Best AR-10 Muzzle Brakes of 2022 – How to Choose & Top Picks

| Last Updated:
August 7, 2023

Are you looking for the best AR-10 muzzle brake? If the answer is yes, you’re in the right place. In fact, you’re bound to find one here in this article. And we promise you that it isn’t one of those cheap and crappy quality muzzle brakes that keep flooding the market.

To prove that we’re not lying, we’ve handpicked five of the best AR-10 muzzle brakes currently popular on the market. We’ve chosen these based on different categories and based on the usual personal preferences of most AR-10 rifle owners.

Before we dive into our list, we’re going to talk about the purpose of a muzzle brake and why you need one. On top of that, we’ll give you a brief list of what to consider while you’re shopping for a muzzle brake.

Comparison Chart of the Best AR-10 Muzzle Brakes

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Easy to Install and Remove
  • Machined From High-Quality Steel for Heat and Corrosion Resistance
  • Three Large Gas Ports for Gas Redirection and Muzzle Jump Suppression
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  • Closed Off Bottom to Prevent Dust Kickup.
  • Runner-Up for Best Overall Muzzle Brake for AR-10
  • Crafted From Stainless Steel for Superior Durability and Heat/Corrosion Resistance
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  • Parkerized Finish
  • Fits With .308 Caliber Bores
  • Six Total Gas Ports to Prevent Gas Blowback
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  • Fits 7.62 and .308 AR-10 Rifles
  • Dual-Chambered Gas Port to Help with Recoil Reduction
  • A Three-in-One Hybrid: Muzzle Brake, Compensator, and Flash Suppressor
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How Does a Muzzle Brake Work?

A muzzle brake is designed to reduce recoil and eliminate the muzzle jump associated with it, as well. Recoil and muzzle jump are two things that are common on AR-style rifles. When not controlled properly, your shots will not only be inaccurate but may also not be as straight. In other words, you'd be shooting at the ground instead of your intended target.

Precision Armament - AR .308 M11 Muzzle Brake 30 Caliber

Most AR-10 users want to reduce as much recoil as they can to ensure that they have more control over their rifles and in turn, give them the ability to fire accurate and precise shots. The muzzle brake is also designed to reroute any gas that propels your rounds. This is to prevent any gas from blowing back towards your face.

How to Choose an AR-10 Muzzle Brake

One thing that you should not do while choosing a muzzle brake is to grab the first one you see off the shelf. Or if you’re shopping online, don’t hit that “add to cart” button so fast.

You’ll need to know how to distinguish a great muzzle brake from one that might be considered cheap and low-quality. With that said, here’s a look at what we recommend you should consider while looking for a muzzle brake of your own:

Material

First of all, you’ll need to take a look at the material the muzzle brake is constructed of. This is because quality should be the utmost importance, especially when purchasing a much-needed accessory for an AR-10 rifle. Most muzzle brakes will be made from high-quality steel. Steel is a strong metal that will be hard to wear down. Plus, it has the ability to be very durable and sustain all kinds of abuse.

DPMS - AR .308 Miculek Comp 30 Caliber is made of stainless steel.

Design

One of the most noticeable things you’ll see with muzzle brakes is the design. More specifically, the gas port placements are one thing to look at. Some gas ports are located on the side of the muzzle brake. Some are also found on either the top or bottom.

While this may not be a big deal for some, there are reasons why a muzzle brake is designed a certain way. For example, if you see no gas port located on the bottom half, it means that it won’t kick up any dust if you choose to shoot your rifle in the prone position.

Installation

Most AR-10 rifle owners probably won’t have expert level gunsmithing skills. And that’s OK. We don’t judge at all. If you’re one of the many rifle owners that have little to no gunsmithing skills, we recommend that you find a drop-in muzzle brake. In plain English, you’re basically looking for one that will be easy to install. Most drop-ins take only minutes and very few tools to install on your AR-10 rifle.

