What is a muzzle brake-compensator?

When shooting from any firearm, inevitably there is a return. It is caused by the pressure of gases in the barrel channel and the movement of the automation mechanisms in preparation for the next shot. The impact of recoil on such parameters as accuracy of shooting, aiming and ease of control is very large. Many designers tried to minimize the throwing of weapons and the level of return. With the advent of automatic weapons, this issue has become even more relevant. It was then that the first DTCs appeared (muzzle brake-compensator). They belong to the category of muzzle gas devices.

Definition and purpose

A muzzle brake is a compensator that is designed to be used in automatic small arms to reduce the kickback momentum when firing. Depending on the type of construction, the effective reduction level is from 25 to 75%. Partly or completely eliminated such undesirable effects as the sound of a shot, a flame and throwing up weapons. In general, this construction is not mandatory, but often it is impossible to do without it. A classic example is a muzzle brake on "Vepr" or AK-74.

Principle of operation

The device is based on the principle of changing the speed and direction of the propellant gases, which are released when the main charge of the cartridge or projectile is burned. The speed of their propagation is very high - up to 1500 m / sec. This causes a force that is directly opposite the direction of the bullet movement. A muzzle brake effectively extinguishes this impulse. A part of the resulting powder gases is used. Because such devices are more beneficial, since they do not worsen the ballistics of weapons themselves, in addition, they are reliable and simple in structure. The main scope of their application - pistols, assault rifles and artillery pieces.

Varieties

The DTC is classified according to several criteria. This number of cells (tubeless, single and multi-chamber), the number of side openings (single and multi-row) and shape (window, mesh and slit). There is also a classification according to the principle of action - reactive, active or active-reactive.

An active action implies a blow of a gas jet over a certain surface that is attached to the barrel. In this case, there is a force opposite to the direction of recoil.

The reactive action assumes a symmetric withdrawal of the used powder gases in the direction of recoil. After this, a reaction takes place, which is called the "expiration of the powder gas," and the weapon receives an impulse pushing it forward.

The active-reactive action combines both principles in one design, so that the gas is first ejected forward, and then retracted in the opposite direction and extinguishes the recoil.

Some features

However, despite all its efficiency, the muzzle brake is still far from perfect. For example, damping recoil can simultaneously be accompanied by a significant increase in the sound of the shot. Another unpleasant factor is the effect of gunpowder gases on the weapon and the arrow, which exerts a unmasking effect.

The nature of the impact of the muzzle brake is very important, since it determines the degree of effectiveness of the quenching of the recoil. There are three types of compensators:

1. Longitudinal action. This muzzle brake reduces the impact of recoil of the weapon or trunk only in the longitudinal direction.
2. Transverse action. More successful specimens, which create a shot at cross-section force, preventing the appearance of a tipping point. These devices are called compensators.
3. Combined action. It was they who received the greatest prevalence in the troops. Such devices are called muzzle brake compensators. They are popular, because they weaken the impact, and reduce the tipping point at the same time.

Muzzle brake-compensator AK-74

AK-74 appeared just when the Soviet Army needed a fundamentally new weapon, rather than AKM. They were very different in a constructive way, despite the fact that the main mechanisms of the machine did not have any changes. In particular, among many changes can be identified and the availability of a fundamentally new in design muzzle brake-compensator compared to that used earlier in the AKM. In this machine, it looked like a small weighting, placed on the muzzle.

In AK-74, the muzzle brake improved noticeably - now it has become a long two-chamber device. The first chamber was a cylinder intended for the exit of the bullet, it also had three outlets for the powder gases and two slits placed at the diaphragm. The second camera has a slightly different device - two wide windows, and in front - the same diaphragm for bullet output. These changes have positively affected the balancing and accuracy of the shooting, while the masking of the arrow has improved, since flashes of flame were practically not noticeable. In one form or another, such a design and its modifications (DTK 1-4) are used now.

This DTK is designed to be installed on a wide range of weapons: AK-series assault rifles, up to modern "hundred" - AK-101-105, hunting carbines "Saiga" MK and MK-103, as well as AKS-74U and AK-74M

Muzzle brake СКС-45

This old weapon has quite acceptable indicators for use as a hunting. But due to high efficiency, the designers created the DTK for the given carbine. This device has the name "Wolf's tooth" and combines the functions of DTC and flame arrester. The first chamber serves as a compensator and a flame arrester, and the second chamber serves as a recoil absorber, directing the gases so that they counteract the recoil force.

One of the design differences is the ability to install it on trunks that do not have threads, which increases the versatility. This DTK is fastened with a special clamp, which is fixed by the mouse with two screws. The device is produced in the US, since SCS is popular mainly in foreign countries - both as hunting weapons and as weapons for shooting sports.

Characteristics

Standard muzzle brake-compensator for AK-74 has the following specifications:

- total length - 83 mm;
- weight - 104 g;
- diameter - 27.5 mm.

DTC 1-4 (description)

The muzzle brake-compensator DTK-1 is designed for installation on AK automatic caliber 7,62 and 5,45 mm. Weighs 128 grams. It is made of special stainless steel 45 or 40X with additional heat treatment.

The muzzle brake DTK-2 has a different design and is intended for installation on AK automatic caliber 7,62 and 5,45 mm. Round shape, has several holes for the escape of powder gases. Weighs 108 grams, it is made of the same materials as DTK-1.

The muzzle brake of DTK-3 is also called "DTK-1 long", it has the same design. It is put on the AK caliber 7,62 and 5,45 mm. It is made of the same materials as DTK-1.

DTK-4 is a more perfect sample, made of titanium alloy. Now broad access to it is closed, the acquisition is possible only by special services and only at the manufacturing enterprise. Has a non-collapsible design and is more environmentally friendly than standard DTC. Since the thermal effect on the housing is very large, a special sealed tape is supplied.

Results

If earlier such devices were exotic, now they are a self-evident thing. Modern automata, although highly technological, but still can not deal with such things as impact and its impact on the accuracy of shooting. That's why DTC is so important.