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16" 5.56 AR: Flash hider or brake?

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  • Anangrypasta

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    For 16" 5.56 carbines, for you guys prefer flash hiders or muzzle brakes? Is there enough muzzle flash to need a flash hider, or is there enough recoil that a brake really makes a difference? Do brakes really make 556 carbines that much louder to the point its annoying? Interested in opinions more experienced than mine! Currently running a 16" carbine gas with A1 bird cage. Considering switching it to a different device. Thanks!
     

    stage20

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    Look into the epsilon vg6. I put one on an AK and have been pleased. I have one for 556 but have yet to try it. I have linear comps on my pistols. Haven't shot any 16 inch in a while.
     

    JWlineman

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    I'll try to find an old YouTube video where a guy compares about a dozen different brakes/flash hiders. Like other have said, recoil is minimal on a 16" rifle especially if you have a quality stock, rail, trigger and some discipline.
    That said, most modern brakes are to provide about the same results. I run hiders on most but a brake on my competition rifle.
    Just run suppressors...haha
    *edit*
     
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    Anangrypasta

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    Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah, based on what you guys have said, I'll just keep the A1 on there for now.
     

    Anangrypasta

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    My build started with good intentions, was gonna put together an early 90s M4, so I picked out an A1 birdcage with the ports all around. Then I stumbled a bunch of Vltor parts lol. Had I done it again and not tried to retro build something, a 14.5 with a pinned linear comp will probably be the way I go.
     

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