However, there are some that require some gunsmithing for proper installation. If you have gunsmithing skills, you can save yourself money by installing this on your own. Otherwise, you can enlist the services of a professional to get the job done for you.

Review of the Best AR-10 Muzzle Brakes

Below are five of the best AR-10 muzzle brakes that we chose for review. Consider this list to be your starting point in the quest for finding your perfect muzzle brake for your own AR-10 rifle. As you’re reading through each review, be sure to read them carefully.

Our findings and even some of the features that come with a specific muzzle brake will probably pique your interests. If you see one you like, be sure to do a little more in-depth research on what people are saying about it. With that said, let’s begin with the first muzzle brake on our list:

Best Overall:
Precision Armament - AR .308 M11 Muzzle Brake 30 Caliber

Pros

  • Recoil is Either Reduced or Non-Existent
  • Perfect for Most AR-10s Used for Long-Range Shooting
  • Very Easy to Install or Remove and Will Fit Many AR-10 Rifles

Cons

  • Installation May Be Complex for Some
  • Some Complaints About Lining Up the Brake with AccuWashers
  • Some Minor Adjustments or Shimming May Be Needed Prior to Fitting

First, we’ll be taking a look at the Precision Armament AR. 308 M11 Muzzle Brake. Right off the bat, you’ll notice that the design looks pretty rugged. That’s because the gas ports located on each side give off that menacing look. You could have sworn that this was a tactical style muzzle brake.

These gas ports are designed to redirect gas from your rifle and prevent the gas itself from blowing right into your face. Other than that, you’ll be able to experience the advantages of having a reduced amount of recoil and no muzzle rise.

This is CNC-machined using the best high-quality steel designed to resist corrosion and heat. It is also available in different finishes like DLC matte black, in-the-white stainless steel, and satin.

The finish will probably be based on your own personal preferences. But either way, the muzzle brake will still be built tough and be able to withstand a lot of punishment.

For easy installation or removal, the Precision Armament has top and bottom wrench flats. So if you’re looking for something that will allow you to easily install or remove it so you can add it onto another AR-style rifle, then look no further than this product.

Bottom Line

The Precision Armament muzzle brake has earned our top honor for its ability to reduce or even eliminate both recoil and muzzle rise from almost every AR-10 rifle. That is, according to almost every AR-10 user that has purchased this (based on reviews).

If you’re looking to reduce or even eliminate recoil, you have the opportunity of doing so by getting this item for your own rifle. Who wouldn’t want to fire more accurate shots? Who doesn’t want firm control over their rifle? Most people do want these advantages and if you’re looking for the best of the best, this is what you should go with.

Runner-up: 
Smith Enterprise - AR .308 Muzzle Brake .905 30 Caliber

Pros

  • Very Reduced Felt Recoil
  • No Muzzle Jump to Speak Out
  • Group Shot Sizes Reduced at 100 Yards. So it Helps With Accuracy Quite a Bit

Cons

  • May Need Some Loctite to Ensure a More Secure Fit
  • One Reviewer Says While it Reduces Recoil, it Doesn’t Reduce Much

Next on the docket, we'll be taking a look at the Smith Enterprise AR .308 Muzzle Brake. If you're looking for a product you can easily install in a matter of minutes, then you may want to consider this your best option.

This puppy is capable of reducing a great deal of felt recoil and muzzle rise. As a result, not only do you get sharper and more accurate shots, but your follow-up shots will be much faster. If you're the kind of shooter that likes to fire rounds in the prone position, this muzzle brake will become your best friend.

The reason is that the bottom part of the brake is closed off. That means your rifle won't be able to kick up any dust. Besides, having a combination of dust and gas blowing back in your face isn't fun.

This muzzle brake is made from high-quality steel that is heat-treated and can handle all kinds of stress and abuse. So this unit is super durable as it gets. Fire off as many rounds as you like and this puppy will still hold its own without any issue.

