In the realm of firearm parts, muzzle devices don’t get nearly enough attention. Perhaps it’s because not all guns are equipped with them (or can even accept them, you either need to have a threaded barrel or have one pinned or welded on) but be that as it may, they can significantly change the handling and performance of a rifle or pistol.

Here are 4 of the main muzzle devices commonly used in the world of shooting sports and what they do.

Flash Hider
A flash hider is basically a muzzle device that shields the shooter from his or her own muzzle flash.

This is beneficial because a muzzle flash can obstruct the sight picture and make follow up shots difficult.

In some instances, a flash hider may also help conceal a shooter’s location, although that has limited utility except in hostile environments.

In terms of recoil reduction, they don’t do very much. Still, they are very popular muzzle attachments for sporting rifles.

Suppressor (AKA Silencer)
Suppressors go by lots of other names, including cans and (what you probably know them as) silencers.

They are NFA items that require special dispensation from the ATF to purchase and are highly regulated, even illegal in some states.

Regardless, suppressors are very practical muzzle devices. They help trap gasses expanding and escaping at the muzzle.

The effect of this is that silencers (as the name suggests) can substantially reduce muzzle pop and the overall volume of a firearm’s report.

They also virtually eliminate muzzle flash - making them far more effective as “flash hiders” than actual flash hiders.

Consequently they are very beneficial to competitive and recreational shooter’s because they protect the hearing, obstruct the muzzle flash (keeping a clear sight picture), and cut recoil.

One thing to note, however, is that suppressors are particularly hard on semi-automatic actions and will cause internal parts (like gas rings) to wear out faster. They also tend to run dirty and can cause a lot of fouling accumulation in a short amount of time.

Compensator or Muzzle Brake
Next up are compensators or muzzle brakes, which are special muzzle devices that change the distribution of gasses around the muzzle, vastly countering the force of felt recoil.

They are effectively the same thing; usually they’re called muzzle brakes on shoulder-mounted platforms and compensators on handguns.

Either way, the effect is identical. They can cut felt recoil by 50% or more, depending on the cartridge, load data, and weight of the platform, significantly reducing shooting fatigue.

An arguably more important effect is that muzzle brakes also diminish muzzle flip, making it easier to keep the gun’s sights trained on target for faster, more accurate follow-up shots.

Also, these muzzle devices do not adversely affect shot power at all.

Thread Protector
This last firearm part is really not a muzzle device but it does deserve a mention. A thread protector is basically a “cap” you put on the threads of a barrel to protect them when you don’t have some other muzzle device installed.

Barrel threads are fragile and can easily be damaged when not protected. Therefore, if you have a threaded barrel, and don’t have a muzzle device installed, make sure you always protect it with one of these.

Firearm Parts for All Your Needs
Hopefully you found this short, basic guide interesting and informative. Whether you are looking for muzzle devices or some other firearm parts (or just more information) visit SARCO, Inc., online or get in touch with their customer service representatives at 610-250-3960. They carry a massive inventory of gun parts and know their industry like no one else. If you have a question they’ll help you answer it today.

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