Weapons: Muzzle Brake Breakthroughs

Archives

October 13, 2011: U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) is equipping most of its Mk13 7.62mm sniper rifle and M4 5.6mm assault rifles with new Surefire Muzzle Brake Suppressors. These 108mm (4.1 inch) long items screw onto the front of the barrel and keep the barrel more stable after each shot, as well as reducing flash. Such muzzle brake devices have become increasingly popular in the last decade, as new technology and improved designs have appeared.

The Mk13 is a customized SOCOM version of the U.S. Army M24 sniper rifle. The M4CQBR (Close Quarters Battle Receiver) is an M4 carbine with the CQBR barrel and receiver replacing the original one. The CQBR has a 262mm (10.3 inch) barrel and turns the M4 into a 2.75 kg (5.95 pound) weapon. The original M4 has a longer (by about 105mm/4 inches) barrel.

These muzzle brakes are so popular that SOCOM is considering equipping other weapons with them. Because SOCOM troops are trained to deliver very accurate single shot fire, a muzzle brake is very helpful. By reducing the movement of the barrel and recoil, it makes it easier to get the weapon aimed at the next target quickly.

 


Article Archive

Weapons: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 


X

ad
0
20

Help Keep Us Soaring

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month.

Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage. A contribution is not a donation that you can deduct at tax time, but a form of crowdfunding. We store none of your information when you contribute..
Subscribe   Contribute   Close