On top of that, it’s resistant to corrosion. So, if you’re looking for a muzzle brake that is impervious to dang near anything, then the Smith Enterprise should be something of interest to you.

Bottom Line

The Smith Enterprises product has proven itself to be a worthy alternative to the Advanced Armament muzzle brake. We love the fact that this was designed with the prone positioned shooter in mind. No dust kickup. No gas blowback. It’s a win-win for AR-10 owners.

Despite some claims of it not reducing as much recoil as it should, it still gets the job done for most AR-10 owners.

If you’re looking for something that is considered one of the best in terms of reducing recoil and eliminating muzzle jump, the Smith Enterprise muzzle brake might be exactly what you’re looking for.

3. Timber Creek .308 Heart Breaker Muzzle Brake

Pros

  • Easy to Install
  • Reduces Recoil Considerably
  • Won’t Kick Up Any Dust Thanks to the Absence of Gas Ports on the Bottom

Cons

  • None

Next, we’ll be taking a look at the Timber Creek Heart Breaker Muzzle Brake. The name alone sounds like this could be designed for the purpose of hunting big game. Plus, it is a heart breaker if you miss a shot intended for knocking down a big buck or elk.

This is compatible with .308 caliber bores (including AR-10 rifles). If you’re looking for a muzzle brake specifically for this, then you may have found your perfect match with the Timber Creek.

It has a black Parkerized finish and is made from high-quality steel. So you can expect this to hold its own once you install this.

There are a total of six gas ports on this product alone. They are noticeably absent on the bottom, which means this won’t allow your rifle to kick up any dust. And if you’re a prone shooter, then that’s definitely a good thing.

Bottom Line

The Timber Creek Heart Breaker might be the only product you’ll want to choose if you have a .308 AR-10 rifle. This might also be the best choice if you shoot from the prone position and don’t want a lot of dust blowing up in your face.

Either way, you’re looking at an excellent muzzle brake that will be best used for hunting or any other application that you can use with an AR-10 rifle.

4. VG6 Precision - AR 308 Epsilon 762 Muzzle Brakes

Pros

  • Recoil Reduction is Excellent
  • Easy to Install With the Use of a Crush Washer
  • Great for Most Purposes (Hunting, Target Practicing, etc.)

Cons

  • None

Lastly, we’ll be taking a look at the VG6 Precision AR 308 Epsilon Muzzle Brake. This muzzle brake is a dual-chambered muzzle brake designed to reduce recoil and muzzle jump. What you’ll notice is the absence of gas ports located at the 12 o’clock position.

This is designed to reduce the amount of flash that is produced from AR-10 rifles. Also noticeably absent will be the felt recoil. Other than that, the construction of the muzzle brake is quite solid and easy to install on most AR-10 rifles (and compatible with most .308 calibers).

One surprising thing we noticed about this muzzle brake is that it’s a tri-hybrid: a muzzle brake, compensator, and flash suppressor, all rolled into one. If that isn’t impressive, we don’t know what is.

If you’re looking for a good muzzle brake that will get the job done and fit your rifle without any issues, then look no further than the VG6 Precision.

Bottom Line

The VG6 Precision muzzle brake is an impressive little unit, mainly because of its do-it-all ability to reduce recoil, muzzle rise, and flash all at the same time. So this might be your best choice if you want the ultimate in muzzle control for your AR-10 rifle.

On top of that, it’s easy to install. So you don’t need a gunsmith or any smithing skills at all in order to take your rifle from having a good amount of recoil to none of it at all. Just install this in minutes and you’re ready for action.

5. DPMS - AR .308 Miculek Comp 30 Caliber

Pros

  • Very Easy to Install
  • Reduced Recoil is Very Noticeable
  • Works Quite Impressively with 18-Inch Barrels

Cons

  • Some Have Complained that it Increases Muzzle Blast
  • May Not Be Public Range Friendly. This May Be Due to the Intensity of the Side Blast

Next up, we have the best AR-10 muzzle brake that is considered the best for budget AR-10 owners. If money is a bit of an issue, but you have just enough for a budget model, then you’ll want to give the DPMS muzzle brake a closer look.

