
The loudest ARs I've ever heard were ones with muzzle brakes, pistols and thread protector when the guy was prone.
For some reason that blast just comes off the ground and all around.
It's almost like sound bounces off of stuff?
I bet you could even use sound and time to figure out how far away things are since the speed of sound is known.
Imagine if you were on a battleship and there were enemy submarines under you.
Wouldn't it be useful to be able to detect them?
jr0JaXfKj68
newStar
Yes, that is my concern of how to know it is legal muzzle device.
Wordupmybrotha
Very annoying shooting next to a muzzle brake.
It's akin to people with loud motorcycles.
NoHeavyHitter
Yes, that is my concern of how to know it is legal muzzle device.
Easy.. Take up residence (and pay your taxes) in a free state that doesn't play stupid games. Or just stay where you're at and keep worrying about it. At least you still have that choice.
Donny1
Yes, that is my concern of how to know it is legal muzzle device.
This is the problem with so much regulation and LE having so much power. Their mistake can ruin your life with no consequence to them.
Some take the oath with ignorance of the law or no intent of following through. I value LE for a job that most don't understand the risk of but they have far to much power. We need them to be sure, but we also need them to not be crossing the line.
Thankfully where I live in SB County not one Sherriff I have asked gives a crap about what configuration your rifle has unless they are in contact with you for other reasons. When I travel to LA county my carry gun goes in the lock box unless I'm stopping along the way to my destination, just not worth the risk. This should not be something I need to think about when I'm not doing anything wrong.
Donny1
Does a thread protector have to be pinned or can it just be screwed on?
Just one more example of how ridiculous our laws are. To not know this answer is just ignorance of the law, but to have to worry about something like this is not the way it should be.
Usmc0844spare
Can you share your experience or opinions in using thread protector, rather than muzzle brake to make a AR-15 California legal? Any recommendations of both these devices?
I've had both on an 18" bbl and noticed no real difference in controllability.
However, people coming up to me at the range and commenting that I have the loudest AR15 they've ever seen has stopped now that I just have a thread protector.
The only real reason I don't have a brake now is that I am too lazy to hassle with breaking out the barrel blocks and sanding crush washers* to time the brake correctly.
*Before that can of worms opens, yes I know you don't HAVE to do this, I just prefer "hand tight plus 1/4 turn" in terms of torqueing the brake into position.
NapalmCheese
After shooting an 18 inch SPR profile barrel with a linear comp I'm convinced that any measurable compensation in terms of recoil or noise compared to a thread protector is entirely from having an extra ounce or two of weight on the muzzle and an extra inch or two of barrel extension. That being said, I can still spot my splash at 300+ yards without annoying my friends with a brake.
As such, I recommend you use a thread protector (or a linear comp), because muzzle brakes are annoying for anyone else near you and unnecessary for most AR-15 applications.
hermosabeach
Does a thread protector have to be pinned or can it just be screwed on?
OK-
some people buy USMC M16 uppers that have a short barrel....
14 1/2" barrel when federal law say 16" is the minimum
So... they will add a device to the barrel to make it 16.1" long.
that device is then Pinned and Welded to make it federally OK to use on a rifle....
If your barrel is 16"+ in length- you can run a brake/ comp in California or a thread cover...
the only time Pin and Weld is an issue is if you are trying to legally lengthen something and the length has to be permanent
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