There are many myths, misunderstandings, and misconceptions about Clamp-On Muzzle brakes, So I’m going to take the time to discuss the ins and outs of why you shouldn’t be afraid of a properly engineered Clamp-On Muzzle Brake.
First off, the reason for the BOLD type for the “Properly Engineered” in the introduction; There are several companies other than Kahntrol Solutions that make clamp-on brakes, that use a similar clamping method, sets of screws on either side. These are all properly engineered to provide secure attachment. There are also companies that make clamp-on brakes that use a single set of screws on one side, or on the bottom. These are NOT properly engineered, and are subject to becoming projectiles, but more on that later.
How secure are they? Really? Very!!! To put things into perspective, our brakes, when the instructions are followed, are clamped more securely than the fork-tubes on a motocross bike. Before we ever brought our brakes to market, 12+ years ago, we did “destructive testing” to test the security. We took our brakes, with smaller than bullet holes and no bullet holes in the 2nd and 3rd baffles, and tried to “shoot them off”. The results were that even though the brakes were destroyed, they did not slip or fly off, and there was no damage to the rifle. So then we took brakes that were drilled properly, and torqued them to about 1/2 of the recommended torque, and proceeded to try to intentionally send them down range. On most of them it took 3 shots or more before they went flying, and even then, there were no baffle strikes (which is what we were testing for). So, from a secureness standpoint, If you follow the instructions, You will have no issues. As for the single side clamp brakes; Two sided clamps will “wrap” evenly and apply true 360degree clamping forces, as well as ensure alignment axially as well as radially, even on tapered barrels. Single sided clamps, mechanically, can only “squeeze” the half of the barrel that has the clamping slot, and if mis-measured, or over torqued, will pull the brake OUT of alignment axially and radially.(see Accuracy Effects below for why this matters)
Concentricity issues with factory barrels; This argument is one that I see and hear regularly, “Factory bores aren’t concentric”. No Kidding?!?! Neither are the bores on factory threaded barrels, and their normally worse. That doesn’t stop people from running Brakes or Suppressors on them. There’s a reason for the .020″ minimum overbore for brakes, and slightly larger for cans. If you follow minimum safety clearances, and check for alignment, you’re good to go. (note: .020″ is minimum safe overbore and has nothing to do with performance. On our brakes, there is zero performance gained by having less than 1.6x caliber through hole, which is why we can accommodate .224″ up to .338″ with the same hole size, though we do use a smaller hole for 1/2-28 thread brakes unless specified larger.)
Accuracy Effects; Any muzzle device or change to the barrel can and will affect POI. This is a harmonic issue, and does NOT harm a rifles ability to shoot accurately. It just means a re-zero and does NOT effect data. However, Properly Designed (once again), Clamp-On Muzzle Brakes will actually INCREASE a rifles accuracy potential. This benefit comes from the increased integrity of more material, and the clamping forces, creating a dynamic reinforcement of the muzzle as the bullet exits, resisting the distortion that occurs as the bullet uncorks from the crown. This has been tested extensively, chopping off the brake at the first port to eliminate the braking effect, we still see consistently smaller groups than with nothing clamped around the barrel. Now to address concentricity and accuracy(clamp-on as well as threaded brakes); With true 90 degree baffles(which we use exclusively), we have seen zero affect on accuracy from non-concentric through holes, so long as there is a minimum of .010″ clearance between the bullet and baffle. We tested with holes intentionally drilled off-center and saw only minor POI change, but no reduction in actual accuracy. Now, with directional or contoured baffles, we observed huge sacrifices in accuracy with non-concentric but safe clearance holes, and this is due primarily to, directional/contoured baffles, gases being redirected into the bullet, buffeting it as it travels through the brake.
Though many people on the internet and at the range will tell you to avoid clamp-on brakes, If you buy QUALITY, and FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, there is nothing to fear unless you are buying a Clamp-On that only clamps on one side, or is priced below what even mediocre threaded brakes cost. If it’s that much cheaper than all of the other Properly Engineered clamp-ons, Where do YOU think the savings come from???