To start, the material is high-quality steel finished with magnesium phosphate. So, this is a pretty durable product that will withstand a lot of beatings. Plus, it’s heat and corrosion resistant.

Aside from the material, this has six gas ports designed to redirect gas to other places. This obviously means that gas will go anywhere but your face. If you’re looking for something that will prevent gas blowback without breaking the bank, you’ll probably want to choose this muzzle brake, in particular.

This is a pretty heavy-duty item that is easy to install. Just install this in minutes and you’ll be ready to feel some reduced recoil. And yes, that also comes with little to no muzzle rise as well.

It’s possible to get a good quality muzzle brake at a price that is affordable for most budgets. And it’s the DPMS that fits the bill. If it fits your budget and you’re already impressed with what it can do, get it while you have the opportunity.

Bottom Line

If you're looking for a muzzle brake that won't suck the life out of your bank account, then the DPMS might just be the one you're looking for. For a budget option, we're seriously impressed with how it's able to reduce a lot of felt recoil.

While the gas rerouting is a plus, the side blast does come with the territory due to where these gas ports are placed. Aside from all that, this muzzle brake does its job brilliantly.

Affordable in price, but excellent in quality and performance. That's exactly what you should look for in a muzzle brake, even if you do have money to work with.

Pros and Cons of Using of Muzzle Brake

While there are some upsides to having a muzzle brake, there are always going to be a few downsides as well. Here is a brief list of what advantages you’ll enjoy along with some common disadvantages you might deal with:

Pros

Little To No Recoil

Of course, we begin with the obvious. While not all muzzle brakes will act the same way, they will serve a common purpose. You will have the advantage of feeling little to almost no recoil or muzzle rise at all. This is due to the redirection of gas thanks to the muzzle brake’s gas ports and their strategic placement. On average, your recoil will be reduced by around 50 percent or more.

Excellent For Lighter Barrels

If you have a rifle with a barrel that’s lighter in weight, you’re going to enjoy the advantage of having better accuracy. Obviously, the absence of recoil will also equal to better accuracy for your shots as well. Remember, the lighter the barrel, the better the hit probability.

Makes Larger Caliber Guns Easier To Shoot

It’s no secret that larger caliber guns will more or less be a heavy hitting kind of gun. But even with the application of a muzzle brake, it will make any larger caliber gun easier to shoot, especially for shooters who may not have had the ability to properly control a gun of that magnitude due to their size and possible inability to handle the recoil.

Cons

Side Blast May Be Common

One of the major disadvantages of a muzzle brake is that side blast might be a usual occurrence and it may cause an issue for shooters who may be firing off their AR-10 at public ranges. Those who may also be standing in your immediate vicinity may also be exposed to the gases blowing in their direction. So while it may be avoiding your face, it may be en route toward someone else’s.

Some Muzzle Brakes May Kick Up Some Dust

While most of these muzzle brakes won’t kick up dust, some will. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to the design itself. If you hate the idea of having dust kick up after every shot you fire, you’ll need to find one that has no gas ports on the bottom of the muzzle brake.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a good AR-10 muzzle brake, you’re not alone. But you’ll need to find one that will best fit your needs and personal preferences. Nothing will give you a better shooting experience than a muzzle brake. You’ll love how it will reduce a lot of recoil and muzzle rise from the second you install it and give it a test drive on the range. Find one that fits you best and you won’t be disappointed. 

Michael Lutes

Michael Lutes is the managing editor and owner at Gun Mann. He is a veteran, gun enthusiast, 3 gun competitor, and 2a advocate. Mike has a passion for innovation and education across the industry to create great content, training, and insights from the best and brightest.

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