The AK74 style brake is well known and established. It even captured the spotlight on this season of Top Shot on the Arsenal AK variants used.
This is a plug in our ongoing “Building an AK-47” gun review series which is MORE about customizing an AK than it is actually building one from parts, though after seeing how cheap kits are I’m thinking that will be next.
My buddy Owen says I don’t “need” to change the muzzle brake on the AK. “The slant brake that comes stock will suit your purpose just fine” he says. Well, I don’t want just fine and we’re supposed to to be souping this thing up, not just getting by. Besides, most muzzle brakes are relatively affordable and easy to install, especially on an AK that has the muzzle break detent pin built into the front sight base.
Taking all of the above into consideration it’s not that I disagree with Owen at all. He can run circles around me as an AK armorer and gunsmith, so in this case it’s just a matter of preference more than it is necessity. The slant break DOES tame jump pretty well, but I want something that looks tough as nails and serves a purpose too. So here are a few I’m giving serious consideration to (and keep your CRAPCO omments to a minimum please):
This brake while not as well known as the others has specific flash suppression as well as brake compensation abilities.
Tapco RAZR – Just looks gnarly. More of a flash hider than a brake though. 
AK-74 Style Brake – Super cheap, proven, and functional brake still used on AK battle rifles to this day.
Midwest Industries Flash Hider/Impact Device – Looks a lot like Troy Industries Medieval brake for the 5.56 but this one just primarily claims to be a flash hider than a brake. I do particularly like the look of this one too and it has multiple retention slots for the detent pin so it could be clamped in really tight.
The slot brake is also a tried design angling all gas upward and to the sides to stabilize the muzzle.
AK SLOT Brake – Muzzle climb and felt recoil are 2 of the main objectives here. That said, at $14.99 this may be unbeatable. Unless the quality is junk, then it just doesn’t matter.
FSC47 Tactical Compensator – SUPER slick design, and knocks down the barrel while providing mild flash suppression. A bit on the pricey side though.
I’m not really leaning one way or another when it comes to the look, tactical application or function of the brake. The cost plays a big role and it really needs to do a better job than the standard SLANT brake that came stock. Then again, you never know with a PHTF gun. Which one would you go with?
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2 Responses to AK Muzzle Brake – Building an AK-47
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FIND US HERE TOO!
Here’s another you might want to consider:
Battle Comp 7.62 AKBC: http://battlecomp.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=3&zenid=83bid5t53ptmo2ba9gonbbju67
Here’s a quick video from Haley Strategic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUbxO3jkJxc&feature=youtu.be
I have not used the AKBC but both my AR’s have Battle Comp 2.0′s which are fantastic!
I’ve heard HUGE things about the AR versions myself too. The only thing that would cancel this out for me is the $209 pricetag from Brownell’s.